“Oh, I guess not! You’re all right. I said that as soon as I saw you come onto the stage last night. I wondered if you looked as well off the stage as you do on it, and by gracious! I believe you look handsomer!” This was almost too much for Frank. He flushed painfully, which seemed to add to the girl’s enjoyment. “Miss Blaney!” he said, grimly, “I must say you are rather outspoken in your compliments.” “It’s a little way I have, my dear fellow. Why, I do believe you are blushing! Who ever heard of an actor that blushed! Ha! ha! ha!” Frank’s embarrassment increased. “Oh, say!” the girl went on; “don’t look at me that way. What do you care? I wanted to get acquainted with you, and there wasn’t any other way to do it.” “Then it would have been better not to do it at all. Aren’t you aware you are putting yourself in a very bad light by deliberately seeking the acquaintance of a man and making it in such a manner?” “Well, if you aren’t a queer actor!” she cried. “I have met lots of them, but I never struck one like you before. Usually they are ready enough to become acquainted.” “I am afraid you have judged all actors by the ones you have met in this irregular manner. There are honorable men who are actors, the same as there are honorable men in other professions.” The girl whistled softly. “Is that so? That’s all right! That’s why I wanted to meet you. I reckoned you were on the dead level.” “No man who is on the dead level will seek the acquaintance of any young lady in this manner.” “No? Oh, come off! I’ve met lots of fellows who were all right, and I never had an introduction to them, either. You must have old-fashioned notions in your head, and you are the last chap I’d ever thought had ’em. Why, I took you for a fellow who would be rather lively! You must be dead slow. You need somebody to wake you up.” “I am afraid you are not slow, miss!” exclaimed Merry, severely. “No, I’m not. I don’t like slow coaches. Oh, say, Frank, come out of it! What do you take me for?” “For a very foolish girl, Miss Blaney. I am sorry for you.” “Sorry! Oh, come off! You must belong to the Y. M. C. A.! By George! I didn’t think you would lecture me!” “I haven’t time to give you a lecture, but I think you should receive one. I’d like to talk with you a while, for I think I could show you the folly of what you are doing.” “Are you in earnest?” asked the girl, beginning to show astonishment. “Never more so in my life.” “Well, you beat the band! And I thought you were sporty!” “I hope I am not sporty in the way you mean.” “You must have wings sprouting! Are you kidding me? What are you doing?” “I am saying what I mean.” “And you do not believe in having a good time?” “On the contrary, I do believe in having a good time. I believe everybody should have a good time.” “Now you are shouting.”