Chapter 25

by Charles Dickens

　　Concerning a young Lady from London, who joins the Company, and anelderly Admirer who follows in her Train; with an affecting Ceremonyconsequent on their ArrivalThe new piece being a decided hit, was announced for every eveningof performance until further notice, and the evenings when thetheatre was closed, were reduced from three in the week to two. Norwere these the only tokens of extraordinary success; for, on thesucceeding Saturday, Nicholas received, by favour of theindefatigable Mrs Grudden, no less a sum than thirty shillings;besides which substantial reward, he enjoyed considerable fame andhonour: having a presentation copy of Mr Curdle's pamphlet forwardedto the theatre, with that gentleman's own autograph (in itself aninestimable treasure) on the fly-leaf, accompanied with a note,containing many expressions of approval, and an unsolicitedassurance that Mr Curdle would be very happy to read Shakespeare tohim for three hours every morning before breakfast during his stayin the town.'I've got another novelty, Johnson,' said Mr Crummles one morning ingreat glee.'What's that?' rejoined Nicholas. 'The pony?''No, no, we never come to the pony till everything else has failed,'said Mr Crummles. 'I don't think we shall come to the pony at all,this season. No, no, not the pony.''A boy phenomenon, perhaps?' suggested Nicholas.'There is only one phenomenon, sir,' replied Mr Crummlesimpressively, 'and that's a girl.''Very true,' said Nicholas. 'I beg your pardon. Then I don't knowwhat it is, I am sure.''What should you say to a young lady from London?' inquired MrCrummles. 'Miss So-and-so, of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane?''I should say she would look very well in the bills,' said Nicholas.'You're about right there,' said Mr Crummles; 'and if you had saidshe would look very well upon the stage too, you wouldn't have beenfar out. Look here; what do you think of this?'With this inquiry Mr Crummles unfolded a red poster, and a blueposter, and a yellow poster, at the top of each of which publicnotification was inscribed in enormous characters--'First appearanceof the unrivalled Miss Petowker of the Theatre Royal, Drury Lane!''Dear me!' said Nicholas, 'I know that lady.''Then you are acquainted with as much talent as was ever compressedinto one young person's body,' retorted Mr Crummles, rolling up thebills again; 'that is, talent of a certain sort--of a certain sort."The Blood Drinker,"' added Mr Crummles with a prophetic sigh, '"TheBlood Drinker" will die with that girl; and she's the only sylph Iever saw, who could stand upon one leg, and play the tambourine onher other knee, like a sylph.''When does she come down?' asked Nicholas.'We expect her today,' replied Mr Crummles. 'She is an old friendof Mrs Crummles's. Mrs Crummles saw what she could do--always knewit from the first. She taught her, indeed, nearly all she knows.Mrs Crummles was the original Blood Drinker.''Was she, indeed?''Yes. She was obliged to give it up though.''Did it disagree with her?' asked Nicholas.'Not so much with her, as with her audiences,' replied Mr Crummles.'Nobody could stand it. It was too tremendous. You don't quiteknow what Mrs Crummles is yet.'Nicholas ventured to insinuate that he thought he did.'No, no, you don't,' said Mr Crummles; 'you don't, indeed. I don't,and that's a fact. I don't think her country will, till she isdead. Some new proof of talent bursts from that astonishing womanevery year of her life. Look at her--mother of six children--threeof 'em alive, and all upon the stage!''Extraordinary!' cried Nicholas.'Ah! extraordinary indeed,' rejoined Mr Crummles, taking acomplacent pinch of snuff, and shaking his head gravely. 'I pledgeyou my professional word I didn't even know she could dance, tillher last benefit, and then she played Juliet, and Helen Macgregor,and did the skipping-rope hornpipe between the pieces. The veryfirst time I saw that admirable woman, Johnson,' said Mr Crummles,drawing a little nearer, and speaking in the tone of confidentialfriendship, 'she stood upon her head on the butt-end of a spear,surrounded with blazing fireworks.''You astonish me!' said Nicholas.'She astonished me!' returned Mr Crummles, with a very seriouscountenance. 'Such grace, coupled with such dignity! I adored herfrom that moment!'The arrival of the gifted subject of these remarks put an abrupttermination to Mr Crummles's eulogium. Almost immediatelyafterwards, Master Percy Crummles entered with a letter, which hadarrived by the General Post, and was directed to his graciousmother; at sight of the superscription whereof, Mrs Crummlesexclaimed, 'From Henrietta Petowker, I do declare!' and instantlybecame absorbed in the contents.'Is it--?' inquired Mr Crummles, hesitating.'Oh, yes, it's all right,' replied Mrs Crummles, anticipating thequestion. 'What an excellent thing for her, to be sure!''It's the best thing altogether, that I ever heard of, I think,'said Mr Crummles; and then Mr Crummles, Mrs Crummles, and MasterPercy Crummles, all fell to laughing violently. Nicholas left themto enjoy their mirth together, and walked to his lodgings; wonderingvery much what mystery connected with Miss Petowker could provokesuch merriment, and pondering still more on the extreme surprisewith which that lady would regard his sudden enlistment in aprofession of which she was such a distinguished and brilliantornament.But, in this latter respect he was mistaken; for--whether Mr VincentCrummles had paved the way, or Miss Petowker had some special reasonfor treating him with even more than her usual amiability--theirmeeting at the theatre next day was more like that of two dearfriends who had been inseparable from infancy, than a recognitionpassing between a lady and gentleman who had only met some half-dozen times, and then by mere chance. Nay, Miss Petowker evenwhispered that she had wholly dropped the Kenwigses in herconversations with the manager's family, and had represented herselfas having encountered Mr Johnson in the very first and mostfashionable circles; and on Nicholas receiving this intelligencewith unfeigned surprise, she added, with a sweet glance, that shehad a claim on his good nature now, and might tax it before long.Nicholas had the honour of playing in a slight piece with MissPetowker that night, and could not but observe that the warmth ofher reception was mainly attributable to a most persevering umbrellain the upper boxes; he saw, too, that the enchanting actress castmany sweet looks towards the quarter whence these sounds proceeded;and that every time she did so, the umbrella broke out afresh.Once, he thought that a peculiarly shaped hat in the same corner wasnot wholly unknown to him; but, being occupied with his share of thestage business, he bestowed no great attention upon thiscircumstance, and it had quite vanished from his memory by the timehe reached home.He had just sat down to supper with Smike, when one of the people ofthe house came outside the door, and announced that a gentlemanbelow stairs wished to speak to Mr Johnson.'Well, if he does, you must tell him to come up; that's all I know,'replied Nicholas. 'One of our hungry brethren, I suppose, Smike.'His fellow-lodger looked at the cold meat in silent calculation ofthe quantity that would be left for dinner next day, and put back aslice he had cut for himself, in order that the visitor'sencroachments might be less formidable in their effects.'It is not anybody who has been here before,' said Nicholas, 'for heis tumbling up every stair. Come in, come in. In the name ofwonder! Mr Lillyvick?'It was, indeed, the collector of water-rates who, regarding Nicholaswith a fixed look and immovable countenance, shook hands with mostportentous solemnity, and sat himself down in a seat by the chimney-corner.'Why, when did you come here?' asked Nicholas.'This morning, sir,' replied Mr Lillyvick.'Oh! I see; then you were at the theatre tonight, and it was yourumb--''This umbrella,' said Mr Lillyvick, producing a fat green cotton onewith a battered ferrule. 'What did you think of that performance?''So far as I could judge, being on the stage,' replied Nicholas, 'Ithought it very agreeable.''Agreeable!' cried the collector. 'I mean to say, sir, that it wasdelicious.'Mr Lillyvick bent forward to pronounce the last word with greateremphasis; and having done so, drew himself up, and frowned andnodded a great many times.'I say, delicious,' repeated Mr Lillyvick. 'Absorbing, fairy-like,toomultuous,' and again Mr Lillyvick drew himself up, and again hefrowned and nodded.'Ah!' said Nicholas, a little surprised at these symptoms ofecstatic approbation. 'Yes--she is a clever girl.''She is a divinity,' returned Mr Lillyvick, giving a collector'sdouble knock on the ground with the umbrella before-mentioned. 'Ihave known divine actresses before now, sir, I used to collect--atleast I used to call for--and very often call for--the water-rate atthe house of a divine actress, who lived in my beat for upwards offour year but never--no, never, sir of all divine creatures,actresses or no actresses, did I see a diviner one than is HenriettaPetowker.'Nicholas had much ado to prevent himself from laughing; not trustinghimself to speak, he merely nodded in accordance with Mr Lillyvick'snods, and remained silent.'Let me speak a word with you in private,' said Mr Lillyvick.Nicholas looked good-humouredly at Smike, who, taking the hint,disappeared.'A bachelor is a miserable wretch, sir,' said Mr Lillyvick.'Is he?' asked Nicholas.'He is,' rejoined the collector. 'I have lived in the world fornigh sixty year, and I ought to know what it is.''You ought to know, certainly,' thought Nicholas; 'but whether youdo or not, is another question.''If a bachelor happens to have saved a little matter of money,' saidMr Lillyvick, 'his sisters and brothers, and nephews and nieces,look to that money, and not to him; even if, by being a publiccharacter, he is the head of the family, or, as it may be, the mainfrom which all the other little branches are turned on, they stillwish him dead all the while, and get low-spirited every time theysee him looking in good health, because they want to come into hislittle property. You see that?''Oh yes,' replied Nicholas: 'it's very true, no doubt.''The great reason for not being married,' resumed Mr Lillyvick, 'isthe expense; that's what's kept me off, or else--Lord!' said MrLillyvick, snapping his fingers, 'I might have had fifty women.''Fine women?' asked Nicholas.'Fine women, sir!' replied the collector; 'ay! not so fine asHenrietta Petowker, for she is an uncommon specimen, but such womenas don't fall into every man's way, I can tell you. Now suppose aman can get a fortune in a wife instead of with her--eh?''Why, then, he's a lucky fellow,' replied Nicholas.'That's what I say,' retorted the collector, patting him benignantlyon the side of the head with his umbrella; 'just what I say.Henrietta Petowker, the talented Henrietta Petowker has a fortune inherself, and I am going to--''To make her Mrs Lillyvick?' suggested Nicholas.'No, sir, not to make her Mrs Lillyvick,' replied the collector.'Actresses, sir, always keep their maiden names--that's the regularthing--but I'm going to marry her; and the day after tomorrow, too.''I congratulate you, sir,' said Nicholas.'Thank you, sir,' replied the collector, buttoning his waistcoat.'I shall draw her salary, of course, and I hope after all that it'snearly as cheap to keep two as it is to keep one; that's aconsolation.''Surely you don't want any consolation at such a moment?' observedNicholas.'No,' replied Mr Lillyvick, shaking his head nervously: 'no--ofcourse not.''But how come you both here, if you're going to be married, MrLillyvick?' asked Nicholas.'Why, that's what I came to explain to you,' replied the collectorof water-rate. 'The fact is, we have thought it best to keep itsecret from the family.''Family!' said Nicholas. 'What family?''The Kenwigses of course,' rejoined Mr Lillyvick. 'If my niece andthe children had known a word about it before I came away, they'dhave gone into fits at my feet, and never have come out of 'em tillI took an oath not to marry anybody--or they'd have got out acommission of lunacy, or some dreadful thing,' said the collector,quite trembling as he spoke.'To be sure,' said Nicholas. 'Yes; they would have been jealous, nodoubt.''To prevent which,' said Mr Lillyvick, 'Henrietta Petowker (it wassettled between us) should come down here to her friends, theCrummleses, under pretence of this engagement, and I should go downto Guildford the day before, and join her on the coach there, whichI did, and we came down from Guildford yesterday together. Now, forfear you should be writing to Mr Noggs, and might say anything aboutus, we have thought it best to let you into the secret. We shall bemarried from the Crummleses' lodgings, and shall be delighted to seeyou--either before church or at breakfast-time, which you like. Itwon't be expensive, you know,' said the collector, highly anxious toprevent any misunderstanding on this point; 'just muffins andcoffee, with perhaps a shrimp or something of that sort for arelish, you know.''Yes, yes, I understand,' replied Nicholas. 'Oh, I shall be mosthappy to come; it will give me the greatest pleasure. Where's thelady stopping--with Mrs Crummles?''Why, no,' said the collector; 'they couldn't very well dispose ofher at night, and so she is staying with an acquaintance of hers,and another young lady; they both belong to the theatre.''Miss Snevellicci, I suppose?' said Nicholas.'Yes, that's the name.''And they'll be bridesmaids, I presume?' said Nicholas.'Why,' said the collector, with a rueful face, 'they will have fourbridesmaids; I'm afraid they'll make it rather theatrical.''Oh no, not at all,' replied Nicholas, with an awkward attempt toconvert a laugh into a cough. 'Who may the four be? MissSnevellicci of course--Miss Ledrook--''The--the phenomenon,' groaned the collector.'Ha, ha!' cried Nicholas. 'I beg your pardon, I don't know what I'mlaughing at--yes, that'll be very pretty--the phenomenon--who else?''Some young woman or other,' replied the collector, rising; 'someother friend of Henrietta Petowker's. Well, you'll be careful notto say anything about it, will you?''You may safely depend upon me,' replied Nicholas. 'Won't you takeanything to eat or drink?''No,' said the collector; 'I haven't any appetite. I should thinkit was a very pleasant life, the married one, eh?''I have not the least doubt of it,' rejoined Nicholas.'Yes,' said the collector; 'certainly. Oh yes. No doubt. Goodnight.'With these words, Mr Lillyvick, whose manner had exhibited throughthe whole of this interview a most extraordinary compound ofprecipitation, hesitation, confidence and doubt, fondness,misgiving, meanness, and self-importance, turned his back upon theroom, and left Nicholas to enjoy a laugh by himself if he felt sodisposed.Without stopping to inquire whether the intervening day appeared toNicholas to consist of the usual number of hours of the ordinarylength, it may be remarked that, to the parties more directlyinterested in the forthcoming ceremony, it passed with greatrapidity, insomuch that when Miss Petowker awoke on the succeedingmorning in the chamber of Miss Snevellicci, she declared thatnothing should ever persuade her that that really was the day whichwas to behold a change in her condition.'I never will believe it,' said Miss Petowker; 'I cannot really.It's of no use talking, I never can make up my mind to go throughwith such a trial!'On hearing this, Miss Snevellicci and Miss Ledrook, who knewperfectly well that their fair friend's mind had been made up forthree or four years, at any period of which time she would havecheerfully undergone the desperate trial now approaching if shecould have found any eligible gentleman disposed for the venture,began to preach comfort and firmness, and to say how very proud sheought to feel that it was in her power to confer lasting bliss on adeserving object, and how necessary it was for the happiness ofmankind in general that women should possess fortitude andresignation on such occasions; and that although for their partsthey held true happiness to consist in a single life, which theywould not willingly exchange--no, not for any worldly consideration--still (thank God), if ever the time should come, they hoped theyknew their duty too well to repine, but would the rather submit withmeekness and humility of spirit to a fate for which Providence hadclearly designed them with a view to the contentment and reward oftheir fellow-creatures.'I might feel it was a great blow,' said Miss Snevellicci, 'to breakup old associations and what-do-you-callems of that kind, but Iwould submit, my dear, I would indeed.''So would I,' said Miss Ledrook; 'I would rather court the yoke thanshun it. I have broken hearts before now, and I'm very sorry forit: for it's a terrible thing to reflect upon.''It is indeed,' said Miss Snevellicci. 'Now Led, my dear, we mustpositively get her ready, or we shall be too late, we shall indeed.'This pious reasoning, and perhaps the fear of being too late,supported the bride through the ceremony of robing, after which,strong tea and brandy were administered in alternate doses as ameans of strengthening her feeble limbs and causing her to walksteadier.'How do you feel now, my love?' inquired Miss Snevellicci.'Oh Lillyvick!' cried the bride. 'If you knew what I am undergoingfor you!''Of course he knows it, love, and will never forget it,' said MissLedrook.'Do you think he won't?' cried Miss Petowker, really showing greatcapability for the stage. 'Oh, do you think he won't? Do you thinkLillyvick will always remember it--always, always, always?'There is no knowing in what this burst of feeling might have ended,if Miss Snevellicci had not at that moment proclaimed the arrival ofthe fly, which so astounded the bride that she shook off diversalarming symptoms which were coming on very strong, and running tothe glass adjusted her dress, and calmly declared that she was readyfor the sacrifice.She was accordingly supported into the coach, and there 'kept up'(as Miss Snevellicci said) with perpetual sniffs of sal volatile andsips of brandy and other gentle stimulants, until they reached themanager's door, which was already opened by the two MasterCrummleses, who wore white cockades, and were decorated with thechoicest and most resplendent waistcoats in the theatrical wardrobe.By the combined exertions of these young gentlemen and thebridesmaids, assisted by the coachman, Miss Petowker was at lengthsupported in a condition of much exhaustion to the first floor,where she no sooner encountered the youthful bridegroom than shefainted with great decorum.'Henrietta Petowker!' said the collector; 'cheer up, my lovely one.'Miss Petowker grasped the collector's hand, but emotion choked herutterance.'Is the sight of me so dreadful, Henrietta Petowker?' said thecollector.'Oh no, no, no,' rejoined the bride; 'but all the friends--thedarling friends--of my youthful days--to leave them all--it is sucha shock!'With such expressions of sorrow, Miss Petowker went on to enumeratethe dear friends of her youthful days one by one, and to call uponsuch of them as were present to come and embrace her. This done,she remembered that Mrs Crummles had been more than a mother to her,and after that, that Mr Crummles had been more than a father to her,and after that, that the Master Crummleses and Miss Ninetta Crummleshad been more than brothers and sisters to her. These variousremembrances being each accompanied with a series of hugs, occupieda long time, and they were obliged to drive to church very fast, forfear they should be too late.The procession consisted of two flys; in the first of which wereMiss Bravassa (the fourth bridesmaid), Mrs Crummles, the collector,and Mr Folair, who had been chosen as his second on the occasion.In the other were the bride, Mr Crummles, Miss Snevellicci, MissLedrook, and the phenomenon. The costumes were beautiful. Thebridesmaids were quite covered with artificial flowers, and thephenomenon, in particular, was rendered almost invisible by theportable arbour in which she was enshrined. Miss Ledrook, who wasof a romantic turn, wore in her breast the miniature of some field-officer unknown, which she had purchased, a great bargain, not verylong before; the other ladies displayed several dazzling articles ofimitative jewellery, almost equal to real, and Mrs Crummles came outin a stern and gloomy majesty, which attracted the admiration of allbeholders.But, perhaps the appearance of Mr Crummles was more striking andappropriate than that of any member of the party. This gentleman,who personated the bride's father, had, in pursuance of a happy andoriginal conception, 'made up' for the part by arraying himself in atheatrical wig, of a style and pattern commonly known as a brownGeorge, and moreover assuming a snuff-coloured suit, of the previouscentury, with grey silk stockings, and buckles to his shoes. Thebetter to support his assumed character he had determined to begreatly overcome, and, consequently, when they entered the church,the sobs of the affectionate parent were so heart-rending that thepew-opener suggested the propriety of his retiring to the vestry,and comforting himself with a glass of water before the ceremonybegan.The procession up the aisle was beautiful. The bride, with the fourbridesmaids, forming a group previously arranged and rehearsed; thecollector, followed by his second, imitating his walk and gesturesto the indescribable amusement of some theatrical friends in thegallery; Mr Crummles, with an infirm and feeble gait; Mrs Crummlesadvancing with that stage walk, which consists of a stride and astop alternately--it was the completest thing ever witnessed. Theceremony was very quickly disposed of, and all parties presenthaving signed the register (for which purpose, when it came to histurn, Mr Crummles carefully wiped and put on an immense pair ofspectacles), they went back to breakfast in high spirits. And herethey found Nicholas awaiting their arrival.'Now then,' said Crummles, who had been assisting Mrs Grudden in thepreparations, which were on a more extensive scale than was quiteagreeable to the collector. 'Breakfast, breakfast.'No second invitation was required. The company crowded and squeezedthemselves at the table as well as they could, and fell to,immediately: Miss Petowker blushing very much when anybody waslooking, and eating very much when anybody was not looking; and MrLillyvick going to work as though with the cool resolve, that sincethe good things must be paid for by him, he would leave as little aspossible for the Crummleses to eat up afterwards.'It's very soon done, sir, isn't it?' inquired Mr Folair of thecollector, leaning over the table to address him.'What is soon done, sir?' returned Mr Lillyvick.'The tying up--the fixing oneself with a wife,' replied Mr Folair.'It don't take long, does it?''No, sir,' replied Mr Lillyvick, colouring. 'It does not take long.And what then, sir?''Oh! nothing,' said the actor. 'It don't take a man long to hanghimself, either, eh? ha, ha!'Mr Lillyvick laid down his knife and fork, and looked round thetable with indignant astonishment.'To hang himself!' repeated Mr Lillyvick.A profound silence came upon all, for Mr Lillyvick was dignifiedbeyond expression.'To hang himself!' cried Mr Lillyvick again. 'Is any parallelattempted to be drawn in this company between matrimony andhanging?''The noose, you know,' said Mr Folair, a little crest-fallen.'The noose, sir?' retorted Mr Lillyvick. 'Does any man dare tospeak to me of a noose, and Henrietta Pe--''Lillyvick,' suggested Mr Crummles.'--And Henrietta Lillyvick in the same breath?' said the collector.'In this house, in the presence of Mr and Mrs Crummles, who havebrought up a talented and virtuous family, to be blessings andphenomenons, and what not, are we to hear talk of nooses?''Folair,' said Mr Crummles, deeming it a matter of decency to beaffected by this allusion to himself and partner, 'I'm astonished atyou.''What are you going on in this way at me for?' urged the unfortunateactor. 'What have I done?''Done, sir!' cried Mr Lillyvick, 'aimed a blow at the whole frameworkof society--''And the best and tenderest feelings,' added Crummles, relapsinginto the old man.'And the highest and most estimable of social ties,' said thecollector. 'Noose! As if one was caught, trapped into the marriedstate, pinned by the leg, instead of going into it of one's ownaccord and glorying in the act!''I didn't mean to make it out, that you were caught and trapped, andpinned by the leg,' replied the actor. 'I'm sorry for it; I can'tsay any more.''So you ought to be, sir,' returned Mr Lillyvick; 'and I am glad tohear that you have enough of feeling left to be so.'The quarrel appearing to terminate with this reply, Mrs Lillyvickconsidered that the fittest occasion (the attention of the companybeing no longer distracted) to burst into tears, and require theassistance of all four bridesmaids, which was immediately rendered,though not without some confusion, for the room being small and thetable-cloth long, a whole detachment of plates were swept off theboard at the very first move. Regardless of this circumstance,however, Mrs Lillyvick refused to be comforted until thebelligerents had passed their words that the dispute should becarried no further, which, after a sufficient show of reluctance,they did, and from that time Mr Folair sat in moody silence,contenting himself with pinching Nicholas's leg when anything wassaid, and so expressing his contempt both for the speaker and thesentiments to which he gave utterance.There were a great number of speeches made; some by Nicholas, andsome by Crummles, and some by the collector; two by the MasterCrummleses in returning thanks for themselves, and one by thephenomenon on behalf of the bridesmaids, at which Mrs Crummles shedtears. There was some singing, too, from Miss Ledrook and MissBravassa, and very likely there might have been more, if the fly-driver, who stopped to drive the happy pair to the spot where theyproposed to take steamboat to Ryde, had not sent in a peremptorymessage intimating, that if they didn't come directly he shouldinfallibly demand eighteen-pence over and above his agreement.This desperate threat effectually broke up the party. After a mostpathetic leave-taking, Mr Lillyvick and his bride departed for Ryde,where they were to spend the next two days in profound retirement,and whither they were accompanied by the infant, who had beenappointed travelling bridesmaid on Mr Lillyvick's expressstipulation: as the steamboat people, deceived by her size, would(he had previously ascertained) transport her at half-price.As there was no performance that night, Mr Crummles declared hisintention of keeping it up till everything to drink was disposed of;but Nicholas having to play Romeo for the first time on the ensuingevening, contrived to slip away in the midst of a temporaryconfusion, occasioned by the unexpected development of strongsymptoms of inebriety in the conduct of Mrs Grudden.To this act of desertion he was led, not only by his owninclinations, but by his anxiety on account of Smike, who, having tosustain the character of the Apothecary, had been as yet whollyunable to get any more of the part into his head than the generalidea that he was very hungry, which--perhaps from old recollections--he had acquired with great aptitude.'I don't know what's to be done, Smike,' said Nicholas, laying downthe book. 'I am afraid you can't learn it, my poor fellow.''I am afraid not,' said Smike, shaking his head. 'I think if you--but that would give you so much trouble.''What?' inquired Nicholas. 'Never mind me.''I think,' said Smike, 'if you were to keep saying it to me inlittle bits, over and over again, I should be able to recollect itfrom hearing you.''Do you think so?' exclaimed Nicholas. 'Well said. Let us see whotires first. Not I, Smike, trust me. Now then. Who calls soloud?"'"Who calls so loud?"' said Smike.'"Who calls so loud?"' repeated Nicholas.'"Who calls so loud?"' cried Smike.Thus they continued to ask each other who called so loud, over andover again; and when Smike had that by heart Nicholas went toanother sentence, and then to two at a time, and then to three, andso on, until at midnight poor Smike found to his unspeakable joythat he really began to remember something about the text.Early in the morning they went to it again, and Smike, rendered moreconfident by the progress he had already made, got on faster andwith better heart. As soon as he began to acquire the words prettyfreely, Nicholas showed him how he must come in with both handsspread out upon his stomach, and how he must occasionally rub it, incompliance with the established form by which people on the stagealways denote that they want something to eat. After the morning'srehearsal they went to work again, nor did they stop, except for ahasty dinner, until it was time to repair to the theatre at night.Never had master a more anxious, humble, docile pupil. Never hadpupil a more patient, unwearying, considerate, kindhearted master.As soon as they were dressed, and at every interval when he was notupon the stage, Nicholas renewed his instructions. They prosperedwell. The Romeo was received with hearty plaudits and unboundedfavour, and Smike was pronounced unanimously, alike by audience andactors, the very prince and prodigy of Apothecaries.