Dan Leno Book

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: CHAPTER III DAN LENO AS AUTHOR AND PAINTER WHEN the company on tour arrived in a new town, and were looking for lodgings, Mr. Leno, senior, generally used to formulate his request something in the following manner :? " I require a room for myself and wife, and any odd corner you may have where we can put the boys." The boys in question were Dan Leno and Johnny Danvers, and there is no manner of doubt that, as a rule, they slept in some very odd corners indeed. Left very much to themselves when they were not required on the stage, they used to amuse each other by telling impromptu stories. If they were lucky enough to secure a real bedroom with a real window in it, they were able to round off these stories with dramatic effect. If Dan, for instance, told a particularly good one, Johnny, to show his appreciation, would get out of bed, and gravely raise and lower the window-blind ; while Dan, also getting HERBERT CAMPBELL, JOHNNY UANVEES, AND UAN LENO out of bed, would as solemnly bow to the street. In theatrical parlance, he " took his curtain." The pair used to indulge in long conversations of absolute nonsense, the aim being to keep the ball rolling, the more eccentrically and extravagantly the better. As for instance:? Dan. I once had an IOU. Johnny. So had I ; but now I've only got U left. Dan. Yes! Poor IO died. Johnny. What did IO die of? Dan. Don't you know ? Iodide of potassium. Johnny (looking for socks and finding a pair with holes in theui). Don't talk to me! I'm collecting my rents. Dan. Ah! That's the worst of taking socks on a long lease. Johnny (inspecting socks). These are three quarters overdue ! I must speak to my valet. Dan. Oh! By-the-by, have you heard what's happened to my valet, Simpson ? Johnny. No ! y...Read More