“If you can do that, you’re a wonder!”
Frank did it. In fact, when he went on again, he was almost letter perfect. This time much of his business was with Dunton, who continued to wear a sneering expression on his face and did whatever he could to break Merry up. In this the young rascal failed, for Frank acquitted himself splendidly.
The instant the end of the act was reached, Havener said:
“We’ll go through that again.”
“The third act is the heavy one,” said Dunton. “I think we’ll have to go over that more than once, and we won’t have time if we repeat the first act.”
The stage-manager gave the fellow a withering stare.
“Look here, Dunton,” he exclaimed, “if you are managing this business, I’ll quit; if you are not, kindly permit me to give directions. That’s all. We will repeat the first act.”
The angry actor ground his teeth together and stalked off. Behind the scenes he found his especial chum, Arthur Sargent, and gave vent to his feelings.
“This is too much!” he snarled, guardedly. “Havener gives that upstart Merriwell the leading part in the piece, and then he calls me down twice before the fellow. I feel like punching somebody.”
“Punch Merriwell,” suggested Sargent.