kindly consented to allow us the use for the evening, for this
purpose, and that you, Mr. Canby, would then give us an informal
talk--" (She was momentarily interrupted by a deferential murmur of
"Hear! Hear!" from everybody.) "What I meant to suggest," she
resumed, smiling graciously as from a platform, "was a sort of
descriptive lecture, of course wholly informal--not so much upon
your little play itself, Mr. Canby, for I believe we are all
familiar with its subject-matter, but what would perhaps be more
improving in artistic ways would be that you give us your
impressions of this little experience of yours to-day while it is
fresh in your mind. I would suggest that you tell us, simply, and in
your own way, exactly what was the form of procedure at rehearsal,
so that those of us not so fortunate as to be already en rapport
with such matters may form a helpful and artistic idea of--of this.
I would suggest that you go into some details of this, perhaps
adding whatever anecdotes or incidents of--of--of the day--you think
would give additional value to this. I would suggest that you tell
us, for instance, how you were received upon your arrival, who took
you to the most favourable position for observing the performance,
and what was said. We should be glad to hear also, I am sure, and
artistic thoughts or--or knowledge--Mr. Potter may have let fall in
the green-room; or even a few witticisms might not be out of place,
if you should recall these. We should all like to know, I am sure,
what Mr. Potter's method of conceiving his part was. Also, does he
leave entire freedom to his company in the creation of their own
roles, or does he aid them? Many questions, no doubt, occur to all
of us. For instance: Did Mr. Potter offer you any suggestions for
changes and alterations that might aid to develop the literary and
artistic value of the pl--"