The house was full, Hackett did the part well, and the audience murmured on going out: "a very artistic success." But the play was too mystical, too sad. It would have suited the "New Theatre" patrons better. I wrote him from Nantucket and criticized one or two minor points, such as the 1850 riding habits of the women, which were slouchy and unbecoming and made the army people look like poor emigrants and I received this letter in reply:
WEBSTER AVENUE, NEW ROCHELLE, N. Y.
My dear Mrs. S.,
Much obliged for your talk—it is just what we want—proper impressions.
I fought for that long hair but the management said the audience has got to, have some Hackett—why I could not see—but he is a matinee idol and that long with the box office.
We'll dress Katherine up better.
The long rehearsals at night nearly killed me—I was completely done up and came home on train Monday in that terrific heat and now I am in the hands of a doctor. Imagine me a week without sleep.
Hope that fight took Jack back to his youth. For the stage I don't think it was bad. We'll get grey shirts on their men later.
The old lady arrives to-day—she has been in Gloversville.
I think the play will go—but, we may have to save Ermine. The public is a funny old cat and won't stand for the mustard.