Театр

           Whenhewrunganoldtrooper’shand,whowasgettingsevenpoundsaweek,andsaid,byGod,laddie,you’restupendous,theoldtrooperfeltlikeCharlesKean.

           IthappenedthatwhenMichaelkepttheappointmenthehadaskedfor,JimmieLangtonwasinneedofaleadingjuvenile.HehadguessedwhyMichaelwantedtoseehim,andhadgonethenightbeforetoseehimplay.MichaelwasplayingMercutioandhehadnotthoughthimverygood,butwhenhecameintotheofficehewasstaggeredbyhisbeauty.Inabrowncoatandgreyflanneltrousers,evenwithoutmake-up,hewassohandsomeittookyourbreathaway.Hehadaneasymannerandhetalkedlikeagentleman.WhileMichaelexplainedthepurposeofhisvisitJimmieLangtonobservedhimshrewdly.Ifhecouldactatall,withthoselooksthatyoungmanoughttogofar.

           "IsawyourMercutiolastnight,"hesaid."Whatd’youthinkofityourself?"

           "Rotten."

           "SodoI.Howoldareyou?"

           "Twenty-five."

           "Isupposeyou’vebeentoldyou’regood-looking?"

           "That’swhyIwentonthestage.OtherwiseI’dhavegoneintothearmylikemyfather."

           "Bygum,ifIhadyourlookswhatanactorI’dhavebeen."

           TheresultoftheinterviewwasthatMichaelgotanengagement.HestayedatMiddlepoolfortwoyears.Hesoongrewpopularwiththecompany.Hewasgood-humouredandkindly;hewouldtakeanyamountoftroubletodoanyoneaservice.HisbeautycreatedasensationinMiddlepoolandthegirlsusedtohangaboutthestagedoortoseehimgoout.Theywrotehimlovelettersandsenthimflowers.