"Now all ready for act one!" exclaimed the impersonator as he made sure that Snap was in his place.
And then up went the curtain on the meadow scene!
CHAPTER XXIII
ACT II
There was a moment of silence when the curtain first went up, and then as the audience, many of them for the first time, saw the pretty meadow scene, there was loud clapping. For the opening act was very nicely gotten up. The scenery Mr. Brown had bought from the stranded vaudeville company had been so set up by Mr. Treadwell that it looked very natural.
"Why, bless me, if that don't look jest like my south meddar!" exclaimed old Mr. Tyndell, as he looked at the stage.
"Hush, father! The people will hear you!" whispered his wife.
"Wa'al, I want 'em to!" he went on. "That's a fine piece of meddar!"
Several sitting near the old farmer laughed, but no one minded it. And then, as the musicians began to play softly, Lucile stepped out from behind a make-believe stone in the meadow beside a pretend brook and began to sing her first song. Every one grew quiet to listen.