"She's easier," thought Hurstwood to himself.

She did not do the part as she had at rehearsal, but she was
better. The audience was at least not irritated. The
improvement of the work of the entire company took away direct
observation from her. They were making very fair progress, and
now it looked as if the play would be passable, in the less
trying parts at least.

Carrie came off warm and nervous.

"Well," she said, looking at him, "was it any better?"

"Well, I should say so. That's the way. Put life into it. You
did that about a thousand per cent. better than you did the
other scene. Now go on and fire up. You can do it. Knock 'em."

"Was it really better?"

"Better, I should say so. What comes next?"

"That ballroom scene."

"Well, you can do that all right," he said.

"I don't know," answered Carrie.

"Why, woman," he exclaimed, "you did it for me! Now you go out
there and do it. It'll be fun for you. Just do as you did in