It is probable that the other actors of Ruth’s company were as much startled by this ultimatum as Joe Rumph himself. The dwarf had become so accustomed to thinking of himself as being invaluable to Ruth in the making of her picture that her easy acceptance of his threat to leave came as an unpleasant surprise to him.
He stared at Ruth as if doubtful whether or not to believe his ears. He started to speak, thought better of it, and with a horrible frown on his heavy-featured face, turned and stalked off the “lot.”
Tom, who had been watching the scene with clenched fists, ready to chastise Rumph if his manner became too offensive, hurried up to Ruth.
“It’s all right, Tommy-boy,” she said quickly and so softly that no one else could hear. “I’ve been just waiting for this chance. I’m so happy that he gave me the opportunity. Now you just watch me!”
She called to Carlton Brewer, the actor who had played the chum of the hero and who, in Ruth’s estimation, possessed unusual acting ability.
With a wave of her hand she summoned Abe Levy, the make-up man, and the three drew a little aside from the others, talking eagerly and earnestly.
“Can you do it?” Ruth asked at last of Levy. “Can you make him into the kind of cripple who will arouse a sort of reluctant sympathy from the audience even in his villainies but that will not shock their sensibilities by a too-hideous deformity?”
“Can I!” retorted Levy, with all the enthusiasm of a genuine artist. “You watch me, Miss Fielding! You just keep your eye on me! If I don’t turn out the finest hunchback you ever saw inside of half an hour, then my name ain’t Abe Levy and I’m here to tell the world about it!”
Carlton Brewer stepped close to Ruth. It was evident that he was deeply moved and was finding it difficult to express what he felt.
“I can’t tell you what it means to me, Miss Fielding,” he said gruffly. “This chance to prove that I’m something besides a glorified extra. I’ll make good if it’s in me—and that’s a promise!”