stark, staring mad. And now I want you to write up an explanation for
me. This kind of thing exposes me to derision. I can't stand it, and,
by George! I won't! I'll sue you for libel."

Then the major promised to make amends, and Mr. Brewer withdrew in a
calmer mood.




CHAPTER XX.

_HIGH ART_.


An itinerant theatrical company gave two or three performances in
Millburg last winter, and in a very creditable fashion, too. One of
the plays produced was Shakespere's "King John," with the "eminent
tragedian Mr. Hammer" in the character of the _King_. It is likely
that but for an unfortunate misunderstanding the entertainment would
have been wholly delightful. There is a good deal of flourishing of
trumpets in the drama, and the manager, not having a trumpeter of his
own, engaged a German musician named Schenck to supply the music.
Schenck doesn't understand the English language very well, and the
manager put him behind the scenes on the left of the stage, while the
manager stood in the wing at the right of the stage. Then Schenck was
instructed to toot his trumpet when the manager signaled with his
hand. Everything went along smoothly enough until _King John_ (Mr.
Hammer) came to the passage, "Ah, me! this tyrant fever burns me up!"
Just as _King John_ was about to utter this the manager brushed a fly