Peggy glanced down at her simple, peasant skirt and blouse. It was pretty, but hardly spectacular like Alison’s attire. For a moment she wished that she had thought of bringing more colorful everyday clothes—was it good advertising for the theater perhaps?—but then she laughed at herself. “You’re just a little bit envious, Peggy Lane, and you know it! Now just forget about clothes, and tend to your knitting!”
Her cue came, and she jumped back into her part with gusto, really enjoying it now that she had caught the flavor of Miriam. She found that playing with Alison was fun. She was even better than Peggy remembered. She had a certain awareness of herself, a special “here I am” quality that would make an audience notice her. She wasn’t a very deep actress, but she had poise and presence and moved the play along.
Chuck was pleased with the reading. He looked at his watch and called a break. “Take five. Chris ought to be here any minute, and there’s no point in going on now without him.”
The cast paused for coffee, waiting for their leading man to arrive. Chris Hill, who was to play the part of Bill opposite Alison in Dear Ruth, was the only cast member Peggy hadn’t met. He had been held up in New York with a last-minute television show, and was due on the ten-thirty bus.
“What’s he like?” Peggy asked Rita as she broke off a piece of doughnut to share with her. The cast kept snacks in an old-fashioned icebox on the patio.
“Oh, he’s lovely!” Rita grinned mischievously. “He’s quite tall and very blond, tanned and terribly handsome, blue eyes, a great smile, romantic—”
“Really! He’s all that, hm?” Peggy teased back. “Well, all I want to know is, can he act?”
“He certainly can. I’ve worked with him before—” Rita looked at Peggy curiously. “It will be very interesting to see your reaction to Chris. It’s a shame that you didn’t have a chance to meet him before and more or less prepare yourself.”
“Oh, Rita!” Peggy exclaimed, shaking her head in protest. She didn’t know what a picture she was with the sunlight striking her dark hair and framing her pretty face. Rita watched her, noticing the fine, high cheekbones, straight nose, and soft, wide mouth.
“You really have a captivating quality, Peggy,” Rita said thoughtfully. “I wouldn’t be surprised if Chris Hill is quite taken with you.”