"
"You're like the man who could resist anything except temptation, my
dear: you can stand anything except criticism," returned Banneker with a
smile so friendly that there was no sting in the words. "You've never
had enough of that. You're the spoiled pet of the critics."
"Not of this new one of yours. He's worse than Gurney. Who is he and
where does he come from?"
"An inconsiderable hamlet known as Chicago. Name, Allan Haslett.
Dramatic criticism out there is still so unsophisticated as to be
intelligent as well as honest--at its best."
"Which it isn't here," commented the special pet of the theatrical
reviewers.
"Well, I thought a good new man would be better than the good old ones.
Less hampered by personal considerations. So I sent and got this one."
"But he isn't good. He's a horrid beast. We've been specially nice to
him, on your account mostly--Ban, if you grin that way I shall hate you!
I had Bezdek invite him to one of the rehearsal suppers and he wouldn't
come. Sent word that theatrical suppers affected his eyesight when he
came to see the play."
Banneker chuckled. "Just why I got him. He doesn't let the personal
element prejudice him."
"He is prejudiced. And most unfair. Ban," said Betty in her most
seductive tones, "do call him down.
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