ss Terry
and Mr. Terriss also look over the big white sheets of paper. The
fox-terrier strolls up to the group, gives a glance at them, and walks
back again to Miss Terry's chair with a slightly cynical look. Then Mr.
Irving returns to the groups by the benches. "Remember, gentlemen, you
must be arguing here, laying down the law in this way," suiting the
action to the word. "Just arrange who is to argue. Don't do it
promiscuously, but three or four of you together. Try to put a little
action into it. I want you to show your arms, and not to keep them glued
to your sides like trussed fowls. No; that isn't half enough action.
Don't be frightened. Better make too much noise rather than too little,
but don't stop too suddenly. Start arguing when I ring the first bell.
As I ring the second bell, you see me enter, and stop." The dog stands
one bell, but the second annoys him, and he disappears from the stage
altogether, until the people on the benches have finished their
discussion.

Mr. Irving next tries the three-cornered stools which are placed around
the table, but prefers square ones. The dog returns, walks over to the
orchestra, looks vainly for a rat, and retreats under the table in the
centre of the stage as if things were getting really too much for him.
But his resting place is ill-chosen, for presently half-a-dozen angry
lords jump on the table, and he is driven forth once more. After a
stormy scene with the lords, Mr. Irving walks up the steps again. "When
I say 'I depart,' you must let me get up the steps. All this time your
pent-up anger is waiting to burst out suddenly. Don't go to sleep over
it." He looks at the table in the centre of the stage, and turns to a
carpenter. "This table will never do. It has to be jumped on by so many
people that it must be very strong. They follow me. (To Miss Terry)
They'd better catch hold of me, up the steps here."

Miss Terry: They must do something. They can't stand holding you like
that.

Mr. Irving: No. The door opens suddenly at top of steps, and discovers
the crowd, who shout, "Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the
Lord."

The doors open and the crowd shout, but the effect is not good.

Miss Terry: It would be better if it were done at the foot of the steps.
The people needn't show their faces as they do it, and the effect will
be so much better.

The effect is tried, and found to answer admirably. Then the carpenters
carry away the scenery, and the stage