He re-ascended the steps of the Green Box, and said to the wolf,--

Talk as much as you can."

Then, raising his voice,--

"What a crowd there is! We shall have a crammed performance."

In the meantime Vinos played the tambourine. Ursus went on,--

"Dea is dressed. Now we can begin. I am sorry they have admitted so

many spectators. How thickly packed they are!--Look, Gwynplaine, what a

mad mob it is! I will bet that to-day we shall take more money than we

have ever done yet.--Come, gipsies, play up, both of you. Come

here.--Fibi, take your clarion. Good.--Vinos, drum on your tambourine.

Fling it up and catch it again.--Fibi, put yourself into the attitude of

Fame.--Young ladies, you have too much on. Take off those jackets.

Replace stuff by gauze. The public like to see the female form exposed.

Let the moralists thunder. A little indecency. Devil take it! what of

that? Look voluptuous, and rush into wild melodies. Snort, blow,

whistle, flourish, play the tambourine.--What a number of people, my

poor Gwynplaine!"

He interrupted himself.

Gwynplaine, help me. Let down the platform." He spread out his

pocket-handkerchief. "But first let me roar in my rag," and he blew his

The Man Who Laughs