Frank and Marcus replied promptly in the affirmative, and Charlie brought up the rear, by saying,
"Well, I suppose I must be on the popular side, and go with the majority—yea."
Here was one of the fruits of going to the theatre. What had been witnessed there created the desire to undertake the same, although Nat's object was to improve himself in rhetorical exercises. But the enterprise grew out of his visits to the theatre, and was well suited to excite critical remarks. It is probable that most actors and actresses are made so by first witnessing theatrical performances. We are acquainted with a person, whose nephew is an actor, with no purer character than actors usually possess. He was a lover of books in his youth; and his desire to become an actor was begotten in the theatre. He was so delighted with what he saw on the stage, that he finally resolved to make stage-playing his profession; and he now belongs to that unhonored fraternity. It is not strange that some people were surprised that Nat should originate such a society.
"What shall we play?" inquired Frank, on the evening the dramatic society was organized.
"'Macbeth,'" replied Nat, who had witnessed this at the theatre. "It may be more difficult than some others, but it is one of the best plays."
"You must get up the scenery," said Frank.
"With the assistance of the rest of you," replied Nat. "It will be no great affair to paint what we want for this play."
"How long will it take?" inquired Marcus.
"We can do it in two evenings," answered Nat. "We ought not to be longer than that, if we intend to commit the play so as to act it next week."
"No one but members of the society will be admitted, I suppose," said Charlie, "until we have thoroughly practised the play."