“Pardon me,” says Irving to Claudio; “if you get your hand above your head in that position, you will never get it down again. Suppose you adopt this idea, eh? What do you think?”
“Certainly, it is better,” says Claudio.
Irving, as he speaks, illustrates his own view of the scene.
“Then we will try it again.”
The scene is repeated.
“Yes, very good, that will do.”
The rehearsal goes on.
“No, no,” says Irving, “there must be no wait; the second procession must come on promptly at the cue. Try it again. And hold your halberd like this, my boy; not as if you were afraid of it. There, that’s it.”
The supernumerary accepts his lesson; the music cue is repeated; the halberdiers file in; the military strains cease, the organ peals out, the wedding procession comes on.