"All right, if you'll have it soon. I've got to get into my leopard skin and get down there early."
"Go tell Jane."
He discovered her in the kitchenette, and delivered the message. She nodded. Jerry entertained the invalid until Jane appeared with food; then he hurried off to dress, promising to return later and display himself as David.
In half an hour the door burst open unceremoniously and Jerry came in. Both women exclaimed. He was David, the goatherd, clad in a skin, carrying his sling. His splendid body was revealed and led up to the boyish beauty of his head. He had let his hair grow a trifle long for the occasion, so that it curled as softly as a Greek god's. The way his head rose from his shoulders was thrilling. But this impression of splendid youth was dimmed by his evident distress.
"This damned thing will be the end of me yet!" he cried. "The girl who was to be Salome has failed us."
"Jerry! What a shame!"
"Her mother is dangerously ill. Mrs. Brendon has just telephoned. She is trying to get a professional dancer. We've got to have somebody there. They're sending the costume here. Bobs, you could do it."
"Jerry, I can't stand up."
"Oh, Lord, there's Jinny. I'll get her."
He was gone only a moment.