clothes.

"It's a pretty little thing, but to my way of thinking it lacks
strength; not enough punch to it. So we're sort of building up on that
general idea, only we'll put in the pep that this piece lacked. If I
don't miss my guess, you'll be able to show Wayne a few things about
serious acting--especially after you've studied his methods a little bit
in this piece."

"Well, if you think I can do it," began Merton, then broke off in answer
to a sudden thought. "Will my mother be the same actress that played it
before, the one that mopped all the time?"

"Yes, the same actress, but a different sort of mother. She--she's more
enterprising; she's a sort of chemist, in a way; puts up preserves and
jellies for the hotel. She never touches a mop in the whole piece and
dresses neat from start to finish."

"And does the cross-eyed man play in it? Sometimes, in scenes with him,
I'd get the idea I wasn't really doing my best."

"Yes, yes, I know." Baird waved a sympathetic hand. "Poor old Jack. He's
trying hard to do something worth while, but he's played in those cheap
comedy things so long it's sort of hard for him to get out of it and
play serious stuff, if you know what I mean."

"I know what you mean," said Merton.

"And he's been with me so long I kind of hate to discharge him. You see,
on account of those eyes of his, it would be hard for him to get a job
as a serious actor, so I did think I'd give him another part in
this piece if you didn't object, just to sort of work him into the
worth-while things. He's so eager for the chance. It was quite pathetic
how grateful he looked when I told him I'd try him once more in one of
the better and finer things. And a promise is a promise."

"Still, Merton, you're the man I must suit in this cast; if you say the
word I'll tell Jack he must go, though I know what a blow it will be to
him--"

"Oh, no, Mr. Baird," Merton interrupted fervently, "I wouldn't think
of such a thing. Let the poor fellow have a chance to learn something
better than the buffoonery he's been doing. I'll do everything I can
to help him. I think it is very pathetic, his wanting to do the better
things; it's fine of him. And maybe some day he could save up enough to
have a good surgeon fix his eyes right. It might be done, you know."

"Now that's nice of you, my boy. It's kind and generous. Not every actor
of your talent would want Jack working in the same scene with him. And
perhaps, as you say, so