"Can't. Never guessed anything in my life." He took a letter from his pocket and handed it to her. "I am to read this?" He nodded. She opened it and read: _"Mr. Richard Strong, New York City._ "My DEAR MR. STRONG: I have read, with very great interest, a serial story, published in your magazine, entitled 'Francesca.' I feel that there is the making of a delightful comedy in the plot of this novel, and I write to ask you whether it would be possible for me to secure the dramatic rights from the author. As the story is anonymous, I appeal to you to put me in touch with the writer in question. I shall appreciate an immediate reply. "With thanks to you, in advance, Sincerely, "CHARLES FROHMAN, "Empire Theatre, New York City." "Am I dreaming this? Does this mean my book?" He smiled at her earnestness. "It does. I came down to talk it over with you and see what you wanted me to do." "What do you think about it, yourself?" "I think it's a great idea. It will advertise the book enormously. The book will help the play. In the meantime, they both advertise you." "A play made of my thoughts? It's too wonderful," said Bambi. "Do you suppose he'd let me make the play?" "I don't know. Would you like to? Do you think you could?" "I do. I've learned lots through----" She stopped of a sudden, and gazed at him. "Why, Jarvis must make the play, of course. Why didn't I think of it?" "Mr. Frohman would, no doubt, wish to choose the playwright, in case you didn't make the dramatic version yourself." "But why couldn't Jarvis?" "Jarvis is totally unknown, you know, and so far unsuccessful in playmaking. You could hardly expect Mr. Frohman to risk a tyro." She looked at him indignantly. He rated Jarvis like a Dun's Agency. "But I'm a tyro. Yet you think he might let me do it?" "Excuse me, you are not a tyro. You are the author of one of the season's most-talked-of books. Your name, in a double rôle, on Mr. Frohman's three-sheets, will be a fine card." "All I know about play writing I learned from Jarvis," she protested. "Well, I didn't come to argue about Jarvis's ability or accomplishment, you know. Do you wish me to tell Frohman who you are, or will you come to town and see him yourself?" "I'd love to go see him. Isn't this exciting?" she cried, as the full force of what she was saying came to her. "Oh, it's fun to do things, and be somebody, isn't it?" "I don't know. I never tried it." "You! How absurd! Distinguished you, saying that to a nouveau like me, when there would have been no me except for you." "That's complicated, but delightful of you, no matter how untrue it is." "It is true. If you hadn't happened to like the first story I happened to write, we would never be here discussing my first play, which Mr. Frohman happens to want. It's all you." Mr. Strong suddenly leaned over her, so that she felt his breath on her hair.