How are you to get up the sympathies of the audience in a legitimate manner, if there isn't a little man contending against a big one ?--unless there's at least five to one, and we haven't hands enough for that business in our company.' 'I see,' replied Nicholas.

'I beg your pardon.

That didn't occur to me, I confess.' 'It's the main point,' said Mr Crummles.

'I open at Portsmouth the day after tomorrow.

If you're going there, look into the theatre, and see how that'll tell.' Nicholas promised to do so, if he could, and drawing a chair near the fire, fell into conversation with the manager at once.