Evening star., 1941-02-02
A rollicking story of show business :. in which
Matt and Mile. those lovable hams, try to do
good deed in dizzilY naughty world
by Sinclair Lewis
aro bye C. BsoH


good to be home. l like to give out to my
public, but l always was a great hand for
domesticity."
''Since when?" said Mile with the greatest
derision and fondness
Their castle among the dunes was two
room abode with magnificent porch. There
were only few lazy cocoanut palms and the
wide cream -colored beach between 1t and the
gentle breakers. They tore off their sneakers
and sat on the edge of the porch, trailing their
toes in the cold sand.
'Golly, this is the good life," said Matt
contentedly. And if you can Just look out
through the inlet there, and look far enough,
you can see the coast of Africa, and all them
jungles in the SUM-
Matt lay back on the porch, happily falling
asleep. He woke to the sound of the Splendid
Springs Daily Bubble banging on the porch,
the young carriers shout of "Mornin', Ma -
how's Greta Carlo today" Miles rustling
opening of the sheet, and then her shout,
Matt! He's coming here! And he's going to
stay at the Silver-Plaza!"
Who is?"
llc III uhc Oul DIT dilu put I'd III
a revue if he ever writes another one - and
he's got to, even if he does say he's quit the
stage for keeps - the theater needs him.
Doesn't it?"
Needs who? Whoyuh talking about?
Donald Duck or Charley Mccarthy"
MOI Evan Wycoff! He's coming here!'
Nor
YOUNG Evan Wycoff - twenty-five years
he had been on the stage and he was still but
forty was actor, playwright, composer,
dancer, director; his careless gfacefulness had
lured two hemispheres away from worries.
He was the best ambassador that England
had ever sent to an America somewhat bored
by lecturing British authors who publicly
informed the aboriginal Americans that the
only thing they could see that was wrong with
the blasted country was that they didn't like
it. Apparently Evan did like it, and he knew
it so intimately that in any Broadway play he
could tell right off which of the characters
represented Haywood Broun and which Alex
.ander Woollcott. But he had shocked the
Profession recently by abruptly closing his
Fantastic Toe, and announcing that he was
done with mining forever.
Now actors like Matt and Nlillie Carnival
may be humanity jealous of players who steal
their scenes, yet as group, as devoted
sect, they love the creators of great drama.
They had never seen Evan Wycoff; yet they
thought of him as son of whom they were
tearfully proud. They always spoke of him as
EVAN" and exulted to each other: Hey,
listen, see how Evans packing 'em in at the
Music Box? Swell!'
Matt grunted now: Maybe he'll come to
' the Grill some night. Say, I'll bet he'll like
our routines"
They saw Evan Wycoff - but not at the
Grill
When he arrived at Splendid Springs,
Evan leased the celebrated Brosseaux man.
sion, which resembled an atoll in being
mass of palms and coral walls surrounding
navigable swimming pool. Strolling past it
with pretentious carelessness, Matt and Millie
saw him in white fannels, espadrilles, and
beret, poking about his domain. They recog
nized his graceful awkwardness, his cherubi-
cally impertinent face.
He didn't seem to be having much fun In
his role of lord of the manor He was swinging
a polo mallet and, while they watched, he
(Confinued on poge 1O)