"Perhaps you need something else? . . . I have beautiful things for the theater." "No, I have all I want." "I will sell them cheap . . . as I'm an honest woman . . . cheap! They are just what you want for the theater." "I don't need anything." "May I die, if they are not dirt cheap! . . . These are such hard times." She replaced all her wares in the box and drew closer to Janina. "Perhaps you will give me a chance to make something? . . ." "I won't buy anything else, for I don't need it!" answered Jane, growing impatient. "I don't mean that!" The old woman began to whisper hurriedly "I know nice young men . . . do you understand, miss? . . . rich young men! . . . That is not my business, but they asked me to . . . They'll come to see you themselves . . . Nice, rich, young men." "What? . . . What?" cried Janina. "Why are you so excited, Miss?" "Get out of here, or I'll call the servant!" shouted Janina. "Goodness, what a temper! . . . I knew at least ten ladies, who were the same as you in the beginning and afterwards they were ready to kiss my hands, if only I would introduce them to some gentleman . . ." She did not finish, for Janina opened the door, and pushed her out. At the theater she met Sowinska on the veranda, and immediately, in the politest manner, asked her if she did not know of some room she could rent with a private family. "Ah, that just fits in fine! . . . If you wish, there is a room in our house that you may have. We can let you have it cheap, together with your meals. It is a very nice room on the lower floor, with windows facing the south, and a separate entrance from the hall." They agreed on the price and Janina said she would pay her a month's rent in advance. "So that all's settled!" said Sowinska. "You will find our house very quiet, for my daughter has no children. . . . Come, I will show you the room." "Not until after the rehearsal; and if you haven't the time to wait, leave me the address and I will find the place myself." Sowinska gave her the address and went away. Janina was handed her notes and took part in the rehearsal, singing from them. Kaczkowska wanted Halt to accompany her at the piano. "Give me a rest, madame! I have no time!" he answered. "If you wish, madame, I will accompany you, providing it is from notes . . ." proposed Janina. Kaczkowska drew her eagerly away to the room with the piano and kept her busy for about an hour; but the whole company at once became interested in this chorus girl who could play the piano. Afterward Cabinska spoke with Janina a long time, and requested her to come to her home the following day after the rehearsal. Janina went straight from the theater to Sowinska's house to look at her room. CHAPTER IV