"I never _do_ remember when--and before the Duke too!" Mr.Jope coughed.

"His R'yal Highness, sir--if you'll let me say so--was a bit like what you might call everyone else last night.
He shook hands very affectionate, sir, at parting, an' hoped to have your company again before long." "Did he so?
Did he so ?" said Captain Crang.

"And--er--could you at the same time call to mind what I answered ?" Mr.Jope looked down modestly.

"Well, sir, having my hands full at the time wi' this here little lot, I dunno as I can remember precisely.

Was it something about the theayter, Bill ?" he demanded, turning to Mr.Adams.
"It wor," answered Mr.Adams sturdily.
"And as how you'd never shipped a crew o' playactors afore, but you'd do your best ?" "Either them very words or to that effect," confirmed Mr.Adams, breathing hard and staring defiantly at the horizon.
"The theatre?
.