The performers found the dressing nearly the greatest part of the fun. They arranged Volumnia's classical garments and ornaments, adjusted her gold fillet; draped the folds of Veturia's flowing robe, and persuaded Brutus to abandon spectacles for the occasion. "You forget we're supposed to be in _circum_ 490 B.C.," remarked Jessie Macpherson. "I shall be blind without them!" objected Brutus. "Never mind! You must catch hold of Sicinius's toga if you get into difficulties." "The Chinese used spectacles ages ago. Couldn't a pair of them have got imported into Rome?" "Certainly not. Those goggles of yours would spoil the whole classical spirit of the play, and I shan't allow them." "Well, I suppose I'll worry through somehow; but if I upset the rostrum don't blame me!" "You've just got to go through your part without upsetting anything, spectacles or no spectacles, or you'll have to settle with me afterwards!" observed Jessie grimly. By half-past three all the invited guests had arrived and taken their places in the dining-hall, where a temporary platform had been put up. From behind the curtains the performers could take surreptitious peeps and watch the arrival of the audience. Dulcie, with her eye at a tiny opening, reported progress to the others. "There's the Vicar! There's Mrs. Hargreaves with all the boys! There's Canon Hall! Oh, here's Mrs. Trevellyan, and Miss Herbert and Ronnie behind her!" "Where are they sitting?" asked Gerda. "Right in the middle of the front row. Do you want to peep?" "Thanks--just for a second. Tell me, is my beard all right? Miss Birks, or--anyone else--wouldn't know me?" "Not from Adam! What a fuss you make about your costume!" said Dulcie impatiently. "Nobody'll notice it all that much. There are ten others acting as well as yourself." "I'm glad you snubbed her," said Deirdre, as Gerda having taken her peep between the curtains, retired to the back of the stage. "She really needs it sometimes. It isn't good for people to let them get swollen head." "Are you all ready?" asked Miss Harding anxiously. "Then ring the bell, Marcia. Now, Rhoda, don't forget your cue, 'Satis verborum,' and remember to speak up. And, Doris, do put the right accent on 'Dulce et decorum est pro patria mori'. I shall be so ashamed if you get it wrong."