--'"

"A first cousin to Ananias and Sapphira," finished David derisively.

"Never heard of them," replied Hippy unabashed. "Not branches of our
family tree. As I was saying--"

"Never mind what you were saying," said Nora in cutting tones. "Listen
to me. It is seven o'clock. Anne must go, and in a taxicab, at that."

"Where shall we see you after the performance, dear?" asked Grace.

"Mr. Southard has obtained special permission for all of you to go
behind the scenes after the play."

"How lovely!" cried the girls.

"My curiosity will at last be satisfied. I have always wanted to go
behind the scenes of a New York theatre," remarked Mrs. Gibson.

"I have the dearest dressing room," said Anne, with enthusiasm. "Mr. and
Miss Southard are going to carry you off to their house after the
performance to-night. I almost forgot to tell you. So don't make any
other plans."

"We are in the hands of our friends," said Hippy, with an exaggerated
bow.

"You'll be in the hands of the law if you don't mend your ways,"
prophesied Reddy. "If we get you safely into the theatre without
official assistance it will surprise me very much."

"Reddy, you amaze me," responded Hippy reproachfully. "I may make
mistakes, but I am far from lawless. Neither do I flaunt the flame
colored signal of anarchy every time I remove my hat."

There was a burst of good-natured laughter at Reddy's expense. His red
hair was as common a subject of joke as was Hippy's behavior.

"That was a fair exchange of compliments," said Tom Gray. "Now forget
it, both of you."

"Good-bye, every one, until eleven o'clock," cried Anne, who, knowing
that she would be obliged to hurry away, had brought her wraps to the
dining room with her.

David accompanied Anne to the entrance of the hotel, put her in a
taxicab and walked into the hotel, hardly knowing whether he were glad
or sorry that Anne had had greatness thrust upon her.

CHAPTER XVIII

THE THEATRE PARTY

It was a very merry party that took possession of the box that Mr.
Southard had placed at their disposal and waited with ill-concealed
impatience for the rise of the curtain.

Anne's friends had thought her the ideal "Rosalind" in the High School
production of the piece, but her powers as an actress under the constant
instruction of Everett Southard had increased tenfold. His own marvelous
work was a source of inspiration to Anne, and from the instant that she
set foot upon the stage un