"Is that a pun?" the teacher asked archly. "For that is why Agnes Kenway cannot act in the play. Bad marks."
"What's her heinous crime?" demanded the professor.
"Stealing," said the assistant principal, with twinkling eyes.
"Stealing! What did she steal?"
"Strawberries."
"My goodness! I'll pay for them," rejoined the director, quickly.
"I am afraid that will not satisfy Mr. Marks."
"What will satisfy him, then?" demanded the professor. "For I am determined to have that girl play Innocent Delight for me, or else I will not put on the play. I would rather shoulder the expense thus far incurred—all of it—than to go on with a lot of numskulls such as seem to have been selected for many of these important rôles. For pity's sake let me have at least one girl who shows talent."
Meanwhile Madam Shaw, the prima donna, came to Agnes after it was all over and put her arms tight around the young girl's shoulders.
"Who are you, my dear?" she asked, looking kindly down upon Agnes' blushing face.