olor was before
her.

The advertising of this musical show had not so very far falsified its
attractions. There was plenty of action in the piece, much trotting on
and off the stage; a great many songs with an exceedingly active chorus
doing its best, and the dancing was unusually good. It had a big
company of principals, well costumed; and such music as was offered was
almost music.

But Mr. Bennet gave up all pretense of watching the performance after a
little while and devoted his attention entirely to Arethusa, for he had
never seen anyone before who so personified enjoyment. Her eyes, great,
deep pools of darkness, were glued immovably to the scene before her. A
soft flush came and went in her cheeks. She clutched the programme that
had been given her at the door tightly in one hand. She had made no
move to open it. She had no time to waste on programmes. Once, at a
very exciting moment, when the villain was eavesdropping within a
hand's distance of the handsome Earl of the piece, she grabbed Mr.
Bennet's arm and squeezed it painfully, almost totally unaware whose
arm it was.

Then the curtain went down with a grand flourish to a long roll from
the snare drum. It went up again, an encore to much applause, then
down; then up and down swiftly several times. Arethusa clapped a great
split right through the middle of her brand new gloves. The curtain
descended once more, and this time.... It stayed. The lights in the
theater flashed on.

It had seemed all too short a period of pleasure. Arethusa sighed as
she rose and reached behind her for her Green Cloak.

"I wish," she said, regretfully, "I wish it had lasted longer!"

"Lasted longer!" exclaimed Mr. Bennet, "Why!..."

"Isn't it over?" she almost shrieked.

"Over! Good gracious, child! That was only the first act! I believe
there are two more, before it's over."

"Two more! Oh! Goody!" Arethusa plumped herself down again with such
solid decision to stay where she was, that had her seat not been
strongly made, she might have gone clear through it. "But I saw men
going out! And I thought of course that was all! It did seem awfully
short, though!"

That there should be two whole more acts; such richness of prospect!

The curtain rose for the second act, and Arethusa's smile began to
widen in glad anticipation. Then it faded, and her expression changed
to that of one rather bewildered. She looked all about her, but no one
else seemed at all affected as she