“Didn’t she go before the curtain with the rest of us?” some one asked.
“But how strange, when she had the leading part.”
“I thought I heard them give her the yell.”
“Judy, Judy,” called Molly.
“Here I am,” answered a muffled voice from behind the scenery.
Presently Judy appeared, showing a face so white and tragic that her friends were shocked. With a tactful instinct most of the girls hurriedly gathered their things together and disappeared, leaving only the intimates in the green room.
“Why, Judy, dearest, why did you hide yourself, and you the leading lady of the company?” exclaimed Molly reproachfully, when all outsiders had departed.
“Don’t flatter me, Molly,” Judy answered, in a hard, strained voice.
“But you were,” said Molly, “and you acted beautifully.”
“I ruined the play,” said Judy angrily. “I ruined the entire business, and you made me do it.”