because father got it in his head some way that it was about the
Baptists, and I couldn't talk him out of it. It wasn't as bad a
performance as you'd think, and this little girl was a pretty
fair 'Babbie.' Father forgot all about the Baptists and kept
talking about her after we got home, until nothing would do but
we must go over and see that show again. He wanted to take her
right out to the farm and adopt her--or something; he's a
widower, and all alone out there. Fact is, I had all I could do
to keep him from going around to ask her, and I was pretty near
afraid he'd speak to her from the audience. Well, to satisfy
him, I did go around after the show, and gave her my card, and
told her if I could do anything for her in New York to let me
know. Of course, naturally, when I got back to town I forgot all
about it, but I got a note from her that she was here, looking
for an engagement, the very day you told me to scare up an
understudy. So I thought she might do as well as anybody I'd get
at the agent's, and I let her have it." He drew a breath of
relief, like that of a witness leaving the stand, and with
another placative laugh, letting his eyes fall humbly under the
steady scrutiny of his master, he concluded: "Of course I
remember all about it, only at first I wasn't sure which one you
meant; it's such a large company."

"I see," said Potter grimly. "You engaged her to please your
father."

"Oh, Mr. Potter!" the stage-manager protested. "If you don't
like her--"

"That will do!" Potter cut him off, and paced the floor,