"Same old family, Sir; best stock in England. Won't you join us in a drink of some sort, Sir?"
"No, thank you, I've just got up from the table."
"Ah, yes, Sir. But make yourself perfectly at home in this town. I know a great many people here, and all my friends will be glad to welcome you. And you'll find my friend here (motioning toward me) as bright as a judge and as straight as a string. Well, I'll be back by the time you get through with your reading."
I went with the manager to his room, and if he had been cool before, he now was freezing.
"Well, go ahead."
I read the first act, glancing at him from time to time; but no change passed over his implacable countenance. He sat with his eyes shut.
"Go ahead."
I read the second act; but the droll representatives of a fun-growing soil did not crack the crust of his countenance.
"Well, go on."
I had now lost hope, and with scarcely a pause I hurried to the end of the last act. He opened his eyes, got up, walked to the window, looked out, whistled softly and then turned to me.