odd manner, imitated Nazimova--as Nazimova would play a butler.

So these artists step out into the light--before a houseful of
great laughter; one feels that they have struck the true note of
what you meant your play should have. I think the impossible
seriousness of triangle scenes in modern plays has been swept off
the stage here--and "A Slice of Life" has done it....

The effect of "A Slice of Life" is even greater and more general
than "The Twelve-Pound Look." All agree that each year you have
given our stage the real novelty of its theatrical season. And the
fine thing about it is that you have given me the opportunity of
putting these before the public.

I am getting along very slowly. I am able to do my work in my rooms
and go on crutches for a couple of hours at rehearsals. But always
I am in great pain. I hope to see you by the end of March. I don't
know whether you will shake my hand or my crutch. But I expect to
be there. We can take up the matters of "A Slice of Life," etc.,
then.

I am so delighted about "Peter Pan" this season. I am wondering if
you have done anything about that Shakespeare play, which I believe
would be another big novelty.

_To Sir Arthur Wing Pinero, March, 1912:_

Perhaps this will reach you on your return from the Continent. I
hope you have made a good trip and that you are happy.

I hope to give you for the "Mind the Paint Girl" Miss Billie Burke,
who is an enormous attraction here. She played in her little piece
from the French last week in St. Louis to $15,700. All the way
along the line her houses are sold out completely before her
appearance. Her play is only a slight thing--an adaptation from the
French, but play-goers seem to have gone wild over her. Besides
this, she is not only handsome, but every inch the very
personification of the "Paint Girl." Moreover, she is a genuinely
human actress. It will be a big combination for me to make--the
large cast required for the "Paint Girl," together with this
valuable star and your great play.

_To John Drew, March, 1912:_

I am glad to hear from you and to know that you are having
freezingly cold weather in the South. The joke is on the people
here. They think you are having such nice warm weather.

I am getting along pretty well. I am about the