“That’s exactly what I mean. You’ve got to do it. You’re the only one who knows the lines.”
“But I’m afraid I’ll make a terrible mess of things; I’ll spoil the whole show.”
“You can’t, Janet, you can’t.” There was desperate entreaty in Miss Williams’ words. “I’ve heard you repeating Margie’s lines to yourself at rehearsal. You know them all and you know the action. Just imagine that you were originally picked for the rôle. You can handle it, I know.”
“Come on, Janet. This is our chance. We’ll be playing together tonight. I need you to steady me.” It was Helen speaking, saying she needed Janet to steady her.
Janet smiled to herself. She would be the one who would need bolstering.
Miss Williams came up.
“I’ve found one of the boys with a car. He’ll take you home and bring you back with a costume for the first act. I don’t want to hold the curtain unless absolutely necessary.”
“I’ll make it,” promised Janet.
There was no one at home and she rushed upstairs and dove into the large wardrobe in her room. She had been wondering all the way home what to select. Probably that pale green silk print. She’d only worn it once or twice, and never to anything at school.
Janet seized the dress, slipped out of the smock and everyday dress she had worn under that, and wiggled into the cool, crisp silk. Stockings and shoes were changed in a flash. Pausing just a moment before her mirror, she brushed her hair vigorously until the light caught all of its natural golden glints. Then she ran down stairs, breathless from the rush.