From the first night of Charley’s Aunt, Ford Birmingham’s review made its effect felt. There was a difference in everyone’s attitude now that the theater had gained status. Audiences improved nightly, and Richard said that if things kept up like this, the theater might even be able to recoup some of its losses.
“And this is the way summer stock should be,” Peggy thought as she greeted each day with the anticipation of a good rehearsal and a satisfying show. Now she could concentrate more fully on her part in For Love of Money. “A good thing, too, that I’m not worried about the theater at a time like this,” she realized. For as the week wore on, Peggy saw more and more that Alison had been right about the role of Janet. It was a long, demanding lead, and Peggy worked furiously, knowing that next week she would have to carry the show.
She found it a strange sensation to work opposite Chris. He was so good in his part and made it all seem so real that Peggy often caught herself wondering if she were in a play or doing something right out of life. At times she forgot herself completely. She was Janet Blake, a young girl who was gradually growing deeply fond of Preston Mitchell.
Alison was quite evidently annoyed at the developing friendship between Chris and Peggy. “Don’t forget, dear, that you’re supposed to be playing comedy,” she said to Peggy one day at rehearsal. “Sometimes I get a feeling that you think you’re doing Camille.”
Peggy was worried and hurt, wondering if Alison was right. “Do you think I’m funny enough?” she asked Rita privately. “Alison is finding fault with everything I do.”
“Well, are you going to listen to her or to your director?” Rita demanded. “Chuck seems satisfied with your work. Look, Peggy, Alison is jealous because you’re playing opposite Chris. I wouldn’t pay any attention to anything she says. My own private opinion is that you’re more interested in Chris than you think—”
“Rita!” Peggy blushed furiously. “Here we go again! It’s just that I like Chris enormously and—well—it is exciting to work with him!”
“I know!” Rita teased her. “It seems to me I told you something like that ages ago! Don’t say I didn’t warn you, Peggy Lane! Before you know it, you’ll have a dyed-in-the-wool crush on our new matinee idol!” Both the girls laughed, remembering how uncomfortable Chris had been with the role Ford Birmingham had assigned him.
The week flew by and when Monday arrived, Peggy noticed an excitement she hadn’t felt since the theater opened. Something new was in the air; they were to face a fresh audience in unfamiliar surroundings. None of the cast had seen the famous Lake Manor, and all were intensely curious as they rode along in the station wagon the Manor had sent for them.
“This is more like it!” Danny observed gleefully. “Our own private chauffeur and dinner awaiting—I always did like to live in style!”