I
quite admit that you are a better actor than I am; in fact, I said so
only a moment ago, but--"

"You wrong me, Brutus; I said an older soldier, not a better. But I
will take you on your own grounds. Have you ever seen a man stabbed or
shot through the heart?"

"I never have, but I know mighty well he wouldn't undo his necktie
afterwards."

Dupre threw back his head and laughed.

"Who is flippant now?" he asked.

"I don't undo my necktie; I merely tear off my collar, which a dying
man may surely be permitted to do. But until you have seen a man die
from such a stab as I receive every night, I don't understand how you
can justly find fault with my rendition of the tragedy. I imagine, you
know, that the truth lies between the two extremes. The man done to
death would likely not make such a fuss as I make; nor would he depart
so quickly as you say he would, without giving the gallery gods a
show for their money. But here we are at the theatre, Carlos, and this
acrimonious debate is closed--until we take our next walk together."

In front of the theatre soldiers were on duty, marching up and down
with muskets on their shoulders, to show that the state was mighty and
could take care of a theatre as well as conduct a war. There were many
loungers about, which might have indicated to a person who did not
know, that there would be a good house when the play began. The two
actors met the manager in the throng near the door.

"How are prospects to-night?" asked Dupre.

"Very poor," replied the manager. "Not half a dozen seats have been
sold."

"Then it isn't worth while beginning?"

"We must begin," said the manager, lowering his voice. "The President
has ordered me not to close the theatre."

"Oh, hang the President!" cried Lemoine impatiently. "Why doesn't he
put a stop to the war, and then the theatre would remain open of its
own accord?"

"He is doing his best to put a stop to the war, only his army does not
carry out his orders as implicitly as our manager does," said Dupre,
smiling at the other's vehemence.

"Balmaceda is a fool," retorted the younger actor. "If he were out of
the way the war would not last another day. I believe he is playing a
losing game, anyhow. It's a pity he hasn't to go to the front himself,
and then a stray bullet might find him and put an end to the war,
which would save the lives of many better men."

"I say, Lemoine, I wish you wouldn't talk like that," expostulated the
mana