Carrie summoned up all her courage, which was little at best. She realised that she was a novice, and felt as if a rebuff were certain. Of this she was so sure that she only wished now to pretend she had called for advice.
“Can you tell me how to go about getting on the stage?”
It was the best way after all to have gone about the matter. She was interesting, in a manner, to the occupant of the chair, and the simplicity of her request and attitude took his fancy. He smiled, as did the others in the room, who, however, made some slight effort to conceal their humour.
“I don’t know,” he answered, looking her brazenly over. “Have you ever had any experience upon the stage?”
“A little,” answered Carrie. “I have taken part in amateur performances.”
She thought she had to make some sort of showing in order to retain his interest.
“Never studied for the stage?” he said, putting on an air intended as much to impress his friends with his discretion as Carrie.
“No, sir.”
“Well, I don’t know,” he answered, tipping lazily back in his chair while she stood before him. “What makes you want to get on the stage?”
She felt abashed at the man’s daring, but could only smile in answer to his engaging smirk, and say: