1n6xZiV

[ Aetat. 34-36 ]/ o y c E 427the envelope as if it were a tip. Moreover, Carr claimed to be entitled toreimbursement for the cost of his new clothing, 1 50 francs. Sykes calmedhim, but Joyce, when he heard about Carr's conduct, went into a furyof his own. Sykes pointed out that the company was billed for a tour ofFrench Switzerland, and persuaded Joyce to let matters ride for a fewdays.But Joyce's annoyance with Carr swelled again overnight; he forgot hispromise of patience, and at 11:30 the next morning, May 1, went to theconsulate. He found Carr with two other employees named Smith andGann, and with measured tactlessness he asked Carr for some moneyowing on tickets. Carr had been given twenty tickets to sell for the performance,and as yet had handed in money for only twelve. His tempermounting before Joyce's manner, Carr gave Joyce 15 francs and said hehad not yet been paid for the others. He then demanded 1 50 francs fromJoyce for his costume. Joyce replied that Carr had surely not had the suitmade only for this performance, and that his participation in the playhad been a matter of honor for a British subject. This retort was toomuch for Carr, who shouted at Joyce (as the latter reconstructed theconversation for legal purposes), 'You're a cad. You've cheated me andpocketed the proceeds. You're a swindler. If you don't get out, I'll throwyou down stairs. Next time I catch you outside I'll wring your neck.'Joyce was left momentarily speechless by 'these monstrous injuries inflictedon his honor,' as his lawyer later called them, but recovered himselfsufficiently to say limply, i don't think this is fit language to be usedin a Government office.' 71The incident coalesced in his mind with theearlier time, in June 1904, when he had actually been knocked down.When he encountered Cecil Palmer soon afterwards, he was still tremblingwith indignation. He had just composed two letters, which he exhibitedto Palmer: one was to Bennett, the consul-general, and one wasto the Zurich police. The first asked that Carr be dismissed from theconsular service and the second that the police protect him against Carr'sthreats. Palmer was not sympathetic* 72Joyce then went to Sykes, whowas flabbergasted.He asked Rawson to try to patch up the matter withCarr, but Rawson found Carr seething with anger at what he in turnconsidered Joyce's offensive behavior. Consul-General Bennett, 'thatpublic servant' as Joyce ironically called him, took the part of Carr, andmade clear to Sykes that if he continued to be associated with Joyce, hewould withdraw official support for the Players. Sykes, caught in the middle,elected to stay with Joyce. Joyce, for his part, went to Goldschmidt'slawyer, Konrad Bloch, and had him institute two suits against Carr on* Joyce was not often kind to Palmer either. Palmer was a little bald on the front part ofhis head, and Joyce said that when Palmer spoke to anyone, his eyes seemed to be askingmutely, 'What have you done with my front hair?' When Palmer did a sketch of Mrs.Sykes, Joyce remarked, 'It's a very good likeness of Mr. Palmer.' It did seem to raise herforehead.