Still the big man frowned and compressed that wide mobile mouth. Peter, all alert., sniffing out the copy trail, noted that he was nervously clasping his hands. Now Doctor Wilde spoke, with a sudden ring in his voice that gave a fleeting hint of inner suppressions. “Will you kindly send word to Miss Wilde that her father is here and must see her at once?” The poet, surprised, sent the message. Peter heard a door open, down by the stage. He pressed forward, peering eagerly. A ripple of curiosity and friendly interest ran through that part of the audience that was already seated. A young man called, “What's your hurry, Sue?” and there was laughter. Then he saw her, coming lightly, swiftly up the side aisle; in the boy costume--the knickerbockers, the torn stockings, the old coat and ragged hat, the tom shirt, open at the neck. She seemed hardly to hear the noise. Her lips were compressed, and Peter suddenly saw that she in her fresh young way looked not unlike the big man at the door, the nervously intent man who stood waiting for her with a scowl that wavered into an expression of utter unbelief as his eyes took in her costume. Hy came up just then with the tickets, and Peter hurried in after Doctor Wilde; then let Hy and the Worm move on without him to their seats, lingering shamelessly. His little drama was on. He had announced that he would vivisect this girl! He studied her. But she saw nothing but the big gray man there with the deeply lined face and the pale eyes--her father! Peter noted now that she had her make-up on; an odd effect around those deep blazing eyes. Then the two were talking--low, tense. Some late comers crowded in, chatting and laughing. Peter edged closer. “But you shouldn't have come here like this,” he heard her saying. “It isn't fair!” “I am not here to argue. Once more, will you put on your proper clothes and come home with me?” “No, I will not.” “You have no shame then--appearing like this?” “No--none.” “And the publicity means nothing to you?” “You are causing it by coming here.” “It is nothing to you that your actions are a public scandal?” With which he handed her a folded paper. She did not look at it; crumpled in in her hand. “You feel, then, no concern for the position you put me in?” Doctor Wilde was raising his voice. The girl broke out with--“Listen, father! I came out here to meet you and stop this thing, settle it, once and for all. It is the best way. I will not go with you. I have my own life to live, You must not try to speak to me again!” She turned away, her eyes darkly alight in her printed face, her slim body quivering. “Sue! Wait!”