"Come and look at them!" said Aunt Gerty to me, and we went and looked through the rent in the curtain, for that was the hole in the wall the girl looked through. There was George and Lady Scilly talking away as if Mother and her triumph hadn't existed. I think George was cross, but I really couldn't tell. Mother wouldn't have me in her room at all this time, and I lounged about with Aunt Gerty till it all began again. Mother didn't do this next act so well, at least Aunt Gerty said not, and scolded her. "I can't help it, Gertrude," Mother said. "I thought George would have----" "Never fear! He'll hold out till the end of the play. Then he'll be round here bothering as sure as my name is Gertrude Jenynge!" And her name is Gertrude Jennings, which is pretty near, and in the third piece of acting, when Mother was not on much, I heard George's voice asking to be taken to her. "Miss Jennings left word she was not to be disturbed this wait." "I'm her husband." "Very likely, sir!" The man sneered. He didn't get in, and he stood there neglected by the staircase till the beginning of the next and last act, as they said it was. I dared not go and speak to him, for he looked so cross, and I was also afraid he would carry me away to the box with Lady Scilly, so I just slipped behind a bit of scenery and observed. Presently Mother came softly out of her room and passed George leaning on the rail of the staircase leading to her dressing-room. She nodded and laughed. "Wait for me, George, please. Kate, take this gentleman to my room----" And she went gaily on to the stage. I followed George and Kate to Mother's room, and discovered myself to him. He made no fuss, simply looked right through me, and began walking up and down while Kate sewed a button on to something. We heard the clapping from the front quite distinctly. George ground his teeth. Then Kate slipped out and Mother came in alone, panting, and took hold of the dressing-table as if she was drowning. "I've saved the piece!" said she almost to herself, and then to George, "I'm an artist. Oh, George, why weren't you in front to see me in the best moment of my life?" "When I married you, Lucy----" George stuttered. "Yes, but that wasn't nearly such an occasion! Oh, George, forgive me, and don't spoil all my pleasure." "Pleasure!" said George, as if he was disgusted. "Here comes Jim Aix to congratulate me. Poor Aix, he is so pleased...." She burst into tears as Mr. Aix came in. He took absolutely no notice of George, but just caught hold of Mother's hands and said several times over-- "Thank you! Thank you! Bless you! Bless you! Good God! You are crying----" "It is my husband there, who grudges me my success! He does, he does! Oh, George, for shame! I did it for Ben--for our son--to be able to send him to college. I have made a hit--quite by accident--and you grudge it me!"