"No, but she has a keen dramatic sense. She understands character, too."
"So? Lucky for you. Does she want her name on the bills?"
"She has never spoken of it, but I wish her to go on as co-dramatist."
"All right. Clever wife is an asset. Now we've got just two hours. Go
ahead--read me what you've got there."
Jarvis unpacked the manuscript and began. He had worked over the scenes
so often with Bambi that he fell into her dramatic way of "doing" the
scenes. Once or twice the manager chuckled as he recognized her touch
and intonation on a line. Certainly Jarvis had never read so well. He
was encouraged by frequent laughs from his audience. There were
interruptions now and then, criticisms and suggestions. As he read and
laid down the last page, Mr. Frohman nodded his head.
"Pretty clever work for amateurs," he said.
"You think it will go?"
"With some changes and rearrangements. Yes, I should say so."
"Are you thinking of producing it soon?"
"Yes, if I can make satisfactory arrangements with the author I'll put
it in rehearsal right away."
"I think the author will be satisfied."
The manager looked a question.
"We have been corresponding during my work on it," Jarvis explained.
Mr. Frohman stared, then laughed.
"We can soon find out whether she's pleased. She is due here at three
o'clock to-day."
"She is coming here to-day?" Jarvis exclaimed.
"Yes."
"Could I talk to her then--there is so much----"
"Sorry. I promised there would be no one here. Some crazy idea about
keeping her name a secret."
"Of course. I would not intrude," said Jarvis, hastily. "She wrote me
that she would leave rehearsals to you and me."
"Did she? Will your wife want to come to rehearsals?"
"I think so. Would there be any objections?"
"Not if she is co-author."
"She is very clever."
"I don't doubt it. You leave that copy here. I'll go over it, in part,
with the author, and let her take it to look over. I will wire you what
day I want to get the company together for a reading."
"All right, sir."
"If the author is satisfied with this, I'll have a contract made out to
submit to you and your wife. In the meantime, do you want an advance?"
"No, thanks."
"All right. You'll hear from me. You've done surprisingly well with
this, Jocelyn--you, or your wife."
"Thank you. Good-day."
"Good-day."
At three o'clock the other member of the Jocelyn family arrived.
"You are good to see me. I would have burst with curiosity before Jarvis
got back," she began the minute she got inside the door.
"I naturally wanted to consult the author before I accepted the play."
"Is it any good? Are you going to take it?"
"What do you think about it? Are you satisfied?"
"Yes. I think it's a love of a play."
He laughed.
"How much of it did Jarvis do?"
"Oh, a great deal!"
"Not enough to spoil it, eh?"
"He has worked very hard," she said seriously.
"He tells me he has corresponded with the author during his work, and he
begged to be here for this meeting."
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Elsewhere in the archive
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account