A committee was swiftly formed. It consisted of the clergyman and certain parishioners. Nathan joined it for his family; Mr. Luscombe also joined, and Dennis promised that certain local antiquaries and the lord of the manor would assist the enterprise.
"While we are here," he said, "we may as well get the thing well advanced and decide about the characters. All those interested are here, so why not let me read through the old play as it stands? Then we'll settle the parts, and each can copy his or her part in turn."
"There's nothing like being fore-handed," admitted Nathan. "Let's have it by all means. We shall want young and old to play, if my memory serves me."
"We shall, and a good company to sing the songs that I hope to add. My sister, our organist, will undertake the music."
"And right well she'll do it, without a doubt," declared Nathan. "On all hands 'tis admitted how the church music has mended a lot since she took it up."
Mr. Masterman then read a version of the old play, and its ingenuous humour woke laughter.
"Now," said the vicar when his recital was at an end, "I'll ask those among us who will volunteer to act—ladies and gentlemen—to come forward. Especially I appeal to the ladies. They'll have to say very little."
"Only to look nice, and I'm sure that won't cost 'em an effort, for they can't help it," declared Nathan.
None immediately rose. Then Ned Baskerville strolled down the room.
"Best-looking young man in Shaugh," cried an anonymous voice.