“Oh, that wouldn’t do at all! He explained it to me,” said Marion, a little dubiously. “The public insist upon having foreigners, so he is obliged to fool them. And, besides, Dollie, my name would not suit for another reason—I’m only a country girl, who has had her name in all the papers.”
“You have, indeed, but it was always as a heroine!” said Dollie, proudly. “First they told all about your rescuing me, and then the way they spoke of you at the fire was simply delightful!”
“Well, I’ve had quite enough of it,” said Marion, decidedly. “I shall be glad to be able to stay in the background in future.”
“I wish I could be there to hear you sing,” said Dollie, plaintively, “but I don’t feel very strong yet, and, besides, Mrs. Haley is coming this evening, you know, and I shall surprise her when I tell her that you are singing in a concert.”
“I hope I have done right in keeping it from her,” said Marion, slowly. “Some way, I was afraid she would not approve of my singing in public.”
“If she only knew your motive!” sighed Dollie, plaintively.
“She must never know,” was Marion’s decided answer.
“See here, Dollie, what I am to wear,” said Marion later, as she was opening a bundle. “They have loaned me a dress, because mine is not suitable, and I had to bring it home to see if it needed to be altered.”
She took out a pretty silk dress that just suited her complexion, but both girls were horrified to find that it was very low in the neck, and had no sleeves whatever.
“I don’t mind about the sleeves so much,” said Marion, blushing, “but I’ll never wear a low neck like that, never!”