“Not after the first act,” replied Janet.
But Margie’s costumes did fit. It was as though they had been made for Janet.
The action of the play moved more rapidly, swirling closer and closer around the Chinese image on its pedestal in the garden.
Finally came the third act with Janet, clumsy, jubilant Janet, accidentally knocking over the image, which burst open when it struck the stage floor and there, inside the figure of clay, was the secret of the image and the continued comfort of the Naughtons—a ruby, so perfect, so beautiful, that it was worth an exceedingly large fortune.
Before Janet knew it the curtain came down for the final time and on its echo came a sustained wave of applause. First the cast, then Miss Williams, and then the cast, answered the steady calls for their appearance. When Janet and Helen, coming out hand in hand, took a bow, the applause reached a new peak and then died away as the audience, satisfied as having paid tribute to the two stars of the show, prepared to leave the spacious gymnasium.
There was the usual crowd on the stage, parents and friends rushing up to congratulate members of the cast and over in one corner Janet saw Miss Williams signing her name to a paper that looked very much like a contract. Without doubt the dramatics instructor had earned her contract with the producing company.
“I’m tired,” announced Helen, in a very matter-of-fact manner.
“I suppose I am, too, but I’m still far too excited to realize it,” replied Janet. “Here come the folks.”
Her father and mother, closely followed by Helen’s parents, were pushing their way through the crowd.
“I’m mighty proud of you two,” said John Hardy as he gave each of them a hug.