Well, we'll see." But nothing was done, and at the second rehearsal Quin's Captain Macheath was more droningly dismal than ever.

A dead silence followed the dance with which the last act concludes, and amid the stillness came from somewhere behind the scenes the sound of a mellow tenor voice trolling Macheath's lively melody, "When the heart of a man's depressed with care." "By the lord," quoth Quin, "that's the voice of Tom Walker.

He's the man for Macheath.

Mr.Rich, I resign the part.

It was never meant for me.
Give it to Walker." John Rich grunted, but he made no objection.