"Studying the people who passed?"
"In a way."
"All sorts and conditions in town during the fair. Good chance for a novelist to make copy."
"That's right. Now, I saw something to-night that might give one of these fiction fellows a cue. A fact here and there is all they want. Imagination does the rest."
"What did you see, if it is a fair question?"
"I saw a woman act in two scenes."
"Monologue?"
"No, she had company, but she was the star. Great woman that. I know her name, but I've never spoken to her. Wish I did know her. I'd ask her what her little play to-night might mean."
"Say," said Nick, with an eagerness that was not assumed, but which was purposely allowed vent, "you are exciting my curiosity. What was her play? But first let's smoke, unless you prefer liquid refreshment."
"No, a cigar suits me."