Watching Merry, Havener observed:
"That chap has the making of a first-class actor in him. He will come out on top, if he sticks to the profession."
When Frank was not on the stage, however, he found enough to worry him.
Old Dan Lee was in no condition to play his part. The old man had proceeded to turn half a pint of whisky down his throat immediately on hearing the box office had been attached, and he was about as near drunk as he could be and keep on his pins.
Cassie came to Frank.
"Can't you do something to stop pop from drinking any more?" she fluttered. "He's got a quart of stuff in his dressing room, and he takes a drink every time he comes off the stage. He'll never get through to the last curtain if he keeps it up."
"How do you know he has the stuff?"
"Why, I watched him—followed him—saw him drinking."
"Does he know you saw him?"
"Yes."