"What am I going to do?" Janina asked herself, determining as soon as possible to ask Cabinski for her overdue salary.
She did so at the very next rehearsal.
"I haven't the money!" cried Cabinski at once. "Moreover, I never pay beginners in my company for the first month. It's strange that no one informed you about that. Others are already here a whole season and they don't bother me about their salaries."
Janina listened in consternation and finally said frankly: "Mr.
Director, in a week's time I will not have a penny left to live on."
"And that old . . . counselor . . . can't he give it to you? . . .
Surely, everyone knows that . . ."
"Oh, Mr. Director!" whispered Janina, blushing deeply.
"A pretty deceiver!" he muttered with a cynical twist of his lips.
Janina forcibly suppressed her indignation and said: "In the meantime I need ten rubles, for I must buy myself a costume for the new play."
"Ten rubles! Ha! ha! ha! That's great! Even Majkowska does not ask for so much at one time! Ten rubles! what delightful simplicity!" Cabinski laughed heartily and then, turning to go, he said: "Remind me of it this evening and I will give you an order to the treasurer."
That evening Janina received one ruble.