He looked from Cottontop to Stucky and then back to Cottontop again, but there were no volunteers. "I couldn't be it if I wanted to," Cottontop explained. "I'm too big to be a girl, and besides, there'd be nobody to take my part." Then Stucky felt that he must have himself excused. "My voice is changin'," he said, purposely causing his voice to crack and waver. "Hear how it acks! I couldn't be a girl with a voice like that. Everybody'd be onto me in a second." It seemed to be up to Cathead, but without waiting to be so informed Cathead began to bawl excitedly: "I won't be a girl! I won't be a girl! And if you don't shut up I won't be in your ol' show at all!" It was at this point that Biscuit Westfall appeared in the doorway, where he paused, a little uncertain as to his welcome; for the attitude of the other boys towards him was subject to change without notice. Sometimes he was tolerated; often he was told to go home; and more often he was tormented until he was glad to retire. Biscuit's life was too sheltered, his character too beautiful to make good company of him. Had he butted into the theater on the day previous he would have been unceremoniously kicked out; but to-day he was hailed with delight. "We was jus' talkin' about you, Biscuit," Sube began cautiously. "We was wonderin' if you could take a part in our show." Biscuit was overjoyed. His confidence was restored, and he entered without misgivings as he cried: "_Can_ I? CAN I? Say! Watch me! _Watch_ me!" Sube scratched his ear dubiously. "You've said a mouthful, Biscuit: _can_ you! It's a pretty hard part. Cathead, there, has been teasin' us to let him take it, but we don't think he can do it." Cathead considered that this was placing him in a false position and tried to protest; but Biscuit drowned him out. "Say! I've took part in everything they've had in Sunday School ever since I was a littie-bittie baby! I can take any ol' part!" "Can you plead?" asked Sube. "Can I plead? _Can_ I! Say! You jus' oughta hear me when I get started--" "Did you ever take a girl part?" Biscuit frowned. "I could, but I don't want to. If it's a girl part, let Cathead have it, and I'll take some other part." A long argument followed, but Biscuit was stubborn. He would not be a girl under any circumstances. So rather than abandon the part Sube reluctantly permitted the child character to be changed from female to male. Cathead gladly assumed the cares and burdens of a drunken parent, and the rehearsal proceeded. It had not gone very far, however, when Biscuit discovered that he was not to participate in the bacchanalian revel, but was to linger about the doorway pleading with his father to come home with him. Then there was trouble again. Biscuit refused to go on with the part unless he was allowed to drink and have fun in the saloon like the other boys.