“Tell the truth, madam,” cried Mr. Bates, stretching out an eloquent forefinger at her as she sat on the settle looking at her hands on her lap, “have you ever sat out an entire play?” Kitty looked up and laughed loud and long, so that Mr. Bates felt greatly flattered. He began to believe that he had just said a very clever thing. “Well, there I allow that you have me,” said Kitty. “Sir, I admit that as a rule I do not remain seated during even an entire act of a play.” “Ah,” cried Mr. Bates triumphantly, “I knew that you were a sensible woman, asking your pardon again for my presumption. Your confession bears out my contention; and let me tell you that, on the stage, matters, so far from improving, are steadily degenerating. I hear that that young man Garrick is now more in vogue than that fine old actor, Mr. Quin. Think of it, madam! A wine merchant they say this Garrick was. Have you ever seen him?” “Oh, yes,” said Kitty; “I have seen him.” “And what may he be like?” “Mr. Garrick is like no one, and no one is like Mr. Garrick,” said Kitty warmly. “Ah!” Mr. Bates' lips were curled with a sneer that caused Kitty's feet to tap the floor nervously. “Ah! A little fellow, I understand--not up to my shoulder.” “Physically, perhaps not,” Kitty replied. “But the stature of Mr. Garrick varies. I have seen him tower over every one on the stage--over every one in the playhouse; and again I have seen him dwindle until he was no higher than a child.” Mr. Bates looked surprised. “How does he manage that? A stage trick, I expect.” “I dare say 't is so--merely that stage trick--genius.” “He could not deceive me: I would take his measure,” said Mr. Bates, with a shrewd smirk. “Still, I have heard that even the players beside him on the stage are sometimes carried away with the force of his acting,” said Kitty. “A paltry excuse for forgetting their lines!” sneered Mr. Bates. “Ah! no actor could make a fool of me!” “Would anyone think it necessary to improve on Nature's handiwork in this respect?” asked Kitty demurely. “How?” For a moment Mr. Bates had his doubts as to whether or not the lady meant to pass a compliment upon him. The demure look upon her face reassured him. “You are right, madam; they could easily see what I am,” he said, tapping his chest. “They could, indeed, sir,” said Kitty, more demurely than ever. “I do not doubt, mind you, that there is a certain superficial ability about this Mr. Garrick,” resumed Mr. Bates in a condescending way. “I am sure that Mr. Garrick would feel flattered could he but know that he had the good opinion of Mr. Bates,” remarked Kitty. “Yes, I know that I am generous,” said Mr. Bates. “But this Garrick--I wonder what his Hamlet is like.” “It is _like_ nothing, sir: it is Hamlet,” cried Kitty. “You have seen it? What is he like when the ghost enters? I have made that scene my own.” Kitty sprang from the settle.