es and hammers
were sounding in the gloom; somebody was talking hard while he fitfully
played the piano; girls were giggling and fluttering about; footlights
flashed up and down, in the front rows of seats a few mothers and maids
had gathered. There was the sweet, strong smell of some spicy
disinfectant, and obscure figures, up the aisles, were constantly
sweeping and stooping.

Annie had a chair in a wing. Her small fur hat and trim suit had been
selected for comfort; her knees were crossed, and she had a sheaf of
songs, a pencil, and various note-books in her hands. She was alert,
serious, authoritative; her manner expressed an anxious certainty that
everything that could possibly go wrong was about to do so. Men
protested jovially to Annie, girls whimpered and complained, maids
delivered staggering messages into her ear. Annie frowningly yet
sympathetically sent them all away, one by one; persisted that the
rehearsal proceed. Never mind the hat, we could get along without the
hat; never mind Dixie Jadwin, someone could read her part; never mind
this, never mind that; go on, go on--we must get on!

At five o'clock she was very tired, and Norma, fully arrayed, was tired,
too. The girl had been sitting on a barrel for almost an hour, patiently
waiting for the tardy Mr. Roy Gillespie to arrive, and permit their
particular song to be rehearsed. Everything that could be done in the
way of telephoning had been done: Mr. Gillespie had left his office, he
was expected momentarily at his home, he should be given the message
immediately. Nothing to do but wait.

Suddenly Norma's heart jumped to her throat, began to hammer wildly. A
man had come quietly in between her and Annie, and she heard the voice
that echoed in her heart all day and all night. It was Chris.

He did not see her, perhaps did not recognize her in a casual glance,
and began to talk to his sister-in-law in low, quick tones. Almost
immediately Annie exclaimed in consternation, and called Norma.

"Norma! Chris tells me that poor old Mr. Gillespie died this afternoon.
_That's_ what's been the matter. What on earth are we to do now? I
declare it's _too_ much!"

Norma got off her barrel. The great lighted stage seemed to be moving
about her as she went to join them.

What Chris saw strained his tried soul to its utmost of endurance. He
had not permitted himself to look at her squarely for weeks. Now there
was a new look, a look a little sad, a little wistful