"Miss Hargrew," was the somewhat sharp answer, "I hope you will not let personal dislikes enter into this play. It does not matter who or what Miss Grimes may be, if she can take the part--"
"But she'll never be able to do it in the world!"
"That is to be seen," said Mr. Mann firmly. "Remember, we are working for the benefit of the Red Cross."
"Hear! Hear!" murmured Laura. "Perhaps Hester will do very well."
"And perhaps she won't!" snapped Bobby.
"Why, she can't possibly act!" Jess Morse said hopelessly.
"You will let me be the judge of that, Miss Morse, if you please," said Mr. Mann, speaking rather tartly.
"Mercy, everybody to-day is as crisp as pie-crust--no two ways about it!" whispered Bobby to Jess.
The girls plowed home through the deep snow, most of them in no mood for amusement. Even Laura Belding had a long face when she entered the house.
"How was the funeral?" asked Chet, who was buried in one of the deep library chairs with a book.