Minding His Cue
MR. ELLISTON was enacting the part of Richmond; and having, during the
evening, disobeyed the injunction which the King of Denmark lays down to
the Queen, Gertrude, do not drink, he accosted Mr. Powell, who was
personating Lord Stanley (for the safety of whose son Richmond is
naturally anxious), THUS, on his entry, after the issue of the battle:--
Elliston (as Richmond). Your son, George Stanley, is he dead?
Powell (as Lord Stanley). He is, my Lord, and safe in Leicester
town!
Elliston (as Richmond). I mean--ah!--is he missing?
Powell (as Lord Stanley). He is, my Lord, and safe in Leicester
town!!
And it is but justice to the memory of this punctilious veteran, to say
that he would have made the same reply to any question which could, at
that particular moment, have been put to him.