AT GIBRALTAR EN ROUTE 15 



on the landing. " I say," putting his head round the 

 doorway, "it is silly rot giving me such lines. Fancy 

 singing all that idiotic love nonsense ! I shall change. 

 I'd rather be the old fellow. I like that patriotic song 

 of his. How does it go ? 



" England, England, there's nothing like old England, 

 Home of the brave and free ! " 



" Quite right ! " struck in the stout R.E. Major, cast 

 for the part. " Nobody can act what he doesn't under- 

 stand. One must throw oneself right into it and aban- 

 don individuality. I'll be the hero. It is a creation 

 after my own heart. Tra-la ! Tra-la ! Stands to 

 reason I must have more experience than a young man 

 like you. And above everything the love passages 

 should come naturally and spontaneously." 



" Are you here to cast your parts or to rehearse ? " 

 asked the Major-Manager in tones of concentrated 

 fury. " There's not a single round peg in a square 

 hole." 



" Oh, fie. Major Abdy ! " chirruped a kittenish globe- 

 trotting widow. " Do you dare say I make a good old 

 woman, and that's my part." 



At the last moment, with pomp of artifice and 

 excellence of design, the leading lady arrived, very 

 bored and tired of life generally. 



" I've come in a cab. Major Abdy. I suppose you've 

 no objection to charging it to general expenses ? Yes, 

 I know the proceeds are for a charity, but charity 

 begins at home, and it wouldn't be an atom charitable 

 to expect me to walk to rehearsal in this heat." 



