And England held its breath; and even Scotland paused, expectant; and Ireland stirred in its Celtic dream.
_Mention of Two Moles_ The theatre in which the emotional drama of Witt Parfitts was to be played, lacked the usual characteristics of a modern place of entertainment.

It was far too high for its width and breadth; it was badly illuminated; it was draughty in winter and stuffy in summer, being completely deprived of ventilation.

Had it been under the control of the County Council it would have been instantly condemned as dangerous in case of fire, for its gangways were always encumbered and its exits of a mediaeval complexity.

It had no stage, no footlights, and all its seats were of naked wood except one.
This unique seat was occupied by the principal player, who wore a humorous wig and a brilliant and expensive scarlet costume.

He was a fairly able judge, but he had mistaken his vocation; his rare talent for making third-rate jokes would have brought him a fortune in the world of musical comedy.