"I'd be pleased to do it!" he retorted, gaily.
"Oh, I suppose I can manage it," grumbled Mr. Sneed, fairly shamed into taking the part.
"Good!" exclaimed the manager. "Mr. Bunn, you will be one of the fire-fighters in the bucket brigade. You'll help pass the buckets of water along to put out the fire."
"What? I become a country fireman?" demanded the tall-hatted actor.
"Certainly."
"I refuse! I will take no such part. I cannot lower myself to it."
"Very well," said Mr. Pertell, calmly. "You may resign, but you know what it means—no more engagements."
"Oh, give me the screed," returned the actor, petulantly. "I'll do it!"
Preparations for the rural play went on apace. The barn-burning scene was only one of many, though it was the climax. Rehearsals began and Russ and Mr. Pertell decided on the barn incidents and the place where the roof was to be cut.
A carpenter had been engaged to do this properly, so that it would not show in the moving picture that the roof had been fixed in advance.