At first Merry felt like following him. His own blood was throbbing hotly in his veins on account of the injustice with which he had been treated, but he had held himself in check with a firm hand. Frank had learned that the man who can master himself can master others, and his self-control was something remarkable. He quickly decided that it would be best to give Bart a chance to cool down somewhat. In the meantime, he would learn exactly what had happened on the stage. Merry hoped Bart’s sense of justice would reassert itself and would bring the hot-blooded fellow back with a desire to retract. As for Bart, he was so blind with passion that he actually stumbled against Stella Stanley as he hurried across the stage behind the rear setting. “Look out!” she exclaimed, with a short laugh. “Do you want to kill me?” “I feel like killing somebody!” panted Bart, glaring at her; “but not you—not you, Miss Stanley,” he quickly added. “Oh, you don’t want to take it that way,” she said. “You’ll get used to it after you have been in the business longer. We don’t get many call downs from Havener. I’ve been in companies where the stage manager would swear and tear around, and no member of the cast escaped being hauled over the coals.” “No man can call me down that way!” exclaimed Bart. “I won’t stand for it!” “What will you do?” “Quit.” “When?” “Now.” “You can’t.” “Why not?” “Your contract.” “Haven’t any.” “How’s that?” “Never had one.” “Why, I supposed every member of the company had a contract with Mr. Merriwell. How is it that you have none?” “Never made any with him.” “That’s queer; but you are friends, and I suppose he thought it was not necessary. You are bound by——” “Bound by nothing! Do you think I’ll stay to take such bullying? No! What difference did it make at rehearsal whether I made the exit by the tormentor or right upper?” “You know Havener insists on every member going through rehearsal exactly as he will play so far as entrances, exits and business are concerned. He is a stickler for that. He may allow some of us to chew our lines at rehearsal, but the business must be correct. Merriwell has given him entire charge of the stage, and——” “And he has chosen me to bully. That’s the size of it, Miss Stanley.” “Nonsense!” “There is no nonsense about it.” “Now, look here, Mr. Hodge, I like you——” “Do you?” exclaimed Bart, in mingled eagerness and doubt. “Of course I do, and I don’t want to see you make a bad break. What are you going to do if you quit the company?” “I don’t know. I don’t care.” “Oh, yes, you do care. Don’t make a mistake. We need you.” “No; I am not an actor—never was meant for one.” “You play the part you have been given.” “Because it does not require acting. It is a part that comes natural to me.” “Well, there’s nobody to fill your place now.” “It won’t be hard work to get somebody.” “I’m afraid it will.”