"I wish to see the members of the company to-night, Smith, and have a talk with them. We have secured the opening night in a brand-new house next Saturday night—the Gotown Metropolitan Academy of Music. Don't look surprised. It is a fact. The place isn't quite completed yet, and may not be altogether finished when we open it. However, that cuts no ice, for I never in my experience found a newly built theatre to be altogether ready at the time it was announced to open—but the place opened, just the same."
"Is it really a new house, Handy?" inquired Smith, somewhat in doubt.
"It will be when it is finished."
"Have you seen the builder's designs? What kind of a place is it, anyhow?"
"Designs be hanged! No. They build without plans in Gotown. The place is growing so almighty fast they have no time to waste preparing plans or designs. The builder thinks them out as he works along."
"But there's a hall?" inquired Smith, doubtingly as before.
"I told you," replied Handy, a little vexed, "it isn't there yet, but we will find it there when we arrive. Don't you want to risk it, Smith?"
"Of course I want to go, but there are some who hesitate."
"Who are they?"
"I'd sooner you would find it out from themselves."