Miss Norvell failed to appear at the noon meal, though Winston met the

other members of the company. He found them genial enough, even

somewhat boisterous, with the single exception of Mr. Lane, who

maintained a dignified and rather gloomy silence, such as became one of

his recognized professional standing, after having favored the newcomer

with a long, impertinent stare, apparently expressing disapproval. The

manager was outwardly in most excellent humor, narrating several

stories, at which all, excepting the reserved comedian, laughed quite

heartily. At the conclusion of the repast, Albrecht condescended to

purchase his new recruit a cigar, and then walked beside him toward the

Opera House, where the necessary instructions in new duties promptly

began. If Winston had previously imagined his earlier steps toward

histrionic honors were destined to be easy ones, he was very soon

undeceived under the guidance of the enthusiastic manager. It proved a

strenuous afternoon, yet the young fellow had the right stuff in him to

make good, that stubborn pride which never surrenders before

difficulties; he shut his teeth, rolled up his shirt-sleeves, and went

earnestly to work.

It was a small, cheaply built theatre, having restricted stage space,

while a perfect riff-raff of trunks and detached pieces of canvas

scenery littered the wings. At first sight it appeared a confused

medley of odds and ends, utterly impossible to bring into any

conformity to order, but Albrecht recognized each separate piece of

luggage, every detached section of canvas, recalling exactly where it

properly belonged during the coming performance. For more than an hour

he pranced about the dirty stage, shouting minute directions, and

giving due emphasis to them by growling German oaths; while Winston,

aided by two local assistants, bore trunks into the various

dressing-rooms, hung drop curtains in designated positions, placed set

pieces conveniently at hand, and arranged the various required

properties where they could not possibly be overlooked during the rush

of the evening's performance.

Thus, little by little, order was

evolved from chaos, and the astute manager chuckled happily to himself

in quick appreciation of the unusual rapidity with which the newly

engaged utility man grasped the situation and mastered the confusing

details. Assuredly he had discovered a veritable jewel in this fresh

recruit. At last, the affairs of principal importance having been

attended to, Albrecht left some final instructions, and departed for

the hotel, feeling serenely confident that this young man would carry

out his orders to the letter.

And Winston did. He was of that determined nature which performs

thoroughly any work once deliberately undertaken; and, although the

merest idle whim had originally brought him to this position of utility

man in the "Heart of the World" company, he was already beginning to

experience a slight degree of interest in the success of the coming

show, and to feel a faint esprit de corps, which commanded his best

efforts. Indeed, his temporary devotion to the preparation of the

stage proved sufficiently strong to obscure partially for the time

being all recollection of that first incentive which had suggested his

taking such a step--the young lady discovered asleep in Number

Twenty-seven.




readonlinefreebook.com Copyright 2016 - 2024