is----"

"If you please," said Mr. Frohman, indicating a chair.

So Bambi began, with a smile at Jarvis, and another at the audience.
They all felt in a good humour. The play was so peculiarly hers, the
intimate quality which had made the book "go" had been wonderfully
retained, so that spontaneous laughter marked her progress through the
comedy. It was all so true and universal, the characters so well drawn,
the denouement so happy! At the climax of the third act the company
broke into irresistible and unpremeditated applause.

"Oh, God bless you for that!" said Bambi, her eyes wet with gratitude.

"We ought to cast you for the girl. You are enough like her to have sat
for the portrait," said Mr. Frohman, wickedly.

Jarvis turned to look at Bambi in his earnest way. He marked the
likeness, again, himself.

"I shall play it just as you read it, Mrs. Jocelyn," said the girl who
was cast for the lead.

"You will greatly improve on my Francesca, I'm sure," Bambi nodded to
her.

Parts were distributed, much discussion followed as to character drawing
and business, then they separated to meet for rehearsal the next day at
10:30. Mr. Frohman had an immediate appointment, so the Jocelyns had no
opportunity for a word in private.

"Queer that Mr. Frohman should think that you are like Francesca, too,"
said Jarvis, on their way to the club.

"Oh, I don't know. We are the same type. That's all."

"You could play the part wonderfully."

"Could I? It would be fun! Still, I think we can make more money and
have more fun writing plays."

She seemed always to be harping on their future together!

The next day was full of surprises for them both. They were entirely
ignorant of conditions in and about the theatre. The big, dark house,
with its seats all swathed in linen covers, the empty, barn-like stage,
with chairs set about to indicate properties; the stage hands coming and
going, the stage manager shouting directions--it was all new to them.
The members of the company were as businesslike as bank clerks. No hint
of illusion, no scrap of romance!

"Mercy! it's like a ghost house," said Bambi.

A deal table was set at one side, down stage, for the Jocelyns, with two
scripts of the play. They sat down like frightened school children,
bewildered as to what would be expected of them.

The actors sat in a row of chairs at one side. The stage manager made
some explanations and remarks about rehearsals, and then the fir