“Well,” he admitted reluctantly, “I just said that it might be interesting.”
“Oh, Bill, how will we ever be able to thank you!” Peggy’s face was flushed with gratitude. “And I’ll bet Chuck and Richard don’t know a thing about this—” She got up with every intention of telling them, but Bill put out his hand to stop her.
“No, please don’t, Peggy,” he pleaded. “They think we came out of simple curiosity and were pleasantly surprised. If the real story should get back to Max, it might hurt him dreadfully. I’d rather keep the whole thing as quiet as possible.”
“Of course,” Peggy agreed, sitting down again. “I hadn’t thought of that. Bill, what are you going to do about your brother? I’m sure he thought the theater would close, and he’ll be furious at this new development.”
“Well,” Bill said slowly, “he’s bound to know I had something to do with it, but he doesn’t have to know how much—until I prove to him that your theater isn’t the problem! I’ve already talked with Ford and together we’re going to try to improve our choice of films. Ford’s on my side about that.” He smiled ruefully. “If I’d only spoken to him before, Peggy! I guess it took a nudge from you to open my eyes!”
“Say! When’s this set coming down?” Gus Stevens asked everyone. “Do you people know what time it is?”
And it was late—so late that no one could think of leaving Gus and the boys to work all alone. Everyone, including Ford Birmingham and Mr. Vincent, pitched in to help. The wonderful night ended as the last flat was stacked away and Mr. Vincent, dusting himself off, waved good-by with the cheery promise, “Be seeing you next week at the Manor!”
Bill said good-by to Peggy, holding her hand for a moment as he reminded her, “Don’t forget, Peggy, if you’re grateful to me, that I have a lot to thank you for, too. A lot!”
“Well,” Chris observed as he watched Bill drive away with his friends, “I think there’s more to this than meets the eye! You two seem to know each other very well!” He looked at Peggy curiously as they started the walk back to the annex together under a bright night sky so clear that it looked like a canopy of diamonds.
“Oh, well, you heard the story of my meeting Bill Slade when I went to Mr. Bladen’s that day,” Peggy reminded him, hoping that it would satisfy Chris. She didn’t want anyone to know of their further talk.