Then, too, the "human grouch," Pepper Sneed, seemed always to find some new objection to raise, or some dire calamity to predict. And as for Mr. Bunn, he made many protests at roles he considered incongruous with his dignity. Once he wanted the story of a play so changed that he might give an impersonation of Hamlet in a setting that included a Western mining cabin, and when he was refused by the manager he grew quite indignant. "You might as well try to introduce Macbeth in the clown act," declared Mr. Pertell. Several times Ruth and Alice had expressed a desire to try a little part in one of the dramas, but their father would not listen. At last, however, their chance came. Mr. DeVere had just completed his role in a difficult part, and Russ, with his camera, had been shifted over to film another play, a few of the scenes of which were laid in the studio, the others being set out of doors. "Well, aren't those two young ladies here yet?" asked Mr. Pertell, coming out of his office, as he noted a delay. "Not yet," answered Mrs. Maguire, who was to have a part in the act. "They said they'd be early, too." "That's always the way when you want someone in a hurry," stormed the manager. "Here we are holding things up just because Miss Parker and Miss Dengon aren't here. It wouldn't taken them five minutes to do their parts, either." "Well, I can't wait much longer," said the principal actor, who was to take a part with the young ladies who were missing. "I've got to get that train, you know, Pertell." "Yes, I know!" was the answer, as the manager snapped shut his watch. "I can't see what's keeping them. This gets on my nerves!" "What is it?" asked Mr. DeVere, coming from his dressing room. "Anything I can do to help you?" "No, but two extra young girls I hired for certain parts are missing, and this thing ought to go on. Harrison has an important engagement, and can't wait either. I didn't count on this emergency, though usually I allow for delays. If I only had two girls now--Say!" he cried, as he looked over at Ruth and Alice. "They might do it--they might fill in! How about it, Mr. DeVere; would you let them substitute in this drama? It's a simple thing, and with two minutes' coaching they can do it. That will let Harrison get his train, and I can go on with the next scenes. Will you girls try?" he asked, appealing to them. CHAPTER XV JEALOUSIES Alice hesitated, but only a moment, and, while Ruth was looking at her father, the younger girl exclaimed: "Oh, do let us try! I don't know that we could do it, Mr. Pertell, but let us try! Won't you, Daddy?"