"Now, wouldn't you suppose," said Kiss, addressing himself to Mr. Lethbridge, "that Linton was so overwhelmed at his failure that he had no heart to try again? I am happy to say that is not the case. He has already got another play ready, a better one than the last, a play that is bound to hit 'em?" "I am delighted to hear it," said Mr. Lethbridge, with a bright smile. "I must come the first night; we'll all come--mother and Fanny and Phoebe and Bob. I dare say we shall be able to find room in the pit." "Plenty," observed Mr. Linton, moodily. "And bring good thick sticks with you," said Kiss, "to help the applause." "When is it to be played," asked Mr. Lethbridge, laughing at the suggestion of the big sticks, "and where?" "Ah," said Kiss, "that's the rub. It is a question not yet decided." "There are so many managers after it, I suppose?" said Mr. Lethbridge, innocently. "Look at it from a business point of view; accept the best offer at the best theatre." Kiss leant back in his chair, and laughed long and loud. He had a particularly merry laugh, and the sound was heard in the kitchen. ("That's Mr. Kiss laughing," said Fanny. "The author has said something funny." "I hope uncle will remember it," added Phoebe, "and tell us what it is. How wonderfully an author must talk, and what wonderful minds they must have! How ever do they think of things?") "The fact is, Leth," said Kiss, presently, "we have not such a choice of managers and theatres as you imagine." "Why, surely," said Mr. Lethbridge, "they are only too ready to jump at a good play when it is offered them!" "If I were asked," said Kiss, "who were the worst possible judges of a manuscript play, I should answer, theatrical managers. As regards Linton's last effort, which he has at the present moment in his coat pocket"--(Mr. Lethbridge knew from this remark what the great bulge was at Mr. Linton's breast, concerning which he had been rather puzzling himself; every now and then the dramatic author put his hand up to the pocket which contained his manuscript, to make sure that the precious documents were safe)--"as regards that," continued Kiss, "there is a certain obtuseness on the part of managers which has to be overcome before the new play sees the light. They have read it, and have shaken their heads at it. Now I pit my judgment against theirs." "So will I," said Mr. Lethbridge. "And I say there's money and fame in Linton's last. By-the-way, Linton, that's not at all a bad title for something--'Linton's Last.' Think of it." "At all events," observed the despondent author, with a lame attempt at a joke, "there would be an end of me after that." "Not at all, my boy; couldn't spare you. As I said, Leth, the managers, all but one, shake their heads at Linton's play, and, like asses, refuse it." "All but one," said Mr. Lethbridge. "He's a fortunate man, whoever he is." "He is not _quite_ blind. Now, Leth, that is the real reason of our visit to you."