“But you can really act,” Ruth said honestly. “I watched you to-day.”
“I should be able to act. I come of a family who have been actors for generations. Acting is like breathing to me. But, of course, it is another art to ‘register’ emotion in the face, and very different from displaying one’s feelings by action and audible expression. You know, one of our most popular present-day stage actresses got her start by an ability to scream off-stage. Nothing like that in the movies.”
“You should hear Jennie Stone with a black ant down her back,” put in Helen, with serious face. “I am sure Heavy could go the actress you speak of one better, and become even more popular.”
“I am not to be blamed if I squeal at crawly things,” sniffed the plump girl, hearing this. “See how brave I am in most other respects.”
But that night Jennie exhibited what Tom called her “scarefulness” in most unmistakable fashion, and never again could she claim to be brave. She gave her chums in addition such a fright that they were not soon over talking about it.
The three college girls had cots in a small shack that Mr. Hammond had given up to their use. It was one of the shacks nearest the shore of the harbor. Several boat-docks near by ran out into the deep water.
It was past midnight when Jennie was for some reason aroused. Usually she slept straight through the night, and had to be awakened by violent means in time for breakfast.
She was not startled, but awoke naturally, and found herself broad awake. She sat up in her cot, almost convinced that it must be daylight. But it was the moon shining through a haze of clouds that lighted the interior of the shack. The other two girls were breathing deeply. The noises she heard did not at first alarm Jennie.
There was the whisper of the tide as it rolled the tiny pebbles and shells up the strand and, receding, swept them down again. It chuckled, too, among the small piers of the near-by docks.
Then the listening girl heard footsteps—or what she took to be that sound. They approached the shack, then receded. She began to be curious, then felt a tremor of alarm. Who could be wandering about the camp at this grim hour of the night?