The principal was much disturbed. He prided himself upon the prompt performance of all school exercises. In this case, his own son helped to cause the failure.
"Nothing," answered Miss Ellingwood helplessly. "They have the principal parts. They're the play."
"Couldn't any one take their places?"
"No, not possibly. All the Junior boys are in the tableaux, and anyhow, no one knows the lines. I could do it myself, but I have to direct behind the scenes. It is hopeless."
"We'll have to postpone it till after Christmas, I suppose?"
Miss Ellingwood sat down wearily on the nearest chair.
"Oh, I can't! All the spirit will have gone out of it. And it's a Christmas play!"
"Then we will have to give it up."
Miss Ellingwood looked at him dismally. Then her brows knitted. Could she take the parts? Could they manage the tableaux without her? It would make no difference whether the ghosts were men or women. Anything would be better than postponement.
"Perhaps," she began slowly. "No, it can't be done. I suppose a notice will have to be put up on the door, and if you will send Eugene for some of the boys, we will straighten up the stage. The case is hopeless."