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diff --git a/old/55826.txt b/old/55826.txt deleted file mode 100644 index f8fdf7e..0000000 --- a/old/55826.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,5416 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Peggy Goes Straw Hat, by Virginia Hughes - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - -Title: Peggy Goes Straw Hat - Peggy Lane Theater Stories, #3 - -Author: Virginia Hughes - -Illustrator: Sergio Leone - -Release Date: October 27, 2017 [EBook #55826] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: ASCII - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PEGGY GOES STRAW HAT *** - - - - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - - - - - - -[Illustration: _"I've wanted to tell you, Peggy," said Chris, "what fun -it is working with you."_] - - PEGGY LANE THEATER STORIES - - - - - _Peggy Goes Straw Hat_ - - - By VIRGINIA HUGHES - - Illustrated by Sergio Leone - - GROSSET & DUNLAP _Publishers_ - NEW YORK - - (c) GROSSET & DUNLAP, INC., 1963 - ALL RIGHTS RESERVED - - MANUFACTURED IN THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA - - - - - CONTENTS - - - 1 The Arrival 1 - 2 A Serious Complication 15 - 3 A Broadcast 27 - 4 A Favorable Decision 41 - 5 Opening Night 48 - 6 Chance Encounter 58 - 7 Unfair Play 74 - 8 An Explanation 85 - 9 A Lifeline 96 - 10 Friends--New and Old 108 - 11 Quick Thinking 121 - 12 Varied Explosions 131 - 13 Double Trouble 143 - 14 Ups and Downs 156 - 15 Summer Stock 168 - - - - - PEGGY GOES STRAW HAT - - - - - I - The Arrival - - -Eight hours after leaving New York City, the rickety old Pathways Bus -lurched to a bouncing halt in a small Adirondack mountain town. Peggy -Lane rose from her seat and somewhat shakily managed to collect her -handbag, a small suitcase, a hatbox, two coats, and her precious tin -make-up kit. - -"I wonder if I really look like an actress or more like a walking -luggage rack?" she thought excitedly as she stepped down from the bus. -The scene that greeted her was breath-taking; Peggy gasped aloud with -delight. Before her, Lake Kenabeek lay gleaming like a jewel in the -afternoon sun. Pine trees rose everywhere and although it was summer -there was a delicious nip and tang in the air. Peggy's heart raced with -eagerness and the familiar nervous anticipation she always felt when -approaching something new. She had been hired as resident ingenue for -eight wonderful weeks with her first summer stock company. Each week she -would be playing a different part, gaining invaluable experience, and -learning new phases of life backstage. - -"And I got the job all on my own!" Peggy thought exultantly. "Just by -reading for the producers! That must mean something--at least, it means -that I'm really a professional actress now and don't have to depend on -friends and 'contacts' for my work!" She smiled happily, taking a deep -breath of the fragrant, pine-scented air. - -"Miss Lane?" A voice interrupted Peggy's thoughts. She turned and saw a -spectacled, studious-looking boy about seventeen who was wearing -dungarees and a paint-smeared shirt. Offering her a slightly stained -hand, he grinned shyly. "Scene paint," he explained, "but it's clean." - -Peggy could hardly shake his hand, laden down as she was, and the boy -stammered with embarrassment. "Oh, I'm so sorry--I was so busy looking -at you, I didn't notice." He relieved her of some of her bags, giving -her a frankly admiring stare. "You sure look like a good ingenue!" - -"I do?" Peggy beamed. - -"Just what I had in mind." He smiled, taking in Peggy's trim little -figure, dark chestnut hair and fresh, mobile face. "I'm Michael Miller, -and I have the jeep waiting to take you to your hotel." - -The jeep had been painted bright blue with an eye-catching sign on the -hood. Kenabeek Summer Theater, it proclaimed in large white letters. - -"Good advertising," Michael confided as they deposited Peggy's bags in -the rear. "But then, you're not bad advertising either!" He nodded in -the direction of a few bystanders who were casting curious glances at -Peggy. Peggy smiled back at the townspeople, and as she climbed into the -front seat, her nervousness unexpectedly dropped away. She was really -here at last, she realized, an actress with a season's contract--and -suddenly she felt very professional. - -As they drove carefully up the winding mountain road, Peggy discovered -that Michael was one of three local boys who were to work as -apprentices--helping the scene designer, doing odd chores, and playing -small parts when needed. Michael's father was Howard Miller, a retired -theater man, who was to do all the older character parts during the -season. - -"Oh, I've heard of him!" Peggy exclaimed. "He's supposed to be a -wonderful actor, and we're lucky to have him. You know how hard it is to -get good character men for stock. Michael," she went on eagerly, "do you -think the theater will be a success?" - -Michael considered a moment. "I don't honestly know," he replied -thoughtfully. "This is a very small town, and actually we don't have a -large enough population to carry a summer theater all on our own. But -one of the ideas behind this venture is to bring in more summer resort -business." - -Peggy nodded. She knew that Richard Wallace, one of the two young -producers, was a resident of Lake Kenabeek, and wanted to help improve -his town--both culturally and financially. - -"Of course Richard's Aunt Hetty is vice-president of the Chamber of -Commerce," Michael continued, "and the Chamber of Commerce put up half -the financial backing for the theater. So we do have solid support -there. But some people here resisted the idea of a group of actors--you -know, they think that actors are a strange, Bohemian breed--" He glanced -at Peggy and laughed. "Bohemian, huh! All they need is to take one look -at you, or any of the other actors who have come up from New York." - -Peggy smiled gratefully. She knew that a lot of people didn't realize -what honest, hard work the theater could be. But obviously this -intelligent young boy had a deep feeling for the profession and knew -that an actress' life wasn't only curtain calls and bouquets after the -performance. - -"Yes, we do have a lovely group of people," Peggy agreed earnestly. She -had met most of them in New York during the tryouts and been impressed, -not only by their acting ability, but by their responsible and -intelligent attitude. "And we have a really good director, wonderful -plays, and at least half the town is behind us. That should be enough if -we work hard!" she concluded with a twinkle. - -Michael turned from the twisting, ribbonlike shore line and drew up in -front of a large, old-fashioned, rustic building. "Here we are," he -announced grandly, "Kenabeek Inn! But you're not in the main building; -your company is staying in the annex." - -Peggy followed him around the side of the inn, down a little path -fringed with fir trees. In a small clearing, well away from the kitchen -noises issuing from the rear of the inn, Peggy saw a tiny, two-story -building. There was a roofed-over patio outside with two sofas, some -chairs, and a table on which stood a hot plate and stacked cups and -saucers. Peggy smiled to herself, recognizing the sure sign of an -actors' residence--coffee, coffee, and more coffee. - -Rita Stevens came bursting out of the door, a radiant smile transforming -her rather plain features. "Margaret, 'Peggy' Lane--Star of Stage, -Screen, Radio, Television, and Summer Stock! Welcome!" she cried, -running up and giving Peggy a hug. - -They grinned at each other happily. "Oh, I'm so glad to see you!" Rita -bubbled. "I've been positively frantic for some female company around -here. We've been up for three days and Gus has spent every single minute -at the theater--" - -Rita was married to Gus Stevens, the scene designer--a lucky combination -for the company. Although young, Rita had one of those ageless faces and -a maturity which made her a perfect character woman. Peggy had liked her -the instant they met at the readings in New York. - -"No women?" Peggy asked, "Hasn't Alison Lord arrived yet?" - -"Oh, no, my deah," Rita intoned in a stagy accent. "No, our leading lady -is being flown up in someone's private plane and isn't expected until -tomorrow morning." She waved a hand airily, imitating perfectly a prima -donna. - -"Oh, no!" Michael grimaced in disgust. "Is she really like that?" - -"No, Mike," Peggy said with a laugh, "she's really quite friendly and -nice--and a very good actress. Just a little theatrical, but I'm sure -you'll like her." - -"Well, I hope so," Michael said, obviously still doubtful. "Look, I've -got to scoot back to the theater. May I leave your things here, Peggy?" - -"Oh, I'll take them, Mike." Rita grabbed some of Peggy's luggage and -started up the stairs of the little house. "See you later, Mike." - -"And thanks for the ride and everything," Peggy called after him. - -"He's such a sweet kid," Rita commented as they climbed. "A wonderful -help to Gus--I have a feeling Michael may make this business his life -work. Here's where you live, Peggy!" - -They stepped into a tiny white room, sparsely furnished with only a day -bed, a large bureau, a folding screen, straight chair, and a bedside -table. - -"The manager of the inn must know something about summer stock -companies," Rita observed ruefully. "Obviously he has a good idea of -just how much time we'll be spending in our rooms." - -Peggy looked at her questioningly and Rita laughed. "It's your first -season, I know--but just you wait and see!" - -"My trunk!" Peggy interrupted with a sudden disturbing thought. "I sent -it ahead by Railway Express. Hasn't it come?" - -"Right here, madame." Rita folded back the screen and revealed Peggy's -large, black wardrobe trunk, which was somewhat dented and worn, parts -of old labels still sticking to it here and there. "You know, for a girl -who hasn't done stock before, or been on the road, this trunk is really -strange. What did you do?" she asked with a teasing smile. "Stick on -labels, and tear them off, and then jump up and down on it wielding a -hammer?" - -Peggy hooted. "Rita Stevens, you have a very suspicious mind! I want you -to know that this trunk belonged to a friend of my father's--a wonderful -woman who was in the theater years ago." Peggy's face softened -wistfully. "And I imagine that this battered old trunk has seen more -drama--on stage and off--than we can even imagine." - -The girls looked at it thoughtfully, a picture of the old, romantic days -of the theater--great plays, great producers, great stars--all the -golden history of the stage firing their imagination. - -Peggy broke the spell, "Well, anyway, May Berriman gave it to me. She -runs the rooming house where I live in New York, you know. And believe -me, I'm grateful! Besides needing a trunk, I think of it as a symbol of -good luck. Some time soon, Rita, would you mind taking a look at my -wardrobe? I think I brought enough, but I'd like to be sure." - -"I'd love to," Rita said. "But now let me show you where everything is -in our little annex, and then you'd better rest awhile. I'm sure you're -tired, and we have a company call tonight." - -Alison Lord would be in the room across the hall from Peggy. Rita and -Gus were also upstairs, on the opposite side of the house. Danny Dunn, -Chris Hill and Chuck Crosby, the director, were all downstairs. The -patio was community property for coffee, line rehearsals, and just plain -relaxation. It seemed like a good arrangement. Rita showed Peggy where -she could shower and freshen up and said she would call her in time for -dinner. - -But Peggy was too keyed up to take a real nap. She sat on the edge of -her bed, thinking of all the steps that had led her here, to this place, -at this time. Her love of acting, the school plays, the productions in -college, coming to New York, the long, hard work at the Dramatic Academy -and in the Penthouse Theater. She was grateful for a private room where -she could be quiet and think. - -She remembered her home town of Rockport, Wisconsin, and suddenly had a -vision of that other gay little bedroom where she had often sat quietly -and thought--much as she was doing now. She remembered her mother's -kind, attractive face and her encouragement and understanding. Her -father, too, would be glad to hear of this job, Peggy thought, and would -probably run an article about her in his paper, the _Rockport Eagle_. -She smiled, visualizing the headline--Local Girl Signed in New York--or -something like that. Thomas Lane was a good newspaper man and would try -to "hook" them with the headline. Nothing so simple as Local Girl Makes -Good. - -Peggy promised herself to write them good long letters as soon as -possible. And she should write to May Berriman, and to her housemate in -New York, Amy Preston. Well, there was a lot to do--and a lot ahead. -Peggy sighed and opened a suitcase to change into something fresh for -the evening. - -After dinner, Peggy, Rita, and her young husband, Gus, walked up the -road to the theater. Gus had joined them for dinner in the little -roadside restaurant where the cast had made arrangements for meals at a -percentage off the regular cost. - -"Mrs. Brady, who runs the place, is anxious to do all she can for the -theater," Rita explained. - -"To say nothing of the extra customers she hopes to attract by having -real actors in her dining room," Gus added. "Not that I'm a candidate -for glamour, you understand--" - -The girls laughed. Gus had hastily donned a clean shirt and a fresh pair -of blue jeans, but the unmistakable signs of sheer hard work still -showed on his pleasant, tanned face. - -Rita squeezed his hand affectionately as they hurried up the road. "I do -wish you'd let up a little," she said. "After all, we do have nine days -before opening." - -"And it's going to take every minute!" Gus nodded emphatically. "You -haven't seen the auditorium yet, have you, Peggy?" - -"No, I haven't. You know," Peggy confessed, "I was really disappointed -when I learned that we were playing in the high school. I had visions of -a rustic barn with candlelight, bats in the wings and mice for -rehearsals--" - -"There is one." Gus chuckled warmly. "Aunt Hetty has a barn that we can -remodel next summer if this season is a success. But we couldn't afford -to do it this year. It's better to rent the school and see what happens. -If it bothers you, Peggy," he added, looking at her with amusement, -"hold on to the thought that we're helping education! We are, too. The -school needs the money." - -The front doors of the school auditorium faced the highway. A large sign -for the theater gleamed brightly under the floodlights that played on -it. "It's never too early to advertise," Gus observed as they walked to -the back of the building. - -Entering the stage door, they came through the wings and walked out on a -dark stage, only a single worklight throwing a white circle on the bare -boards. The heavy drapes were pulled back, framing the empty house, the -vacant seats ghostlike in the silence. - -"Well, where is everybody?" Peggy gasped in the eerie quiet. - -Gus and Rita roared. "We just thought you'd like to see the stage, -Peggy," Gus laughed. - -"You didn't think we were going to rehearse tonight, did you?" Rita -teased, and then took Peggy's hand. "Come on, dear, we're only kidding. -Everybody's down here." - -They crossed the stage, descended some stairs, and entered a door that -led directly into the school gym. "Here's our ingenue," Rita called as -she ushered Peggy in, "ready to work!" - -Peggy blinked, coming into the sudden light and busy scene. The gym was -bright as daytime. A huge canvas ground cloth covered the floor and -several people knelt, beside cans, buckets, and paintbrushes, over the -scenery flats that were strewn from one end of the gym to the other. -Peggy had difficulty recognizing anyone. They were all spotted and -paint-smeared, in a variety of strange work clothes. - -"Hi!" someone called, raising a hand with a dripping brush. Peggy peered -intently at the slight figure and dark hair, and recognized Chuck -Crosby, their intense young director. "Get to work," he ordered with a -smile and went back to his painting. - -A well-built young man with a heavy mass of light-brown hair rose with -his can and beckoned to her. Peggy picked her way through buckets and -flats, following him. - -"Danny Dunn!" she said with a shock of surprise. "How on earth am I -supposed to know you under that disguise?" Danny was to do juvenile and -some character parts for the company. Now he looked like a clown as he -smiled at her with a paint-dotted mouth. - -"Tomorrow is another day!" he quoted dramatically. "Tomorrow and -tomorrow--I can hardly wait! By the way, sorry I couldn't join you all -for dinner, but I just had a sandwich here. Tell me everything -tomorrow--if I'm still alive." He made a face, "Here, ingenue, fill a -can." - -In a clear corner near the wall, Michael Miller sat hunched over a hot -plate with a bubbling pot of melting glue. He looked like an ancient -alchemist as he stirred and poured, mixing paint, whiting, and glue into -large buckets. - -"The white cliffs of Dover," Michael muttered romantically, taking a bag -of powdered chalk and measuring it into his caldron. - -"Sure, double, double, and all that," Danny replied, nodding kindly. -"Well, just keep steady, old chap, we're all a little tired tonight." - -"It really is the white cliffs of Dover," Michael protested as Danny -walked away. "For the ground coat," he added, peering up at Peggy -through his steaming glasses. "Here, have fun." He waved her away. - -For the next four hours Peggy knelt on her hands and knees, laboriously -painting flats. These were frames of white pine, over which was -stretched unbleached muslin, like a painter's canvas. They had already -been sized with a solution of glue and water until they were drum-tight. -Over the ground coat that Peggy was painting, Gus would design wallpaper -for interiors, fireplaces, outdoor scenes. Peggy's back ached as she -worked silently. No one said a word. - - [Illustration: Painting flats.] - -"A funny way to begin," thought Peggy, sighing. She had expected a line -reading, even some work on stage. "And Chuck hardly said how-do-you-do, -and I don't know half the people here." She glanced around, guessing -that the young boys must be Michael Miller's friends, and that older man -by the other wall his father, Howard Miller. He noticed Peggy looking at -him and smiled. - -"Well," Peggy decided, acknowledging him with a sigh, "if a man his age -thinks nothing of working like this until all hours of the night, I -guess I can do it too!" She worked on with renewed energy. By the time -all the flats were finished, it was after midnight. - -"Rehearsal promptly at nine o'clock in the morning," Chuck announced -crisply as they cleaned up and prepared to go home. - -"Heavens to Betsy!" Peggy thought wearily as she lay in her bed, her -back aching, muscles jumping from the unaccustomed effort. "Now I know -why everyone was so quiet. They'd been at it all day--and I feel like -this after only a few hours!" Her head spun dizzily as she closed her -eyes. "Well, I'm part of a company," she mused dreamily, "and that's -what counts. Even if I don't like the parts I'm given--even if I have to -do other things than act." Plays and parts and costumes danced before -her like a mirage. "I guess this is summer stock, all right!" she -thought as she fell asleep. - - - - - II - A Serious Complication - - -"Not quite so serious, Peggy." Chuck Crosby pulled on a lock of his -straight, black hair as he listened to her read. "If you don't have a -slight tongue-in-cheek attitude, it's not going to be funny. She is an -earnest young girl, but it's got to be exaggerated in a comic way." - -Peggy tried again. "Dad, I'm disappointed in you," she read. "The -world's on fire and you're occupied with a cigarette lighter!" - -"Thank you," Howard Miller answered dryly. He was reading the part of -Peggy's father in their opening show, _Dear Ruth_. - -The cast was having its first line rehearsal on the sunny patio of the -annex. Peggy had awakened excitedly with the expectation of working on -stage, only to find that the company would be at the annex all day. She -had wondered, in a resigned way, if she would ever see the stage at all. -But now, as they progressed to the second scene of Act One, her -disappointment was forgotten. She was concentrating on her part of -Miriam, "Dear Ruth's" younger sister. - -"We can _use_ you," Peggy read on, addressing her father. "We can use -anybody we can get!" She read the last line in a hopeless, adolescent -fashion, timing it carefully, and the cast spontaneously laughed. - -"That's it," Chuck cried. "That's the quality I want." - -A pretty local girl, Mary Hopkins, who was playing the part of the maid, -Dora, didn't come in on her cue. Everyone looked at her as she nervously -rattled her papers, looking quite lost. - -"That's your cue, Mary," Chuck said patiently. "Miriam says, 'We can use -anybody we can get,' and you enter." - -"I don't see it," Mary replied helplessly. - -"Right here." Rita was sitting beside her and pointed it out. "Anybody -we can get." - -"But that's not the whole line--oh, I see." Mary blushed. - -"We're using sides, Mary," Chuck said kindly. They were half sheets of -paper bound like a small pamphlet. "I have the master script here with -the whole play, but you'll find only about four or five words of the -preceding speech printed on your sides. You can fill in the other words -if you find it easier." - -Peggy gave Mary an understanding smile. She had been busy writing in -speeches herself, as she found the short sides difficult to work from. -Peggy liked to think of the play as a whole, but she knew that some -actors worked better from short cue lines, and that for stock, with so -many different parts to learn each week, sides were often faster. - -Rita read the part of the mother with assurance and humor. She made a -perfect partner for Howard Miller, and one could tell that she was used -to this type of part. Miriam made her exit, and then Ruth appeared for a -short scene with her father and mother. Before her next cue, Peggy had -time to examine, with a certain fascination, their leading lady. - -Alison Lord had arrived that morning, making a grand and breathless -entrance at exactly nine A.M. Her luggage was still stacked in the -patio, and peering at it, Peggy raised her eyebrows. "And I thought I -had a lot!" She wondered how many costumes Alison expected to wear on -stage, but judging by the stunning outfit she was wearing for rehearsal, -Alison must intend to dress as glamorously off stage as on. Her bright -auburn hair was caught up under an eye-catching sun hat of fringed red -straw. The color exactly matched the sleeveless blouse she wore over a -beautiful pair of beige, basket-weave slacks. With her enormous straw -bag, gay sandals, and dark glasses, she looked like a visiting star. And -a really beautiful girl underneath all that, Peggy thought, noticing the -careful make-up that enhanced Alison's features. - -Peggy glanced down at her simple, peasant skirt and blouse. It was -pretty, but hardly spectacular like Alison's attire. For a moment she -wished that she had thought of bringing more colorful everyday -clothes--was it good advertising for the theater perhaps?--but then she -laughed at herself. "You're just a little bit envious, Peggy Lane, and -you know it! Now just forget about clothes, and tend to your knitting!" - -Her cue came, and she jumped back into her part with gusto, really -enjoying it now that she had caught the flavor of Miriam. She found that -playing with Alison was fun. She was even better than Peggy remembered. -She had a certain awareness of herself, a special "here I am" quality -that would make an audience notice her. She wasn't a very deep actress, -but she had poise and presence and moved the play along. - -Chuck was pleased with the reading. He looked at his watch and called a -break. "Take five. Chris ought to be here any minute, and there's no -point in going on now without him." - -The cast paused for coffee, waiting for their leading man to arrive. -Chris Hill, who was to play the part of Bill opposite Alison in _Dear -Ruth_, was the only cast member Peggy hadn't met. He had been held up in -New York with a last-minute television show, and was due on the -ten-thirty bus. - -"What's he like?" Peggy asked Rita as she broke off a piece of doughnut -to share with her. The cast kept snacks in an old-fashioned icebox on -the patio. - -"Oh, he's lovely!" Rita grinned mischievously. "He's quite tall and very -blond, tanned and terribly handsome, blue eyes, a great smile, -romantic--" - -"Really! He's all that, hm?" Peggy teased back. "Well, all I want to -know is, can he act?" - -"He certainly can. I've worked with him before--" Rita looked at Peggy -curiously. "It will be very interesting to see your reaction to Chris. -It's a shame that you didn't have a chance to meet him before and more -or less prepare yourself." - -"Oh, Rita!" Peggy exclaimed, shaking her head in protest. She didn't -know what a picture she was with the sunlight striking her dark hair and -framing her pretty face. Rita watched her, noticing the fine, high -cheekbones, straight nose, and soft, wide mouth. - -"You really have a captivating quality, Peggy," Rita said thoughtfully. -"I wouldn't be surprised if Chris Hill is quite taken with you." - -"With me?" Peggy blurted in astonishment. "Oh, Rita, I haven't even met -him yet, and anyway," she added, "I'm not really interested in anyone." -She was remembering Randy Brewster in New York, and all the fun they'd -had together in dramatic school and in the off-Broadway production -they'd been involved in. Kind, steady Randy, with the marvelous sense of -humor. It would have to be somebody quite wonderful to share the special -place that Randy occupied in Peggy's thoughts. "Why, there's no time for -romance here, Rita," she said. "We're all too busy. And besides, I -should think Alison would be more his type." - -"Um-hm. Maybe," Rita interrupted rather mysteriously and nudged Peggy. -"You'll soon have a chance to find out." - -Following her glance, Peggy looked up the little path and saw Chris -Hill, a duffel bag slung over one shoulder, hurrying down with long, -energetic strides. His appearance was certainly everything Rita had said -and more. She glanced at Rita, her eyes wide, and Rita returned a bland -"I-told-you-so" expression. - -Chris ran the last few yards, dumped his bag carelessly on the patio, -and with a wide, completely engaging smile, announced, "Reporting for -duty--on the dot, I hope!" He shook Chuck's hand. "Svengali, how are -you? You picked a beautiful spot--it's just great. Alison!" He leaned -over her chair, planting an audible kiss on her cheek. Peggy's eyes -popped. - -"Doesn't mean a thing," Rita whispered to Peggy. "Watch." - -"Darling!" Alison replied extravagantly. "What kept you so long? Did you -come up by dogcart?" - -Chris noticed Rita and ran over, swooping her up in a big bear hug and -giving her a kiss, too. "My favorite actress!" he laughed, standing back -and looking at her with delight. "And where's her favorite husband? -Don't tell me--he's up to his ears in flats! When do I see him? Don't -tell me--probably never!" - -Rita laughed. "Such energy, Chris! How do you do it after all night on a -bus? Chris, here's someone you haven't met--our ingenue, Peggy Lane. -Star of Stage, Screen, Radio--" - -"Television and Summer Stock!" Chris finished for her. "Don't mind us, -Peggy, it's an old joke from another summer company. Well!" - -He stopped and Peggy couldn't tell whether he was pausing for breath or -from the interest in her which his look seemed to indicate. - -"Well!" he said again, and there was something in his voice that caused -an unexpected flurry in Peggy's emotions. - -"Hello," Peggy said tremulously. She would never know what his next -words might have been, because just then Chuck interrupted with a call -to resume the reading. - -The company sat down again, and Peggy forgot Chris Hill, the young man, -as she listened to Chris Hill, the actor. He read the part of Bill with -so much energy and interest one would think he had just returned from a -long vacation instead of a grueling bus trip. He _was_ a good actor, -Peggy thought. He brought a special kind of magic to the play, and as -they finished the first act, Peggy had a sudden feeling that _Dear Ruth_ -would be a hit. Chuck couldn't have chosen a better opening bill for the -cast. It was perfect for their company, and she looked at him with -renewed respect. - -After lunch the furniture was rearranged on the patio as it would be on -stage. Chuck wanted to block the first act. Pencils in hand, they busily -scribbled on their sides, marking movements as Chuck directed them. He -had blocked the play in advance, but it was still a long process, as, -with the actors in front of him, he saw many necessary changes. - -Mary Hopkins had to be told that Stage Right was her right, and not the -right of the audience. She caught on quickly, though, and very soon -Peggy noticed that she was lightly penciling in initials--C.U.L. and -D.R., instead of writing out "Cross Up Left" and "Down Right." - -Danny Dunn was enjoying himself enormously. He had the part of Albert, a -stuffy, amusing character who is engaged to Ruth before Bill captures -her heart. Peggy was struck by this boy's amazing versatility. She had -read with him in New York and knew how well he did juvenile parts. Yet, -here he was, playing a slightly older man and doing a perfectly -wonderful job. Danny had a face almost like putty; he could do anything -with it he wished, and Peggy realized that here was a true actor--who -would never be typed, who could play anything he was given. - -"Hello, Mother. Hello, Dad." Danny made his entrance, and Peggy stifled -a laugh. He was really very funny. - -They finished the second scene of Act One and Chuck called, "Curtain!" -There was a sound of hands clapping, and a voice said, "Bravo!" Peggy -looked around. She had been so engrossed in her work that she hadn't -noticed Richard Wallace standing near the patio, looking on. Beside him -stood a tall, white-haired woman with strong, craggy features, and -sparkling blue eyes framed by a network of tiny lines. - -"What a wonderful face!" Peggy exclaimed to herself, realizing that this -must be the famous Aunt Hetty. - -"Bravo!" Richard repeated in a deep voice. He was a large young man, -mature for his age, with the same observant blue eyes as his aunt. - -"It's a pity to think that all this work may go to waste," he said -bitterly, coming on to their outdoor stage. - -There was a stunned silence. Peggy didn't know what to think--was this -Richard's way of kidding? Chuck got up to give Aunt Hetty a seat, and -plunking herself down heavily, she stated matter-of-factly, "You're all -so good--so much better than I expected--I'll hate to see you go!" - -The cast looked blank. Chuck was struck dumb for a moment, and then he -suddenly exploded. "What are you talking about? We're having a rehearsal -here and this is not the time for idiotic jokes!" He looked at Aunt -Hetty and controlled himself. "Excuse me, but really, Richard knows -better than to interrupt us like this." - -"It's no joke, young man," Aunt Hetty said bluntly. "Richard, tell them -all about it." She peered closely at Chuck. "And you ought to know -better, Mr. Crosby, than to think we'd intrude for anything less than a -very good reason!" - -"My!" Peggy thought. "It certainly isn't wise to cross Aunt Hetty. She's -a stubborn old girl. No wonder she got all that backing from the Chamber -of Commerce--they could hardly say no." - -"I imagine you haven't seen this," Richard said, holding up a newspaper -so the cast could see the front page. - -The _Kenabeek Gazette_, Peggy read on the masthead, and right underneath -was a headline: Theater In School Illegal. - -"I hate to bring you bad news," Richard said as the cast gathered -around, "but the man who was responsible for this may be right." - -Peggy looked at the bottom of the column and saw that it was signed -"Ford Birmingham." - -"No, that's just the man who wrote it," Richard said, noticing Peggy's -glance. "Ford Birmingham covers art, music, theater, and local features -for the paper--he's supposed to write our reviews, too. But the man -behind this article is either Max Slade or his brother William--or both. -The Slade brothers run the local movie house and they've opposed this -theater from the beginning, thinking it will affect their business--" - -"But it shouldn't." Peggy couldn't help interrupting, and Richard agreed -with her. - -"No, of course, it shouldn't. Our theater could even help their business -by exposing more people to entertainment and thereby drawing them to the -movies, too. However, the Slade brothers don't see it that way." - -"The Slade brothers don't see much of anything at all," commented Aunt -Hetty brusquely. "Not even their own movies, from what I gather. If they -used better judgment in selecting films, they might have better -business." - -"Why, I've known Max Slade for years," said Howard Miller, coming over -to Aunt Hetty. "I realized that he didn't exactly approve of the summer -theater, but what's all this about our not being legal?" He ran a hand -through his handsome, graying hair, frowning. - -"Read it and weep, Howard," Aunt Hetty responded. "Apparently they've -found a loophole." - -"The article claims that a high school cannot legally be used by a -profit-making organization such as a summer theater," Richard explained. - -"But we're helping the school by paying rent to them," Chuck protested. - -"Sure, but the Slade brothers aren't concerned about the school," -Richard continued. "They're thinking of themselves and are willing to -use any means to get us out of town. This article says that we will be -taken to court if we don't suspend our operation." - -"Can they?" asked Chris Hill. "I mean, wouldn't the case be thrown out?" - -"No," Richard answered seriously, "I don't think it would be thrown out, -because there's a chance--a good chance--that they're right!" - -"Marvelous!" Alison Lord exclaimed ironically. "Just wonderful! And I -guess we're just supposed to sit here and take it!" - -"No, why should we?" Peggy rushed in with a sudden thought. "Why can't -we stop the case before it even gets to court?" - -"Right!" Richard smiled at her. "That's exactly what I'm going to do, -Peggy. I'm flying up to Albany tonight to see the commissioner of -education. But," he said earnestly, "his decision may go against us, and -you'll all have to be prepared for that. That's really why I'm here. If -we can't play in the school, we can't play at all this year. I want to -know if you're willing to go on rehearsing on the slight chance that -we'll be able to open. I'll probably be gone for several days, and you -may be working for nothing. It's up to you." - -A determined chorus of voices responded. - -"Of course, we'll work." - -"I want to go on." - -"We'll open or else--" - -"I'd like to meet this Max Slade--" - -Mary Hopkins' little voice trailed on after everyone else's, "... and -besides all the boxes of crackerjack, I see that the script calls for -dozens of bunches of lilacs. I may be able to make them for you"--she -faltered, a little embarrassed--"I--I'm kind of good with my hands." - -Everyone applauded, and Aunt Hetty came over to give her a hug. "Good -girl, Mary. You sound like the other professionals." She beamed at the -cast, displaying an unexpected warmth, and then, as if remembering a -role, barked gruffly, "Back to work, then!" - -"Why, she's really soft and sentimental under that brusque exterior," -Peggy thought, watching Aunt Hetty walk stiffly away. "She's in love -with this theater and it would break her heart to see it fold." - -Everyone wished Richard luck in the state capital as he walked away -toward the interview that meant everything to this little group of -actors. - -Chuck Crosby turned to face them, and with a resolute look that -reflected the feelings of all, he firmly called, "Places!" - - - - - III - A Broadcast - - -The next few days were almost a mirage of feverish activity. Never had -Peggy worked so hard! Rehearsals morning and afternoon, helping Gus with -the scenery at night, and always, in back of everyone's mind, the big -question--would the theater open at all? - -"What do you think, Rita?" Peggy asked late one night when the two -exhausted girls returned to her room. They had stayed late at the -theater helping Gus, for tomorrow with the set finally up, the cast -would have its first rehearsal on stage. - -"I think we're going to open!" Rita answered hopefully. "At least I'm -working with that idea. It is disturbing not to hear from Richard again, -though." - -Richard had wired the company from Albany the disquieting news that the -commissioner of education was off on a fishing trip and could not be -reached. Now, on top of everything else, a new problem--would the -commissioner return in time? And if he did, would Richard be able to -persuade him to come to a favorable decision? It was already Sunday, and -_Dear Ruth_ was scheduled to open Thursday. - -Thinking of all this, Peggy sighed loudly, unconsciously repeating the -heavy stage sigh she used in the play. - -"All right, Miriam," Rita laughed, "better be quiet or you'll wake our -leading lady!" - -Alison had returned to the annex early after rehearsal, saying that it -was about time she had some sleep. - -"I do think she might have stayed to help, too," Peggy whispered -indignantly. "After all, we're all in this together, and I'm sure we're -all equally tired. Gus needed the help--he's still up there, for -goodness sake!" - -"Well," Rita said, "that's Alison. And maybe she didn't realize how much -was involved here." - -"Then why did she come?" Peggy persisted. "She must have known -beforehand that she'd be asked to do other things besides act." - -"Oh, a good company to work with, I suppose, and a good director and -parts that she wanted to play. Maybe she's interested in the leading -man!" Rita laughed softly. "If there's another reason, I'm sure I don't -know it. Peggy," she added eagerly, "while we're here, why don't I take -a look at your wardrobe? Unless you're ready for bed--" - -"I couldn't sleep right now on a bed of down!" Peggy agreed -enthusiastically as she opened her trunk. "I'm too tired, and it always -takes me awhile to wind down. Gosh! I wonder if I'll really be using all -these things!" - -The trunk stood flat against the wall, rather like a second bureau, with -drawers on one side and hangers on the other. "I tried to think of -everything," Peggy said. "If we don't open, this certainly will be a -monument to wasted effort!" - -The girls worked quickly through Peggy's wardrobe. She had tried to -bring an average of three changes apiece for eight different plays, -knowing that summer audiences don't like to see actresses wearing the -same thing twice. Besides appearing in a different costume each time, -Peggy had to think of the seasons of the plays and be prepared to dress -appropriately for spring, summer, fall, and winter. - -Suits, dresses, jumpers, skirts, evening gowns, housecoats, sweaters, -blouses, shoes, hats, coats, aprons, scarfs! Rita exclaimed, "My! If -there's anything you haven't remembered, Peggy, I'd like to know what it -is. You're beautifully prepared. It looks as if I might be borrowing -from you! And this would look lovely on Alison." She lifted a -silver-sequined jacket from a bed of tissue paper. "I can just see her -in it, making a spectacular entrance!" - -"Why, I'd be glad to lend it to her," Peggy said. "I borrowed it myself. -But is that done?" She was surprised. "I mean, we all do borrow from -each other at the Gramercy Arms--my home in New York. In fact, that's -how I managed this wardrobe. I just couldn't have done it without help. -But somehow, well," she confessed, "I didn't think it would be very -professional in stock." - -"Pooh," Rita chuckled. "Nobody ever has all the things she needs in -stock, Peggy. We all borrow from each other." - -"I doubt if Alison will want anything, anyway," Peggy said, reflecting -on the piles of luggage Alison had brought. "Oh, Rita, here we are, -talking as if the theater will actually open, and for all we know, -Thursday night may come and we'll all be on the bus going back to New -York!" - -She sank dejectedly on her bed while Rita carefully folded the little -jacket. "We might be," Rita conceded cheerfully, "but I don't think we -will! You're forgetting your trunk, Peggy. Remember? Your symbol of good -luck!" She patted it with a smile as she left the room, leaving Peggy -some of her contagious optimism. - - -On stage at last! Peggy could hardly believe it. She ran lightly up the -steps from the auditorium floor, crossed the stage, tried each piece of -furniture, moving back and forth-- - -"What on earth are you doing?" Alison called from the front row where -she was seated, holding a coffee container while she waited for -rehearsal to begin. - -"Getting the feel of the set," Peggy called happily as she ran to the -stairs up left, crossed down right, and exited. "Where's the prop -phone?" she asked, reappearing from the wings. - -"Michael's out getting props," Gus answered, coming on stage with a -paintbrush to put the finishing touches on the banister. - -Peggy ran down to the auditorium floor again, walked up the aisle, and -stood looking at the stage. Gus had done a beautiful job, she realized -with a thrill. For their opening show an effective set was important, -and Gus had transformed the flats with a miracle of paint and -imagination. The room was so realistic that Peggy felt she could touch -the molding on the walls. - -"You'd think you never saw a stage before in your life," Alison -commented lazily, getting up and stretching. - -"I feel like this every time," Peggy said. "There's something absolutely -magical about a good set--like moving into a brand-new home. I love it!" - -"Well, let's just hope it will be home for a week," Alison remarked. -"Personally, I have my doubts." - -"Act One," Chuck called, and the cast scrambled for the wings. "Places." - -At noon, Aunt Hetty presented herself at the theater and asked for two -people to do a radio interview at the station in Merion Falls about -twenty miles away. - -"Anybody," she said briskly, "as long as they're part of the resident -company. John Hamilton wants people from New York--and we'll be gone all -afternoon, Chuck, so give me someone you don't need." - -"I need everybody," Chuck said with a laugh, "but advertising is -important too, so--let's see." He looked around at the cast. "Peggy, -you'll go--I need the rest of the family and Albert, but there should be -a man along, too--Chris! Your scenes with Ruth are going well--I won't -need you today. Go along with Peggy." - -"Have fun, you lucky people," Danny called after them. "This may be your -first and last day off!" - -"And don't let on that there's any doubt about opening!" Chuck reminded -Chris and Peggy. "Tell them we're doing fine!" - -"Just fine!" Alison echoed, smiling grimly. Looking back at her, Peggy -realized with sudden surprise that Alison wanted to go too! Why? Peggy -wondered. Surely she didn't think a local radio show was that important -to her career? And then Peggy recalled what Rita had said. She looked -curiously at Chris as he walked along beside her to Aunt Hetty's car. -Maybe Rita was right and Alison _was_ interested in the leading man! Oh, -well, it wasn't any of her business, anyway, Peggy told herself as she -got into the car. - -"Sorry to take you off like this so suddenly," Aunt Hetty was saying, -"but it's quite important. I promised Richard to get in as much -advertising as I could while he's gone, and John Hamilton requested this -interview on the spur of the moment." - -"Will he ask us to play a scene?" Chris questioned. - -"Oh, I don't think so. I imagine he'll just want you to talk about what -you've done in the theater--personal stuff. Now you two hush and don't -bother me with questions. I like to keep my mind on the road!" - -Peggy and Chris exchanged amused glances. Aunt Hetty drove as carefully -and slowly as if she were on eggshells. Peggy could see why they would -indeed be all day getting to Merion Falls and she sat back with -resignation to enjoy the scenery. Chris winced as he watched Aunt Hetty -at the wheel, holding it so tightly with both hands that her knuckles -were actually white. He was itching to drive himself, and Peggy smiled -as she watched his inner struggle--whether or not to ask. Aunt Hetty -won. Looking at her determined shoulders from the back seat, he -evidently decided that she would never relinquish the wheel. Chris -sighed in defeat and slumped back. As he met Peggy's twinkling eyes, -they both had to cover their laughter. - -A good while later, when they finally reached Merion Falls, there was -barely time to find the radio station and John Hamilton's studio. Aunt -Hetty plumped herself down in the booth with the engineer, and Peggy and -Chris took seats at a little table with Mr. Hamilton and a microphone. - -Looking at the large clock over the booth, Mr. Hamilton shook his head. -"Four minutes to go," he said anxiously. "I wish we had more time to -prepare, but this will have to do. I'll just ask you both about your -background, and then you can plug your theater all you like. We want to -hear about your players and something about the plays if there's time--" - -"Can I hear some voices?" the engineer's voice interrupted him from the -booth. - -Peggy and Chris spoke into the microphone while the engineer tested -sound. "Okay. Fine," he said. "One minute--" They watched his hand, held -up in the air while the minute hand of the clock made a full circle, and -then he brought his arm down sharply. - -"Good afternoon. This is John Hamilton again, with another interview of -interest for residents of the lake area--" - -Peggy was impressed, listening to this suave young man and the competent -way he handled himself at the microphone. She felt a beginning, just a -twinge, of mike fright, but then Mr. Hamilton introduced her, and as she -said a few words, Peggy felt easier. As the interview went on, she was -fascinated to hear details of Chris Hill's background that she hadn't -known. - -"Then you've really been a professional actor for only two years or so?" -Mr. Hamilton was asking Chris. - -"Yes, since I was discharged from the Army--but before that, of course, -I did a lot of work in college and little theaters--and in the Army I -was attached to Special Services overseas." - -"Soldier shows?" - -"Partly, but my main job was ferreting out good civilian actors to work -with us--to bring about a better feeling between the local population -and the Army." - -John Hamilton laughed. "Sounds as if you were doing shows in two -languages--" - -"Oh, no," Chris said easily. "They had to be English-speaking, of -course. It was a wonderful experience all around, but then I was in a -skiing accident in Bavaria. Broke my leg. That finished both the job and -the Army for me, and I came straight to New York." - -Mr. Hamilton handled the questions and conversation so skillfully that -soon Peggy and Chris almost forgot this was a radio interview. They -spoke about theater and sketched the plot of _Dear Ruth_, talking up -Alison Lord as the star of the show. - -"And the idea behind this theater, as I understand it," Mr. Hamilton -said, "is to attract more visitors to our area, isn't that right?" - -Peggy and Chris agreed enthusiastically. - -"Then certainly it should be a good thing for Lake Kenabeek," Mr. -Hamilton went on, "and I want to wish you a lot of luck. But I've heard -a rumor recently that you two might set straight while we have the -opportunity here. People are saying that you are operating illegally in -the high school--" - -Peggy gasped, but Hamilton didn't give them a chance to reply just then. - -"--and that you may not be able to open at all!" he continued. "Now, -what about this rumor? I'm sure our listening audience would like to -hear." He sat back and looked at them--"as if we were two fish on a -hook," Peggy thought, aghast at his question. - -In the booth, Aunt Hetty had turned beet red and looked as though she -might explode. Chris's mouth tightened and Peggy found that she was -becoming angrier by the moment. Of all the dirty tricks--John Hamilton -asking them here to "plug" their theater, and then bringing out this -issue! But Peggy had had enough experience with her father's newspaper -to know how newsmen operated--and she knew how to counter. Before Chris -had a chance to reply, and in the face of Aunt Hetty gesturing -frantically from the booth to say nothing, Peggy lashed back. - -"Oh, yes," she said quite calmly. "We saw that little piece in the -paper. Rather childish, wasn't it? Do you know that if we weren't -renting the auditorium the high school wouldn't make a penny this -summer? I'm sure you've heard of the great need for a new science lab. -By the way," she went on in a new vein, "I wouldn't be surprised if you -could help raise funds for the school, too--with your radio program. I'm -sure people would be glad to donate to a cause like that!" - -It was John Hamilton's turn to flush, which he did, as they looked at -each other like two sparring partners in a contest. Ignoring Peggy's -thrust, he came back firmly to the question. "Is it true that the -theater may not open at all?" - -In the booth, Peggy could see the engineer signaling thirty seconds to -go. If she hesitated, a lot of potential theatergoers might tune out -this program thinking of the Kenabeek Summer Theater as a myth, as a -good idea that failed. She couldn't lie, but perhaps there was another -way. She thought quickly, and her pretty voice sounded young and gay as -it traveled through the microphone. - -"The theater is scheduled to open this Thursday night, curtain at -eight-forty, for _Dear Ruth_. We'll be looking forward to seeing you, -Mr. Hamilton, and we hope your listening audience will be there, too." - -Peggy had timed her speech carefully, and Mr. Hamilton had barely time -to say, "This is John Hamilton, good day." The red light blinked off, -and they were off the air! - -John Hamilton took out a handkerchief and wiped his brow. Then he looked -at Peggy, laughed good-naturedly, and shook her hand. "You were a -charming guest! And a tough opponent! But you win, I won't say another -word about your theater until you do open--and then I'd like to have you -both back." He shook Chris's hand. "I know you were angry, but that's -the news business. Sorry. I'll be there for your opening if I can make -it." - -Aunt Hetty looked grimly at Peggy as they walked out the studio door. "I -hope you knew what you were doing, young lady," she said under her -breath. "You shouldn't have said a thing! If we don't open, you'll have -made a laughingstock of my nephew's name and mine--to say nothing of the -theater!" - -Aunt Hetty drove back in a silence so thick that Peggy and Chris didn't -have the courage to break it. Peggy felt acutely miserable. Had she done -wrong? She leaned over to Chris and whispered, "What else could I do? -But maybe she's right. Maybe I should have let you speak instead. Now -I've probably messed everything up!" - -"But I would have said the same thing!" Chris whispered back. "I was -_mad_!" He nodded at Peggy warmly, and she smiled back. She liked Chris -Hill, there was no question about that. He was impulsive, but -wonderfully kind and engaging. - -Aunt Hetty dropped them off in front of the high school and was about to -drive away when Danny Dunn came racing out of the stage door. - -"Wait a minute!" he yelled, tearing over to the car and waving a piece -of paper in the air. "We opened it," he panted, handing Aunt Hetty the -telegram. "It's to you and all of us, but we couldn't wait. Where's that -_brilliant_ girl!" He gave Peggy a tremendous pat on the back. "We -listened to you--and we nearly had heart failure when he pinned you -down. There wasn't time to call you at the studio, but--" - -"I suppose I owe you an apology," Aunt Hetty interrupted, handing the -telegram to Peggy, "but I still think you were taking a terrible chance. -Terrible," she repeated, but her eyes were twinkling. - - EVERYTHING OK STOP COMMISSIONER GIVES GO AHEAD STOP DETAILS ON RETURN - TOMORROW STOP HALLELUJAH RICHARD - - [Illustration: Chris was still standing beside the car.] - -"Oh, thank goodness!" Peggy cried. She could have almost wept with -relief, but Danny's excitement affected them all, and instead of tears -there were hugs and handshakes and Danny pulling Peggy back to the -theater to display "the most intelligent girl who ever graced a stock -company!" - -"Intelligent!" Peggy laughed. "Oh, Danny, just lucky!" - -"Mental telepathy," Danny insisted, "and that takes intelligence!" - -"Have everybody come to my house after rehearsal," Aunt Hetty called. -"We'll celebrate the good news. That's a nice girl," she remarked to -Chris, who was still standing by the car. "Even if she is a little -hasty. Not that you wouldn't have said the same thing." - -Startled, Chris stared at Aunt Hetty, who gave him an understanding -smile. Even in a whisper, it seemed, there was very little that Aunt -Hetty missed. - - - - - IV - A Favorable Decision - - -When Richard returned from Albany the next day he couldn't find enough -words to praise Peggy for what she had said on the radio. - -"But your aunt _was_ upset," Peggy exclaimed, "and she might have been -right! Just suppose we couldn't have opened--" - -"It wouldn't have made a bit of difference," Richard said. "But if you -had said we might not open, think of all the audience we would have -lost!" - -"That's exactly what I was thinking of," Peggy declared happily. "That's -why I went ahead." - -Richard called the cast together on stage to tell them what had happened -in Albany. "I got panicky when I heard that the commissioner was out of -town--almost decided to hire a guide and try to trail him in the woods! -But then he sent a wire from some little town saying he'd return Monday, -so I decided to wait." - -"By the way," Chuck interrupted, "you know we have dress rehearsal -tomorrow night, and the next night we open! Have you sent anything to -the papers yet? Does the town know we're going to open?" - -Richard gave Chuck an amused "where-do-you-think-I've-been" look. "Mr. -Crosby, I sent out at least six press releases Monday afternoon from -Albany. Not only to Lake Kenabeek, but to the New York papers, too. The -Albany paper is running a long article on this--it's an interesting -issue, you know. I wouldn't be surprised if we get a good press all -around. The Slade brothers may have actually helped this theater!" - -Chris laughed out loud. "I'll bet they love that idea!" - -"Oh, certainly! They'll be here with bells on Thursday night," Alison -drawled. - -Michael Miller was listening, too, covered with scene paint as usual, -and wearing his carpenter's apron stuffed with tools. "I'll bet anything -that when they hear about this, we'll be hearing from them again! Those -boys don't give up so easily!" - -"Oh, now, Michael," his father remonstrated, "they're not as bad as all -that--" - -"I want to hear what happened!" Rita urged Richard. "We don't know how -you wangled this or what the commissioner said--" - -"Well, I explained our problem to him," Richard began. "That someone had -questioned the legality of operating a profit-making business in a -school, and that we were threatened with court proceedings if we -continued. I told him who was behind it and why--the brothers Slade and -their movie house--and I also explained that we were helping the school -by our rent. Of course, he couldn't have agreed more with that, knowing -as much as he does about educational funds! And I ranted--really -ranted--about what the Kenabeek Summer Theater could do for this -town--and the whole area--and the school." Richard was declaiming now as -he walked back and forth in front of the stage, and the cast was highly -amused. - -"So, the commissioner promised to look into the matter some time soon." -Richard stopped dramatically. "Some time soon," he repeated, obviously -enjoying the effect on the cast. - -"Why, he's a regular ham!" Peggy thought, grinning. - -"Well, you should have seen me," Richard continued, laughing himself. "I -got up from my seat, leaned over the desk, stared him straight in the -eye, and said, as if this was the biggest thing since the end of the Ice -Age, 'The Kenabeek Summer Theater opens on Thursday. _This_ Thursday!'" - -"What did he do? What happened?" Mary Hopkins asked breathlessly. - -"He decided that he'd better do something about it!" Richard laughed. -"He was galvanized! He told his secretary to drop everything, and -together we went through a list of all the companies operating in the -state. We found that two other companies were playing in high schools! -If we couldn't go ahead here, those theaters would have to fold, too! - -"Well, it didn't seem fair, and yet, since no one had ever before -questioned the legality of playing in a school, there was no precedent -to go by. And no time to get a court decision!" Richard was very serious -now, and the cast listened interestedly, hanging on every word. "So, the -commissioner decided that the only thing he could do legally was to -_postpone a decision_ until Labor Day! If anyone raises the question -again, they will be informed that nothing can be done about it until -after Labor Day--and by that time, of course, all the theaters will have -finished their seasons!" - -"Very clever!" Mr. Miller nodded thoughtfully. "Very clever indeed!" - -"Yes, but there's one other little thing," Richard added. "It was also -decided, in order to squelch any rumors or new questions, that this -theater will operate on a non-profit basis." - -"We are now a non-profit organization?" Chuck asked slowly. - -"We are indeed," Richard replied. "Any money left over at the end of the -season, after expenses, goes to the Kenabeek High School toward their -new science lab." - -"Well!" Chuck exclaimed, looking perfectly blank. - -"Oh, what a pity!" Rita cried. "Then you two won't make any money this -summer!" She knew that Chuck and Richard were working for nothing beyond -their living expenses. They weren't even on regular salaries like the -rest of the company. Every penny would be poured back into the theater -to pay back the Chamber of Commerce and the individual investors. - -Chuck laughed. "I had hoped to have something left over at the end of -the season, but I can't imagine that we need the profits as much as the -school does. Actually, I'm glad about this arrangement!" - -"There probably won't be too much left over, anyway," Richard added. -"Did you ever hear of a summer theater making a real profit on a first -season? I agree with Chuck. We just want to have a season successful -enough to warrant a return next year." - -"We won't have a season _this_ year if we don't get back to work!" Chuck -declared. "We have a lot to clean up today. Places for the second act, -everybody, Scene Two." - -"Congratulations, Richard," Peggy said as she took a seat in the -auditorium. She had some time before she was due on stage, and she -wanted to watch the other actors. "I think you did a wonderful job!" - -"The Chamber of Commerce is going to be awfully pleased with the way -this turned out," Mr. Miller said, shaking Richard's hand. "And the -School Board will be delighted." - -"Thanks, Mr. Miller," Richard said. "I hope Max Slade will change his -mind about us now, too." - -"He might," Mr. Miller agreed. "He just might. If I have an opportunity, -I'll try to speak with him about it. Well, back to work, now. -Congratulations again, Richard." - -Watching him go, Peggy was struck again by the company's good fortune in -having Howard Miller. He was such a finished actor and lent dignity to -the theater by his position with the Chamber of Commerce and the School -Board. "Mr. Miller did a lot in the theater in his time, didn't he?" -Peggy whispered to Richard as the act began. - -"He certainly did. His background's very impressive!" - -"Do you think he might be able to work something out with Max Slade?" -Peggy asked. - -"It's possible, but if he can't," Richard whispered with a twinkle, -"maybe I'll sic you on the job! You did just fine with John Hamilton." - -Peggy laughed. "Oh, Richard! All I said was that _Dear Ruth_ would open -Thursday. What on earth would I say to Max Slade?" - -"I would leave that entirely up to you!" Richard teased. "I'm sure you'd -think of something!" - -"But not until after Thursday," Peggy said with mock seriousness. - -"No, no, certainly not until after Thursday!" Richard agreed, chuckling. -"We couldn't take a chance on losing you opening night! He might lock -you up in the movies!" - -"And I'd have to look at one of those awful pictures twelve times." They -both laughed. "But isn't it exciting, really?" Peggy said. "I mean the -opening--only two more days! It doesn't seem possible." - -"Two more days," Richard echoed thoughtfully, "and there's such a lot to -do." - -"NO!" Chuck suddenly shouted from the orchestra, and Peggy and Richard -both jumped. "No! How many times do I have to tell you--you cannot throw -that line away!" - -He ran up on stage and motioned Danny out of the way, saying, "Now watch -this! I hate to show you how to do your part, but we can't get hung up -on this every time we play the scene!" - -Peggy's eyes opened wide. She had never seen Chuck Crosby like this -before. - -"You _pause_ after you say, 'I got to the turnstile,' etc. _Then_ you -say, 'I didn't have a nickel'--and you _don't_ throw it away! You'll -kill your next line if it isn't just right. Now watch." - -"I see," Danny said when Chuck had finished. "Thanks, Chuck." - -"This is not Chekhov we're playing, it's a Norman Krasna _comedy_!" -Chuck said, speaking to everybody. "Now suppose we get to work! And stop -playing Alison Lord and Chris Hill and Danny Dunn--_and_ Peggy Lane, -radio heroine." He pointed straight at her. "Let's play _Dear Ruth_!" - -He jumped off the stage and resumed his place down front. "Take it -again," he called, "from the beginning!" - -And he was right. Watching him, Peggy knew that it was time to get down -to serious work. In two days they had to have a play ready. Really -ready, not half-way. And Chuck, like all good directors, was giving them -the impetus and the drive to do it. - - - - - V - Opening Night - - -Thursday! Peggy woke up with a funny feeling in the pit of her stomach -and for a moment wondered why. Then she remembered--opening night! - -"Oh!" she groaned and turned over, feeling the butterflies come and go -somewhere in the region of her chest. "Oh," she moaned again and turned -over on her back. - -"Good morning!" There was a knock at her door, and Rita entered bearing -a steaming cup of coffee. The cup rattled a bit in the saucer as she put -it down, spilling coffee over the sides. - -"You, too?" Peggy asked, sitting upright. - -"Naturally!" Rita held her arm out, showing Peggy her trembling hand. - -"That's nothing!" Peggy scoffed. "Look at this!" They compared hands, -and indeed, Peggy's was much the shakier. - -"Well, you haven't been up as long as I have," Rita said. "Wait awhile." - -"I know. It'll get better, and by noon I'll feel fine, and by dinnertime -I'll wish I'd never thought of being an actress in the first place. Oh -dear!" Peggy steadied herself with a sip of coffee. "I wonder how Alison -feels." - -"I'd better wake her up, too," Rita said and went out for more coffee. -In a moment she was back, and Alison, beautifully sleepy-eyed, joined -them in Peggy's room. - -"Why, oh, why did I ever decide to be an actress in the first place?" -Alison muttered over her coffee. - -Peggy and Rita went off into gales of laughter while Alison looked at -them indignantly. "It isn't funny," she said. "I don't feel funny in the -least." - -"We know!" Peggy laughed. "It's just exactly what I said a minute ago--I -mean what I said I would be saying about eight o'clock tonight!" - -"Well, but you don't have to carry the show," Alison said, still glum. -"I'll blow up, I know I will--or I'll trip over the stairs coming -down--I'll probably fall flat on my face on my first entrance. Oh, I -wish it were over! Heavens, my hair! I've got to wash and set my hair!" -She gulped down the last of her coffee and fled to the shower. - -Peggy and Rita watched her go with real compassion--they knew exactly -how she felt! - -Chuck Crosby knew what he was about when he called the cast together for -a morning reading of next week's play, _Angel Street_. By the time the -cast had finished, they had forgotten their anxiety about opening night. -It helped to be reminded that _Dear Ruth_ was not the only play of the -season. There would be other opening nights, too. But this was the big -one--everyone felt that as the day wore on and nervousness slowly -returned. - -The company gathered together at a large table for an early dinner at -Mrs. Brady's. They seldom ate _en masse_ like this, but tonight they -did, almost huddled together for support. - -"It feels like the last meal!" Danny mourned as he stirred his soup -listlessly. - -"I can't even stand the thought of food!" Alison declared, looking at -her bowl with distaste. - -Even Chris was nervous. Peggy couldn't help giggling as she watched him -break cracker after cracker into his soup until it looked like a -snowbank. He didn't have the slightest idea of what he was doing. Rita -plowed into her food, grimly determined to put something into her -stomach, and urged Peggy to do the same. - -"Never mind how you feel about it--you'll have more energy." - -"I can't," Peggy said, still giggling. "I just can't. There's something -absolutely ridiculous about food at a time like this! Imagine--tomato -soup and _Dear Ruth_--they just don't mix!" She started laughing again, -and everyone looked at her accusingly. "I can't help it." She giggled -helplessly. "I always do this--it's just nerves. It'll stop in a while!" -She took a deep breath, trying to calm down, but then another thought -sent her off again. "What do you imagine your husband is having for -dinner tonight?" she asked Rita. "I can just see him up at the theater, -decorating the set and eating lilacs dipped in crackerjack!" - -"Oh, Peggy, please stop!" Danny protested as he choked on a mouthful of -soup. "Stop talking and eat." - -"Please!" everyone echoed, and Peggy subsided, trying to force down some -food. It was worse, though, than nervous giggles. The palms of her hands -were first icy and then hot, her stomach felt as if a thousand birds -were migrating through, and the very thought of walking on stage gave -her a shiver from head to toe. - -"Well, the worst is over!" Rita said with relief as they finished dinner -and left, with Mrs. Brady's good wishes following them. - -And she was right. Somehow the food, the sparkling night air, the -familiar feeling of the auditorium, and the good smell of grease paint -in their dressing rooms relaxed everyone. This was their job--it was -opening night. In half an hour when they walked on stage, they would be -fine--and everybody knew it. - -"It's funny how the anticipation is always worse than the fact," Rita -mused as she started to put on her make-up. "And that dinner is the most -dreadful thing of all. It'll never be that bad again." - -"Aren't you nervous?" Mary Hopkins asked innocently from her table. The -girls all shared one large dressing room, and the men another. - -"What a question!" Peggy laughed. "Aren't you?" - -"Well, a little," Mary replied. "Not much." - -"That's because you're not a professional," Alison said. "If you ever -become one--just watch. You're not nervous at first, but the more you -work, the more nervous you get." - -"I think that's because in the beginning we all think we're just -wonderful," Peggy said, "but after a while, we realize how much we have -still to learn." - -"Zip me up, please?" Alison asked Peggy. She looked perfectly beautiful, -Peggy thought, in her pretty two-piece dress, and marvelous make-up. -Alison sat down again and took a little black candle out of her make-up -kit. She lit it and tilted it over a small tin cup. - -"Is that some kind of a ritual?" Peggy asked in amazement. "What on -earth are you doing, Alison?" - -"Eyelashes," Alison replied, dipping a brush in the cup and carefully -lifting it to her eyes. "I always do this last." - -"Eyelashes!" Peggy exclaimed--and looked into the little cup. It held -black wax melted by the flame, which thickened when Alison applied it, -making her lashes look thick and long. - -"I don't like to wear false lashes," Alison explained, "and this works -just as well if not better." - -"If you'll put a little white at the outer corner of your eyelid, -Peggy," Rita offered, "it will give you a young effect--and a dot of red -in the inner corner helps, too." - -Peggy tried it and it worked. - -"No line under your eyes," Rita said. "That makes you look older, and -you have to shave off about five years since Miriam is supposed to be -about fourteen. Now, bring your rouge up a little closer to your eyes -and not so far out on your cheek--you want to have a round effect. -There!" Rita looked at Peggy appraisingly. "What do you think?" - -Peggy looked at herself and was pleased. She would appear about fourteen -on stage, she thought. She hadn't been quite satisfied with her make-up -at dress rehearsal. She put on her little navy-blue jumper and white -blouse, brushed on her powder and was done. - -"Telegrams!" a voice outside the door announced. "Are you decent?" - -"We are, come in," Rita said, and Richard came through with a stack of -yellow envelopes, handing them to the girls. - -"I have to get out front," Richard said, "but I know you'll be terrific. -Break a leg!" - -"Break a leg!" Mary gasped as he left. "Why--what a thing to say!" - -"It means good luck," Peggy explained as she put her telegrams in front -of her mirror. "Theater people always say that, or something like -it--it's an old superstition." - -"I see. Why don't you open your telegrams?" Mary asked. - -"Oh, we never do," Alison answered. "Not until after the show." - -"That's in case any of them are bad news," Rita explained. - -"But they're just good-luck wires, aren't they?" - -"Of course," Peggy laughed, "but it's another old superstition--like -whistling in the dressing room!" - -"Fifteen minutes!" Gus called, rapping a tattoo on the door. - -"Where's the music?" Chuck asked, coming by. "Get that turntable going, -Gus--and better check the door buzzer again." He came into the room. -"Alison, don't worry about the orange juice--if you're shaky about -drinking it tonight, let it go. Peggy, let's see your make-up. Good! -That's much better! Now listen--I know it's opening night and I know it -means a lot--to all of us. And I know we're all excited and nervous--but -I know you're going to be just fine! - -"Remember--pace it! Keep it moving! It's a terrific comedy and it ought -to carry you along. It will, if you just keep it moving. I'll be -watching, but I don't think you'll see me until after the show unless -there's someone I can't hear. Mary, watch that. I couldn't hear you in -the last row last night." He paused a moment. "What else? Guess that's -it. Break a leg, everyone!" - -As Chuck left, the girls heard the music begin, and Gus came by, -calling, "Five minutes!" - -There was a sudden silence in the dressing room as everyone felt the -mounting tension. It was a different excitement, though, from their -morning nerves. Peggy began to yawn while Rita took very deep breaths -and Alison did a bending exercise. All these things helped their systems -adjust to the impending effort. - -Peggy felt that she had to move. Movement always helped and it was time, -anyway. She walked backstage and took her place in the wings. - -"Peggy," a voice whispered behind her, "have a lot of fun." - -"Thanks, Michael," Peggy replied shakily. "Do you know what kind of a -house we have?" - -"I think it's pretty good--there's a peephole in the curtain if you want -to look." - -"No, not tonight--" - -"Have fun, Dad," Michael said to his father as Howard Miller took his -place beside Peggy. - -"How do you feel, Peggy?" Mr. Miller asked. - -"Nervous!" Peggy smiled. "Break a leg, Dad." - -"House lights!" they heard Gus call to Michael, who was at the -lightboard. "Music! Spots!" - -Peggy took a deep breath and adjusted the little beret she wore for her -entrance. Suddenly her knees felt like water. "What's my first line?" -she thought frantically. "I don't remember what I'm supposed to say--" - -"Curtain!" Gus said, and the heavy drapes swept back. - -There was dead silence for a moment, and then Peggy heard a gasp from -the audience followed by a wave of applause for the set. It was evident -they hadn't expected anything so charming and good. - -"Morning, Mis' Wilkins." Mary Hopkins entered with her first line. - -"Good morning, Dora," Rita said, her voice clear and steady. - -Five more lines before Peggy's entrance. She was desperately trying to -remember her first line.... - -"... and that's the last box of Kleenex," Mary said. That was -it--Peggy's cue. - -Almost in a trance she made her entrance. "Good morning, Dora," she -said, the words coming from somewhere--and the minute she spoke, bathed -in the bright lights of the familiar, homey set, everything connected, -everything fell into place. - -Peggy began to act easily, feeling out the audience, trying to sense its -mood. It was a curious, rather tight house in the beginning. She felt -the spectators were silently saying, "Show me!" - -Mr. Miller and Alison got nice hands on their entrances, but nothing -seemed to "zip" yet--the audience still seemed too polite. Peggy watched -from the wings when Chris made his entrance--and then it happened. That -magical moment when a play suddenly comes to life. Chris entered with -exuberance and power, carrying the audience right along with him, and -the play began to move. It did have pace and rhythm, just as Chuck had -said. The whole cast could feel it and the audience began to laugh. At -the end of the first act there was a resounding wave of applause. - -Chuck couldn't wait out front as he had said he would. He came running -backstage with a huge grin. "It's great," he cried, slapping everybody -on the back. "It's great--just great! Keep it up--keep it moving--it's -great!" Vocabulary had apparently deserted Chuck Crosby, and his praise -made the actors very happy. They knew how he felt out there, watching -his actors, as nervous as they were, and probably praying that they -would come through. Directing was a big responsibility. - -There were six curtain calls! Richard presented Alison Lord with a big -bouquet of flowers from the Chamber of Commerce--a nice gesture for a -special opening, and by the way the applause went on and on, the cast -knew that this audience didn't want to leave. A sure indication that -they had really had a wonderful time! - -Gus finally turned on the music, the curtains closed on the company, and -opening night of _Dear Ruth_ was over. - -Almost over. There was to be a party later in the dining room of the -Kenabeek Inn, and now there were congratulations and backstage visitors, -and the exhilaration that always follows a good show. - -As she rubbed cold cream on her face in the dressing room, Peggy finally -read her telegrams. BREAK A LEG LITTLE ONE, from her big brother, David, -now off in San Francisco on an assignment for his news service. BEST -WISHES FOR A GRAND OPENING STOP WE KNOW YOU AND THE COMPANY WILL BE -WONDERFUL, from Mother and Dad. A wire from May Berriman and all the -girls in New York; and another from Randy Brewster, THINKING ABOUT A -VERY SPECIAL ACTRESS. - -The telegrams brought family and friends backstage as if they were right -here, congratulating her now. Peggy looked at Rita, remembering the way -they had felt in the morning. "Did I ever say I didn't want to be an -actress?" she asked, and they laughed, comparing absolutely steady hands -this time. - - - - - VI - Chance Encounter - - -There was no review of _Dear Ruth_ in the _Kenabeek Gazette_ the next -day! The cast sat around the patio after blocking the first act of -_Angel Street_, glum and disheartened. The wonderful elation of last -night's opening had left them. - -"Isn't Ford Birmingham going to review us at all?" Peggy wondered -unhappily. "Isn't it his job? Doesn't he have to?" - -"Oh, he'll probably write a token piece--it would be too obvious if he -didn't," Chuck answered grimly. "But I imagine he won't do it until the -middle of the week when we're almost finished with _Dear Ruth_. By that -time we'll have lost an audience--people will lose interest in our -theater." - -"But didn't he like the play?" Alison demanded. "Everyone else simply -loved it!" - -"He wasn't there," Chuck said shortly. "He didn't come last night, and I -doubt if he'll come at all. Max Slade must have that man wrapped around -his little finger! We had an audience last night only because of our own -advertising and publicity. But people expect reviews! And if Birmingham -doesn't give us one next week on opening night--I'll write one myself!" - -"Oh, you can't!" Peggy said anxiously. "If you do, he'll be sure to -bring it out in the paper, and then we'll seem like amateurs!" - -Chuck sighed. "I know, Peggy. I wouldn't, of course, but I just don't -see any other way!" - -"Well, for heaven's sake!" Alison protested. "He can't write a review -unless he comes to see a play!" - -"Sure he can," Chris Hill returned. "Easy. He'll write about two lines -to the effect that _Dear Ruth_ opened at the high school last Thursday, -and in the cast were..., et cetera and et cetera. By saying nothing -he'll create the impression we were terrible!" - -Peggy looked uneasily at Chris. He was terribly angry. She had a -momentary vision of him storming into the offices of the _Kenabeek -Gazette_ and demanding to have it out with Mr. Birmingham. She wasn't -far wrong. - -"Why don't I go to see him?" Chris fumed. "I'd love to see that guy -and--" - -"--tell him just exactly what you think of him!" Chuck finished. "Yes, I -know. So would I, but that's probably what they expect us to do, so we'd -better not. Better sit tight." - -"Just what is the connection between Max Slade and Birmingham?" Peggy -persisted. "It seems very mysterious to me. I can't imagine why a -newspaperman would be working hand in glove with a theater manager--it -doesn't make sense. Newsmen usually just want news! Period!" - -"Who knows?" Chuck shrugged. "All I know is that we'll be able to judge -from the house tonight how it's going to go from now on without a -review. It's too early to tell--maybe people will come anyway. But if -they don't, I can tell you this theater isn't going to last long!" - -Watching Chuck, Peggy felt worried. She noticed that Chris was looking -at their director too, and catching his eye, she knew that he felt as -she did. This meant so much to Chuck, and he had worked so hard. If -there were only something she could do.... - -"Peggy," Chuck said, as if in answer to her thought, "would you mind -going with Danny and Mike Miller this afternoon to hunt for furniture?" -He was going to work on the second act of _Angel Street_, in which Peggy -didn't appear. "You don't have to--I know you need a rest--but if you -feel like it, it would be a great help." - -"I'd love to!" Peggy beamed cheerfully. "Really, I would. It'll give me -a chance to see the town." - -Chuck smiled gratefully. "Well, if you're sure--" - -"Anything that's Victorian?" Peggy asked as she collected her sides and -pencil, dropping them into the large knitting bag she carried to -rehearsals. - -"Mike has the furniture and prop list up at the theater," Chuck said. -"I'd like you to keep an eye out for decoration. Knickknacks and -pictures and maybe a statue--you know." - -"They shouldn't be hard to find here," Peggy called gaily as she left -the annex. "These houses look as if they're stuffed with Victorian -antiques!" - -"Thanks, Peggy." The cast went back to rehearsal, and Peggy started up -to the theater. - -"We need a chaise longue, a desk, two tables, four straight chairs, two -easy chairs, and a hall table plus extras." Danny Dunn checked the list -as Michael Miller turned the little blue jeep out of the school driveway -and down the main road. - -"Are you sorry not to be in _Angel Street_?" Peggy asked him. Danny -would not be playing next week and had taken the job of stage-managing -instead, giving Gus an opportunity to concentrate on the set alone. - -"Not a bit!" Danny grinned. "You know I've played Sergeant Rough before, -and although I enjoyed doing it, I felt I was a little young. It will be -a real treat to see Howard Miller in the part. I think he'll be -fabulous!" - -Peggy chuckled. Danny's remarks were always liberally peppered with -words like _fabulous_, _terrific_, _fantastic_, _out of this world_. -Danny asked why she laughed and Peggy told him. - -"Well," he pronounced expansively, "the theater _is_ a little bit out of -this world--and I'm in the theater. So where am I?" - -"Passing the office of that 'fantastic' paper, the _Kenabeek Gazette_," -Michael informed him, laughing. "There it is, children, look your fill." - -Peggy and Danny whipped around in their seats to look. "The building -looks just like my father's newspaper in Rockport," Peggy said, "only a -little smaller. I wonder if Ford Birmingham is in." - -"Well, you won't have a chance to find out," Michael said. "I'm taking -you across town to see Mary Hopkins' mother. Mary said they might have -some things we could use." - -Peggy looked eagerly around the little town of Lake Kenabeek as they -drove through. It was only a few buildings on either side of the main -highway. A post office, drugstore, general store, and sporting goods -shop, the newspaper building, and a couple of restaurants. The -residents' houses and cottages were almost all off the main highway, on -twisting roads, hidden behind the profusion of pine trees and thick -forest growth. - -Peggy wished she could have just a few minutes to stroll around. -"Goodness," she said, "I've been here ten days, and this is the first -time I've been into town since I got off that bus!" - -"You mean ten years!" Michael retorted. "I've felt at least ten years go -by since I first saw you that afternoon!" - -Danny and Peggy laughed. Looking at Michael, though, Peggy realized that -he wasn't far wrong about himself. He had grown up in the past week! And -he seemed to be having more fun. He wasn't as serious and shy as he had -been at the start. For his sake, Peggy was glad of the change. - -"The jeep has aged, too," Danny commented. "Don't I detect a cough in -the engine?" - -"Oh, no, that's only her way of saying hello." Michael patted the wheel -as if the jeep were alive. "Look--there it is--the ogre!" Michael -pointed to the movie house and shook a fist playfully as they drove by. - -"Well, you certainly don't seem too worried about the state of affairs!" -Danny commented. - -"I'm not!" Michael responded. "I have absolute faith in the ultimate -triumph of the Kenabeek Summer Theater! Hey!" Michael suddenly braked -the jeep and pulled to the side of the road. "Bladen's Antiques! I'd -forgotten about them. This is the one antique store in the area, Peggy." - -They looked at the little house at the side of the road. Outside, by the -gate, was a huge iron elk carrying the shop's sign on his antlers. The -yard was strewn with marble pedestals, bird cages hanging from trees, -and a huge red sleigh with massive iron runners. There was even a small -weather-beaten totem pole leaning rather precariously to one side. - -"Is that the real thing?" Peggy asked Michael. - -"Well, if it wasn't when they put it up, it's certainly an antique by -now! No, it's not a real Indian one, Peggy. It's a fake, like a lot of -souvenir items up here. But we don't pretend they're real." - -"Think we might borrow one of those pedestals?" Peggy asked. "We could -use one on the set." - -"Couldn't carry it back--they're too heavy," Michael answered. "Why -don't I drop you here, Peggy, and you can browse around inside? We'll -pick you up on our way back from Mrs. Hopkins'." - -"Well, all right," Peggy agreed doubtfully, climbing out. "But suppose -they don't want to lend us anything?" - -"Make a big pitch about the program credit. Say it's great advertising! -See you later." They drove off, leaving Peggy feeling even more dubious. -She had never been very good at this type of thing--program credit or -not. She remembered a time when she had been asked to sell advertising -for the high school yearbook at home, and how shy she had felt about it. -Acting was one thing, but this was another. - -Some people didn't realize that actors and actresses didn't always make -good salesmen, she thought, as she entered the gate and walked up the -little flagstone path to the shop. She wished that Richard Wallace were -with her. He could talk anybody into anything! But then, Peggy recalled, -he seemed to think the same of her. She smiled, remembering how he had -kidded about sending her to see Max Slade. Well, even if that had been a -joke, at least she could try to do something useful here. - -Chimes rang above her head as she opened the door, and Peggy blinked, -coming into a room so stuffed with bric-a-brac and furniture that she -could hardly see her way. There was a narrow path of clear space, only -about a foot wide, that led to the counter. She had to avoid things -hanging from the ceiling: bunches of toy bark canoes on strings, birds -carved out of wood that danced merrily in the air at the breeze from the -door. Leaning down from the wall behind the counter and staring at her -roundly was a huge, stuffed owl, his eyes gleaming strangely in the dim -light. Peggy stared back at the owl, fascinated. - -"Yes, may I help you?" For a moment Peggy almost thought the owl had -spoken, but then she saw a little splinter of a man, so fragile and old -that it seemed as if he might break into a thousand pieces at any -moment. - -"Oh dear!" Peggy thought. "He's so old, and probably can't hear very -well, and won't know what I'm talking about!" But she had to begin -somewhere. - -"Why, yes," she said, speaking clearly in hopes he could hear. "I'm -Peggy Lane from the Kenabeek Summer Theater, and we hoped you might be -able to help us. We're doing a Victorian play next week--_Angel -Street_--and we thought you might have some furniture or decoration we -could use on our set...." Peggy stopped lamely while the old man just -smiled and said nothing. Obviously, he hadn't understood a word. - -"We couldn't pay you for them, of course," she rushed on, determined to -finish at any rate. "But if you'd be interested, we'd give you a good -credit in our programs, and that's free advertising for you, you know." - -Peggy felt bumbling and awkward, at a loss for words. Well, there was -only one thing left to say. She would finish and leave quickly. "We -would take very good care of whatever you lent us," she mumbled -faintly--it didn't matter, he couldn't hear anyway. "Well, I've -certainly made a mess of this," Peggy thought. "They should have sent -somebody who knows the old man and how to talk to him!" - -"Ah, yes. _Angel Street_ is an excellent play!" Peggy could hardly -believe her ears as the old man spoke. "Quite a thriller, yes, indeed. I -made a special trip to New York to see that play once--type of thing I -like. I was waiting for you to say something about taking care of -anything I might lend you," he went on. "You see, some of my things here -are quite valuable and I would have to be sure they were in responsible -hands." - -"Oh, of course," Peggy said eagerly. - -"If you hadn't mentioned that, I might not have said anything at all! -Might have let you leave thinking I was deaf as a stone!" He cocked his -head humorously on one side, giving Peggy a wink that reminded her of -the wise old owl. - -"I'm Mr. Bladen," the old man said as he came out from behind the -counter and threaded his way among the piles of stuff on the floor, -crooking a finger for Peggy to follow. There was hardly room to squeeze -through, but she valiantly held her breath and went sideways, picking -her way carefully around the vases, picture frames, statues, tables, and -chairs. - -"Been here forty years," he added, leading her over to one wall under a -window. He drew back the curtains and a dust cloud rose as he pinned -them back to get some light. Peggy sneezed. "_Gesundheit!_" Mr. Bladen -said. - -Peggy sneezed again. "_Gesundheit!_" he repeated, and Peggy giggled. - -"Think I'm a funny old codger, don't you?" he said, his eyes twinkling. -"And you're right--I am--I am! Can't get to be as old as I am and not be -funny somehow! Now look--" He started removing a pile of odds and ends -that were burying a piece of furniture covered with a dusty red shawl. -"Take this and put it somewhere." He handed Peggy a plaster cast of a -nymph blowing a conch shell. Peggy looked around and placed it on a -table already filled with other figurines. "And this--and this--" He -gave her pictures, frames, little boxes, lamps. Peggy was hard pressed -to find a place for them, but somehow she managed. Finally they reached -bottom and Mr. Bladen pulled off the shawl. After the cloud of dust had -subsided, among more sneezes and _Gesundheits_, Peggy looked at the -"buried treasure" and gasped. It was a perfect Victorian chaise longue -with a curving, dark mahogany frame, beautifully upholstered in red and -gold striped satin. - -"It's perfect!" Peggy cried excitedly. "Oh, Mr. Bladen, it's simply -perfect! We couldn't find anything better if we looked for a million -years! Oh, may we use it, really?" She clasped her hands eagerly. - -"Of course!" Mr. Bladen laughed, his thin, sensitive fingers patting the -edge of the sofa. "I know it's perfect. Just like the one they used in -New York--noticed it myself when I saw the play. Been waiting, really, -to find a use for it. Nobody would ever discover it under all this -stuff!" - -Peggy looked around, wondering how many other lovely pieces were hidden -under the incredible litter. - -"Yep," Mr. Bladen said, "I have a lot of nice things here, but can't -ever find the time to straighten things up so they can be seen. Too old, -I guess--and then there's my work." - -Peggy's surprise was evident. His work? Wasn't this his work? Mr. Bladen -answered her unspoken question with another conspiratorial wink. - -"Write poetry, you see--only thing worth doing at my age. Wouldn't you -agree?" - -Peggy was charmed. She hadn't met anyone so delightful as Mr. Bladen for -a long time. Wouldn't her parents love to hear about this wonderful old -man with his fantastic little shop and his poetry! - -"Then of course you'd know about the theater and plays and everything," -she cried with sudden understanding. "No wonder!" - -[Illustration: _"It's perfect!" Peggy cried excitedly._] - -"Yes," Mr. Bladen answered cheerfully. "And it's nice to know that -someone's bringing the theater to us here. Town needs it--wish you a lot -of luck. Anxious to help all I can. Now, let's see if we can't find some -little extras for that set--" He poked around, and like a magician -drawing rabbits out of a hat, triumphantly produced pictures, ornaments, -a student lamp, and two beautiful porcelain vases. - -"Think you'll need these," he told Peggy, holding up the vases. "Seems -to me I remember something special about a vase--" - -"That's right." Peggy smiled. "The rubies are hidden in a vase. But -those are much too good, Mr. Bladen!" - -"Nonsense," he scoffed. "You want to be realistic, don't you? Now you -just take these vases and scoot along. I'll put them in your care. Here, -take this along with you now, too." He balanced the student lamp -precariously between the vases that Peggy held in each hand. The china -shade was just under her chin. - -"But I really don't think--" Peggy started. - -"Send somebody back for the rest of the things." Mr. Bladen ignored her -protest. "I'm here all the time," he said as he opened the door. - -"Well, now about the advertising for the program--" - -"Worry about that later--have to get back to work now. Run along and -good luck." - -Mr. Bladen closed the door firmly, the chimes ringing good-by as Peggy -found herself outside. She hadn't even thanked him, she realized, -looking back at the house. Why was he in such a sudden hurry, she -wondered? And then she remembered--poetry! Peggy laughed softly. Mr. -Bladen must have had a new idea and wanted to write it down quickly. She -wondered if the poem would be about the theater, or _Angel Street_, or -if the sofa could have given him an idea, or the vases. It could be -anything! Peggy smiled broadly as she stepped down the little path to -the gate, carefully holding the vases and lamp. What a surprise to find -someone like Mr. Bladen in Lake Kenabeek! It proved that it paid to get -into town once in a while--there might be other fascinating people to -meet in this resort. - -Peggy leaned forward to open the gate and the lamp started to tumble. -Grabbing it, she almost let go of one of the precious vases which -started to slide out of her hand. It kept slipping and she couldn't get -a secure grasp on it. In a flash she saw an awful picture of shattered -porcelain, and Mr. Bladen's disappointment at having entrusted something -so valuable to her. Just as it was about to fall entirely and crash on -the pavement, two hands reached over the gate, grabbed the vase, and -removed the lamp from her arms. - -"Now maybe you'll be able to see where you're going!" A handsome young -man in a conservative summer suit stood there smiling, and Peggy sighed -with relief. - -"Thank you so much!" she said gratefully. "I don't know what I'd have -done if they'd been broken. You've really saved the day--I can't thank -you enough!" - -"Well, I don't know about that," the young man said, grinning, "It may -be enough to know that I've saved the day! How have I saved the day, by -the way?" He looked amused and interested, and Peggy laughed. - -"By the way, you've saved the day and helped the play!" she rhymed. -"Really you have. And you've also saved one of Mr. Bladen's precious -antiques!" - -He raised an eyebrow, turning the vase over in his hand. "Is it really -good?" he asked. "And what does it have to do with a play?" - -"We're going to use them in _Angel Street_," Peggy explained. She liked -this friendly young man who somehow made her feel as if she'd known him -for years. Was he another interesting resident, she wondered. "I'm Peggy -Lane from the Summer Theater," she said, "and next week's play is _Angel -Street_." - -"Oh," he said slowly, and Peggy was surprised to see him frown slightly. -But then he smiled again, handing back the vase. "How are you going to -manage all this?" he asked, still holding on to the lamp. "I don't think -you can carry them all without breaking something. Can I drop you -somewhere?" - -Peggy noticed a car parked a few feet away and shook her head, -declining, "No, thank you--" - -"I realize we haven't met formally," he said, bowing a little, "but in -Lake Kenabeek we're not very formal. I'd be glad to drive you to the -theater." - -He hadn't introduced himself, Peggy realized suddenly, but he seemed so -well-mannered that she imagined it was just a slip. "No, thanks again, -but the jeep is coming back for me. I'd better wait." - -He gave her a regretful glance and put the lamp carefully on the ground. -"Well, I'm sorry," he said. "It would be a pleasure to help you. A real -pleasure," he added softly, almost under his breath. "But perhaps we'll -meet again sometime." He looked at her as if about to add something, but -then, apparently changing his mind, gave her a peculiar smile and walked -to his car. "Good luck," he called as he got in, leaving Peggy -thoroughly puzzled. - -The little blue jeep was coming back just as the young man drove away, -and they passed each other on the road. Michael turned and pulled up in -front of Peggy, exclaiming when he saw the lamp and vases. - -"Success! They look wonderful, Peggy, and look what we have!" - -The back of the jeep was crammed with chairs and tables. "Mrs. Hopkins -has taken care of the table and chair department, and all we have left -now of any real importance is that couch. Can't seem to find one," Danny -said. - -"I've found it!" Peggy declared. "And wait until you see it! But we have -to come back for it later. Oh, I have such a lot to tell you!" She -handed Danny the lamp and climbed into the front seat, carefully holding -the vases. - -"By the way," Michael said as they drove back to the theater, "did you -see one of the ogres? He drove right past you--back there in front of -Bladen's." - -"Who? What ogre?" Peggy asked. "Where?" - -"Remember the car that passed us just as we came back for you?" - -Peggy certainly did remember, and her heart sank as she guessed what -Michael's next words would be. - -"That, my girl," he confirmed, "was none other than our Mr. Slade!" - -"Max Slade!" Peggy breathed softly. "Why, it doesn't seem possible...." - -"No, not Max," Michael corrected. "That was his shadow--his younger -brother, Bill." - -Peggy had such a peculiar expression that Danny worriedly asked, "What's -the matter, Peggy? You all right?" - -"Why, I don't know," she said slowly, hardly hearing as she recalled -Bill Slade's parting words-- - -"... it would be a pleasure to help you ... a real pleasure." - -"Oh, Michael," Peggy cried, "I've got to see your father and Richard -Wallace right away! There may be a lot more to all this than we realize! -There may even be a way to help the theater!" - - - - - VII - Unfair Play - - -"I think you should send someone to see him. I'm sure he'd really like -to help!" Peggy was saying. She had dropped into Aunt Hetty's home with -Richard and Mr. Miller to discuss her meeting with Bill Slade. "I had -the feeling when he spoke that he doesn't approve of what his brother's -doing, doesn't like this feud--" - -"Whether he approves or not, there's nothing he can do about it!" Aunt -Hetty said firmly. "They both run the movie house, but it's Max who -makes the decisions and Bill just follows along." - -"That's right, Peggy," Howard Miller agreed. "I'd hate to stir up any -friction between those two brothers. I spoke at length to Max the other -night, and I've never heard him so unreasonable about anything in all -the years I've known him! He won't even discuss the problem. He's so -terrified that we're going to ruin his business that he just clams up." - -"Was Bill Slade there when you saw him?" Peggy asked curiously. - -Mr. Miller nodded. "And he didn't say a word. I hate to disappoint you -about Bill, Peggy, but he's never been strong enough to stand up to his -brother; and no matter how he impressed you, I don't think this issue is -the one to change his character." - -Peggy sighed. "Well, I guess that's that," she said regretfully. "I'm -sorry--for a while I thought something could be done. He seemed so -nice--and sad somehow. It's a shame." - -"How's _Angel Street_ going?" Aunt Hetty asked, tactfully closing the -subject of Bill Slade. - -"Wonderful," Richard said. "It's going to be even better than _Dear -Ruth_--if that's possible! Come on, Peggy," he said, "I'll walk you -home." - -"Thank you for the coffee and the cake," Peggy said to Aunt Hetty. "It -was wonderful to have something homemade for a change!" - -"Remind you of home?" Aunt Hetty asked. - -"Yes--it all does," Peggy said wistfully, looking around the comfortable -living room with the beamed ceiling, fireplace, and gay chintz coverings -on the furniture. "But then," she laughed, "anything like this is a -startling change from the annex! It makes me wonder if I shouldn't go -home for a visit after the season is over...." - -"Good idea," Aunt Hetty agreed. "You'll need a rest." - -"Are you staying, Mr. Miller?" Richard asked. - -"Yes, I want to go over some things with your aunt, Richard. We have to -give a report soon to the Chamber of Commerce." - -"And I want to talk over some more promotion ideas with you," Richard -said, "if you'll be here when I get back." - -"Your aunt and Mr. Miller make a nice couple," Peggy observed as she and -Richard started back to the annex. "Have you ever noticed?" - -Richard grinned at Peggy. "You mean that just occurred to you? Why, I -guess everybody in town has seen that for years. We're all just waiting -for Aunt Hetty and Mr. Miller to wake up and notice it, too! - -"I'm sorry that we had to squelch your idea of appealing to Bill Slade," -Richard went on seriously, "and believe me, we wouldn't if there were -the slightest chance of his making any headway with his brother. But I'm -afraid Mr. Miller's right. Bill Slade is a pretty weak character. If he -really felt strongly about this, he'd do something about it on his own. -Don't you think so, Peggy?" - -"Yes, I do," Peggy said thoughtfully. "And do you know, Richard, I -wouldn't be surprised if he did do something! Maybe he isn't as weak as -all of you think. I just have a feeling--" - -"Woman's feelings!" Richard laughed. "For once, I'm afraid your -intuition is wrong, Peggy!" - -And as the week wore on, it seemed that Richard was right. By the night -of dress rehearsal for _Angel Street_, the cast was terribly dispirited, -having seen audiences diminish little by little each night for _Dear -Ruth_. Apparently Max Slade was talking down the theater at every -opportunity--calling them amateurs, and saying that if Ford Birmingham -wouldn't even bother to go, the townspeople could certainly judge from -that. Unfortunately, the company hadn't been playing long enough to -secure the loyal audience that could keep it going regardless. - -Alison Lord, who was playing the very demanding lead of "Mrs. -Manningham" in _Angel Street_, was particularly upset. - -"It's bad enough to be under the strain of doing this part," she said -tearfully to Chuck. "Sometimes I wonder why I bother at all--why not -just quit? It doesn't seem worth the effort!" - -"It will, tomorrow night, when we open," Chuck reassured her. "You're -doing a beautiful job, Alison, and, of course, it's worth while!" - -"Cheer up, Mrs. Manningham," Howard Miller said, patting Alison on the -shoulder, "you and I are going to have a wonderful time out there, -audience or not. Right?" - -"I guess so." Alison dried her tears and smiled ironically. "I'm unhappy -enough really to feel like Mrs. Manningham, anyway. If this keeps up, I -won't have to work very hard!" She went to the dressing room to change -into her costume. Peggy followed, worried about Alison's mood. "Mrs. -Manningham" was on stage almost constantly and really carried the show. -If some of Alison's fire was gone, even the fine performance that Howard -Miller was giving wouldn't be enough to save the play. - -"How is your costume?" Peggy asked Alison, thinking that clothes and -make-up always seemed to have a magical effect on the leading lady. -"Have you unpacked it yet?" The large boxes of costumes had arrived -earlier in the afternoon from New York. Because _Angel Street_ was a -period piece, everything had to be rented. Measurements had been sent, -and now the girls could only hope that everything fitted properly. If -not, there would be last-minute sewing--a difficult project to fit into -the next few short hours. - -"It's dull," Alison replied disinterestedly, "but it fits. At least I -don't have to worry about that!" She put on a smock and sat down at the -table to apply her make-up. Watching her draw in the tiny lines on her -forehead, and apply blue shadow under her eyes, Peggy had to giggle. - -"Oh, Alison!" She laughed. "Forgive me, but really, what a change!" - -Alison stared blankly into her mirror and then had to smile at herself. -Gone was the bright, vivacious "Ruth," and even beautiful Alison. In her -place was a wan, haunted woman about thirty, with circles under her eyes -and an expression of fear. "For once I look just the way I feel," said -Alison, and as Peggy and Rita laughed, even she had to join in. - -"I really should be a blonde for this," Peggy considered as she put up -her hair, arranging it in little curls on the top of her head. She was -playing the pert, saucy maid, Nancy. - -"You could spray your hair," Rita told her, "but it's a mess, and I -wouldn't advise it. I think you're all right just like that." - -"Except that my skirt is too long," Peggy noticed as she walked about -the dressing room, strutting a bit as "Nancy" did, with a rustle of -taffeta. "I'll trip on it, I'm afraid." - -"Here, maybe I can pin it," Rita offered. - -Finally, dressed in their costumes and make-up, the girls walked out on -stage for an inspection under lights. - -"What base are you using, Alison?" Chuck called from the aisle. "You're -too yellow under all this amber light. Gus, kill that spot and let me -see what happens. Now, will you walk over and sit on the sofa, Alison? -And Peggy, let me see you up by the fireplace." - -The girls moved around the stage while Gus worked with the lights, -changing filters and spots until Chuck was satisfied. It was a -wonderful, eerie set, Peggy thought. Gus had stenciled a wallpaper -design on the flats, and with the couch that Mr. Bladen had lent them, -and the other Victorian pieces and bric-a-brac, the room had a heavy, -mysterious quality. The atmosphere affected Peggy strongly. She felt as -if some dire event was going to take place. She walked down to the -auditorium to look at the stage. - -"Now try the bracket circuit," Chuck called. "Let me see how they dim. -Where's Mr. Miller? Get him and take that bit in Act Two, Alison, where -the lights go down." - -Already nine o'clock, and dress rehearsal hadn't even started yet. It -would go on until the early hours of the morning, Peggy knew. Missing -props would be found and put in place, movements changed, and -last-minute touches made to the set. Peggy settled down, curling up as -comfortably as she could on the hard seat, as she waited for rehearsal -to begin. - -Chris Hill walked out on stage, his appearance completely transformed -with the mustache, small beard, and sideburns that he used for Mr. -Manningham. Even his attitude was different, Peggy noticed. He seemed a -lot older and his voice was deep and serious as he checked his make-up -with Chuck. - -Finally, at nine-thirty, they were ready. The curtains were drawn, -Alison settled herself in her chair, Chris stretched out on the couch, -and Peggy took her place in the wings. Even a dress rehearsal, she -thought, as she mentally prepared for her entrance, had a feeling of -excitement and pressure. Well, this was their one chance to feel the -play as it would be on opening night--to rehearse with continuity. - -"I'm not going to stop you," Chuck called. "I'll be taking notes and -we'll iron out the flaws later. Ready, Danny?" - -"All set," Danny affirmed, his hands on the curtain. - -"All right then; make it a performance, everyone." - -The first half of Act One went well. Peggy had a very small part and was -able to watch almost continuously from the wings. Chris was really -sinister, she thought, shivering as she observed his scene with Alison. -And Alison was wonderful. She was a little young to play Mrs. Manningham -but her own personality had disappeared in the part, and she was -completely believable. - -"How I would love to play that part someday!" Peggy dreamed. "Or -something like it. I wish I had just one dramatic part to do this -summer!" She sighed as she thought of the season ahead--one comedy part -after another. - -Chris made his exit with a slam of the door, and Rita, as the -housekeeper, came on to announce the arrival of Sergeant Rough. Peggy -drew up a box near Gus at the switchboard, and leaned forward excitedly -to watch. With his old-fashioned cape-coat and painstaking make-up, -Howard Miller was the very picture of a Scotland Yard Inspector. Peggy -tensed as the suspense mounted; even Gus at the lights was so engrossed -in the play that he almost forgot to dim the lights at the right time. - -"Gus," Peggy whispered, "the lights! Gus, isn't that your cue?" - -He started, quickly dimmed the lights, and then shook his head -sheepishly. "Thanks, Peggy!" - -"I'm afraid you are married to a tolerably dangerous gentleman," -Sergeant Rough said to Mrs. Manningham, and as she stood there, slowly -realizing his meaning, the curtain closed on Act One. - -"House lights," Chuck called. "Open the curtain, Danny, and everybody on -stage." - -Surprised, the cast gathered on the set. - -"I thought we were doing a straight run-through" Alison complained -crossly. "I need it, Chuck, to get a feeling of the continuity!" - -"I know, Alison," Chuck said, "I'm sorry. But something's come up that -you'll all know about tomorrow, and it might ruin opening night. I'd -rather tell you now so you can work it out during rehearsal. Better a -bad dress rehearsal than a dreary opening." - -"What now?" Peggy wondered. She had never seen Chuck so depressed or -listless. All his energy seemed to have left him as he walked forward -and looked up at everybody. - -"You're all wonderful," he said slowly, "and you're doing a job that's -worthy of Broadway--honestly, you are." He watched Alison closely as he -spoke, letting the words sink in. "Now, I don't want this to throw you. -Just hear it quietly, and then we'll finish rehearsal. Aunt Hetty -dropped in a minute ago--she'd been in town and happened to drive past -the movie house. She saw the advertisement for the new bill which opens -tomorrow night." - -"Oh, no!" Chris broke in with instant comprehension. - -"I'm afraid so, Chris," Chuck said quietly. "They are showing the movie -of _Angel Street_ this week. Under another title, of course, but -everybody knows it's the same play. The story's too famous. Slade is -counting on the stars of the film to draw audiences away from our -production." Chuck tried to think of something else to say, but it was -no good. Everyone recognized the seriousness of this move, and what it -could mean. "I--I'm sorry." Chuck concluded lamely. - -Alison was standing stiffly, her hands clenched and her mouth tight as -she tried to control her tears. But then she broke. "I told you it -wasn't worth the effort," she sobbed. "I'm not going to ruin my health -and nerves doing this part and then have nobody in the audience! They -can all go to the movies as far as I'm concerned! This whole theater has -been a fiasco from the beginning, and the sooner we close the better. -You can give the part to somebody else--I'm through!" She ran off the -stage and to the dressing room as the rest of the cast looked after her -unhappily. - -Rita started to follow her, but Chuck shook his head. "Let her go," he -said. "She doesn't really mean it, and she might as well get it out of -her system. The part is a terrific strain, and I'm not surprised at her -reaction!" - -Peggy dropped onto the couch beside Howard Miller, who was sitting there -twirling his hat thoughtfully. "I had a feeling something was going to -happen," Peggy said sadly, "but I never dreamed it would be this. Guess -I really was all wrong about Bill Slade. If he didn't make an effort to -stop his brother this time, I guess he never will. Maybe he's just as -opposed to the theater as Max." - -"I don't know, Peggy," Mr. Miller replied, "I'm beginning to wonder if -we shouldn't have had someone go to see him as you suggested. Perhaps -any try would have been better than none at all. This move of theirs may -ruin the theater for good. We can't possibly stay open if business drops -off any more." He frowned. "The Chamber of Commerce will never want to -hear of a summer theater again, and we can't afford the loss of money -either." - -"Do you think it's too late?" Peggy questioned intently. "Too late to -see Bill Slade?" - -"I'm afraid so," he said. "I've already spoken to Max. Aunt Hetty is so -furious that she won't talk to either one of them, and they won't speak -to Richard or Chuck." He smiled ruefully. "Impasse. Like nations trying -to get together without a common language." - -Peggy was silent, remembering that Bill Slade had seemed to speak her -language. Could she have been so very wrong about that, after all? Why -couldn't she see him herself? Why did it have to be one of the directors -of the theater or of the Chamber of Commerce? If the Slades were too -stubborn or unreasonable to talk with "authority," maybe they--or at -least Bill--would be freer with her. She laughed softly to herself, -thinking of the Hatfields and McCoys. This feud was every bit as -unreasonable and silly--and in the stories, it was always the younger -generation that somehow managed to work things out! Feeling a little -like a heroine in a legend, Peggy decided to try. - -But how? All through the rest of the rehearsal--with Alison back and -working just as Chuck had predicted--Peggy thought about it. She -couldn't call and ask for an appointment. It had to be subtler than -that. She would have to arrange something that seemed quite accidental. -Yes, a chance meeting with Bill Slade! But how? - - - - - VIII - An Explanation - - -"Chuck, are you up yet?" Peggy knocked cautiously on the door of his -combination office-living quarters on the lower floor of the annex. It -was eleven o'clock and the tired company hadn't turned in until -three-thirty in the morning. - -"Come in, Peggy." Chuck opened the door and motioned her in. His desk -was covered with work, and crumpled wads of paper littered the floor. -"Been up for hours," he said. "I was just going over the budget." His -eyes were hollow and ringed from lack of sleep. "The answer is, _what_ -budget?" He tore up the piece of paper he was holding and dropped it in -the waste-basket. "It doesn't look good, Peggy." - -"Oh, Chuck, I'm sorry!" Peggy felt dreadful, realizing the enormous -amount of work that he had put into the theater, and the possible -futility of it all. But she couldn't reveal her plan, much as she would -like to, even to offer him some hope. It might not work out after all, -and Chuck was so depressed that he would probably try to dissuade her -from seeing Bill Slade. She had determined to try, at any cost, and she -must do it very quietly and all alone. - -"Could I possibly be excused from the reading today?" Peggy asked. -"There are so many things I need from town, and I haven't had a chance -yet to catch up on shopping--" - -"Go ahead," Chuck answered dully. "There isn't going to be a reading, -anyway. I don't know if we'll even be open after this week, so I'm not -going to work you any harder than I have to. Today everyone gets a rest; -tomorrow we'll begin again." - -"Thank you," Peggy said, wishing she could wave a magic wand and set -everything right. "Is there anything I can get for you while I'm in -town?" - -"No, thanks, Peggy. By the way, we will have a line rehearsal before the -show tonight. Five o'clock here." - -Five o'clock. Peggy calculated. Yes, that would work out. She could be -about her business and get back in plenty of time. She left quietly, -hoping that nobody noticed her as she walked up the little path around -the side of the inn and down the hill to the highway. - -The weather was changing, Peggy noticed, as she walked along. When she -had arrived a hint of spring had still been in the air, but now it was -hot and beginning to feel like real summer. Wouldn't it be fun to enjoy -some of the pleasures of the resort, she thought, looking at the -beautiful blue of the lake dotted with sails and speedboats. Michael had -promised to take her out in his boat someday. Someday! Everyone had been -so busy that even Michael hadn't had an opportunity to be out on the -water that he so dearly loved. - -"When we get settled into a routine," the company had dreamed -optimistically. "In a few weeks, after things are going smoothly, well, -then we'll have time to swim once in a while and go boating!" - -Peggy sighed, taking off the little jacket that topped her gaily -flowered summer dress. It could still work out, she thought, things -could run smoothly if everyone knew that the theater would stay open. -This uncertainty, though, was terrible for everyone's morale and left no -time for play. Actors needed relaxation, too, she mused. The theater was -fun, but it was hard work as well. - -"And today I'm free for a while!" She smiled with a sudden sharp -enjoyment at being outdoors and away from the theater. - -As Peggy passed the offices of the _Kenabeek Gazette_, she paused for a -moment. She needed a newspaper and wondered if she should go in. But no, -she decided, somebody might recognize her, so she hastened on and walked -into the drugstore. There were several copies of the paper left and -Peggy bought one along with some cosmetics she needed. Outside again, -she flipped through the paper, seeking the information she wanted. There -it was--the first showing of the movie today would be at noon. She had -just enough time. Hurriedly, she walked on, nodding back at several -people who smiled at her, apparently part of their grateful, if small, -audience. - -"Oh, Miss Lane--" A middle-aged woman, smartly attired in sports -clothes, stopped her on the sidewalk. "I just want to tell you how much -my husband and I enjoyed you in _Dear Ruth_. We saw it on Broadway years -ago and I must say we were surprised at the professional excellence of -your cast. Tell me, who did that lovely set?" - -"Oh, thank you." Peggy smiled. "Our set designer is Gus Stevens. He's -the husband of the girl you saw playing the part of the mother. And she -was awfully good, wasn't she?" - -"Wonderful," the woman agreed warmly. "Just wonderful. You know, we've -been coming up here to Lake Kenabeek for years--our son goes to a camp -nearby. This is the first summer that we've had any real entertainment! -You tell your director that we wish him a lot of luck--and the whole -cast. We hope you'll be here every year from now on!" - -Peggy left her thoughtfully, realizing that if the theater should have -to close, it would affect more than just the company and the Chamber of -Commerce. People here really wanted entertainment. Surely there was room -for a summer theater and the movies to exist side by side! - -She bought her ticket for the film, hoping that the woman in the booth -didn't recognize her. Probably not, Peggy thought. It might be a sin for -anyone employed at the movies to go to the Summer Theater! She shook her -head impatiently and went into the dark interior. Now that she was here, -Peggy wondered if her plan had been so ingenious after all. Perhaps Bill -Slade wouldn't even be here today. Perhaps instead of finding him, she -would run smack into his brother Max! And that was a prospect she didn't -particularly want to face. - -Peggy took a seat in the first row at the side of the balcony. Here she -was close enough to the mezzanine to get up frequently and look around -the lounge where a sign on a door announced, Office of the Manager. -Looking at it doubtfully as she left her seat for what must have been -the tenth time, Peggy wondered if anyone was inside. She might have to -stay here all day, seeing the film several times as she waited for -someone to emerge. Two ushers walked by and Peggy heard one of the girls -say, "No, Mr. Slade isn't here yet. He said he'd be in around -five-thirty. But you're off duty then, aren't you?" They went on, -leaving Peggy feeling that her brilliant idea hadn't been so brilliant -after all! She was just about to go back and watch the end of the movie, -when the door opened and Bill Slade walked out! - -Peggy was in luck! It must be Max who was expected later on. - -Bill Slade saw her standing there, and an incredulous expression -suffused his face. "Why--why, it's you!" he blurted, in utter -astonishment. - -"Oh, Mr. Slade! How nice to run into you again!" Peggy's acting -experience came in handy right now. She hoped she seemed genuinely -surprised. - -"And you know my name now, it seems," he said, reddening slightly as he -came over to her. "I'm sorry about that. I didn't dare introduce myself -that day, not knowing how you'd feel about it." - -Something tugged at Peggy's heart. She felt she had never met anyone so -basically nice or so unhappy with a situation. - -"What on earth are you doing here?" he asked, frowning a little as if he -had only just realized where they were. - -Peggy had planned the answer. "Why, I was having a little difficulty -with my part this week," she said easily, "and I thought I'd take a look -at the movie to see how it was done." From the balcony, the sound of the -closing music of the film swelled around them, followed by the martial -strains of music for the news-reel. - -"You missed the end," Bill Slade observed, looking at her closely. - -"Oh, that doesn't matter." Peggy was slightly flustered. "I'm not in the -end, anyway. I'm just playing the maid." She hoped it sounded logical. - -Bill laughed. "No wonder you were having trouble," he said. "That's -miscasting if I ever heard of it!" - -"Oh, no, it isn't." Peggy smiled back. "You just come to see the play -and you'll see what a good character actress I can be!" - -Again she noticed that sad expression come into his eyes, but then he -brightened and said, "Miss Peggy Lane, why don't we do something utterly -insane and go out for some lemonade or something together? Do you have -time?" - -Peggy glowed. This invitation was exactly what she had hoped for! "I'd -love to," she agreed happily. - -Bill Slade walked with her back to the drugstore and they took one of -the little booths in the rear, well away from curious eyes. In the -middle of the afternoon there were few people in the store, and they -could speak freely without being overheard. - -"I wish you would come up to the theater just once," Peggy implored. "I -think you'd enjoy seeing a play for a change." - -"I know I would," Bill said slowly. "I love the theater, Miss Lane--" - -"Peggy, please!" she twinkled. - -"Peggy!" he agreed. "All right. But we might as well not beat about the -bush. You know how my brother feels about the theater! I've talked to -him, Peggy, believe it or not." He looked at her pleadingly, and she -wondered how an attractive, intelligent young man like this could bear -to remain so entirely under his brother's influence. Bill Slade looked -as though he should have a more independent role. - -"But what does your brother have to do with it?" Peggy asked, hoping to -jolt him a little. "Surely, if you would like to be on our side--and I -gathered from the way you spoke that day that you would--?" - -Bill answered her implied question with an emphatic nod. - -"Well, then," Peggy urged, "why not take a stand? Come up to the theater -and let your brother know exactly how you feel." - -"He does know," Bill said softly. - -"I don't see why we have to be in competition," Peggy went on earnestly. -"Don't you think the two forms of entertainment could complement each -other? For instance, we're doing a melodrama this week, and if instead -of choosing the same story, you had run a comedy film, both our -businesses would have benefited. Or don't you agree?" - -She looked at him anxiously over her glass of lemonade, her large eyes -serious and her pretty dress making a splash of color against the dull -gray of the seat. Bill Slade smiled, saying, "You make an incongruous -picture, Peggy! You're much too young and pretty to be carrying the -weight of rival businesses on your shoulders. Tell me--" he leaned -forward intently--"did anyone ask you to come and see me about this? I -can't quite believe your story about the movie!" - -Peggy decided to be completely honest with him. "No, no one asked me to -come--but I did hope to see you. I came with that intention. I thought -perhaps if we talked together, you might see our point of view and -persuade your brother to put an end to this silly feud!" - -"I have tried to persuade him, Peggy," Bill said uneasily. "I've argued -about it from the beginning. Then when he decided to run this particular -movie this week--well, it was almost the last straw!" - -"Well, then," Peggy cried, "why not let it _be_ the last straw? Why -don't _you_ choose a picture for once instead of your brother? He -doesn't have everything to say about your business, does he?" - -Bill looked at her unhappily. "There's a lot you don't know, Peggy," he -said. "We are partners, yes, but partners in name only. You see, when we -bought that theater, Max was the one who put up the money. He was older, -and had been in a very successful public relations business in New York. -His dream had always been to come back here to live, with a business of -his own. I had just come out of the Army and didn't have any money to -invest." - -"And your brother bought the theater all on his own?" Peggy asked. "My! -He must have saved a lot!" - -"No, not entirely on his own," Bill said. "I don't know why I'm telling -you all this, Peggy--" he smiled as her wistfully--"I guess it's because -I want you to like me, and I want to clear myself. But please promise me -that anything I say will be a confidential matter between us." - -"Of course," Peggy agreed warmly. She was glad to know that Bill Slade -trusted her, and thought that it was probably a very good thing for him -to talk to somebody. She had an impression that he was very lonely. - -"Max couldn't have done it all on his own," Bill confided. "He had -another investor--a silent partner whom almost nobody knows about. Not -that there's anything wrong about it, but--" - -"Ford Birmingham!" Peggy guessed excitedly as the pieces began to fall -into place. - -"That's right. Ford put up the rest of the money. He keeps his -partnership silent because of his job on the paper. He loves the -newspaper business and writing, and manages to carry both jobs very -well. However, if people knew he was a partner, they might think his -movie reviews were prejudiced!" Bill laughed. "They're not, of course. -Ford is a painfully honest critic!" - -"And he goes right along with your brother's attitude about us?" Peggy -asked incredulously. - -"Well, you see, I'm afraid that Max has said some pretty awful things -about your theater to Ford." Bill seemed almost ashamed. "Not about the -people personally," he added hastily, "but professionally. Max honestly -thinks you're all amateurs and he's persuaded Ford of that." He shook -his head ruefully. "And Max resents a little company of newcomers coming -into the town and possibly drawing away his business. He--he's not a -very happy man, Peggy, and he is my brother. I have to understand how he -feels." - -"Of course," Peggy said sympathetically. "I know some people like that -in my home town. They're terrified of anything new and become completely -unreasonable about it." - -Bill nodded. "If Max would just let me choose some of the films, as you -said, I think our own business would pick up. It's been terrible lately, -but I know why. It isn't the Summer Theater, as Max thinks. It's his -choice of old, dull movies that nobody wants to see. This is the first -good one we've shown in a long time!" He sighed ironically. "And it took -your theater to make him choose it--for all the wrong reasons!" - -They were silent, each thinking of the seemingly impossible situation. -Now that she saw the design more clearly, Peggy couldn't think of a way -out. Apparently, neither could Bill. He frowned and shook his head -again. "I'm sorry, Peggy, but there just doesn't seem to be anything I -can do. I wish I could. Believe me, I wish I could!" - -Peggy walked back to the annex for the line rehearsal, feeling -disconsolate and subdued. It was really almost hopeless, she thought, -mulling over all the problems. Without any real authority in the -business, Bill couldn't be of much help. But she had been right about -one thing. Bill Slade was certainly not the weak, spineless creature -that people imagined! He had good reason for his actions, and actually, -it was wonderfully loyal and brave of him to stick by his brother in the -face of a lot of criticism. Peggy didn't doubt that more persons than -those concerned with the Summer Theater regarded Bill as his brother's -younger shadow--possibly even Ford Birmingham! - -Peggy thought of the little paragraph Mr. Birmingham had written on -_Dear Ruth_ toward the end of the week--just as Chuck had predicted. -Chris had been right, too. It had said almost less than nothing--a mere -notice, in fact! Well, it was all a shame, Peggy thought sadly, a -terrible and unnecessary shame! - - - - - IX - A Lifeline - - -_Angel Street_ opened to a house of twelve persons! - -Fortunately, Alison was so engrossed in her work that she was not aware -of the ridiculously small audience until curtain calls, when they showed -their intense appreciation of the play by standing while they applauded -and shouted, "Bravo!" It was indicative of the fine performances the -actors had given and a deliberate gesture of support. Almost everyone in -the audience came backstage after the show, congratulating the company -and telling Alison and Howard Miller in particular how wonderful they -had been. Aunt Hetty was singularly impressed. "I knew you were a good -actress, Alison," she complimented her, "but I really had no idea you -could do a demanding, difficult part like this so well!" - -Overhearing, Peggy couldn't help wishing again that she could have a -chance to sink her teeth into a dramatic part, too. Not that she was at -all envious of Alison--or was she, Peggy wondered? No, she didn't think -so. It was just that seeing someone else in a serious role opened up a -part of Peggy that hadn't been tapped this summer and wished to be used. - -There was something else to it, too, Peggy thought, smiling secretly. -Something that almost nobody outside of the theater knew. And it wasn't -such a bad idea to keep audiences in ignorance about it--otherwise their -enjoyment might be lessened. The secret was that in many ways it was -really easier to play a dramatic part than a comedy role. Comedy was the -hardest thing of all. - -Peggy suddenly saw Mr. Bladen, who was popping about on stage like a -sprightly old bird, nodding with satisfaction at the set. The friendly -woman Peggy had met on the street that morning had come with her -husband, and they were speaking with Richard Wallace. She noticed Peggy -and smiled, beckoning her to come and join their group. - -"I'd like you to meet Mr. and Mrs. Cook, Peggy," Richard said. "They're -interested in our theater and in some of the furniture we're using this -week." - -"Oh," Peggy exclaimed. "Well, I met part of the family this morning." -She smiled at Mrs. Cook. "And if you're interested in the pieces on -stage, you might speak to Mr. Bladen. He's here somewhere--" - -"I noticed in the program that he loaned the couch," Mr. Cook said. "We -think it's such a beautiful piece that we'd be very interested in buying -it." - -"Well, wait a minute, and I'll find him for you." Peggy beamed and -hurried away. Wouldn't it be wonderful if the theater could be of -assistance to Mr. Bladen, too! She found him behind a flat, looking -curiously at a prop table and, pinned above it, the list of scenes in -which the things were used. - -"Neat. Very neat," Mr. Bladen said. "Haven't been backstage since I was -a boy. It smells wonderful!" - -Peggy laughed. She knew exactly what he meant. There was a very special -aroma about backstage. It had a hint of glue, paint, make-up, and even -the peculiar, musty odor of ropes and pulleys. - -"I think you've sold your chaise longue," Peggy told him happily. "That -is, if you're interested in selling it!" She brought him back to meet -the Cooks, and soon all were engrossed in a discussion of antiques. -Peggy saw that it might indeed be a fruitful night for Mr. Bladen. When -the boys returned the props and furniture after _Angel Street_ was over, -maybe they would be willing to clean up Mr. Bladen's shop a bit. It was -little enough to do in return for the things he had lent them. Peggy -made a mental note to remind Michael and his friends. - -The audiences for the rest of the week were uniformly small. Either -people were going to the movie instead of the play, as Max Slade had -hoped, or his comments about the company were having their effect. The -absence of anything in the paper except their own advertisements was -keeping people away, too. If only Ford Birmingham would break down and -come to the theater, Peggy thought! - -The company began rehearsals for the next play, _Charley's Aunt_, not -knowing if they would even have an opportunity to play it! Rehearsals -had never gone so badly. All the fire had left Chuck's direction, and -the cast responded just as dully. Toward the middle of the week, Richard -and Chuck called everyone together and announced that the theater would -definitely have to close unless everyone took a cut in salary. If the -actors were willing to do this and work just for expenses, they might be -able to pull through another week. - -Rita and Gus looked at each other gloomily. Peggy knew that they had -counted on saving something this summer to take a long-dreamed-of -vacation. In the four years they'd been married, they had never had a -honeymoon! Still, Rita and Gus were the first to say they'd be glad to -forego their salaries. - -Rita even laughed about it. "It's fate, that's all. We might have known -it! And if we did leave now, we'd only have to go back unemployed to New -York. It's too late to get other jobs this summer. Might as well stay -here another week and enjoy the scenery!" - -Everyone else felt the same way. There was little point in not making -one last effort, even though they knew the theater couldn't last long. - -"Maybe I can talk the manager of Kenabeek Inn into letting us stay for a -few days after we close," Chuck added glumly. "Then you could all at -least have a little leisure and swimming after your work!" - -"Do you remember when we had all that space in the paper after the -commissioner of education made his decision about the theater?" Chris -Hill asked. "It probably accounted for the good house we had opening -night of _Dear Ruth_. Couldn't we somehow find something else that would -bring us space in the paper--maybe to be mentioned in some of the social -columns--anything, as long as they write about us!" - -"I've tried," Richard said. "I've been to see everyone on that paper who -could do us the slightest bit of good, and Aunt Hetty has used her -influence, too. We do get things in. But the social columns aren't the -answer, Chris, as long as people regard us as amateurs. They don't want -to spend money on anything that isn't professional! That's why we only -get the same small audience over and over again. Even people who bought -season tickets before we opened aren't using them! They're beginning to -regard their investment as some kind of charity to help the town! No, -Chris, I'm afraid we're licked." - -And for the first time, Peggy thought so, too. Until now she always had -felt a stirring of hope, an optimistic sense that the theater would pull -through somehow. But now everything looked too bleak. It would be -unrealistic to hope for a miracle at this point. - -Peggy began to visualize the letters she would shortly have to write -home: "Sorry, we folded! How would you like a visitor for a while?" If, -she thought dismally, she could even manage a ticket home now with the -cut in salary. It would be too defeating to ask her parents for that. -Maybe she wouldn't be able to go home after all! - -On the last night of _Angel Street_ a pall hung over the entire theater. -It was so thick the company could almost taste it. All the magic had -deserted the dressing rooms and the stage, and Peggy realized anew how -much the theater was a two-way romance. Plays needed an audience. One -couldn't work to a vacuum. Still, there was a job to be done, and -although the actors had long since lost their excitement, they began the -play with a determination to do the best possible job, and with that -inexplicable feeling of loss that always occurred on the last night of a -show. It was sad, saying good-by to a part and a story. _Angel Street_ -wouldn't live again until some other company somewhere took it and -molded it into being. - -The curtain fell to loud but scattered applause, and the actors, too -enervated to rush to their dressing rooms tonight, stood about on stage -longer than usual. Peggy was talking to Rita about _Charley's Aunt_, -when a movement in the wings caught her eye, and she turned to see a -sight so astonishing that she literally dropped onto Mr. Bladen's couch. - -Bill Slade, accompanied by two other men, was walking onto the stage and -heading straight for Chuck Crosby with a purposeful air and a broad -smile. - -Peggy gasped, unwilling to trust her eyes! The men were all talking to -Chuck now, and he seemed as flabbergasted as Peggy. - -Rita pulled on her sleeve, "Who are they, Peggy? What's it all about?" - -"That's Bill Slade, one of them," Peggy said. "I don't know who the -others are." - -"Bill Slade!" Rita exclaimed in disbelief. "Well, for heaven's sake!" - -Suddenly the little group laughed, and Bill turned to smile at Peggy. "I -took your advice, you see," he said, coming over to her. "I know I'm a -little late getting here, but I wanted to bring someone with me. Peggy, -this is Ford Birmingham!" - -Ford Birmingham! Everyone heard the name and stared openly. Mr. -Birmingham was an interesting, distinguished-looking man, younger than -Peggy had imagined, with streaks of premature gray in his hair. As he -spoke to her, Peggy felt a quality of integrity in everything he said. - -"I'm so sorry that I didn't come on my own initiative sooner. I feel -that I owe you all an apology--particularly in view of the superb play I -saw tonight! I'm afraid I misjudged you. I had no idea it would be like -this." - -He was kind enough to see each member of the company personally and -offer his apologies. Peggy was struck by the graciousness of the -gesture. It couldn't be easy for him. - -"So that is Ford Birmingham!" she exclaimed to Bill. "He's so--so -entirely different from my picture of him!" - -"Thought you'd like him." Bill smiled. "And I think there's another -surprise for the cast, Peggy!" He indicated the other member of the -trio, who was still deep in conversation with Chuck. - -"Who is he?" Peggy asked curiously. But before Bill could answer, Chuck, -grinning from ear to ear, asked the cast to gather around. - -"Someone here has a proposition for us," Chuck said, introducing Mr. -Eugene Vincent, the entertainment director for Lake Manor, a huge resort -hotel three miles down the highway. - -"If you people would be interested," Mr. Vincent said, his plump face -wreathed with good humor, "I'd like to have you play one night a week -down at the Manor! It would be a wonderful addition to our program, and -you wouldn't have to worry about a thing. We'd do our own sets for your -plays, take care of moving your props, and transport you back and forth. -All you have to do is act!" He beamed at them. "How does that sound to -you?" - -"It might mean that we'd be able to continue our season," Chuck broke in -anxiously. "I'm not sure yet, but the additional money might carry us -through--" - -"And there's one other inducement," Mr. Vincent added. "You'd come early -for dinner on performance days, and have the recreation facilities -available for your use at any time. Swimming, Ping-pong, volleyball...." -He raised his eyebrows and peered at them like a genie offering infinite -temptations. - -They couldn't believe their ears. After a stunned silence, Chris Hill -was the first to give a mighty whoop. "Mr. Vincent," he exclaimed, -pumping his hand furiously, "I have always believed in Santa Claus, and -now that you have come along, I _know_ it's true!" He turned to the -company. "What about the rest of you? Don't you believe in miracles?" - -"You mean it's true," Danny said, with a perfectly blank expression. -Then as it sank in he grinned, and grabbing Peggy, began to waltz about -on stage. - -"It's true," he sang, "it's terrific, it's fantastic, it's the most -amazing ever!" - -The cast merrily congratulated one another, showering Mr. Vincent with -handshakes and praise, and finally dragging him and even Ford Birmingham -into an impromptu conga line about the stage. Gus turned on the music -and it wasn't long before a real party developed. Michael Miller went -out to bring back sandwiches and soft drinks, and the set of _Angel -Street_ changed, miraculously, from a gloomy room to one of brightness -and gaiety. - -"How did it all happen?" Peggy asked Bill Slade breathlessly during a -lull in the dancing. - -"Simple," he answered, smiling. "It occurred to me after our talk that -there was one effort I could make in your behalf. I had never spoken -seriously to Ford about the theater. I took it for granted that he knew -how I felt, but then I remembered that I'd never actually told him so. -He'd only heard Max's side of the story. So"--he grinned at her--"after -I saw you that day, I went to see Ford. It took all week to persuade him -to come up here, but I finally managed." - -"But what did you say to him?" Peggy questioned, her eyes alight with -interest. "It must have been good!" - -"I appealed to his sense of honor," Bill said. "Since we're all in the -same business, I felt he should make an effort to understand your side -of the question, too. And after enough insistence that you were really -professional, and that he ought to check that for himself, well--he -agreed. You know," Bill added rather sheepishly, "I was terribly -impressed. I really didn't think the play would be as good as it was. -Will you forgive me?" - -Peggy laughed delightedly, "Oh, Bill! Of course!" - -"I think Ford will give you a terrific review," Bill said. - -"And what about Mr. Vincent?" Peggy asked, "Was that your doing, too?" - -"No." Bill shook his head shyly. "Just a coincidence, Peggy. Ford was -having dinner with him--" - -"And you persuaded both of them to come!" Peggy cried. "Now don't deny -it, Bill Slade, I know you did!" - -"Well," he admitted reluctantly, "I just said that it might be -interesting." - -"Oh, Bill, how will we ever be able to thank you!" Peggy's face was -flushed with gratitude. "And I'll bet Chuck and Richard don't know a -thing about this--" She got up with every intention of telling them, but -Bill put out his hand to stop her. - -"No, please don't, Peggy," he pleaded. "They think we came out of simple -curiosity and were pleasantly surprised. If the real story should get -back to Max, it might hurt him dreadfully. I'd rather keep the whole -thing as quiet as possible." - -"Of course," Peggy agreed, sitting down again. "I hadn't thought of -that. Bill, what are you going to do about your brother? I'm sure he -thought the theater would close, and he'll be furious at this new -development." - -"Well," Bill said slowly, "he's bound to know I had something to do with -it, but he doesn't have to know how much--until I prove to him that your -theater isn't the problem! I've already talked with Ford and together -we're going to try to improve our choice of films. Ford's on my side -about that." He smiled ruefully. "If I'd only spoken to him before, -Peggy! I guess it took a nudge from you to open my eyes!" - -"Say! When's this set coming down?" Gus Stevens asked everyone. "Do you -people know what time it is?" - -And it was late--so late that no one could think of leaving Gus and the -boys to work all alone. Everyone, including Ford Birmingham and Mr. -Vincent, pitched in to help. The wonderful night ended as the last flat -was stacked away and Mr. Vincent, dusting himself off, waved good-by -with the cheery promise, "Be seeing you next week at the Manor!" - -Bill said good-by to Peggy, holding her hand for a moment as he reminded -her, "Don't forget, Peggy, if you're grateful to me, that I have a lot -to thank you for, too. A lot!" - -"Well," Chris observed as he watched Bill drive away with his friends, -"I think there's more to this than meets the eye! You two seem to know -each other very well!" He looked at Peggy curiously as they started the -walk back to the annex together under a bright night sky so clear that -it looked like a canopy of diamonds. - -"Oh, well, you heard the story of my meeting Bill Slade when I went to -Mr. Bladen's that day," Peggy reminded him, hoping that it would satisfy -Chris. She didn't want anyone to know of their further talk. - -"And you two became such fast friends in all of about five minutes?" -Chris raised his eyebrows. "Oh, now, Peggy! I watched you together -tonight and I still say--there's more to this than meets the eye!" - -"Well"--Peggy was glad of the night that effectively covered her -blush--"he's really nice, Chris." She wasn't very good at evasion and -wished that she could tell the whole story, but for Bill's sake she -mustn't. - -"I see," Chris said softly. "Yes, he is a pleasant fellow, Peggy, but -you know there are other people around, too. I hope you won't forget -that when you're thinking of Mr. Slade." - -"What does he mean?" Peggy wondered in silence all the way home. Could -Chris possibly be putting a different interpretation on her friendship -with Bill Slade? "Oh dear," Peggy thought, "I may have helped untangle -the theater, but I've certainly tangled up my personal affairs!" She -sighed, remembering a little nervously that tomorrow _For Love or Money_ -would go into rehearsal and she would be playing a romantic lead -opposite Chris Hill! - - - - - X - Friends--New and Old - - -"'Last night a group of professional actors, backed by years of -experience on Broadway, television, and radio, presented a stunning -performance of _Angel Street_ to an audience of fewer than twenty -persons. It is this reviewer's duty to apologize publicly for having -neglected the Kenabeek Summer Theater. Until now he has not had the -pleasure of viewing one of its productions. It is his loss. And he would -like to say that the Summer Theater is one of the finest additions to -our town in many years. It deserves all the support our local residents -and out-of-towners can give it.' - -"Oh, just listen to that!" Peggy interrupted herself and squealed with -delight as she read Ford Birmingham's review in the _Gazette_ to Rita, -Alison, and Chris. They were having dinner together before the opening -of _Charley's Aunt_. Ford Birmingham had timed the appearance of the -review to coincide with the opening of the new play, and tomorrow there -would be yet another review in the _Gazette_. - -"Go on," Alison urged. - -"'_Angel Street_ was so electrifying,'" Peggy continued, "'that despite -the small house, your reviewer was sitting--literally--on the edge of -his hard seat in our high school auditorium. (That he was unaware of his -discomfort is another indication of the quality of the performance.) Do -not make the mistake of assuming that a production given in the high -school is an amateurish effort. The set was excellently executed by Gus -Stevens, a young man, who, we suspect, will shortly be designing for -Broadway. - -"'Alison Lord, as Mrs. Manningham, gave a controlled, vibrant -performance that was a delight to watch. As that colorful inspector, -Sergeant Bough, our own Howard Miller was simply superb.'" As Peggy read -on, the wonderful words of praise made everyone glow with a feeling of -success and satisfaction. - -"'Peggy Lane, in the small role of the maid Nancy, was pert and -charming, leaving us with the notion that we'd like to see her do -something else--'" - -"Well, they will," Chris interrupted, giving Peggy a wink. "Next week, -Peggy the Star!" - -"Oh, Chris," Peggy laughed. "I'm not really the star--it's you--and -Alison, too." - -"Leave me out," Alison said mockingly. "I had my big chance and no -audience. It's your turn next, Peggy, and it looks as if you'll be -luckier." There was a hint of envy in Alison's tone that surprised -Peggy. Only last week she had been complaining about having two big -leads in a row. Peggy had thought Alison was looking forward to the -smaller but very good part she had in _For Love or Money_. - -"Doesn't he say anything about me?" Chris asked. "Go on, Peggy, I can't -believe he isn't going to offer any criticism at all." - -Peggy resumed reading: "'Rita Stevens was excellent as the housekeeper; -so believable in fact, that one might tend to overlook a program note -which explains that she is much younger than she appeared.' - -"Oh, and here you are, Chris," Peggy said. "'Chris Hill, a romantic -leading man if ever we saw one, made a valiant effort to create the -difficult, heavy role of Mr. Manningham. That he didn't quite succeed is -no slur on his ability. He was very good indeed and there were moments -in the play when he was truly spine-chilling. We suspect, however, that -underneath those sideburns Mr. Hill is basically just too nice a fellow. -We're looking forward to him in _Charley's Aunt_ where, we understand, -he will be playing something closer to his type. This should be a real -treat for the young women of the area, and we assure you, if you're -interested, that you needn't look further for a living, breathing -matinee idol!' - -"Oh, Chris!" Peggy whooped and burst out laughing. - -"Why, Christopher Barrymore Hill!" Alison giggled. "I had no idea you -were such a heart throb!" - -"Heavens! You won't be able to walk down the street alone after that!" -Rita teased, as Chris got redder and redder and looked as if he would -like to vanish into the floor. - -"Oh, no," he groaned. "And I was beginning to think that Ford Birmingham -was a pretty nice guy! Why did he have to do this to me?" - -"Because it's wonderful publicity, that's why!" Peggy cried. "Oh, Chris, -don't you see? Look at everything he said--about the quality of the -actors, and then establishing you as a draw. Why," she declared -brightly, "we'll have everybody in town rushing up to see you! And -they'll bring their friends. It's a beautiful idea!" - -"Umphm," Chris moaned dismally. "It's a hideous idea! However, he was -right in his criticism. There were moments when I did feel distant from -the part." - -"After this, you won't even have to act any more." Alison laughed. "Just -be yourself while everyone swoons!" - -"Oh, Alison, cut it out!" Chris pleaded, looking around as if a thousand -eyes were fastened on him. "I wish Birmingham had settled on you for a -drawing card instead." - -"I wouldn't mind," Alison smiled, preening a little. "As a matter of -fact, I'd probably love it!" - -"I'll bet you would," Chris muttered, while Peggy frowned uneasily. The -conversation was taking an unpleasant turn, she thought, noticing the -look Alison gave Chris. - -"Well," Peggy said cheerily, trying to change the subject, "who's -looking forward to Monday besides me? Personally I can't wait!" - -Monday was the day that Mr. Vincent had asked the company to give their -first performance at Lake Manor. It would be the last night of the play -each week, as Chuck and Richard had decided to move the opening up one -day to Wednesday instead of Thursday. This meant also that there would -be one day less than usual to get _For Love or Money_ into shape. - -Talking excitedly about the Manor, the group finished dinner in good -spirits and left the restaurant with Mrs. Brady's wish for good luck -trailing after them. - -From the first night of _Charley's Aunt_, Ford Birmingham's review made -its effect felt. There was a difference in everyone's attitude now that -the theater had gained status. Audiences improved nightly, and Richard -said that if things kept up like this, the theater might even be able to -recoup some of its losses. - -"And this is the way summer stock should be," Peggy thought as she -greeted each day with the anticipation of a good rehearsal and a -satisfying show. Now she could concentrate more fully on her part in -_For Love of Money_. "A good thing, too, that I'm not worried about the -theater at a time like this," she realized. For as the week wore on, -Peggy saw more and more that Alison had been right about the role of -Janet. It was a long, demanding lead, and Peggy worked furiously, -knowing that next week she would have to carry the show. - -She found it a strange sensation to work opposite Chris. He was so good -in his part and made it all seem so real that Peggy often caught herself -wondering if she were in a play or doing something right out of life. At -times she forgot herself completely. She was Janet Blake, a young girl -who was gradually growing deeply fond of Preston Mitchell. - -Alison was quite evidently annoyed at the developing friendship between -Chris and Peggy. "Don't forget, dear, that you're supposed to be playing -comedy," she said to Peggy one day at rehearsal. "Sometimes I get a -feeling that you think you're doing _Camille_." - -Peggy was worried and hurt, wondering if Alison was right. "Do you think -I'm funny enough?" she asked Rita privately. "Alison is finding fault -with everything I do." - -"Well, are you going to listen to her or to your director?" Rita -demanded. "Chuck seems satisfied with your work. Look, Peggy, Alison is -jealous because you're playing opposite Chris. I wouldn't pay any -attention to anything she says. My own private opinion is that you're -more interested in Chris than you think--" - -"Rita!" Peggy blushed furiously. "Here we go again! It's just that I -like Chris enormously and--well--it is exciting to work with him!" - -"I know!" Rita teased her. "It seems to me I told you something like -that ages ago! Don't say I didn't warn you, Peggy Lane! Before you know -it, you'll have a dyed-in-the-wool crush on our new matinee idol!" Both -the girls laughed, remembering how uncomfortable Chris had been with the -role Ford Birmingham had assigned him. - -The week flew by and when Monday arrived, Peggy noticed an excitement -she hadn't felt since the theater opened. Something new was in the air; -they were to face a fresh audience in unfamiliar surroundings. None of -the cast had seen the famous Lake Manor, and all were intensely curious -as they rode along in the station wagon the Manor had sent for them. - -"This is more like it!" Danny observed gleefully. "Our own private -chauffeur and dinner awaiting--I always did like to live in style!" - -"How could I have missed the Manor on the way up by the bus?" Peggy -wondered as they drove down the highway. "This is the way I came--" - -"Ah, yes, but you don't see the Manor from the road," Danny replied -poetically. "It is hidden, like all goodies, a surprise package lurking -in the midst of tall trees and sparkling waters. And as we leave the -highway," he intoned in travelogue fashion, "we find ourselves driving -under an arch of fir trees, their graceful fronds meeting as they -embrace above the roadway--" - -"Oh, Danny," Peggy giggled, "we can see it, too." - -But he wasn't to be deterred. "And around a winding road which curves -gracefully through acres--and acres--and acres--" - -The cast laughed and joined in the joking as they drove through the -spacious grounds that belonged to the Manor. - -"And finally," Danny said as the Manor came into view, "as we reach our -destination--Oh, my gosh! It's a palace!" he concluded abruptly, -forgetting his travelogue as the car stopped under the awning in front -of the entrance. - -"It really is a palace," Peggy marveled as she stepped out of the car, -"or the next thing to it!" - -The main house of Lake Manor was a huge white building frosted with -turrets and bay windows and surrounded by cottages and a few other -sprawling buildings that appeared to be recreation halls. Peggy saw -stables, tennis courts, and a swimming pool off in the distance. -Ping-pong tables, croquet courts, and lawn chairs dotted the -velvet-green grass. - -"Oh, it's absolutely beautiful!" Rita exclaimed. "I had no idea anything -like this existed here!" - -Just then Mr. Vincent appeared and, smiling broadly, took the cast on a -short tour of the Manor. - -"It's early," he said, showing them the stage in one of the recreation -halls where they would play, "and dinner won't be served until six -o'clock. Come along and I'll show you your dining room. We have several, -and I don't want you to get lost! Then please do anything you'd like to -amuse yourselves. We want you to have a good time!" - -"How about some Ping-pong, Peggy?" Chris asked after Mr. Vincent had -left them. - -"I'd love it," Peggy said, "but I wish we could look at the stage again -first--Mr. Vincent took us through so quickly." - -"Don't you ever think of anything besides the stage, Peggy?" Alison -asked waspishly. "Really, it gets a little boring after a while!" She -turned and left the group in a sudden huff. - -"What's the matter with her?" Danny asked wonderingly. "I thought she -was all a-flutter about playing at the Manor." - -"Maybe she was all a-flutter about playing _before_ the show," Rita said -softly with a knowing look at Peggy. - -Peggy suddenly realized what she meant. Alison was disappointed that -Chris had asked Peggy instead of her. "Oh, for heaven's sake," she -thought wearily, "how could Alison possibly be upset over a little thing -like a game of Ping-pong!" When a group of people lived so closely -together, Peggy was beginning to realize, little things could cause -undue friction. A word or a glance could be magnified out of all -proportion. Hadn't she even been a little guilty of that herself when -Alison had criticized her performance? - -"Your serve, Miss Lane," Chris reminded her. "Where are you anyway--off -in a dream?" - -"Yes," Peggy smiled, "I guess I was!" She couldn't help observing how -handsome Chris was with his wonderful tan and his blond hair gleaming in -the sun. He did look like a movie star, and several people stopped to -watch them play together. Peggy felt almost ashamed to realize that she -was proud to be seen with him. "And a minute ago you were condemning -Alison for the same thing!" she chided herself fiercely. "I think it's -about time you had a long talk with yourself, Peggy Lane!" She slammed -the ball hard, and it hit the far corner of the table, out of Chris's -reach. - -"Good play!" he cried. "That's it." - -"Who won?" Peggy asked. She hadn't even noticed. - -"You don't deserve to know," he grinned. "You're off on a cloud -somewhere. Come on, ingenue, let's go for a walk." - -They strolled through the lovely grounds, finding that one winding path -led to another even more charming. Most of the landscaping was designed -to offer the best possible view of the lake, and Peggy felt actively -envious watching the boats dart back and forth like large birds. - -"I've wanted to tell you, Peggy," Chris said as they sat down on a large -rock that jutted out over the water, "what fun it is working with you. -So far I'm enjoying _For Love or Money_ more than any other play we've -done. It means more to me than just a play," Chris went on seriously. "I -feel that we do awfully well together--in almost anything." He stopped, -looking at her intently as Peggy caught her breath. She didn't know what -to say. Finally, a moment later, she tremulously suggested that they had -better get back to dinner. - -"Dinner!" Chris exclaimed with humorous disgust. "At a time like this, -with romance in the very air around you! Honestly, Peggy, you're enough -to try anybody's patience!" - -Peggy wished with all her might that she knew what her real feelings -were in regard to Chris. It was all so confusing, she thought, as they -found their way back to the dining room through the maze of pathways. - -Dinner was a sumptuous affair and a refreshing change from the good but -rather plain food at Mrs. Brady's. - -"Cheddar cheese soup!" Michael Miller peered at his bowl like a hungry -owl. "Haven't seen this since Dad took me to New York last year!" - -"Personally, I prefer turtle Madeira," Alison said languidly, taking a -few sips of the delicious broth. - -"Listen to the prima donna," Chris whispered to Peggy. "She was fine as -long as she had all the leads, but now wait and see. For the rest of -next week she'll be impossible. I know--I've seen it happen before." - -"But I thought you liked her," Peggy said softly. She had decided she -might as well find out how things stood between Chris and Alison. - -"I do," Chris answered, slightly surprised, "I like her a lot. She's a -very good actress." - -Thoughtfully, Peggy wondered if Chris judged people by their acting -ability--if that was the basis of his sudden pronounced interest in her. -Peggy was very conscious of his presence beside her as they finished -dinner together. - -_Charley's Aunt_ was riotously received by the Lake Manor audience. The -actors had to be unusually alert to restrict their movements -sufficiently to work on the smaller stage. There were several times when -Peggy, almost bumping into another player, came close to breaking up and -laughing out loud. And when an angry bee somehow found his way on stage -and got lost in the tea things, all the cast had a difficult time -controlling themselves. Microphones were suspended overhead to overcome -the poor acoustics in the hall, and the buzz of the bee came loud and -clear over the actors' voices. The audience loved it! They roared and -applauded when the bee finally made a grand exit over their heads and -out the rear door. - -Weak with laughter, Peggy made her way back toward the tiny, dark -dressing room that was stacked with boxes of costumes and props. The -hall was usually reserved for the individual comedy acts that the Manor -booked for its guests. - -"I'm sure they think we're just another variation on the same theme!" -Peggy giggled. "That silly bee! He sounded like a dive bomber!" - -"They loved it!" Chris cried exuberantly, whirling Peggy around in the -small hall. Chris was always like this after a show, Peggy noticed. -Excited and gay and ready to go on for the rest of the night. - -"Miss Lane?" one of the stagehands called to her. "There's someone -outside to see you." - -"Aha!" Chris intoned dramatically. "An admirer, no doubt. Come along, -Peggy--take me to your stage-door Johnny and I'll protect you!" -Laughing, they stepped out of the door into the courtyard of the -building. - -"Peggy!" A tall, lanky, redheaded boy grinned down at her, stretching -out both hands in greeting. - -"Randy Brewster!" Peggy cried, "Randy--of all people! Well, how on -earth--why--how did you--oh, Randy!" She was so excited and pleased that -she stuttered. - -"I loved the show," Randy declared happily, hugging her, "and I was so -surprised to see you down here at the Manor! I thought I'd have to wait -to surprise you up at the theater." - -"Oh, Chris,"--Peggy remembered him--"I'd like you to meet a very dear -friend of mine--I met him when I started in dramatic school. This is -Randy Brewster--Chris Hill." - -"How nice," Chris said shortly, his exuberance gone. - -"I certainly enjoyed your performance," Randy congratulated him. "Very -funny. You have a lot of vitality. Hope I'll do as well here--" - -"Oh," Peggy exclaimed with sudden understanding, "is that why you're -here? The Manor hired you?" - -"Yep," Randy said. "I'll be here for a week doing a new comedy routine. -I hope we'll be able to see each other often. I was so pleased, Peggy, -knowing you'd be in the neighborhood." He grinned at her with that -funny, warm, crooked smile that Peggy remembered so well. - -"I'm coming to see your opening day after tomorrow," Randy went on. -"Wouldn't miss it for anything. I'm glad that I'll be here while you're -playing a lead." - -"Are you familiar with the play?" Chris interrupted suddenly. - -"No," Randy said with a smile, "but that will make it even more fun." - -"Well," Chris said mysteriously, "I don't know how much fun it will be -for you, but you should certainly find it interesting! You're familiar -with the old saying, 'All's fair in love and war'?" He flashed a teasing -smile at Randy. "Well, we'll look forward to seeing you, Mr. -Brewster--yes, indeed!" - -Chris left them gaping after him while Randy shook his head. "That's a -strange fellow," he puzzled. "He's very charming, but I'd swear that he -doesn't like me one little bit! I wonder why! What have you been up to, -Peggy?" - -He looked at her curiously while Peggy wondered if things could -conceivably get any more complicated! She had been so happy to see a -friend from New York--and especially Randy. Now, she realized suddenly, -she would have to play her big lead with the knowledge that Randy was in -the audience, watching her and Chris. "Well," she thought, shivering -slightly, "that will be quite an experience!" - - - - - XI - Quick Thinking - - -Peggy sat at her dressing table applying her make-up carefully. For the -first time this summer she had to be just as beautiful as possible with -no little tricks or different hair styles for characterization. This -time she could look just like Peggy, only more so. After she had put on -the gown she wore for her entrance, she combed out her thick, glowing -hair that had grown in the past few weeks until it just touched her -shoulders. It framed her face in soft waves, and as she looked at -herself in the mirror, she was pleased. - -"You look absolutely lovely, Peggy," Rita said, "dreamy, in fact. I -think the audience will go into a tail spin--to say nothing of your -friend Randy." - -The minute she mentioned his name, Peggy's knees began to shake. "Here I -go again," she said nervously. "Opening night! Clammy hands and -butterflies!" - -"Well, don't worry about it," Rita said gently. "It's only because -you're doing a lead. It'll go away." - -But privately, Peggy wasn't so sure. Was she nervous because of the play -or Randy in the audience? "Oh, I wish he hadn't told me," Peggy thought -desperately. "Now I'll be thinking of him out there--" - -"Five minutes!" Gus called, and Peggy made her way to the wings. - -"Break a leg, leading lady," Chris whispered as he walked by, "and don't -worry about a thing." He grinned at her encouragingly and Peggy thought -again what a wonderful person Chris was. She wished he hadn't teased -Randy in that manner, but then Chris did everything all the way. No half -measures for him! Peggy watched him close his eyes for a moment, getting -into character and collecting his energy. Chris would be good, Peggy had -no doubt. "And what about me?" she wondered. "I hope I can concentrate -and not be distracted by my own private thoughts." - -"Curtain!" The play had begun. - -Peggy didn't make her entrance until the second scene of Act One. Now -she wished that she had stayed in her dressing room instead of watching -from the wings. By the time she walked on she was more nervous than -ever, but fortunately, Janet was supposed to be in an excited state, -too. Peggy was just beginning to relax and feel comfortable, timing her -laugh--when the phone didn't ring on cue! - -Peggy looked at Chris and Chris looked at Peggy. There was dead silence -for a moment. Something must have gone wrong with the phone bell or, -worse, someone had forgotten! They couldn't go on, either, until it -rang. The call was necessary to the action. - -"Well"--Peggy plunged in with an improvisation--"I've heard of sea gulls -that are supposed to be angels of ships at sea." Preston and Janet had -just been talking about gulls--perhaps they could continue until the -phone rang. But Chris didn't pick it up. He looked perfectly blank, and -Peggy read in his eyes that desperation that means an actor is -completely at a loss. In theater terms, Chris had "gone up"--higher than -a kite. - -"I think there was an article about sea gulls in the _Reader's Digest_," -Peggy ad libbed valiantly while Chris stayed silent as a tomb. If only -he would come back a little and help her out! Peggy got up from the -couch and strolled around the room as if seeing it for the first time. -If she could disappear in the wings for a moment, she might be able to -signal someone. "I hadn't noticed what a lovely place you have here, Mr. -Mitchell," she went on, making her way upstage to the hall. "Is this the -way to the kitchen?" She was out in the hall now and disappeared for a -moment, waving her hand frantically in the wings. - -Chris suddenly came to life and realized what she was doing. "Why, don't -tell me you're hungry," he called after her. "But if you want to snoop -around--go ahead." - -"I'm not snooping!" Peggy reappeared for a second. This was better--at -least they were improvising in character. "I'm just naturally curious, -that's all." She disappeared again, desperately whispering, -"_Sst--sst--where's the phone?_" - -Michael signaled her that they were working on it, the battery was dead! -"Well, use the doorbell then--anything!" Peggy whispered. She came back -on stage, her ingenuity giving out--but there it was, the ring! Chris -dived for the receiver. Gus had used the doorbell but they managed to -cover well enough and finished the first act with relief. - -"_Whew!_" Chris said when the curtain closed. "Thanks a lot for pulling -me through, Peggy. When that bell didn't ring, I blew completely. First -time that's happened in ages." - -"You were wonderful, Peggy," Rita said. "I don't think the audience -noticed a thing!" - -"Gosh, I'm sorry." Gus came up apologetically. "We should have used the -doorbell right away instead of tinkering with the phone. That was quick -thinking, Peggy." - -"So I did have my mind on my work after all!" Peggy thought happily. -"How silly of me to worry about it." - -But as the play progressed to the last act where Preston finally -embraces Janet, Peggy was amazed to find that the simple scene had -suddenly acquired enormous value. All she could think of was Randy out -in the audience! As they took their curtain calls she looked anxiously -for him, wondering what he was thinking. - -"Terrific!" Randy congratulated her with a friendly hug when he came -backstage. "You were funny and wonderful and perfect and you looked like -a vision!" - -"Why don't you introduce me, Peggy?" Alison asked as she came by. "This -must be your famous friend--" - -"Randolph Clark Brewster," Peggy said gaily, relieved that Randy had -taken the play as a play. "He's a wonderful comedian, but his heart -isn't in it. He wants to be a playwright." - -"Really!" Alison drawled. "You aren't related to the Brewsters of Long -Island by any chance?" - -Randy frowned and sent an appealing look to Peggy. He hated anyone to -know about his wealthy family as he was trying his best to be successful -on his own. "Well, uh, yes," he muttered reluctantly. "Look, Peggy, -change your things, and let's go out for a snack. This is my night off -and I want to make the most of it!" - -"I always did like that strong, silent type," Alison said as they -entered the dressing room, "and besides having that wonderful face and -red hair, he comes from a very prominent family. I don't blame you for -leaving Chris in the lurch for your old friend." The barb sank in, and -Alison's contrived innocent smile did nothing to relieve it. - -"Well," Peggy thought miserably as she took off her make-up, "if people -can't understand a thing like friendship, then let them think whatever -they like!" - -"Hey, open up, Peggy." Peggy got up to open the door and saw Bill Slade -standing there. "You were great, Peggy. You'll have to do another lead -this summer. Want to go out for some coffee?" He smiled, accepting her -silence as consent. - -"Peggy--a small tribute to a great leading lady!" It was Chris, and he -handed her a huge bouquet of roses with an elegantly mocking little bow. -"But let's eat. I'm famished." - -"That's a really fine set," Randy commented, returning from a tour of -the stage. "Are you ready yet?" - -Peggy hastily excused herself and closed the door while the three boys -waited in the hall, each assuming that she was his special date for the -evening. - - [Illustration: The three boys waited in the hall] - -Rita looked at Peggy's perplexed expression with undisguised amusement, -finally breaking into laughter. "The only solution, as I found out long -ago, is marriage!" she chuckled. "You'd better start thinking about it, -Peggy!" - -"That is the last thing in the world I'm going to think about--for a -long time!" Peggy said emphatically. She picked up her bag and sighed -heavily, wondering how to handle the situation. - -Alison was grimly combing her hair and putting her make-up away. "I -don't blame her for feeling left out," Peggy thought. "Playing a lead -does seem to make a difference in people's interest--although it -shouldn't. And taking a back seat isn't easy for Alison." Peggy wondered -how Alison would react if she asked her to join them. It would simplify -everything, but she mustn't appear to do it out of kindness. - -"Are you ready, Alison?" Peggy asked matter-of-factly. - -"Ready for what?" Alison looked up, surprised. - -"Why, to go to Mrs. Brady's or the inn--or wherever we're going. I think -we ought to let the boys decide." Peggy treated it as if it had been -understood from the beginning. "Are you and Gus coming along, too?" she -asked Rita. - -"I'm sorry, we can't, Peggy. We have to go over the prop list for _You -Can't Take It with You_. It's a difficult show on the backstage end, and -I want to help all I can." - -Peggy nodded. Next week was going to be a challenge for everyone. -"Better hurry, Alison," she said. "We can't stay out too late. We have -an early call tomorrow." - -It worked out just as Peggy had hoped. They went to the inn for -sandwiches and Alison attached herself to Chris, leaving Peggy free to -enjoy Randy's company. Bill Slade had a marvelous time with all of them. -Alison's presence prevented Chris from kidding Randy, which, Peggy -suspected, Chris would have loved to do. Just once in the evening, when -Alison excused herself for a moment, Chris leaned across the table and -said, "Say--how'd you like that last act, Randy? Think it was -realistic?" - -Randy looked from Chris to Peggy and back again. "Well," he said with a -slow smile, "it wasn't exactly the way I would have played it, a little -too theatrical for me. But then, Preston Mitchell _was_ an actor! I'd be -inclined to take that scene too seriously, I'm afraid." He looked -steadily at Peggy and she thought she understood. Randy was telling her -that Chris's interest in her was a professional mood--something she had -guessed already. But more important, he was saying that his own feelings -went deeper. Peggy felt comforted and secure. Whatever happened with -their friendship, it would always be a lasting one. Peggy smiled at him -understandingly. - -"What's your play next week, Peggy?" Randy asked. - -"_You Can't Take It With You!_ And it's going to be a job! We have to -use a lot of townspeople because it's such a large cast--" - -"It's a great show, though," Chris added enthusiastically. - -"And the most awful thing, Randy," Peggy continued, "is that I won't be -able to see your act down at the Manor." - -"Well, at least you can say good-by." Randy smiled. "The day you play -there is the day I leave." - -"Leave!" Peggy suddenly had an inspiration. "Oh, Randy, why don't you -stay here for another week? We're going to need so many people in _You -Can't Take It with You_--I'm sure Chuck and Richard would love to have -you." - -"The Russian!" Alison cried. "Everyone's been biting their nails, -wondering who could play the Russian!" - -"Oh, yes, you'd be perfect, Randy," Peggy urged. "And I'm doing Essie, -the little ballerina. We could work together--do say you'll stay!" - -"We-e-ell," Randy hesitated, "I suppose I don't have to rush back--" - -"You're absolutely sure?" Chris asked, raising an eyebrow. "I mean, we -wouldn't want you to miss anything in New York--" He looked at Peggy for -a moment, and noticing her pained expression, laughed good-naturedly, -leaning across the table to shake Randy's hand. "Okay. You win, Mr. -Brewster! I can't compete with old school ties and all that. You would -be great for the part and we'd love to have you." - -The boys shook hands, grinning at each other, while Peggy looked on, -happy and relieved. Chris had evidently decided to "bury the hatchet." - -Alison seemed a little mystified. "What's going on with you two? You -look as though you had a deep, dark secret." - -"Deep, but not dark, Alison," Chris laughed. "Light as summer. Which -reminds me, who knows something good for mosquito bites? They've decided -all of a sudden that I'm a particularly delectable morsel!" - -"Oh, oh, you've come to the right place," Bill Slade offered eagerly. -"Take it from an old hand--" - -"No, no, I know the best thing of all--" Alison urged. - -"But I found something brand-new--" Peggy started, and then everyone -laughed, plying Chris with their favorite remedies. Randy promised Peggy -that he'd speak to the producers the next day, and the party broke up -with happy expectations of next week's show. - - - - - XII - Varied Explosions - - -Just as Peggy had expected, the producers were delighted to have Randy -stay an extra week and play the Russian ballet teacher, Kolenkhov, in -_You Can't Take It with You_. With Randy in the cast and everyone -working comfortably together, Peggy couldn't remember ever having such -fun at rehearsals! And what a cast! The play needed so many actors that -everyone was pressed into service. Michael Miller and the apprentices -all had small parts, Chuck Crosby played the part of Peggy's father as -well as directing, Mr. Miller brought some friends of his to fill in, -and even Aunt Hetty was persuaded to play. Mary Hopkins brought a friend -to try out for the part of the Grand Duchess. June Tilson was a lovely -young girl who turned out to have a really fine talent. - -"Where have you been all summer?" Chuck asked when he heard her read for -the first time. "We could have used you before!" - -"She's been in hiding," Mary laughed, "or I would have brought her long -ago." - -"I've been at the music camp, actually," June explained. "You know--the -group of folk singers who have a summer session nearby." - -"Oh, yes." Chuck nodded. "We're giving them the auditorium one night for -a benefit performance. Let's see--it comes during the week of _Guest in -the House_, I believe." - -"Oh, will I be glad when we do that play!" Alison said. "I love the -part!" - -"The part of Evelyn?" Chuck asked. - -"Yes, I've done it before and I can hardly wait to play it again." - -"Don't count too much on having the same part this time," Chuck -cautioned her. "I'm not sure yet how we're going to cast the play." - -Alison shrugged. "Well, of course, I'm doing Evelyn," she commented -blithely. "That was one of the reasons I came up here!" - -"We'll discuss it later," Chuck said firmly. "And now, let's get to -work. By the way, does anyone have an idea on how to handle the -fireworks?" - -The script of _You Can't Take It with You_ calls for a display of -fireworks onstage and an explosion offstage during the show. Michael -Miller assured Chuck that he could easily take care of it. - -"I have a workshop, you know, and it won't be any trouble--be fun, in -fact!" - -"You'll have to be very careful," his father warned. - -"Naturally!" Michael said indignantly. - -"And don't make it too realistic." Peggy giggled. "Just a loud noise. We -don't want the auditorium down around our heads." - -"That Michael Miller is quite a character," Randy commented to Peggy -during a lull in rehearsal. "He seems so serious and yet sometimes I -catch a gleam of sheer mischief under those horn rims. You don't think -he'll do anything silly with the explosion, do you?" - -"Of course not!" Peggy laughed. "Michael's much too intelligent for -that!" - -Rehearsals went along as smoothly as could be expected with such a large -cast. It was amazing, Peggy thought, that the local people were able to -work so professionally with the rest of the company. Aunt Hetty was a -delight to watch. She was enjoying herself hugely in her small but -important role, and took all the direction that Chuck gave her with the -greatest good humor. - -"She's a wonderful sport," Peggy thought, watching her with amusement, -"and I think she really loves this." - -Randy was so good that it seemed as if he might steal the show. It was -hard for him, too, playing late at the Manor every night and then -rushing to the high school each morning. - -"What a schedule!" he sighed. Randy and Peggy were having a picnic lunch -on the school grounds together. "But after tonight it will all be over." -It was Randy's last night at the Manor. - -"For you," Peggy said, "but not for us. Tomorrow we play _For Love or -Money_ at the Manor, then comes the dress rehearsal and opening of _You -Can't Take It_, and after that we start on the old-fashioned melodrama. -I wish you could be here for that one, too!" - -"So do I--" Randy smiled affectionately--"but I really will have to get -back to New York soon. Let's not talk about it now, Peg, we still have a -whole week! And you have two more nights as Janet." - -_For Love or Money_ had been the most successful play of the season. -People came in droves all week and money flowed into the box office. - -"You think it would have happened anyway, after Mr. Birmingham's -review," Randy told her seriously, "but that isn't the whole story. I -don't think you realize how good you actually are in that part, Peggy. -People are coming to see _you_--I've heard the comments around town!" - -"Oh, Randy!" Peggy beamed at the delicious compliment. Randy was very -cautious with his praise, and coming from him, the words made Peggy -doubly happy. - -"I wouldn't be surprised if Richard and Chuck gave you another fat lead -to do this summer," Randy went on. "As a matter of fact, they'd be -foolish if they didn't." - -"But there isn't another lead I could do," Peggy said, surprised. -"There's just the little part in the melodrama and then, I suppose, the -model in _Guest in the House_--" - -"What about Evelyn?" Randy asked, looking at her intently. - -"Oh," Peggy laughed, "that's Alison's part. She's been waiting for it -all summer!" - -Randy nodded and said nothing while Peggy suddenly remembered what Chuck -had said to Alison--not to count on the part. Her heart skipped a beat -as she wondered if Chuck had meant that he might give it to her! Oh! -Peggy took a deep breath, feeling a little giddy. It just couldn't -happen, it was too good to possibly be true! No, she simply wouldn't let -herself think about it. She looked at Randy and caught him smiling at -her. - -"Yep," he agreed with her unspoken thought. "Don't think about it. -You're quite right. Put it entirely out of your mind!" They laughed -happily and went back to rehearsal. - - -Opening night of _You Can't Take It with You_ made a permanent place in -the history of Lake Kenabeek. With so many local people in the cast, the -auditorium was overflowing with relatives and friends as well as summer -guests. It was the best house the theater had had. - -Michael Miller arrived with a little package carefully wrapped in cotton -wool and asked Chuck where he should set it off. - -"Set what off?" Chuck demanded, distracted and intent on getting things -settled backstage as well as remembering his own part. - -"My Kenabeek Special!" Michael answered. "You know, the explosion." He -hadn't brought it to dress rehearsal with the explanation that there was -only one firecracker. It hadn't mattered--everyone was too busy to care. -At this point, Chuck was crossing his fingers and trusting to luck that -everything would turn out all right. - -"Is it loud?" Chuck asked hastily. - -"Very," Michael assured him. "At least I hope so--I followed -instructions to the letter." - -"What instructions?" Chuck almost yelped. "Didn't you just make an -ordinary firecracker?" - -"Good heavens no! You can't trust those things. This is very special and -safe!" - -"Well, put it in an ashcan out on the stairs and set it off there. Be -sure you're careful!" Chuck called after him. - -"Don't worry, I will be." - -The play went unbelievably well. None of the props were missing, -everyone came in on cue, the action zipped along, the audience was in -stitches at the comedy. The end of Act Two approached and Peggy was -onstage with Randy, Chris, Mr. Miller, the apprentices, and June Tilson. -They had paced the show furiously, warming up to the big scene. Mr. -Miller gave the cue for the explosion. A moment of silence--and then -they heard it. - -_Wham!_ - -It sounded as if the roof of the auditorium had been blown off. Huge, -billowing clouds of smoke poured on stage, almost obscuring the actors -as they finished the scene amid coughs and tears, with a hysterical -audience laughing as if their sides would split as the curtain closed. - -The applause was deafening, but the actors hardly heard as they rushed -backstage to see what had happened. There stood Michael Miller, black -with smoke and ashes, peering at them helplessly from glasses that were -absolutely opaque with grime. - -"I put it in the ashcan, Chuck, just like you said," Michael offered -timidly. "I think it blew the top off." - -The ashcan was a crumpled mass of tin. The top had been blown across the -stair well and ashes were strewn about, several inches deep. - -"I guess you didn't look in the can first," Chuck said very quietly, his -eyes still smarting. - -"I didn't know it would make so much smoke--" Michael whispered. - -"No, I guess you didn't," Chuck agreed softly. - -"I was very careful, but I guess maybe I should have just used a -firecracker." Michael sat down sorrowfully on the stairs, looking like a -lump of coal in a bin. - -Peggy couldn't restrain herself any longer. She burst out laughing. "Oh, -Michael," she gasped, "and you worked so hard! It couldn't have been -funnier if you'd tried!" - -Nobody could control himself any longer, and they all laughed until -their sides hurt. The play ended without another mishap and the audience -left, still talking about the "bomb." - -"Your place in folklore is assured, Michael," his father told him dryly. -"But next time I suggest you take a simple little walk to the store!" - - -The week flew by so quickly that Peggy didn't know where the time had -gone. They were rehearsing the melodrama, _Love Rides the Rails_, and -during the day Randy would come to the theater to watch and cue the -actors. - -"Only one more day," Peggy said incredulously, "and then you'll be off -to New York and we'll only have three more weeks here! Oh, the summer is -going so fast!" - -"I'll miss all this," Randy admitted, "the theater and the lake--and -you!" - -Randy decided to go back to New York on the night bus that left the -Manor right after the last performance of _You Can't Take It with You_. -Peggy walked with him to the gates to say good-by, feeling that the -nicest part of the summer was going with him. - -"It's been fun, Randy," she said shyly. "I'm awfully glad you were -here--" - -"I am too," he said seriously, taking her hand. "I think maybe I came -along at the right time. Chris is an awfully nice guy, but--well--this -is summer stock, Peggy. Funny things can happen when you act with -people. If you're really interested in him, I hope you'll see him in a -different environment--maybe back in New York." He smiled and suddenly -leaned down and kissed her. "In the meantime, don't forget me!" - -Randy started to get on the bus and then paused with another thought. -"And don't forget that you're an awfully good actress," he said. "I have -a lot of faith in you. I'd like you to remember that for the next few -weeks." - -The bus pulled away, leaving Peggy with a funny lump in her throat. -She'd be seeing Randy again in a little while--why did she feel so -strange, she wondered. She suddenly had an acute appreciation of the -difference between Randy's loyal and generous attitude and the -impulsive, surface interest of Chris Hill. That was it, she realized. -She was a little ashamed of herself for having been swept up in a -current by a dashing leading man, nice as he was. She watched Randy's -bus turn the corner and disappear, knowing that nobody could quite take -his place. - -The annex seemed strangely quiet the morning of the day _Love Rides the -Rails_ was to open. Rita and Gus were down first as usual, having coffee -and relaxing on the patio before rehearsals started. Peggy joined them, -having hastily dressed in pedal pushers and a halter. - -"It's getting hotter and hotter," she remarked, looking for a shady -place to sit down and have her breakfast. - -"But so peaceful after that hectic show," Rita said lazily. "Really -cozy! Will you ever forget Michael's bomb?" - -"I thought my hair would stand on end." Gus laughed. "But it turned out -to be a wonderful show. Your friend Randy certainly did a remarkable -job!" - -"I'm hoping that at last I get to play a nice young woman my own age." -Rita stretched out luxuriously on the wicker couch. "It doesn't happen -to me very often, you know!" - -"You mean the wife in _Guest in the House_?" Peggy asked. - -Rita nodded. "The wife to Chris Hill's husband." She grinned -mischievously at Gus. "That is, if Gus approves!" - -"Oh, certainly certainly." Gus smiled and rumpled her hair as he rose. -"Chris may be the Kenabeek heart throb, but I think my place is assured -at home. See you all later--I have to go build a house!" - -"He must really love his work," Peggy sighed as she watched him go. "I -think he's worked harder than any of us this summer." - -"Except maybe Richard and Chuck," Rita agreed. "I'm going to make him -take a vacation after we're through here, whether he likes it or not!" - -One by one, the other actors appeared, and after breakfast Chuck started -to hand out the sides for _Guest in the House_. Peggy felt unusually -nervous. She had promised herself not to think of the possibility of -playing Evelyn, but as the moment approached when her part was to be -handed her, Peggy's heart beat faster and her hand trembled. Chuck gave -her the sides without a word, and after closing her eyes for a moment, -Peggy took a deep breath and looked. - -Evelyn! He had given it to her! She hugged the little pamphlet as if it -were a long-lost friend. Here it was at last--a wonderful, rich, -dramatic role, far, far different from all the ingenues she had played -all summer! - -Rita noticed her ecstatic expression and peeked at the sides. "Well," -she breathed softly, "I kind of thought so. I'm awfully glad, Peggy. You -should play it!" - -"Just a minute!" Alison's voice was shrill in the quiet patio. "I'm not -playing the model, Chuck. You gave me the wrong part!" - -"No," Chuck said firmly. "Peggy is going to do Evelyn and I want you to -play Miriam Blake. You're right for it, Alison, just as Peggy is right -for Evelyn. It's the only way to cast this show." - -"That's true," Rita whispered to Peggy. - -"Well, I'm not going to do it!" Alison interrupted. "I've played Evelyn -before and this just doesn't make sense." - -"She did play it," Chris broke in cautiously with a concerned look at -Peggy. "We were both in the play last summer--" - -"And who did the model?" Chuck asked. - -"A girl we got from New York. We had to job the part," Chris replied. - -"Yes, you had to job the part, and we can't afford to do that. I'm -sorry, Alison," Chuck said gently, "I know you'd like to do it again and -I'm sure you were wonderful. But you yourself can see that with our -company this is the only possible casting. Peggy is too young and -unsophisticated to play the model. It just wouldn't work out." - -"Well, then, get somebody else to play the model," Alison said -impatiently. "Why not get that June Tilson--what's the matter with her?" - -"Because audiences want to see Peggy again in a good part." Chuck was -adamant. "They want to see you, too. That's part of stock, Alison. Your -summer audiences grow fond of their actors and are interested in seeing -them in varied roles. The model is a perfect part for you, Alison, and -you'll be good in it. Now let's start the reading!" - -Peggy had listened anxiously, almost without breathing. Now, as she -looked at Alison, who was obviously seething as she opened her sides, -Peggy wondered if this casting wouldn't create too many difficulties. -She knew that Chuck was right, though. His explanation made perfect -sense. It was best for the play. But how was Alison going to react? How -would rehearsals go if Alison remained as hostile as she was now? Peggy -watched her worriedly and was shocked to see the hateful glance that -Alison returned. - -Peggy grew more and more nervous as the time approached for her to read. -She hadn't considered this before, but Alison was a very good actress -with a fine technique. Would Peggy be able to do as well in this part? -Her mouth was dry and she was terribly tense. She stumbled over her -first lines as she felt everyone watching her--Chuck hopefully, Chris -and Danny curiously, Rita with calm compassion, and Alison with a -spiteful expression that said, "All right--let's see you try and do it!" - -No audience could ever be as critical as this small group of -professional actors. And even though she had a week to work, Peggy knew -that she was being severely judged on this first reading. - - - - - XIII - Double Trouble - - -During the week of rehearsal Peggy found that the drama inherent in the -part itself wasn't going to be enough to carry her through. Evelyn was a -girl who was emotionally disturbed and there was one scene toward the -end of the play when she broke down altogether and appeared in a state -of unreasonable fear. Peggy worked and worked on the scene, trying it -every conceivable way, while Chuck patiently encouraged her. But it -wasn't going right and she knew it. Alison was doing a marvelous job as -the model and it was a trial for Peggy to know that she was watching, -criticizing, and comparing Peggy's efforts with her own past success as -Evelyn. - -"I don't think I can do it!" Peggy told Chuck miserably one day after -rehearsal. "You should have given the part to Alison after all! I'm -terrible." - -"You'll be fine," Chuck said quietly, but Peggy knew by the tone of his -voice that Chuck had his doubts, too. She hadn't made a real -identification with the role yet, and it was drawing fearfully close to -opening night. Worried and unhappy, Peggy wondered if she had any right -to call herself an actress after all. If she couldn't do this part that -she had been so overjoyed to get, what hope was there? - -She was tense and straining and finally even Chuck lost patience. -"What's the matter with you, Peggy?" he said sharply at rehearsal one -day. "You're missing this thing by a mile. You're acting like an insipid -little daisy that's about to wilt on the stem! Evelyn isn't like -that--she's crazy like a fox! She has power in her own strange way--" - -"Could I say something, Chuck?" Alison interrupted, coming out from the -wings where she'd been watching. "It might help Peggy. When I played the -part I did it as though I were perfectly sane. Peggy's trying to _act_ -crazy and it's never believable that way." - -"Yes, that's true," Chuck admitted, "it's a good suggestion, Peggy. Try -the scene again with that in mind." - -Peggy didn't protest or try to justify herself, even though she had been -perfectly aware all along of what Alison had just said. She tried again, -doing even more badly than before, terribly conscious of Alison watching -from the wings and judging every move. - -"That was a rotten trick!" Rita fumed in a whisper when the scene was -finished and Peggy, almost in tears, ran off stage. "Alison offering to -help you! She knew exactly what she was doing--trying to draw attention -to herself and make comparisons. Peggy, you're never going to relax in -this part if you can't forget that Alison played it before. Can't you -see what she's doing?" - -"But it's too late to give her the part," Peggy said dully, "so she -can't be after that. Alison's never been like this before. I've always -liked her, really. What is she trying to do?" - -"Make you give a dreadful performance!" Rita insisted strongly. "I know -Alison Lord like a book. She's a fine, nice girl as long as she's in the -limelight, but her career comes first, and she'll walk roughshod over -anyone who interferes with it!" - -"But this is only a summer stock company--" Peggy protested. - -"Yes, and people go back to New York saying, 'Gosh, have you seen Peggy -Lane in _Guest in the House_? She was great!' These things do get -around, Peggy. Alison came up here to be the big cheese, and she wants -it to stay that way. If she can't play the part at least she figures -that people can say, 'They really should have given that part to Alison -Lord; Peggy Lane was awful!'" - -Rita spelled it out in no uncertain terms, leaving Peggy feeling bleaker -than ever. She knew that Rita was trying to prod her, make her angry -enough to forget Alison and come through with a good performance. But -Peggy didn't work that way. She couldn't act out of spite or anger. She -was aware, too, that other people in the company were disappointed in -her. Danny Dunn couldn't conceal his surprise or Chris Hill his -impatience. The fine rapport that Peggy and Chris had had in _For Love -or Money_ was a thing of the past. - -Dress rehearsal for _Guest in the House_ took place Tuesday afternoon. -The company had to be out of the theater by five P.M. for the group of -folk singers who had the auditorium for the evening. It was a benefit -affair and the Summer Theater was glad to donate its stage for the -night. Peggy didn't know if it was the strangeness of working in the -afternoon or if it would have happened in any case, but her performance -was the worst one she had ever given. Not only was she unable to get -into the role at all, but she forgot her lines on several -occasions--something that hadn't happened all season. Chuck was so -unhappy with the show that he didn't even criticize her. It was obvious -that he thought it too late. - -Miserably, Peggy took off her make-up and started to leave the theater, -wishing that she had never been given the part at all. Perhaps she would -never attempt to play a dramatic role again. "And I was feeling so -self-satisfied, thinking it was easy!" she thought as she walked out the -stage door. - -"Peggy, how's it going?" Michael Miller rounded the corner of the -building, coming from the little shack the boys used for a scene shop. - -"Awful." Peggy tried an unsuccessful smile. - -"What you need is a little relaxation--a change of scenery." Michael -smiled. "What are you going to do with your first free evening of the -summer?" - -"Tonight?" Peggy shook her head. "Going to work on my part again, I -guess--see if I can come up with something--" - -"Why don't you forget it for a while?" Michael asked. "I'm going to take -Mary Hopkins over to the other side of the lake for dinner; we'd love to -have you come along." - -"In your boat?" Peggy asked, feeling a faint stirring of interest. - -"What else?" Michael laughed. "We're not going to swim, that's for sure! -Come on, Peggy, it'll do you good." - -It would at that, Peggy thought, suddenly feeling a sense of freedom at -the prospect of being far away from the theater for a while, if even -just for dinner. Maybe she could regain her perspective out on the -water; there was nothing like putting a little distance between one's -self and one's problem. - -"I will, Michael," she accepted gratefully. "I'd love to. Goodness, -it'll be the first boat ride I've had all summer!" - -"And long overdue. I promised you a ride once, remember?" - -Peggy felt better than she had all week when they arrived at Michael's -house and walked down to his dock where Mary Hopkins was already -waiting. - -"Peggy--how nice!" she cried. "Are you coming with us?" - -"I certainly am--if I'm not intruding," Peggy said, suddenly wondering -if she was interrupting a date. - -"Oh, heavens, no!" Mary laughed. "I've been pestering Michael to take me -out in the boat for weeks. This is the first time he's been free!" - -"I'll just go and tell Dad we're off," Michael said. "That's a rule -around here when I take out the boat." - -He was back in a minute and they all got into the trim little craft, -Peggy feeling almost carefree as Michael started the motor and they -zipped away. - -"We call her the _Merry Mac_," Michael shouted over the noise of the -motor to the two girls. "She's Dad's pride and joy--and mine." - -"I can see why," Peggy laughed, loving the feel of the water underneath -as they skimmed along. It had been a beautiful day. The lake was -sky-blue and frosted with little points of white whipped up by the wind. - - [Illustration: "Dad's pride and joy--and mine."] - -"It's a little choppy," Michael called. - -"Fun!" Peggy cried as the spray blew over the windshield and splashed -her face. - -"You're going to get wet," Mary warned as Michael passed over the wake -of another boat, the _Merry Mac_ slapping across, the spray leaping to -drench Peggy's face. - -"I love it!" Peggy cried happily. "The wetter the better! Where are we -going, Michael?" - -"Straight across." Michael cut his speed a little so he could hear. "See -that cluster of buildings? The Golden Hound is the last one on the left. -Good food and music--very rustic." - -They were in the middle of the lake now, and Peggy realized that it was -much larger than she had thought. There were islands dotted all around, -some so tiny that there was only room for one or two houses. - -"Private islands," Michael informed her. "How would you like one of -those, Peggy?" - -"Oh, would I! It would be sheer heaven!" Peggy took a deep breath of the -wonderful fresh air. "No wonder you love this place, Michael. I wouldn't -ever want to leave if I'd been raised here!" - -"The winters are _cold_, though." Mary laughed. "How do you feel now, -Peggy? Better?" - -"Marvelous! I've almost forgotten about the theater entirely. This is -just what the doctor ordered!" - -Michael slowed the _Merry Mac_ and carefully turned her into the dock in -front of the restaurant. Peggy was impressed by his expert handling of -the boat. - -"Dad would never forgive me if anything happened to our little friend -here, and I'd never forgive myself!" he said as he stepped out and -helped the girls up from the boat. - -They had a wonderful dinner at a lovely candlelit table by a picture -window that afforded a sweeping view of the lake. - -"What a beautiful spot," Peggy said dreamily as twilight fell, and -lights in the little cottages dotting the shore twinkled on like a -fringe of decoration. "Why haven't we been here before?" - -"We can come again during the last week of the season," Michael said. -"I'll bring everybody over sometime." - -"Michael, isn't it getting awfully dark?" Mary interrupted, watching the -sky that had changed from sunset violet to a deep, heavy gray. - -Michael looked at the sky and smiled. "Sure, it'll be dark before we get -back. You're not worried about going back at night, are you?" - -"Well,"--Mary hesitated--"do you know how to find your way back at -night?" - -Michael laughed. "Mary Hopkins! And you've lived at Lake Kenabeek for -sixteen years!" - -"How do you find your way back?" Peggy asked. - -"By my landing light." Michael was still laughing at Mary. "I take a -straight course from here, across the lake, home. It's impossible to -miss it. Where have you been all these years, Mary?" - -"Well," she said with a shy smile, "I guess I just never thought of it -before." - -They finished dinner in a leisurely fashion, enjoying the music and the -peaceful atmosphere of this beautiful spot. - -"This really has been lovely, Michael," Peggy thanked him as they left -the restaurant. "I feel so relaxed and different--not half as worried as -I was this afternoon." - -"You'll probably knock 'em in the aisles tomorrow night," Michael said -cheerfully as they got into the _Merry Mac_ again. - -And Peggy thought he might be right, at that. Somehow, getting away from -the part had done her a world of good. She found that she was actually -looking forward to trying it again, and sure that she could improve her -performance. - -"My, it really is rough!" Mary said nervously as they started back. A -high wind had come up and the choppy water was blowing in all -directions, making the boat rock furiously. - -Michael was quite unconcerned. "See--there's the light, Mary." He -pointed it out to her dead ahead across the black lake. "We just take a -bead on that, and home we go without obstacles--in the rain, it seems." - -A freak summer storm had suddenly come up, and the rain pelted down -heavily, mixing with the spray that rose over the sides of the little -boat. - -"This is nothing," Michael reassured Mary. "I've been out in storms much -worse than this. As long as we can see the landing light there's nothing -to worry about, and it doesn't look--" - -But Michael had spoken too soon. The rain suddenly poured down in such -force that it was impossible to see. In an instant it descended in -driving torrents and Michael lost the landing light! In a second he had -cut the motor. "I don't think," he began--but then it happened. There -was a grinding crash that threw Peggy and Mary forward, their heads -hitting the windshield, while the _Merry Mac_ reared up and came to a -shuddering stop. - -There was dead silence for a moment. Then, "Is anybody hurt?" Michael -asked tightly. - -"No, I don't think so...." Peggy moved a bit. "Mary, are you all right?" - -"My head," she said shakily. "No--it's all right--I just bumped it." - -"Thank heaven!" Peggy breathed. "And thank goodness you cut the motor so -fast, Michael. If you hadn't been so quick...." They were all silent, -realizing that it was only Michael's alert action that had saved them -from a much more serious accident. - -"Where are we?" Peggy finally asked. - -"I don't know," Michael said, "but we'd better get out and see. I hope -we're not on a rock somewhere." - -The rain was so thick and the night so black that they couldn't see a -foot in front of them. Michael climbed out first, feeling his way. "It's -rock, all right," he said nervously. "No--then it goes on into sand. -Maybe we're on a small island. Peggy, throw out the cushions from the -seats, will you? I don't know if the boat is lodged too tightly to sink -or not, but we might as well have them to sit on." - -Groping in the dark, Peggy withdrew the cushions and handed them to -Michael. Her hands touched something slick and cold. "What's in the back -seat, Michael?" she asked. - -"Oh, good girl! Oilskin raincoats. I would have forgotten all about -them. We keep them there--for emergencies." Michael's voice was hollow -and Peggy knew that he was beginning to feel the situation. Michael had -wrecked his precious boat. Well, there was no time now to think about -that. Peggy took out the coats and wrapped one around Mary, who was -still shivering slightly from shock. - -They climbed up on their hands and knees, feeling their way precariously -from the rocks on which the boat had crashed to the sandy beach. Peggy -bumped into something and shrieked, then she realized it was a tree -trunk. "Michael, we're in some woods! Come on, Mary, get under cover and -out of the rain!" - -"Why doesn't somebody light a match?" Mary asked plaintively. "Let's -make a fire or something." - -At this, Peggy dropped down on the boat cushion and began to laugh -helplessly. - -"What do you find so funny, may I ask?" Michael questioned sourly from -the gloom beside her. - -"A fire!" Peggy giggled. "A fire in all this rain! I'm sorry, -Michael--it's just nerves!" - -"Very funny," Michael said. "Well, I suggest we just sit here until the -storm stops. Then we'll be able to see where we are." - -But the storm continued in full fury for hours while the three, drenched -and shivering, waited. Mary lay down on a cushion and, unbelievably, in -a few minutes, was fast asleep. Michael too began to yawn as the hours -passed, and Peggy offered him her cushion to doze on. She couldn't -possibly have slept. She curled up at the base of a tree, wrapped in her -oilskin, and waited for the rain to stop. By the time the storm had -subsided a little, dawn was breaking in a gray haze that filtered -through the rain and trees and gave Peggy a view of the surroundings. -She judged that they must be on an island, and getting up to look -through the woods, saw a little path. Looking back at her sleeping -comrades, Peggy decided to explore a little before awakening them. She -hadn't followed the path more than a few yards when she came to a -clearing and a cottage among the trees. All night, a refuge had been -this close! Seeing the house, Peggy realized how cold and exhausted she -was. She raced back to the others and woke them up. - -"I feel like the three bears," Mary said sleepily. "I hope they have -three beds and a stove; I'm chilled through." - -"It's a lucky break we had your raincoats," Peggy told Michael. "Do you -realize we might all have caught pneumonia?" - -Peggy knocked timidly at the door, hating to rouse anyone at this hour. -It must be close to five in the morning, she guessed. There was no -answer and Michael knocked again, louder this time. - -A sleepy, startled voice called out, "Who is it?" and Peggy knew that -the voice was familiar. Before she could place it, the door opened a -crack and then was flung wide. There stood Mrs. Cook, wide awake now -with the shock of seeing the three young people--wet and bedraggled as -lost kittens. - -"Oh, come in, come in!" she cried. "What on earth happened?" - -If Mrs. Cook was astonished to see them, it was nothing to Peggy's -surprise at finding her here. "Mrs. Cook!" she exclaimed. "I thought you -were staying at one of the hotels--" - -"Oh, no, we've had this house for years, only one on the island." - -Now the little group knew that they had crashed on one of the little -private islands in the middle of the lake. Within minutes the story was -told and Mrs. Cook had given them all warm bathrobes and hot drinks, -fussing over them as if they were her own children. - -"Now, all of you get some real rest," she commanded, showing Peggy and -Mary into her own room and giving Michael the couch. "We'll talk about -everything later after you've had some sleep!" - -As she gratefully snuggled down under the warm covers on the comfortable -bed, Peggy sleepily wondered why they hadn't seen Mr. Cook. But she was -too tired to think for more than a moment. Almost immediately she -dropped off into a deep, dreamless sleep, utterly exhausted. - - - - - XIV - Ups and Downs - - -Hours later Peggy awoke to the sound of rain beating on the windows and -a whining wind that lashed the tree tops mercilessly. It was a bleak -world, dark as evening, and it was only noon. Mary and Michael had been -up for some time, and Peggy found them in the living room, chatting with -Mrs. Cook, who had prepared a hearty breakfast for everybody. - -"Peggy--good!" Mrs. Cook said as she saw her emerging from the bedroom. -"I was going to wake you any minute. You must be ravenous." - -"I am," Peggy admitted, sitting down at the table Mrs. Cook had set in -front of the fireplace. "A fire in the summertime! It doesn't seem -possible." - -"Well, when these storms come up it can get good and chilly here. The -dampness goes right through you." Mrs. Cook smiled. - -"Have you called to notify your father that we're all right?" Peggy -asked Michael. "It just occurred to me that everyone must be terribly -worried about us." - -"Can't call," Michael replied, frowning. "The phone's out. Wire's blown -down, I guess. But I'm not too worried. I'm pretty sure Dad will assume -we stayed on the other side of the lake because of the storm. It's -happened before. He'll have called Mrs. Hopkins, and the theater for -you, Peggy." - -Peggy noticed the worry in Michael's eyes. There was something he wasn't -telling her, she felt sure. Mrs. Cook came to the rescue, gently putting -her hand on Peggy's shoulder as she said, "I'm afraid you may have to -stay here all day, dear. My husband took the boat to town and couldn't -get back last night in the storm. He called to tell me before the phone -went out. None of the boats are out today. We'll just have to wait until -it clears before you can be picked up." - -"But the show!" Peggy cried. "I have to get back for the opening." - -"Well, maybe you can," Mrs. Cook placated her. "It should clear by -evening, and my husband is sure to return as soon as he can." - -But as the hours progressed, the storm showed no sign of relenting. The -wind whistled angrily, blowing the rain in blinding sheets. No boat -could dare the lake in weather like this. - -"A fine idea I had!" Michael accused himself grimly. "A little fun, a -little relaxation--and what happens? I not only wreck the _Merry Mac_, -but I'm responsible for your missing the show!" - -"Oh, Michael, it isn't your fault," Peggy comforted him. But she was -sick at heart. She had felt so optimistic about her new approach to the -part, ready to play Evelyn tonight as if she had never played it before. -Now she might not even be there. She had no doubt as to what Chuck would -do; he would have Alison play the part and get somebody to read the -model for this one performance. It had been done before in stock. And -there went Peggy's chance to prove herself, not only to the company, but -to a deep part of her that said, "If I fail this, the opportunity may -never come again." She wandered over to the window and stood there, -looking out, trying to hold back the tears of disappointment. "Maybe -it's better this way," she told herself. "Perhaps I wouldn't do any -better than I have all week." But she remembered Randy's words as he -left her that day on the bus--"You're a fine actress and I have faith in -you!" Randy must have foreseen both the part and the trouble with -Alison. What he could never have imagined was the possibility of Peggy's -not being there to play it at all. - -By six o'clock the storm finally showed signs of subsiding. Peggy -anxiously watched the sky, wondering if it would be possible after all -to get back in time for the curtain. At seven-thirty the rain had -stopped and the wind was reduced to a murmur. Mrs. Cook took the group -down to the dock to watch for her husband's boat. "He's sure to come -soon," she said. "I think you'll make it, Peggy." - -Peggy strained to see across the lake. The sky was still gray, but in -the distance they could hear a motor. - -"Somebody's out, Peggy," Mary cried happily. "I think we will get back!" - -But the boat appeared and it wasn't Mr. Cook after all. They waved and -shouted frantically, but the owner didn't see them and he veered off in -the opposite direction. A few minutes later another boat came into view -and Mrs. Cook gave Peggy an impulsive hug. "There he is, dear." She -laughed. "Get ready to dash!" - -Mr. Cook didn't have a chance to say hello as he pulled into the -landing. The three young people practically fell into the boat with Mrs. -Cook shouting hasty directions and waving him off as if to a fire. - -"Hurry," she called as he turned around and sped off. "And good luck, -Peggy--" Her voice trailed away and Peggy gripped the sides of the boat, -her heart in her mouth as the possibility of making the curtain became a -reality. - -"This little runabout isn't too fast," Mr. Cook warned, "but I'll make -her do her best!" He pushed the little boat to her limit and in about -twenty minutes they pulled up at Michael's landing. "This is the closest -one to the theater, Peggy," Mr. Cook said. "Run! Don't say thanks--just -make that curtain!" - -But Peggy was already out and running up the stairs. With a hasty wave -she sprinted up the walk beside Michael's house and started to run to -the theater. - -The parking lot was jammed with cars, but Peggy didn't see anyone going -into the theater. Panting, she started to run back to the stage door, -but then realized that Chuck might be out front. She'd better let him -know she was here. She dashed back to the entrance and tore through the -large doors by the box office. Richard was just coming out of the little -room and, seeing her, he grabbed her arm with a sigh of relief. "Thank -goodness, Peggy! We were beginning to think you'd drowned!" - -"Where is everybody?" Peggy gasped. "I'm here--tell Chuck--" - -"Wait a minute," Richard held on to her with concern. "The show's -started, Peggy...." - -Breathlessly, Peggy stopped short while it sank in. Of course! Nobody in -the lounge, the doors to the auditorium closed-- The audience were in -their seats and the curtain had opened! Still trying to get her breath, -she looked at Richard helplessly while tears came to her eyes. - -"Oh, come on, Peggy." Richard patted her shoulder kindly. "It isn't that -important. If you only knew how worried we were about you! I'm so glad -you're safe and sound I don't give a hoot about the show!" - -"Thank you," Peggy managed to say. "I couldn't help it--I tried to get -back." - -"I know. You can tell me all about it later. Why don't you go home now -and get some rest?" - -"No! Oh, no." Peggy collected herself and took a deep breath. "As long -as I'm here, I'm going to watch!" It was a difficult decision. "Who's -doing the model?" - -"That girl, June Tilson; she's winging it." - -"Well, come on, then." Peggy smiled bravely. "Aren't you going to give -me a seat?" - -Richard grinned at her admiringly. "You're quite a girl, Peggy. I'll -give you the best seat in the house!" - -But Peggy preferred to watch from the rear of the auditorium, so she and -Richard quietly found places together. It was almost unbearable to see -someone else doing her part, but Peggy grimly watched, determined to be -as objective as possible. It was doubly difficult to admit that Alison -was quite marvelous as Evelyn. She was obviously working on emotion and -excitement, but it didn't matter. She established herself as the star of -the play, projecting her self-assurance and technique so that the -audience had eyes for no one else on stage. June Tilson did a remarkable -job as the model on such short notice. No one but Peggy or another actor -could have known that she was reading the part in bits and pieces before -she made an entrance, improvising, and finding her lines on the back of -furniture where they had been carefully pasted before the show. - -"She's good!" Peggy whispered. "My, she's good! Winging a part like that -takes a lot of courage. I thought she probably would read it." - -"Chuck said she could, but she wanted to do it this way. She's a fast -study, too!" Richard nodded in agreement. - -Watching _Guest in the House_ was one of the most painful experiences of -Peggy's life. By the time the play was over she felt as though she'd -been drawn through a wringer. Wearily, she left her seat, as the actors -were taking curtain calls, and bravos for Alison's performance were -filling the air. She walked outside and back to the stage door. Alison -deserved her congratulations, and she sincerely wanted to tell June -Tilson how good she had been. - -Alison was still in make-up on stage, flushed with excitement and -satisfaction. Everyone was milling around with words of praise for her -wonderful job. No one would ever know what courage it took for Peggy to -join the group and add her congratulations. Alison was too much in a -whirl with her own triumph to take any special satisfaction from Peggy's -praise, and Peggy realized how right Rita had been. Alison had no -personal spite; it was only her career that concerned her. - -Everyone was glad to see Peggy back unharmed, but it was impossible to -miss the undercurrent backstage. The company also was relieved that -Alison had played Evelyn and "saved the show." - -A middle-aged man from the audience drew Alison away from her group of -admirers and took her aside for a private discussion. In a few minutes, -Alison rushed back excitedly, looking for Chuck. "I've got a screen -test!" she exulted. "I have to leave tomorrow!" - -"Leave!" The entire company was stunned. Actresses just didn't walk out -on a theater in the middle of the season. But Alison was blithely -unconcerned. - -"That was Sidney Mitchell, the talent scout from Lion Studios! He said -he'd never been so impressed with a performance in summer stock! He -thinks I'm great, said he couldn't believe anybody could do a job like -that at the last minute!" - -"But you told him you'd played the part before, didn't you?" Chris Hill -demanded incredulously. - -"Of course not!" Alison hotly defended herself. "Why should I? Let him -think whatever he likes. The important thing is that he wants to test me -for a part immediately. They're looking for an unknown, and the part is -of a girl very like Evelyn. Oh," Alison glowed, looking more beautiful -than ever with her taste of success, "just think, I might actually get -to Hollywood!" - -"Well, of course we can't ask you to stay," Chuck said. "I suppose June -won't mind continuing in your part--" - -"I'd love to," June agreed, "and by tomorrow I'll know the lines." - -"Good." Chuck smiled. "And Peggy will resume Evelyn tomorrow night." - -Everyone turned to look thoughtfully at Peggy, only now realizing that -if she hadn't missed the show, the talent scout would have seen her, -maybe "discovered" her, instead of Alison. Their expressions were easy -to read. Curiosity, pity, and a slight feeling of guilt at their obvious -approval of Alison's performance. Peggy bravely accepted their glances -and smiled back at Alison. "I hope you do get the part, Alison," she -said gravely. "Be sure to let us know." - -Peggy couldn't wait to get back to the annex and be by herself for a -while. The reaction was just beginning to set in. If she had to stay -another minute, she felt, she would break into tears. Hastily excusing -herself with a promise to recount her adventure the next day, she -started to leave. - -But Rita stopped her at the stage door. "Don't let it bother you too -much, Peggy," she said gently. "These things happen all the time. It's -just rotten luck for you. The only time we've had a talent scout all -summer, and you had to have an accident!" - -"It doesn't matter, Rita," Peggy said with difficulty. She didn't want -to talk another minute. - -"But it does--I mean Alison's lying like that...." - -"But she wasn't lying," Peggy protested. - -"Well, it amounts to the same thing, withholding the fact that she'd -played the part before--that wasn't very honest. I just thought you -ought to know that everyone feels the same way about that. It wasn't -very ethical." - -"Let's talk about it tomorrow," Peggy pleaded, and Rita, understanding -that she wanted to be alone, gave her a comforting pat and let her go. - -Once in the privacy of her tiny bedroom, Peggy finally broke down and -wept. It _was_ rotten luck, she admitted to herself. The one chance -she'd had all summer, and she'd missed it. Why did Mr. Mitchell have to -pick this particular night to come? - -"It isn't that I don't wish Alison good luck," she cried softly, "but at -least he could have seen both of us in the play. He would probably have -picked Alison anyway, because she's good movie material. But if he had -only seen my work--it would have been something to take back to New York -with me." - -And on top of that she had missed the opportunity to play Evelyn at the -peak of her feeling about the part. Would she be able to do it at all -tomorrow night? She buried her face in the pillow and sobbed until she -was too exhausted to cry any more. Then, blessedly, sleep came. - -Alison was gone by the time Peggy awoke the next morning. It seemed -unbelievable that she had managed to assemble her things and pack in -such a short time, but her little room was as stark and bare as if no -one had been in it all summer. - -The cast didn't attempt to disguise their disapproval of Alison's hasty -exit. "That's typical of anybody so career-minded," sniffed Danny Dunn. -"No gratitude. Alison doesn't have the least conception of anyone's -problems except her own." - -"Thank goodness we have June Tilson to take her place," Rita echoed. "I -don't know what Chuck and Richard would have done." - -By evening Peggy was so exhausted that she almost didn't care how the -play went. She was tired of questioning looks and concern. Tired of -thinking about Evelyn. She put on her make-up and dressed for her -entrance, as unconcerned as if she were simply going out to dinner. She -watched the other actors begin the play and waited for her cue with such -a lack of emotion that she wondered for a moment if she could possibly -be coming down with a cold or a fever. She simply didn't care. Her cue -came up, and marshaling as much energy as possible under the -circumstances, Peggy walked on stage. - -For the two hours that she played Evelyn, Peggy worked with a most -peculiar sensation. She felt as though she were standing beside herself, -looking on. She watched Evelyn, heard Evelyn, moved her around like a -puppet, with an objective, detached viewpoint completely new to her. She -felt nothing whatsoever inside. - -After the play Peggy took her solo curtain call and received the most -tremendous ovation she had ever heard in the theater. She bowed and -smiled, wondering what all the shouting was about, and was utterly -astonished to see Chuck come to her with real tears in his eyes. - -"That was one of the most beautiful performances I have ever seen in my -life," he said, looking at her with something like awe. "I won't even -ask you what happened. It was too wonderful to spoil by trying to -analyze it!" - -Ford Birmingham came back to congratulate her, too. "I haven't yet -written my review, Peggy, because I heard what happened last night. I -saw both of you play it. Alison was awfully good, but I haven't seen a -job like yours in years! I'm truly grateful for having had the -opportunity to see you!" - -The entire cast looked at Peggy with a respect so new and surprising -that Peggy didn't know what to think. "You're not fooling me, are you, -Chuck?" she whispered. "I didn't feel a thing out there. Was I really -that good?" - -"Oho!" Chuck grinned at her mysteriously. "So our little ingenue has -discovered another secret--and all by accident! Listen, Peggy, sometimes -it happens that way. Just when you feel dead inside you'll give a -performance so electrifying that everybody wonders what happened. It -doesn't always work, you can't always be so objective. But I guess -that's what happened to you tonight. Tomorrow it'll be different, but -you'll never have trouble with Evelyn again!" - -And Peggy never did. Whether it was because Alison was no longer in the -wings, watching and criticizing, or just because Peggy had finally -"caught" it, she finished the week giving a glorious performance that -brought more and more people to the theater, and sent them away knowing -that they'd had a rare experience. - -"This is what really counts," Peggy thought gratefully. "Not a screen -test or my 'career,' but the knowledge that I can really contribute -something to the theater. Play a part with the author's intention, not -from my personal viewpoint." Peggy felt immensely gratified to know that -she was beginning to return a little of what the theater had already -given to her. - - - - - XV - Summer Stock - - -The season closed with a rollicking farce that drew a full house every -night. Enough money poured into the box office to pay back the investors -and the Chamber of Commerce and even leave something over for the new -science lab. On the last night of _See How They Run_, a tremendous party -was held backstage after the show. Everybody was there. Aunt Hetty was -hostess, beaming and brusque as ever, with lavish promises of what the -theater would do with her barn next summer. For it was certainly -established now that the Kenabeek Summer Theater was here to stay! - -The directors of the Chamber of Commerce and the members of the School -Board were there; all the apprentices and their families came; Mr. -Bladen read a special poem of praise for the theater; Mr. and Mrs. Cook -and Mrs. Hopkins and all their friends joined the celebration. Mr. -Miller and Michael were happy to report that the _Merry Mac_ had not -been damaged beyond repair after all, and that next summer she would be -back, ready to take the cast across the lake to the Golden Hound for -dinner. - -"Are you game, Peggy?" Michael asked with a twinkle. - -"Any time," Peggy laughed. "Tonight if you like!" - -"Well! That certainly speaks well for my son's seamanship," Mr. Miller -declared. - -"If it weren't for him, we'd all be at the bottom of Lake Kenabeek," -Mary Hopkins said. "Wreck or no wreck, Michael's a mighty good sailor!" - -"And the _Merry Mac_ was a smart boat to pick the Cooks' island out of -all the islands in the lake!" Peggy said. "I'd trust her again any -time." - -"And the Cooks have practically put Bladen's Antiques out of business," -Mr. Bladen added, winking at Peggy. "After your boys cleaned up my shop, -the Cooks couldn't seem to take things away fast enough. Then their -friends started to come! Pretty soon, I'll have to start buying more -antiques or just stick to poetry!" - -Bill Slade dashed into the theater, breathlessly waving an envelope and -calling for everyone to be quiet. "I know this is going to be a huge -shock," he cried excitedly, "but you all know how much our business has -improved since the Kenabeek Summer Theater came to town--for many -reasons." He grinned at Peggy. "Well! Although my brother Max is too -shy, and to be honest, still too stiff-necked to come here personally -and admit a mistake, he's tried to redeem himself in a mighty concrete -way!" With a huge smile of satisfaction, Bill dramatically opened the -envelope. "Here's a check to match whatever the Summer Theater is -donating to the high school--from Maximilian W. Slade! You just fill in -the amount!" - -Amid cheers and hurrahs, the School Board gratefully accepted the check. - -"Oh, Bill, that's just about the nicest thing that's happened all -summer!" Peggy cried. - -"It makes me very happy!" Bill said, grinning from ear to ear. "Next -summer, Max might even put in an appearance at a play!" - -Richard Wallace made a short, funny speech, thanking everyone for their -cooperation, and at the end giving a word of special praise to the -actors who "worked together without undue friction, without too many -complaints, and with only a minimum of backstage feuds, which is -probably a 'first' for any Adirondack stock company! Or any other, for -that matter!" - -There were toasts to the actors, toasts to Gus and the apprentices, -toasts to everyone, including the _Merry Mac_, the annex, Lake Manor, -the audiences, and Mrs. Brady's food. The party lasted long, with all -the actors talking about the possible jobs that awaited them in New -York. - -"What do you think you'll do when you get back to New York, Peggy?" -Chris Hill asked. "Do you suppose we'll have a chance to work together -again?" - -"I hope so," Peggy replied, glad to know that she could now talk to -Chris naturally and calmly, as actor to actor. "I'm going home for a -visit first, but after that anything can happen!" - -"And next time we won't let personal feelings interfere with our work, -right?" Chris beamed at her, his handsome face teasing a little, but now -Peggy understood. - -"Right!" Peggy smiled. - -"And give Randy my regards," Chris added seriously. "He's a great guy, -and I really hope to see him again sometime." - -The party finally broke up, with everyone going back to the annex to -start packing. Chuck and Richard had to stay after the close of the -season to wind things up, but almost everybody else was leaving Lake -Kenabeek on tomorrow's bus. Peggy remained quietly in the theater after -everyone had gone. She wanted to be alone for a little in this theater -that she might never see again. - -The flats had been stacked away for the party, and now only the -worklight was left, its circle casting a small pool of light on the -empty stage. Peggy stood there alone, looking out at the silent -auditorium and thinking of everything that had happened this summer. She -remembered the first time Rita and Gus had brought her up to the -theater--the stage had looked just like this. That night she had had her -first taste of the hectic backstage activity of painting flats. She had -learned so much this summer, Peggy thought gratefully. She had learned -about the theater and about working with people--even about summer -romance and handsome leading men! Peggy smiled wistfully, wishing that -Randy could be here with her now. He was the only person she knew who -could share her feelings about a dark theater like this--the smell and -the memories and the ghosts. - -For it seemed to her that the house was filled with echoes from all the -plays they had done that summer, that all the parts and the plays and -the authors were still alive here somehow. This emotion was the magic -that had brought Peggy to the theater in the first place--this sense of -life, of living literature, of a communication that was nowhere else so -special as between actor and audience. - -Peggy remembered the first time she had walked out on this stage in -_Dear Ruth_. How nervous she had been! And then as the weeks progressed, -her sureness had developed, her professionalism had increased. She had -learned from Rita and Gus and Chuck, from Richard and Danny and Alison. -Yes, perhaps most of all from Alison Lord, who had shown her the -contrast between career and dedication. - -"I hope I will come back here sometime," Peggy said aloud in farewell. -She was sentimental enough to wish to say a private good-by to her -summer. "And thank you," she whispered, "thank you for everything." - -As she finally walked out the stage door for the last time, her make-up -kit tucked under her arm, she could already hear the questions her -parents would ask when she arrived home for her visit. - -"Well! What did you do this summer, Peggy?" they would say. "What -happened? Tell us all about it." - -"My goodness," Peggy wondered, smiling at the stars, "how can I possibly -tell them?" - - [Illustration: Endpapers] - - - [Illustration: Back cover] - - - - - PEGGY GOES STRAW HAT - - -Peggy Lane's education in the theater and in life is "accelerated," the -summer she takes to the Straw Hat Circuit. Signed with the newly -organized Kenabeek Summer Theater, Peggy is thinking only of her work -when she arrives at the Adirondack resort. But acting turns out to be -only one of her problems. - -Immediately, she learns that the Summer Theater is opposed by Max Slade, -the local movie theater owner, who is exerting every effort to force the -"competition" to leave town. And she meets Chris Hill, blond, exciting, -romantic leading man of the company--who can make any girl feel she's -his One and Only, and not realize himself that he's insincere. Finally, -there's the back-breaking, bone-wearying, nerve-jangling job of mounting -a new play a week--never knowing if it will open! - -The maneuvering--legal and personal--as the actors fight to save their -theater is as dramatic as their nightly shows. But in the end it is -Peggy's own warmth, charm, and intelligence which precipitate the -surprising climax to their efforts to make the theater an accepted part -of the community! - - - _Peggy Lane Theater Stories_ - - Peggy Finds the Theater - Peggy Plays Off-Broadway - Peggy Goes Straw Hat - Peggy on the Road - - - - - Transcriber's Notes - - ---Copyright notice provided as in the original--this e-text is public - domain in the country of publication. - ---In the text versions, delimited italics text in _underscores_ (the - HTML version reproduces the font form of the printed book.) - ---Silently corrected palpable typos; left non-standard spellings and - dialect unchanged. - - - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Peggy Goes Straw Hat, by Virginia Hughes - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK PEGGY GOES STRAW HAT *** - -***** This file should be named 55826.txt or 55826.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/8/2/55826/ - -Produced by Stephen Hutcheson and the Online Distributed -Proofreading Team at http://www.pgdp.net - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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