But the distinguished critics were not there to see it.
Ensconced at a table in Jakey Wirth's swell beer saloon they were partaking of hohn kukken and tongue blood pudding.
"I view that play with alarm," declared M. Mencken.
"Something should be done about it," asserted Herr. Nathan.
"Let us write to our Congressman."
"On the contrary I favor a statement to the press."
So, with the aid of Herm the waiter, the following manifesto was indited:
"In the interests of fair play, we, the undersigned, feel called upon to rise in defence of the voiceless middle classes. The middle classes have-never done anything to the playwright. On the contrary they have been very nice about buying tickets and even sitting through entire productions. We wish Miss Nichols and her pals would lay off Apple Sauces, Abies Irish Roses, and White Collarses and give us more dress suit dramas. We favor uplift. Yah! "Y'rs. "GEORGE. "HENRY. "HERM."