CHAPTER VI

A MATINEE IDOL


"Oh, Uncle Jeff," Alicia cried, as they gathered round the dinner-
table that same night, "we went to the splendidest play! It was a
light opera, 'The Lass and the Lascar.' Have you seen it?"

"No, my dear, I rarely go to the theatre; never to foolish pieces like
that! But it's all right for you young people. So you enjoyed it, did
you? How did you like--"

But Alicia's babble interrupted him. "Oh, Uncle, it was simply out of
sight! And the hero! Ah-h-h!"

Alicia leaned back in her chair and closed her eyes as if the memory
of the hero was overwhelming.

"Took your fancy, did he?" asked her uncle, with a twinkle in his eye.
"Good-looking chap?"

"Good-looking faintly expresses it!" and Alicia returned to
consciousness. "He was like a Greek god! And his CHARM! Oh, Uncle
Jeff, he is just indescribable! I wish you could SEE him."

"Must be a paragon! What did the rest of you girls think! Were you hit