Mr. and Mrs. Thorne were waiting for them in the living room, Helen’s mother looking very beautiful in a brown velvet gown while her father was distinguished in his dinner jacket.
Henry Thorne caught his breath as he looked at the girls in Roddy’s gowns.
“I knew Roddy was a wonder worker, but I didn’t know he could perform miracles. I’d hardly know you if I saw you any place else.”
“That’s a real compliment, Dad,” smiled Helen.
“Here’s something I thought you’d like to see.” He handed a copy of one of the evening papers to them. On the front page was one of the pictures taken at the airport with Janet and Helen between Mr. and Mrs. Thorne.
“Famous Director Brings Daughter and Friend West to start Their Careers in Movies,” was the caption over the picture. Underneath the story said: “Moviedom will get its first chance to see Henry Thorne’s daughter, Helen, and her companion, Janet Hardy, tonight at the premiere at the Queen’s Court. Both girls are slated for movie careers if their screen tests turn out all right. Their initial rôles will probably be in a new western which Bill Fenstow is casting now and plans to put into production next week.”
“We look pretty much ‘midwesternish’ in that picture,” observed Helen.
“What if you do? There are too many Hollywood types. What we need in pictures is fresh faces on girls who have ability. Come on now, we’ve got to hurry or we’ll be late.”
The big sedan was in the drive and Helen’s father had summoned a driver he employed when he needed a chauffeur to drive them that evening.
They turned out of the side street on which they lived into a main boulevard and whirled rapidly toward the Queen’s Court.