"And come back with plenty of money," put in Bobby, smiling. "This poor man's money doesn't help him much, does it? He doesn't seem to have any friends here in Centerport. He is just as much a stranger as the man they tell about who came back to his old home town after a great many years and found a lot of changes. As he rode uptown his taxicab stopped to let a funeral go by. "'Who's dead?' asked the returned wanderer of the taxicab driver. "'Dan Jones,' said the driver. "'Not Dan Jones that kept the hotel!' cried the man. 'Why, I knew him well. Can it be possible that Dan is dead?' "'I reckon he's dead, Mister,' said the chauffeur, as the hearse went by. 'What d'you think they're doin'--rehearsin' with him?'" "How very lonely the poor man must feel," said Mrs. Steele, after laughing at Bobby's story. "We're going in to see him the next time," Jess said. Mrs. Steele looked again swiftly at her daughter. "You will see him, too, won't you, Janet?" she murmured. Her daughter seemed not to like the idea; but Jess said quickly: "We will take Janet with us, Mrs. Steele. And Bobby, too. If Mrs. Langworth approves, I mean. 'The more the merrier.' Really, I'm awfully interested in him myself." Laura, said nothing; but she wondered why the invalid showed so much interest in the injured man. CHAPTER XI A REHEARSAL The copies of the play chosen for production by the girls of the Central High Players Club had arrived, and Mr. Mann, who was to direct the production, called the members of the club together in the small hall which was just off Mr. Sharp's office. "And thank goodness!" murmured Bobby Hargrew, "Gee Gee cannot break into this session. What do you suppose she has suggested?" "Mercy! how do you expect us to guess the vagaries of the Carrington mind?" returned Lily Pendleton. "Something foolish, I'll be bound." "Sh! Remember Mr. Mann is an instructor, too," said Nellie Agnew. "That is all right, Doctress," giggled Lily. "Mr. Mann is a good fellow and will not peach." "Tell us the awful truth, Bobby," drawled Jess. "What is Gee Gee's latest?" "I understand," said the younger girl, "that she has been to Mr. Sharp and begged him to exercise his authority and make us act 'Pyramus and Thisbe' instead of 'The Rose Garden.'" "Goodness! That old thing?" flung out Dora Lockwood. "There is a burlesque on 'Pyramus and Thisbe' that we might give," chuckled Jess. "And it's all in doggerel. Let's!" "Reckless ones! Would you spoil all our chances?" demanded Laura. "Aw--well----" "Remember, we are working for a worthy cause," Dorothy Lockwood mouthed, in imitation of the scorned Miss Carrington. "You are right, Dory," Laura said soberly. "The Red Cross is worth suffering for." "Right-o, my dear girl," declared Jess Morse with conviction. "Let us put aside Gee Gee and listen to what Mr. Mann has to say."