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He had a remarkable Press. I give a few examples of the notices he obtained from the leading papers: "Mr Eustace Merrowby was Tommy." Daily Telegraph. "The cast included Mr Eustace Merrowby." Times. "... Mr Eustace Merrowby..." Daily Chronicle. "We have no space in which to mention all the other performers." Morning Leader.
There was something in the playing of the principal actor which moved him strangely. He looked at his programme. "Othello Mr EUSTACE MERROWBY." Mr Levinski frowned thoughtfully. "Merrowby?" he said to himself. "I don't know the name, but he's the man I want." He was finishing breakfast next morning when Mr Merrowby was announced. "Ah, good-morning," said Mr Levinski, "good-morning.
He had to amuse himself with something that evening, and the choice apparently lay between Othello and the local Directory. He picked up the Directory. By a lucky chance for Eustace Merrowby it was three years old. Mr Levinski put on his fur coat and went to see Othello. For some time he was as bored as he had expected to be, but half-way through the Third Act he began to wake up.
True, The Era, careful never to miss a single performer, had yet to say, "Mr Eustace Merrowby was capital as Tommy," and The Stage, "Tommy was capitally played by Mr Eustace Merrowby"; but even without this he had become one of the Men who Count one whose private life was of more interest to the public than that of any scientist, general or diplomat in the country.
He waved Eustace away and took up the Directory again with a business-like air. And so Eustace Merrowby came to London. It is a great thing for a young actor to come to London. As Mr Levinski had warned him, his new part was not so big as that of Othello; he had to say "Hofo tsetse!" which was alleged to be Kaffir for "Down, sir!" to the big ostrich.
But the completest tragedy has its compensations for some one. The pitiable arrival of Mr Levinski at "The Duke's Head," unrecognized and with his fur coat slightly ruffled, might make a sceptic of the most devout optimist, and yet Eustace Merrowby can never look back upon that evening without a sigh of thankfulness; for to him it was the beginning of his career.
Finally, as a convincing proof of his greatness, let it be said that everybody has at least heard the name "Eustace Merrowby" even though some may be under the impression that it is the trade-mark of a sauce; and that half the young ladies of Wandsworth Common and Winchmore Hill are in love with him. If this be not success, what is?
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