Would it be any use?"
"Use?" said Clarence rapturously. "You are exactly what the doctor
ordered. If I can stun Gail into submission you shall be our leading
lady, with all the real star parts in your grasp. Rehearsals at ten
sharp, and _I'm_ the director. _Me voici!_"
He rose and made her a deep bow.
He had, apparently, quite forgotten John, who still sat quietly with
his paper across his knees, listening to them.
"And where do I come in?" he asked with a little twinkle in his eyes.
"Oh-oh yes," returned Clarence genially, "my dear fellow, how could
we have forgotten you? Good old John, to want a part!"
He sounded to Joy rather too much as if he was saying, "Good old Fido!"
"It's something like saying it to a large dog with a bite, too," she
meditated naughtily. "Clarence may find that out in a minute."
She went on with her domestic duties, mending the tiny holes in the
socks in her lap, and smiling secretly to herself. It did not occur
to her, but if any one had told her a month before that she would be
sitting alone with two interesting men, watching their relations
becoming more and more strained on her account, she would have
denied it flatly. Now that it was happening it seemed quite natural.
It had doubtless seemed quite natural to Aunt Lucilla.... She darned
on placidly, while Clarence continued his infuriating efforts to put
John at ease.
"There'll be a delightful part for you, old man," he assured his
friend tenderly.
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