The times., 1898-12-18

Miss W. o-She sneezes-and her voice
is very hoarse-
J.-I have some lozenges in my pocket.
Miss w. O.-And then her eyes-stream-
ing!
J.-She needn't look at me-and I won't
look at her.
Miss w. O,-Iow, are you to play "Ro-
meo and Juliet" without looking at each
other? No passion-no heat-every appli-
cation
j. Oaughing and interrupting)-Cold
now by the faculty. And on the might.
you will see. l shall be hot enough. Why
when ! act, my pulse quickens-my brain
throbs-my hand is on fire,
Miss O.-Eou are certainly a cool hand
now, Well, since you insist, I'll ask her
but i am almost sure-trises and opens
door L. Katel Here is Mr.. Jarvis come
to rehearse with you. Is it really quite
impossible for you to get up? Suppose
you make the effort,
Voice-Can't! (Sneezes.)
J.-If l remain here-couldn't we re-
hearse through the open door?
Miss w. O.-How could you show any
fervor through the door?
J.-Why, after ALL Juliet is in the bal
cony-and Romeo below, and in the dark,
1t isn't so very different. Speaking loud
er) Do, Miss Oldfield-I mean Miss Kate!
Voice-Can't talk. Bronchial tubes af-
fected. (Sneezes.)
J.-What is TO be done? ! wonder
whether-an idea occurs TO me-have you
ever in your life acted. Miss oldfield?
Miss ". o. Csmiles)-WeIl, yes. once or
twice. ] am supposed TO know something
about the art. 1t is hereditary in my
family. Do you want me to rehearse
ytyfrh I taa1t Il a,-,r
severe.
J.-Oh! Be as severe as ever you please.
I am not afraid. 1 have played with half
the amateur clubs in London, and l may
say that my elocution has always been
considered very good-very good indeed.
Miss w. o. Tepeats)-Indeed,
J.-My friends will have 1t that If took
| to the regular stage / should become a
| first-rate actor; but of course that is par
| tiality.
Miss W. o.-How very interesting, You
| have youth, Mr.. Jarvis-divine youth-in
your favor, and-plenty of confidence,
| see. Your youth is above all in your IA
| vor for playing Romeo. This most beau
| tiful love story in the world should be
played by a boy and girl. (Sighs)
| am not young enough to be your Juliet
J.-Oh. nonsense. I'm sure-you are
awfully handsome and young enough
don't you know-to-to be-anythirg!
Miss W. O.-Not to be made a fool of
But to rehearse with l may be of use
for what 1 have is-experience.
il am sure you have-a lot of expa
rience.
Miss W. o. (tartly)-What do you meaI
by that, Mr.. Jarvis?
J.-Oh. only that / see you are awful!
clever, and / should like to rehearse will
| hatf phan oil ON
| is heard from the next room.)-I mean
that l am sure you could tell NC
Miss w. GA thing or two Don't b
| afraid! ! shan't spare you. Let us be
gin (She has been heaping up books ol
the table so as to form a wall, to act a
a balcony on which she can lean. Sh
now turns TO shut door L. I'll shut thu
door.
voice-No. Leave the door open
(Sneezes)
Miss W. o.-Are you sure you dom
feel draught. dear?
Voice-No! 1 want to hear you.
Miss w. o. (aside)-I thought sc
(Aloud) Very well. dear. Perhaps yo
you will pick up something which-ma
be of advantage, dear. Now, Mr.. Jarvii
begin. Get up on that chair.
J.-Why am ! to get up on that chair
Miss w. O.-You jump down from tn
wall. Forbes Robertson doesn't-but
like it. II is g-spirited-vigorous-
it gives point to your opening line.
]. getting awkwardly on chair)-Ho'
long am l to remain here?
Miss W. O.-You don't remain" at oil
, AS the scene opens your head is seen az
pearing over the wall, and you leap dow
]. (after jumping down rather heavily