“Come on, Guv’nor.” He stretched out a hand and helped Eliphalet to his feet.
“I think,” said Eliphalet in a dazed sort of way, “I am not very well to-night.”
“You’re all right,” said Manning. “I’ll give you a hand to your dressing-room.”
Half-way down the long stone corridor Eliphalet hung back and resisted.
“Dunno whether iss struck you, but I think we’re having an allfully jolly evening, ol’ boy.”
“You get changed,” remarked Manning grimly, and handed him over to the dresser.
When he returned to the stage he found several members of the company talking together in animated whispers.
He at once projected himself into their midst.
“If I hear man or woman saying the Guv’nor’s drunk,” he said, “he or she gets the sack—quick. Got that?” And, cocking his hat over his right eye, he marched off.
Before the curtain the simple audience were discussing the play.