When they all came together for rehearsal again the second day, Hester Grimes was present and she showed the effect of Mr. Mann's personal help. Yet her work was so stiffly done, and she was so awkward, that it seemed to most of the girls that she was bound to hurt and hinder rather than help in the production.
"She'd put a crimp in anything," declared Bobby Hargrew, as the Hill girls went home that afternoon.
The streets in this residential section had been pretty well cleared of snow, and people had their automobiles out once more.
"Say it," urged Josephine Morse. "I promise not to bite you."
"If Hester plays that part, what are they going to do with her hands and feet?" asked the unkind Bobby.
"Well, when she's supposed to pick the rose and hold it up to the light, and kiss it, her hand is going to look like a full-grown lobster--and just as red."
"Girls, we must not!" begged Laura. "Somebody will surely tell Hester what we say, and then--"
"Oh, fine, _fine_!" murmured one of the Lockwood twins.
"If we get her mad it will do no good," Nellie Agnew said. "Maybe then she will insist on being 'the dark lady.'"
The boys were on the corner of Nugent Street waiting for the girls to come along.
"How goes the battle, Laura?" asked Lance Darby. "Have you learned your part yet?"
"I thought I had," sighed Laura. "But when I come to take cues and try to remember the business of the piece, I forget my lines."
"This being leading lady is pretty tough on Mother Wit," laughed Chet.
"Oh, my!" exclaimed Bobby Hargrew suddenly. "Here comes Pretty Sweet in his car. Why! he's got Lil with him. I thought that was all over."
They gaily hailed the driver of the automobile and his companion as the vehicle passed. Short and Long, with gloomy face, watched the car out of sight.
"Well," he growled, "he's got nonskid-chains on his wheels to-day, all right."
"Chains on his wheels, Billy?" asked Bobby. "What do you mean? Doesn't he always have them on in winter?"
"Hey, Billy!" exclaimed Chet Belding, "you are skidding yourself, aren't you?"
"Least said soonest mended," added Lance, likewise giving the smaller boy a quick, stern look.
"Oh, I see!" muttered Bobby, searching the flushed face of Short and Long. "Say, Billy----"
