“I always wish thee success in all things good, John.”
“Then I hope the play will prove a good one.”
The supper was plain but palatable. Ben relished the hot tea, the buttered toast, the cold meat, and preserves, and ate heartily. It was in refreshing contrast to the cheap restaurant on the Bowery where he had been eating lately.
When supper was over Mr. Wilkins rose from the table.
“Now for business, Ben,” he said. “We must see what preparations we can make for to-morrow evening.”
He handed Ben a small manuscript book when they reached the study.
“This is your part,” he said. “Before each speech you will see a few words. That is the cue. They are the concluding words of the previous speaker.”
The little book contained ten pages, but nearly half of it was taken up by the cues.
“It is a disadvantage to you not to know the other parts and the general drift of the story, but these I can give you some idea of.”
Two hours were devoted to coaching Ben in his rôle. He was a quick student and had always been fond of public speaking. Also he had taken part at home in various little plays at Sunday-school and other entertainments, and Mr. Wilkins was much gratified by the rapidity with which he seemed to master his part.