n frient." And the worthy Albrecht became almost briskly
cordial in manner. Perhaps here was an "angel" waiting to be plucked
in the holy name of art; at least, he appeared well dressed, looked
intellectually promising, and expressed himself as totally indifferent
regarding salary. Such visitors were indeed few and far between, and
the astute manager sufficiently understood his business to permit his
heavy features to relax into a hearty, welcoming smile. "Oxactly,
young man. Sit down, und I vill see yoost vat vos pest for us both.
You vould be an actor; you haf the ambition. Ah! I see it in your
eyes, and it gif me great bleasure. But, young man, it vos unfortunate
dot I haf not mooch just now to gif you, yet the vay vill open if you
only stays mit me. Sure; yaw, I, Samuel Albrecht, vill make of you a
great actor. I can see dot in your face, und for dot reason I vill now
gif you the chance. You begin at the pottom, but not for long; all I
vants now vos a utility man--some one to take small barts, understudy,
und be ready to help out mit der scenery und der trunks. I could not
bay moch monies for dot," and he spread his beringed hands
deprecatingly, "but it vos only der first step on der ladder of fame.
Every day I teach you de great art of de actor. You come with me dot
way, mein frient?"

"Certainly; that will be perfectly satisfactory."

"Ah," delightedly, "you vos a goot poy, villin' to learn, I see. Next
season, who knows, you might be leading man if you vork hardt. I bay
you now after one veek's trial, when I know petter vot you are vort,
hey?"

Winston carelessly nodded his acceptance of these rather indefinite
terms, his hands thrust into his pockets, his gray eyes smiling their
appreciation of the situation. Albrecht was deliberately looking him
over, as he might a horse he had just purchased.

"You are kinder slim to look at," he confessed at last, thoughtfully.
"Are you bretty strong?"

The younger man silently held forth his right arm to the inspection of
the other, who fingered the iron rigidity of muscle under the cloth
with evident respect.

"God of Yacob!" the manager muttered in unconcealed surprise, "it is
vonderful, and you such a slender young man to look at. I vos most
afraidt you could not do mein vork, but it is all right. You vill eat
mit us at the long table," he waved his hand indefinitely toward the
dining-room, "at 12:30, and then I valk mit you over py der Obera
Hou