encourage genius, to--"

"Genius your Granny!" she exclaimed. "Don't you suppose that these
regular theatre managers know genius when they see it?"

"Some of the best plays ever written have never seen the light of
day," said he.

"Then how does any one know that they were good plays, if they never
were played? Tell me that, Thomas Bingle."

"My dear, I am only repeating what history tells--"

"Well, answer this question then: what do you know about a play? Where
do you get your wonderful knowledge of dramatic composition?"

"I think you will acknowledge that I know my Shakespeare pretty well,"
he said stiffly.

"But Richard Flanders isn't Shakespeare, Thomas. He's a reporter on a
daily paper. Now, for goodness' sake, be sensible. Don't make a fool
of yourself, dear. I know what's best for you. I--"

"I'm merely proposing to FINANCE the thing, Mary," he argued. "I'm
doing it because I like Dick and I want him to succeed. I do not set
myself up as a real manager. I'm what Dick calls an 'angel.' He says--
"

"Well of all the--Do you mean to say that big, strapping fellow called
you an angel?"