many as the stage would hold. And,
as it was the first time the wax-works had been attempted, the children
were particularly anxious that it should go off well, and that the
dresses should be especially brilliant. So everyone worked hard, and
Nan did her utmost to help, and was as excited about it as anyone.

The evening before the performance there was to be a dress-rehearsal on
the stage which the carpenter had put up in the school-room, and six
excited little Beresfords were packed into the wagonette with the German
governess, and driven over to Ripley. Fraulein was rather excited too,
for she was to sing a song in an interval of the performance, and also
to represent the Chinese giant in the wax-works.

But when they reached the village school-room they found the other
members of the company in low spirits, for they had received a blow.
Johnnie Chorley, who was to have been "Jack-in-the-box," had so bad a
cold that he was not to play.

"I knew how it would be," said Agatha, the eldest girl, despondingly,
"when Johnnie wouldn't change his boots yesterday. And now there will
be no Jack-in-the-box; and it was one of the best."

"Can't someone else take it?" said Tom Beresford, looking round.

"No one small enough for the tub," was the answer; "Johnnie is such a
mite, and made such good faces."

Nan's heart beat fast. It was on her lips to say, "I am small enough,"
but she did not dare. She only pushed herself a little in front, and
stared up at Tom and Agatha with solemn, longing eyes.

The former, a tall boy of fifteen, who was stage-manager on these
occasions, stood whistling in a perplexed manner, and his eyes fell on
the compact little figure in front of him.

"Hallo!" he said suddenly, "I have it. Here's your Jack!"

He took Nan up and stood her on a form near.

"What, Nan?" said all the voices in different tones, and everyone looked
at her critically.

Nan stood quite quietly, with her cheeks very red, and her eyes
glistening, and her hands tucked into her little muff. She was so
afraid that they would say she could not do it, and she felt so sure
that she could. But it was settled that she might at least try; and, oh
delightful moment! She was lifted into the barrel, which was very cold
and smelt of beer, and told what was expected of her.

"You know, Nan," said Tom, "that you are not to show the least little
bit of your head until you hear Mrs Jarley winding you up, and then you
must po