"But what can I do?" asked Martha, helplessly.
"Dismiss the audience. I will not appear without the proper costume."
"Oh, dear—please—"
"I will not act."
"But we can get some other boots—"
"I tell you, I will not act."
"For my sake—for the company's sake—"
"I must think first of my art," almost shouted Lawrence. "The critics are in front. If they saw me in boots not in keeping with the costume, they would say I dressed the part wrongly. I would be ruined."
Zinsheimer dragged the frantic leading man to one side. "Come here," he cried. "She's got enough to worry her to-night without you. Now, do you want the German prince to appear with a black eye?"
"But heavens, man, what am I to do?" protested Lawrence. "Look at me. I want my boots."