ime."

"I don't believe she would interfere."

"Heard anything from her, lately?"

"No, she is waiting for the production, I suppose."

"And then the deluge! I may lose you to that story-writing female yet!"
she teased him.

"Don't!" he protested, quickly.

"I won't," she retorted, meaningly.

In late March the date of the production was set. It gave Bambi
unbelievable pleasure to read the announcements on the billboards, and
to stand in front of the three-sheets in the foyer of the theatre.

She wrote Ardelia full directions in regard to packing the Professor's
dress clothes; she told her the train they were to take; she worked out
every detail, so that nothing might be left to the sieve-like memories of
the principals on this foreign journey.

She ordered a new frock for herself, and succeeded in getting Jarvis
measured for new dress clothes. Then she threw herself, heart and soul,
into the last few days of work at the theatre, helping to polish and
strengthen the play. The night of dress rehearsal came, and with it a
new development for her consideration and management.

XXVII

Dress rehearsal was called at midnight, as two of the principals were
playing in other theatres. There was an air of suspense and confusion on
the stage, where the new sets were being put on, which threw Jarvis into
a cold sweat of terror. It only added one degree to Bambi's mounting
excitement. She and Jarvis made their way to the front of the house,
where Mr. Frohman, the leader of the orchestra, and a few other people
interested in the production were assembled.

"I never realized before how many people, how much work and money and
brain go into the production of the simplest comedy for one night's
amusement," she said to Mr. Frohman.

"And yet managers are always blamed because they don't take more chances
on new playwrights," he smiled.

"Jarvis looks as if he were walking to the guillotine, doesn't he?"

"It is a strain, isn't it, Jocelyn? You get used to it after a few
first-nights."

Jarvis nodded, wetting his dry lips with a nervous tongue.

The curtain went down and came up. The first act began. Bambi scarcely
breathed. Jarvis could be heard all over the house. The first part of
the act hitched along and had to be repeated; the stage manager came out
and scolded, while Mr. Frohman called directions from the front. Bambi
turned to Jarvis.

"It's going to be a failure," she said.

"Oh, don't say that!" he f