"Our biggest! My boy, you're booming! Old Jonson Ramer asking to come in to our rehearsal! We'll have that all over the States to-morrow morning. Where's Cane?"
"I'll fetch him, sir!" said a thin boy standing by.
"Are you going to let them in?"
"Am I going to! Finnigan, go and take the lady and Mr. Ramer to any box they like. Ah, Cane! Here's something for you to let yourself out over!"
Mr. Cane read Ramer's card and looked radiant.
"Well, I'm—!"
"I should think you are! Go and spread it. This boy's getting compliments enough to turn him silly."
And Crayford clapped Claude almost affectionately on the shoulder.
"Now then, Mulworth!" he roared, with a complete change of manner. "When in thunder are we going to have that curtain up?"
Claude turned away. He wished to find Charmian, to tell her that Mrs. Shiffney had come and had brought Jonson Ramer with her. But he did not know where she was. As he came off the stage into the wings he met Alston Lake dressed for his part of an officer of Spahis.