"I was in a hurry . . . he did not eat you, did he? . . . He's a good man. . . ." "Then leave your daughter alone with that good man!" retorted Janina harshly. "My daughter is not an actress," answered Sowinska. "Oh! . . . It doesn't matter . . . It's only a lesson for me," she whispered, turning away. She met Cabinski and, approaching him, asked, "Will you accept me, Mr. Director?" "You may consider yourself engaged," he answered. "As for your salary we shall speak of that another day." "What am I to play? . . . I should like to take the part of Clara in The Iron Master." Cabinski glanced at her sharply and covered his mouth with his hand so as not to burst out laughing. "Just a moment . . . just a moment . . . you must first acquaint yourself with the stage. In the meanwhile, you will appear with the chorus. Halt told me that you know how to play the piano and read notes. To-morrow I will give you some scores of the operettas we play and you can learn the chorus parts." Janina went to the dressing-room and had scarcely opened the door, when someone pushed her back, slammed the door in her face and called out angrily: "Upstairs with you! that is where the chorus girls belong!" She set her teeth and went upstairs. The dressing-room of the chorus was a long, narrow and low apartment. Rows of unshaded gaslights burned above long bare, board tables extending along the walls on three sides of the room. The walls were covered with unbeveled and unpainted boards which were scribbled all over with names, dates jokes and caricatures, done in charcoal or rouge paint. On the bare wall hung a whole string of dresses and costumes. About twenty women sat undressed before mirrors of various shapes, and before each one there burned candles. Janina spying an unoccupied chair, near the door, sat down and began to look about her. "I beg your pardon, but that is my seat!" called a stout brunette. Janina stood aside. "Did you come to see someone? . . ." asked the same chorus-girl, rubbing her face with vaseline before applying powder. "No. I came to the dressing-room. I am one of the company," answered Janina rather loudly. "Oh, you are?" A few heads raised themselves above the tables and a few pairs of eyes were centered upon Janina. Janina told the brunette her name. "Girls! . . . this new one calls herself Orlowska. Get acquainted with her!" called the brunette. A few of those sitting nearest her stretched out their hands in greeting and then proceeded with their make-up. "Louise, loan me some powder." "Go buy it!" "Say Sowinska!" called down one of the girls through the open door to the lower dressing-room, "I met that same guy . . . you know! . . . I was walking along Nowy Swiat." "Tell it to the marines! Who would fall for such a scarecrow as you!" put in another. "I've bought a new suit . . . look!" cried a small, very pretty blonde. "You mean he bought it for you!" "Goodness, no! . . . I bought it from my own savings."