he would then scour londonor the continentfor a cast , negotiate their fees , rent the covent garden theatre or some such place , stage and direct the thing , make peace among his warring crews and prima donnas , wear the cashiers hat , the organists , the conductors , the bow-takers , and pay masters , and then , with all of london singing his praises again ( and , to be sure , he was not above enjoying praise ) , it was off to brook street , where he lived , to count the profits .