The music provided by the band inside the hall was of quite a different character. It was soft and subdued, full of rippling melody, and quite suited to the situation. Of course, the medley was given in the evening, as it was almost always called for by the audience, and some new features were introduced, such as sleighbells, tinkling cymbals and the shuffleboard to imitate dancing.
Some of the musicians acted as accompanists for the singing given at each performance, and furnished music for the dancing, so they were required to rehearse with the company regularly. Indeed, Havener was quite a stickler about the matter of rehearsals, no one being excused from them without good cause.
The band played through one of its new pieces, and then, in order to give Merriwell more time to run over his part, Havener had the singers go through with their songs for the evening performance.
And Frank was so utterly absorbed in his effort to commit as many lines as possible that he did not even notice when the rehearsal began.
At last, the time for him to go on arrived, and Havener appeared at his elbow, saying:
“If you can get along at the start without the manuscript, Merriwell, it will be better. I’ll take it and help you along. We’ve managed to go this far without a prompter.”
Frank did not stir. He sat with his eyes fastened on the page before him.
Havener touched his shoulder.
“Come, Merriwell,” he said, sharply.
Then Frank was aroused, and he got up quickly.