"I've rather a fancy to try Shylock myself," Max declared. "Oswald would make a capital Bassanio, and you could manage Antonio all right if you tried, for he has not so much to do. Let me see: Peggy--Portia; Esther--Nerissa; Mellicent--Jessica (she's so like a Jewess, you see!); you and Oswald--Bassanio and Antonio; Shylock--my noble self. Father and mother to help out with the smaller characters. There you are! A capital cast, and everyone satisfied. I'm game to be Shylock, but I can't do the sentimental business. You two fellows will have to take them, and we'll divide the smaller fry among us." "Indeed, we will do nothing of the kind. I'm not going to take Bassanio; I couldn't do it, and I won't try. I'll have a shot at Shylock if you like, but I can't do anything else. The cast is all wrong, except so far as Peggy is concerned. Of course she is Portia." "Proposed, seconded, and carried unanimously that Peggy is Portia!" said Mr. Asplin, smiling across the table at that young lady, who tried to look modest and unconcerned, but was plainly aglow with satisfaction. "For Shylock, as the character seems so much in demand, we had better draw lots. I will write the names on slips of paper, and you must all agree to take what comes and make the best of it. I will fill in the gaps, and I am sure mother will help all she can----" "Lemonade in the intervals, and coffee for those who prefer it, with some of my very best company cake," said Mrs. Asplin briskly. "It will be quite an excitement. I should rather like to be Shylock myself, and defy Peggy and her decree; but I'll give it up to the boys, and make myself generally useful. Why couldn't we begin to-night?" "Oh, Mrs. Asplin, no! It will take me days to get up my part! And the costumes--consider the costumes!" cried Peggy anxiously. And her hostess raised her hands in surprise. "The costumes! Are you going to dress up? I never thought of that!" "Surely that is unnecessary, Peggy! You can read the play without changing your clothes!" echoed the Vicar; but, from the chorus of disclaimer which greeted his words, it appeared that the young people could do nothing of the sort. Max wanted to know how a fellow could possibly "talk Shylock" in a white tie and an evening jacket. Oswald thought it equally ridiculous to pose as an Italian lover in English clothing; and Peggy turned up her eyes and said she could not really abandon herself to her part if her costume were inappropriate. Even Esther, the sober-minded, sided with the rest, so the Vicar laughed and gave way, only too pleased to sanction anything which helped the object which he had at heart. "Dress up by all means, if it pleases you. It will be interesting to see the result. But, of course, I must be absolved from any experiments of the kind."