While I was performing this manœuvre, the rush and jamb in the main vestibule became so great that the police officers were obliged to draw their clubs to maintain order.
On that evening we performed the opera Puritani, in which Mdme. Gerster again sang, to the delight of the numerous audience. About this time I discovered that the head usher had been in the habit of secreting a lot of stools and hiring them out to those who were standing at an extra charge of 12s. apiece. I at once sent for Captain Short, the esteemed Chief of Police, who said to the usher—
"Have the kindness to ask that lady to get up and take that stool away."
"All right," said the usher. "Please hand me that stool, madam."
"But you made me pay 12s. for it; at all events, return me my money."
The Captain said—
"Give the lady back her 12s."
The answer was—
"We never return fees."