Hill. Yes, it's not bad. There are six verses, some of them even better than that.
[The Chairman rises to propose the only toast of the evening, "Success to the Great Actor who is about to leave us for a short time." The usual speech—reminiscent, anecdotic, prophetic of tremendous triumphs, mildly humorous, pathetic.
The Chairman (concluding). Therefore I bid you all charge your glasses as full of wine as your hearts are full of sympathy, and join me in wishing success to the Great Man, who is about to cull new laurels in a foreign land.
[Roars of applause. Immense enthusiasm. The Great Actor responds. He is moved to tears. He assures his friends, that wherever he may go his heart will ever turn fondly to them. Great cheering.
Tiffington (puffing his cigar). Not so bad. I always said he could speak better than he could act.
[The supper concludes. Hall has not been asked to sing.
Friend of Great Actor (departing, to Tiffington). It's been a splendid evening, hasn't it?
Tiffington (putting on his coat). Yes. Pretty fair. (To Hall.) Sorry for you, old chap. But the song will keep.
Hall. Keep? Oh, yes, it'll keep. I'll make it red-hot for the lot of 'em, and sing it at Blankbury next year. They won't like that, I rather think.