"Meanwhile, we're on our beam ends."
"You say 'we.' You identify yourself with these people—these poor little stranded actors?"
"Oh, yes, I'm one of them. A poor little stranded actor, too."
"You're not going to desert them?"
"No. We'll sink or swim together. You see, I've got rather fond of two of the 'poor little stranded actors'—my companions in misery; Ed Binney, who's very ill, really, and oughtn't to be acting—a good fellow, if ever there was one; and Miss de Lisle, the star——"
Lesley's face changed slightly, and her lips opened, but she did not speak.
"Who will perhaps some day marry a great friend of mine in New York."
"Oh! So you have a friend in New York?"
"Yes, one. He paints menus in the Twelfth Street Restaurant where I was a waiter."
"How you have changed!" exclaimed Lesley. "But perhaps it's only circumstances?"