"The Management has the honor of requesting the presence of the lady and gentleman artists of the Company, as also the members of the orchestra and the choruses, at a tea and social to be held at the home of the Director on the 6th of this month, after the performance. The Director of the Society of Dramatic Artists. (Signed) John, the Anointed, Cabinski.
"Well, what do you say, Pepa? . . . Will this do? . . ." the
Director asked his wife after he had read aloud the invitation.
"Teddy! be quiet, I can't hear what father is reading." "Mamma,
Eddy took my roll!"
"Papa, Teddy called me a jackass!"
"Silence! By God! with those children . . . Quiet them, Pepa."
"If you give me a penny, pa, I'll be quiet."
"And me too, me too!"
Cabinski held the whip on his knee under the table and waited; as soon as the children had advanced near enough, he sprang up and began to belabor them.
There arose a squealing and screeching; the door flew open and the junior directors went sliding down the banisters to the accompaniment of howls.
Cabinski calmly proceeded to read over again the invitation.