"An actor?" he repeated, "I be an actor? I never thought of it, and then, how could I become an actor in the States when I can hardly speak English correctly?"
"That part of it is all right, Ed. I have a friend, who is now writing a new play, and there will be a Frenchman in it, and you would be just the man to take that role."
"Well, but I have never done any acting; in fact, I know absolutely nothing about it," he said.
"There is a beginning to everything. Your voice is good. You are tall and handsome,'' she added smilingly.
"Oh, bosh! Nellie, you are making fun of me. I know I was not born to be an actor, and never will be one."
"Won't you try for my sake?" she asked him pleadingly.
"For your sake, Nellie, I would do anything, but please don't ask me to make a fool of myself."
"No, no, nothing of the kind, Edward. You can take lessons in elocution, and later try the role I spoke about."
"Take lessons in elocution? Dear, it takes money and time to do these things, and while I have the time I lack the other.
"I will loan you the money, Edward, and later, when you make lots of it, you will pay it back to me. Can I tell my friend, the author, that I have his man for the role of the Frenchman?"