"Think of something new for us to do." "If I supply the idea, will you make me director?" "We'll make you prime minister, court chamberlain, anything you like!" "Good. The thing will be called the 'Pageant of the Prophets.'" "What prophets?" "The old Biblical ones, but we'll draw on the entire Bible for our characters. We will build a palace throne room, Pontius Pilate's perhaps, or King Herod's, very gorgeous and beautiful. We can have groups, and friezes, and scenes; the costuming has infinite possibilities. We can have music and singing pilgrims. We can have dancing Salome, with her dripping head. Oh! it will be one magnificent spectacle!" "You are a genius!" cried Mrs. Brendon. "Granted. Then what?" "We will have you do it all. You shall design the whole thing, and direct it. Draw your plans and submit your terms. You are elected right now." "You are in earnest?" "Never more so." "Then accept my services as a poor return for your excellent tea." "Nonsense. That is a pretty speech, but you have to earn your own living, don't you?" "Alas, yes." "Then there is no reason why you should donate time and brains for nothing. This is a business proposition. Will you take it?" "With both hands and a grateful heart." "You'll have to use both lobes of that boasted brain," she laughed. "What shall I be?" "Herodias, beautiful wife of King Herod," said Jerry without hesitation. "We'll give you a costume that will dazzle 'em!" "You shall paint me in it." "Delighted." "This has certainly been a lucky day for me. I'll call the directors in the morning, Mr. Paxton. We'll make our plans while you work out yours. Then we'll meet with you, and appoint our committees at once. Can you begin right away?" "If I can postpone some portrait sittings. I shall do my best." "If they are women sitters put them in the pageant, that will keep them busy. We must have you at once." "That's an idea. Au revoir. You have given me an eventful afternoon. My thanks." As he walked down the avenue toward his studio, Jerry's mind was in a whirl. The tap of his feet on the sidewalk made a time: "If I put this through, I've arrived. If I put this through, I've arrived." It was dusk when he climbed to his quarters and he hummed as he went. He threw open the door and rushed in. The big room was dark, save in the far corner, where a lamp was lit, with the shade off, so that an ugly glare lighted the face of the woman who sat beside it, mending socks. "Ah, Miss Jane Judd, is that you?" "Good afternoon," she answered, not looking up. Jerry sang gaily as he dumped his belongings on the divan. He lit a cigarette, and laughed aloud involuntarily. "Have you ever had _delirium tremens_, Miss Judd?" he demanded. She looked up without reply. "I've got a case right now." She went on with her work. He glanced at her, marked how the shadow from the lamp accentuated the bold modelling of her face, bringing out its mask-like quality.