Page:Zangwill-King of schnorrers.djvu/75

61 THE KING OF SCIINORREKS. 61

" Don't speak to me, I tell you. If you have anything to urge in extenuation of your disgraceful behaviour, address your remarks to my guest."

"You'll overlook it this time, sir," said the little humorist, turning to Yankele.

"Next time, p'raps, you believe me ven I say I have a seat in Mr. da Costa's box," replied Yankele, in gentle reproach.

u Yell, i you're satisfied, Yankele," said Manasseh, with a touch of scorn, " I have no more to say. Go along, my man, show us to our box."

The official bowed and led them into the corridor. Sud- denly he turned back.

"What box is it, please?" he said timidly.

"Blockhead!" cried Manasseh. "Which box should it be? The empty one, of course."

" But, sir, there are two boxes empty," urged the poor humorist deprecatingly, " the stage-box and the one by the gallery."

" Dolt ! Do I look the sort of person who is content with a box on the ceiling? Go back to your post, sir — I'll find the box myself — Heaven send you wisdom — go back, some one might sneak in while you are away, and it would just serve you right."

The little man slunk back half dazed, glad to escape from this overwhelming personality, and in a few seconds Manasseh stalked into the empty box, followed by Yankele, whose mouth was a grin and whose eye a twinkle. As the Spaniard took his seat there was a slight outburst of clapping and stamping from a house impatient for the end of the entr'acte.

Manasseh craned his head over the box to see the house, which in turn craned to see him, glad of any diversion, and some people, imagining the applause had reference to the