Mr. Aix was standing quite near us, between a flat green tree and the wall of a temple. He looked almost handsome; I suppose it was the aroma of success, for certainly this _was_ a success. The audience seemed delighted with Mr. Bell, a great fat actor in boots, with frilled tops like an ancient Roman, who stood in the very middle of the stage raging away at Mother about something or other she had done. "Bell's in capital form to-night," said Mr. Aix, quite loud. "I'm pleased with him." "I hope I shall content you too," said Mother, who was shivering all over, and I don't wonder, for the draughts in this place were terrific. Kate handed her a bottle of smelling-salts. "Better by far have a B. and S.," said Mr. Aix. "No Dutch courage for me, thank you!" said Mother. "Tell me at once, is George and the cat in the box?" "They are, and Mr. Sidney Robinson and the Countess of Fylingdales. You must buck up, little woman, and show them what you can do!" "And what you can do!" she answered politely. "I shan't forget you have entrusted me with your play." "And, by Jove! you'll bring it out as no other woman could. You can----" "I'm on!" said Mother, suddenly, and shunted the shawl, and pushed forward and began to act. They clapped her at first and nearly drowned her voice, but she went right on and abused Mr. Bell in blank verse. I was glad Mr. Aix hadn't made her a laundress or a serio, but something nice and Greek and respectable. I stood there with Kate and Mother's shawl and Aunt Gerty, and never knew what it was to be so excited before! The Greek girl came up to me and said-- "Say, your mommer'll knock them!" Then they seemed to come to a sort of proper place to stop, and the curtain began to rattle down, and Mother and Mr. Bell were holding each other tight, like lovers, only I heard her say in a whisper, "Mind my hair!" They stayed there a long time looking stupid, even while the curtain was down and people were clapping all round. Then I saw why they did it, for it went up again, and again, and then they parted and took hands the last time, and looked straight in front of them and panted, while people shouted their names. Then the curtain came down again and Mr. Bell limped off, for, as he said, politely, Mother had been standing all the while on his best corn. She was so sorry, and he said it didn't matter, and he hoped he hadn't disarranged her hair. Oddly enough the clapping began again. Aunt Gerty jogged Mother, who stood near me looking quite giddy, and said "Take your call, silly!" Mr. Bell took her by the hand and made her walk along in front of the curtain that a man held back for her by main force, and then we heard the people roaring again, till it seemed more as if they thirsted for their blood than wanted to praise them. This happened twice. When they didn't seem inclined to clap any more she went off to her room with Kate, while Mr. Aix thanked her for making his play.