"You are getting to be a close observer," remarked Ruth, with just the hint of sarcasm in her voice. "Oh, Alice, do finish buttoning your gloves in the house!" she exclaimed. "It looks so careless to go out fussing with them." "All right, sister mine. Anything to keep peace in the family!" laughed the younger girl. Together they went down the street, a charming picture of youth and happiness. A little later they entered the studio of the Comet Film Company, a concern engaged in the business of making moving pictures, from posing them with actors and actresses, and the suitable "properties," to the leasing of the completed films to the various theaters throughout the country. Alice and Ruth DeVere, of whom you will hear more later, with their father, were engaged in this work, and very interesting and profitable they found it. As the girls entered the studio they were greeted by a number of other players, and an elderly gentleman, with a bearing and carriage that revealed the schooling of many years behind the footlights, came forward. "I was just wondering where you were," he said with a smile. His voice was husky and hoarse, and indicated that he had some throat affection. In fact, that same throat trouble was the cause of Hosmer DeVere being in moving picture work instead of in the legitimate drama, in which he had formerly been a leading player. "We stopped a moment to speak to Mrs. Dalwood," explained Ruth. "Clam chowder," added Alice, with a laugh. "She's going to have it this evening, Daddy." "Good!" he exclaimed, rubbing his hands together in a manner that indicated gratification. "I was just hungry for some." "You always seem able to eat that," laughed Alice. "I must learn how to make it." "I wish you would!" exclaimed her father, earnestly. "Then when we are on the road I can have some, now and then." "Oh, you are hopeless!" laughed Alice. "Here is your latch-key, Daddy," she went on, handing it to him. "You left it on your dresser, and as Ruth and I are going shopping when we get through here, I thought you might want it." "Thank you, I probably shall. I am going home from here to study a new part." The scene in the studio of the moving picture concern was a lively one. Men were moving about whole "rooms"--or, at least they appeared as such on the film. Others were setting various parts of the stage, electricians were adjusting the powerful lights, cameras were being set up on their tripods, and operators were at the handles, grinding away, for several plays were being made at once. "Just in time, Ruth and Alice!" called Russ Dalwood, who was one of the chief camera men. "Your scene goes on in ten minutes. You have just time to dress." "It's that 'Quaker Maid;' isn't it?" asked Ruth, for she and her sisters took part in so many plays that often it was hard to remember which particular one was to be filmed. "That's it," said Russ. "Don't forget your bonnets!" he laughed as he focused the camera.