"They want me for the _White Slaves_ Company--the Father. Offered four. Of course I refused point-blank. 'No,' I said, 'six.' 'Oh,' he said, 'impossible!' I wouldn't budge; what do _you_ think! Why, I had eight with Kavanagh, and she's as good as booked me for her next tour. '_I_ don't mind,' I said; 'I'll go to the Harcourts!' They've been trying to get me back, and he knows it. 'Don't do that,' he said; 'say five, my boy!' 'Six!' I said, 'and I only take it then to fill in.' 'Well, they want you,' he said; 'you're the only man for the part, and I suppose you've got to have your own terms; but they wouldn't pay it to anybody else.'" His salary was to be three-pounds-ten, and he could have shed tears of relief to get it. "Damn fine, old chap!" said the low comedian, who didn't believe him. "Is the comedy part open, do you know? I might----" "Don't think so; fancy they're complete." His manner was already condescending. "Olive oil!" "Now, I can't see you people to-day!" exclaimed Mr. Passmore, putting up his hands impatiently. "No good, Miss Forbes," as a girl made a dart towards him with a nervous smile that was meant to be ingratiating; "got nothing for you, it's no use.... What do _you_ want, my dear?" Another lady, who found it embarrassing to explain her anxiety in public, faltered "that she had just looked in to hear if Mr. Passmore could kindly----" "Nothing doing! perhaps later on. I'll let you know." "You _will_ bear me in mind, _won't_ you, Mr. Passmore?" she pleaded. "What?" he said. "Oh, yes, yes; I'll drop you a postcard--I won't forget you. Good-day." He did not even recollect her name. "Can I speak to you, Mr. Passmore?" said Mamie, rising. "You?" he said questioningly. "Oh, I can't do anything for you yet! Everything's made up--things are very quiet just now.... Here, Miss Beaumont, I want a word with you." "Give me a minute," persisted Mamie. "I want an engagement; I don't care how small the part is. I'll be a servant, I'll be anything, I want a beginning! I recited to you, if you remember, and----" "Did you?" he said. "Oh, yes, yes, I remember--very nice. You wanted to play Juliet!" He laughed. "I'll be _anything!_" she said again. "I'll give you double the commission if----" "Have you got enough voice for chorus?" he asked testily. "How are your limbs?" "I want to be an actress," she said, flushing. "I mean to work!" "Come on, Miss Beaumont!" he cried. And Miss Beaumont swept past her into the sanctum.