The Jest Book

part in the piece, the whole of his audience (thirty in number), hissed

him whenever he appeared. When the piece ended, he came forward and said, "Ladies and gentlemen, I return you my sincere thanks for your kindness, but when you mean to hiss me again on my benefit night, I hope you will be at least _six times_ as many as are here to-night."

CC.--NOVEL OFFENCE.