and next
morning gave me to understand that he had mentioned my affair to the
manager, and that I had nothing more to do than to go to his house any
time in the forenoon, and make use of his name, upon which I should find
immediate admittance. I took his advice, put my performance in my bosom,
and, having received directions, went immediately to the house of Mr.
Supple, and knocked at the door, which had a wicket in the middle, faced
with a net-work of iron. Through this a servant having viewed me for
some time, demanded to know my business. I told him my business was
with Mr. Supple, and that I came from Mr. O'Varnish. He examined my
appearance once more, then went away, returned in a few minutes, and
said his master was busy, and could not be seen. Although I was a little
mortified at my disappointment, I was persuaded that my reception was
owing to Mr. Supple's ignorance of my errand: and, that I might meet
with no more obstructions of the same kind, I desired Mr. O'Varnish
to be my introductor the next time. He complied with my request, and
obtained immediate admittance to the manager, who received me with
the utmost civility, and promised to read my play with the first
convenience. By his own appointment I called again in a fortnight, but
he was gone out: I returned in a week after, and the poor gentleman
was extremely ill: I renewed my visit in a fortnight after that, and he
assured me he had been so much fatigued with business, that he had
not been able as yet to read it to an end, but he would take the first
opportunity: and, in the meantime, observed that what he had yet seen of
it was very entertaining. I comforted myself with this declaration a few
weeks longer, at the end of which I appeared again before his wicket,
was let in, and found him laid up with the gout. I no sooner entered
his chamber than, looking at me with a languishing eye, he said, "Mr.
Melopoyn, I'm heartily sorry for an accident that has happened during my
illness. You must know that my eldest boy, finding your manuscript upon
the table in the dining-room, where I used to read it, carried it into
the kitchen, and leaving it there, a negligent wench of a cook-maid,
mistaking it for waste paper, has expended it but a few leaves
in singing fowls upon the spit. But I hope the misfortune is not
irreparable, since, no doubt, you have several copies."

"I protest to you, my good friend, Mr. Random, I was extremely shocked
at this information; but