The last two weeks of preparation were hectic. Jerry's endurance was wonderful, but his nerves were worn thin. At the eleventh hour the costumers decided that they could not turn out the gowns for the "vestal virgins," on time. They broke the news to Jerry over the 'phone one frantic day when everything had gone wrong. "My God! what am I going to do?" he burst out, as he hung up the receiver. "What is the matter?" Jane asked. He explained with an outburst of rage. "Are they hard to make?" "No, but they've got to be done day after to-morrow." "How many?" "Sixteen." "If I could get a couple of women to help, I might manage it for you." "Jane Judd, do you mean it? Get somebody; pay 'em anything; but get 'em here and let's begin." "Have you got the stuff?" "No, but I'll telephone for it and get it here special." "Go ahead. Don't forget thread and needles." While he was telephoning, Bobs appeared at the door. "Look here, Jane; Jerry Paxton is absorbing entirely too much of your time. I'm wearing stockings with holes in them." "I was just coming to tell you that something has gone wrong with some costumes, and I've offered to get somebody to help me, and make them for him." "Upon my word, is there anything else you can do for the pampered darling? Jinny Chatfield and I could help you." "Thanks." Bobs ran off to get her assistant, and when the stuff arrived Jane had three pairs of hands waiting for Jerry. "Bobs, Jinny, I can't take your time like this, you old dears." "Don't blather, Jerry; explain the design," said Jinny. He laughed and held up a drawing which both women inspected. "Heavens! I don't know how to cut that," exclaimed Bobs. "No more do I," said Jinny. "Let me look at it," Jane remarked, and they all waited for her comment. "Does this hang straight, neck to hem?" she asked. He explained it carefully to her. "I think I can cut it; then I'll pin it on you, Miss Roberts, and if it's right we'll cut them all at once." "Heaven be praised for Jane," said Bobs. Jane went to work. For the next two hours they worked over it, Jerry explaining, Jane executing. Jerry was nervous and spoke impatiently now and then, but Jane was calm. In the end the gown was cut and basted and hung on tired Bobs. Then Jane ripped it up, to cut all the rest by it, and real work began. Jerry had to go to rehearsal, so he left them hard at it. "You've saved my life, you three blessed, stitching old Fates," said he. "What more could any woman ask?" said Bobs. To the astonishment of everybody, Jane Judd laughed at that. CHAPTER IV It is certain that Jerry drove those three women like sweat-shop slaves until the costumes were finished. Jane struck on the second afternoon. "We must have our dinner sent in to us. I can't stop to get it," she said. "All right; only for the love of the prophets, don't stop." "How do you spell 'profits,' Jerry?" said Bobs. "It's outrageous for you to work us like this."