Seven o’clock
the audience were all coming . Everybody knew his part : the dresses were covered with tinsel and spangles ; the white plumes looked beautiful ; Mr. Evans had practised falling until he was bruised from head to foot and quite perfect ; _ Iago _ was sure that , in the stabbing-scene , he should make ` a decided hit . ' A self-taught deaf gentleman , who had kindly offered to bring his flute , would be a most valuable addition to the orchestra ; Miss Jenkins 's talent for the piano was too well known to be doubted for an instant ; Mr. Cape had practised the violin accompaniment with her frequently ; and Mr. Brown , who had kindly undertaken , at a few hours ' notice , to bring his violoncello , would , no doubt , manage extremely well . Seven o'clock came , and so did the audience ; all the rank and fashion of Clapham and its vicinity was fast filling the theatre . There were the Smiths , the Gubbinses , the Nixons , the Dixons , the Hicksons , people with all sorts of names , two aldermen , a sheriff in perspective , Sir Thomas Glumper -LRB- who had been knighted in the last reign for carrying up an address on somebody 's escaping from nothing -RRB- ; and last , not least , there were Mrs. Joseph Porter and Uncle Tom , seated in the centre of the third row from the stage ; Mrs. P. amusing Uncle Tom with all sorts of stories , and Uncle Tom amusing every one else by laughing most immoderately . Ting , ting , ting ! went the prompter 's bell at eight o'clock precisely , and dash went the orchestra into the overture to ` The Men of Prometheus . '