“It is a very serious situation …” began the stage director.
“Oh, shut up!” said Mr Goble.
The stage director subsided into his collar.
“I cannot play the overture again,” protested Mr Saltzburg. “I cannot!”
At this point Mr Miller appeared. He was glad to see Mr Goble. He had been looking for him, for he had news to impart.
“The girls,” said Mr Miller, “have struck! They won’t go on!”
Mr Goble, with the despairing gesture of one who realizes the impotence of words, dashed off for his favorite walk up stage. Wally took out his watch.
“Six seconds and a bit,” he said approvingly, as the manager returned. “A very good performance. I should like to time you over the course in running-kit.”
The interval for reflection, brief as it had been, had apparently enabled Mr Goble to come to a decision.
“Go,” he said to the stage director, “and tell ’em that fool of a D’Arcy girl can play. We’ve got to get that curtain up.”