“Well,” Chris said mysteriously, “I don’t know how much fun it will be for you, but you should certainly find it interesting! You’re familiar with the old saying, ‘All’s fair in love and war’?” He flashed a teasing smile at Randy. “Well, we’ll look forward to seeing you, Mr. Brewster—yes, indeed!”
Chris left them gaping after him while Randy shook his head. “That’s a strange fellow,” he puzzled. “He’s very charming, but I’d swear that he doesn’t like me one little bit! I wonder why! What have you been up to, Peggy?”
He looked at her curiously while Peggy wondered if things could conceivably get any more complicated! She had been so happy to see a friend from New York—and especially Randy. Now, she realized suddenly, she would have to play her big lead with the knowledge that Randy was in the audience, watching her and Chris. “Well,” she thought, shivering slightly, “that will be quite an experience!”
XI
Quick Thinking
Peggy sat at her dressing table applying her make-up carefully. For the first time this summer she had to be just as beautiful as possible with no little tricks or different hair styles for characterization. This time she could look just like Peggy, only more so. After she had put on the gown she wore for her entrance, she combed out her thick, glowing hair that had grown in the past few weeks until it just touched her shoulders. It framed her face in soft waves, and as she looked at herself in the mirror, she was pleased.
“You look absolutely lovely, Peggy,” Rita said, “dreamy, in fact. I think the audience will go into a tail spin—to say nothing of your friend Randy.”
The minute she mentioned his name, Peggy’s knees began to shake. “Here I go again,” she said nervously. “Opening night! Clammy hands and butterflies!”
“Well, don’t worry about it,” Rita said gently. “It’s only because you’re doing a lead. It’ll go away.”
But privately, Peggy wasn’t so sure. Was she nervous because of the play or Randy in the audience? “Oh, I wish he hadn’t told me,” Peggy thought desperately. “Now I’ll be thinking of him out there—”
“Five minutes!” Gus called, and Peggy made her way to the wings.