hel
Revell has come down with tonsilitis, just at the last minute. It was to
be expected, of course--somebody always does it. But I did hope it
wouldn't be one of the principals. Of course there's nobody who could
possibly get up the part overnight except the coach, so I'm in for it.
And the worst of it is that unless I'm very careful I shall
over-_Katherine_ my _Petruchio_! If Olivia will only keep her voice
resonant! She can stride and gesture pretty well now, but highly
dramatic moments always cause her to raise her key--and then the boots
only serve to make the effect grotesque."

"Never mind; unconscious humour is always interesting to the audience.
And we shall all be there to see your _Katherine_. I had thought of
cutting the performance for a rather important address, but nothing
would induce me to miss my sister as the _Shrew_."

Roberta laughed. "Nobody will question my fitness for the part, I fear.
Well, if I teach expression, in a girls' school, I must take the
consequences, and be willing to express anything that comes along."

If Roberta had expected any sympathy from her family in the exigency of
the hour, she was disappointed. Instead of condoling with her, the
breakfast-table hearers of the news, next morning, were able only to
congratulate themselves upon the augmented interest the school play
would now have for Roberta's friends, confident that the presence of one
clever actress of maturer powers would compensate for much
amateurishness in the others. Ruth, young devotee of her sister, was
delighted beyond measure with the prospect, and joyfully spent the day
taking necessary stitches in the apparel Roberta was to wear,
considerable alteration being necessary to adapt the garments intended
for the slim and girlish _Katherine_ of Ethel Revell's proportions to
the more perfectly rounded lines of her teacher.

Late in the afternoon, something was needed to complete Roberta's
preparations which could be procured only in a downtown shop, and Ruth
volunteered to order the brougham--now on runners--and go down for it.
She left the house alone, but she did not complete her journey alone,
for halfway down the two-mile boulevard she passed a figure she knew,
and turned to bestow a girlish bow and smile.

Richard Kendrick not only took off his hat but waved it with a gesture
of entreaty, as he quickened his steps, and Ruth, much excited by the
encounter, bade Thomas stop the horses.

"Would you take a pas