They were all very fond of acting, and each form intended to prepare a play for the last week. The strictest secrecy was observed about rehearsals.
"We don't want the others to have a hint of what we mean to do," said Phœbe Stanhope; "they mustn't even know the name of our act."
"And we must make all our dresses here too," said Myfanwy, "and any wigs, or moustaches, or anything we need."
"Shall we have time?" enquired Aldred.
"Yes; Miss Drummond excuses sewing when we're getting up theatricals. We may have the room to ourselves the minute we've finished prep. It gives us a good hour every night, and that ought to be enough, if we work hard."
"What are we going to act?"
"That's just the question."
"It's so difficult to decide!" said Mabel.
"I have a kind of notion that both the Sixth and the Fifth have chosen scenes from Shakespeare," observed Agnes Maxwell. "They keep talking in such grand language, and making quotations that aren't particularly appropriate! When Lilian Marshall wanted to call me back for something yesterday, she said: 'Tarry, Jew: the law hath yet another hold on you!' and the others sniggered."
"Then they'll be taking the Trial Scene from the Merchant of Venice. Yes, I'm certain they must be, because Eleanor Avery has a lovely red dressing-gown that they'll use for Portia's robe."