"A daisy of an acting-manager, isn't he? I once knew another fellow much the—two, I call two—and then, at the end of the tour, hanged if they didn't rush us for a presentation to him!"
"So they will for this chap. Presentations in the profession, upon my soul, are the——"
"Three," said the "Duchess."
"And when the time comes, not a member of the crowd will have the pluck to refuse. You see!"
"Did you ever know an actor who had, when he was asked?"
Dolliver flushed excitedly.
"Nap!" he exclaimed.
"Oh, oh, oh! Dolliver goes nap!"
"No; d'ye mean it? Very well, fire ahead, then; play up!"
There was two minutes' silence, and the youngster smacked down his last card, preparing a smile for defeat.