"I think I'd play it in armour," Potter continued his thought,
still gazing at the ceiling. "I believe it would be a big thing."

"It might if it was touted right," said Tinker. "It all depends
on the touting. If you get it touted to the tank towns that
you've got a play with the great religious gonzabo, then your
show's a big property. Same if you get it touted for a great
educational gonzabo. Or 'artistic.' Get it touted right for
'artistic,' and the tanks'll think they like it, even if they
don't. Look at 'Cyrano'--they liked Mansfield and his acting,
but they didn't like the show. They said they liked the show,
and thought they did, but they didn't. If they'd like it as
much as they said they did, that show would be running like
'Uncle Tom's Cabin.' Speaking of that"--he paused, coughed, and
went on--"I'm glad you've got the ingenue's part straightened
out in this piece. I thought from the first it would stand a
little lengthening."

Potter, unheeding, dreamily proceeded: "In silver armour. Might
silver the hair a little--not too much. Play it as a spiritual
character, but not solemn. Wouldn't make it turgid; keep it
light. Have the whole play spiritual but light. For instance,
have room in it for a religious ingenue part--make her a younger
sister of Mary Magdalene, say, with St. Paul becoming converted
for her sake after he'd been a Roman General. I believe it's a
big idea."

Canby was growing nervous. All this seemed to be rambling
farther and farther from "Roderick Hanscom." Potter relieved his
anxiety, however, after a thoughtful sigh, by saying abruptly: