"Be call-boy."

I rose to my feet.

"Ladies and gentlemen," I said, " I have to thank you this day-
it is meant for a day, isn't it I- for the honour you have done
me. Although I can scarcely hope to sustain the role in a manner
worthy of the best traditions of- "

"We'd cast you for something else, if it was safe," said Daphne.

"You don't really think I'm going to call, do you?"

"Why not?"


"And have to stand in the wings while you all get crowds of
cabbages and things. Not much! I've been relying on this show
ever since Berry trod on the big marrow."

"Well, of course, there is Buckingham," said Berry.

"Or the soothsayer," said Jill.

"You are now talking," I said. "Soothsaying is one of my fortes-
my Martello tower, in fact. Of course, Hurlingham- "

"Buckingham, stupid!"