CHAPTER XVIII
THE PLAY'S THE THING
Excitement ran high in the three lower classes one morning in earlyFebruary when Miss Thompson requested that those interested in theproduction of a Shakespearian play go to the library directly afterschool, there to discuss the situation.
When the gong sounded dismissal, about sixty girls with dramaticaspirations made for the library. The Phi Sigma Tau entered in a body.They had decided at recess to carry away as many laurels as possible,providing they could get into the cast.
Miss Tebbs, teacher of elocution; Miss Kane, teacher of gymnastics, andMiss Thompson stood at one side of the library talking earnestly as theynoted each newcomer.
"Oh, look!" whispered Jessica, clutching Nora's arm. "There's Eleanorand her crowd."
"Then look out for squalls," replied Nora. "She'll try to be the wholecast, and will get a magnificent case of sulks if she can't have her ownway."
"Sh-h-h," warned Eva Allen. "She'll hear you. Besides, Miss Thompson isgoing to speak."
The principal held up her hand for silence and the groups of girlsengaged in subdued conversation ceased talking and turned theirattention toward her.
"You are all aware that each year the senior class gives a play, whichthey choose, manage and produce with no assistance save that given byMiss Tebbs," said the principal. "So far the three lower classes havenever given a play. Some time ago Miss Tebbs suggested that as we needmoney for special books in the library which our yearly appropriationdoes not cover, we might present a Shakespearian play with good effect,choosing the cast from the freshman, sophomore and junior classes.
"The first thing to be thought of is the play itself. After dueconsideration, we decided that 'As You Like It' is better suited to ourneeds than any of the other Shakespearian dramas. In it are twenty-onespeaking characters, besides numerous lords, pages and attendants. Weshall probably use about fifty girls, thus making it an elaborateproduction. By the attendance this afternoon I should imagine that youare heartily in favor of our project and that we shall have no troublein making up the cast. As Miss Tebbs has charge of the situation, Iyield the floor to her. She will explain to you about the giving out ofthe parts."
There was an enthusiastic clapping of hands as Miss Thompson smiled andnodded to the girls, then left the room. Miss Tebbs then stated that onFriday afternoon after school there would be a "try out" for parts inthe gymnasium, in order to find out what girls were most capable ofdoing good work in the cast. Just what the test would be had not beendecided. It would be well, however, to study the chosen play and becomefamiliar with it; also each girl must bring a copy of the play with her.If the girls wished to ask any questions, she would answer them as faras possible. Miss Kane would help with the posing and coaching when thething was fairly started.
The girls crowded around Miss Tebbs and Miss Kane, asking all sorts ofquestions.
"One at a time, girls," laughed Miss Tebbs. "I have not asked you toenact a mob scene."
Under cover of the confusion, Grace and her three friends slipped out ofthe library.
"'The play's the thing,'" quoted Nora, "and me for it."
"That is for the judges to decide," said Jessica sagely. "Perhaps theywon't even look at you."
"Do you think any one could see my Irish countenance and fail to beimpressed?" demanded Nora.
"Really and truly, Nora, the more you travel with Hippy, the more youtalk like him," remarked Grace.
"I consider that a compliment," replied Nora, laughing. "Hippy saysawfully funny things."
"Look at our little Anne," said Jessica. "She is actually dreaming. Tellus about it, dear."
"I was thinking of the play," said Anne dreamily. "I do so want a part,if only a little one."
"You'll be chosen for Rosalind, see if you aren't," predicted Grace.
"Oh, no," said Anne. "Some one else will be sure to get that. Besides,I'm too short."
"But, Anne, you've had stage experience," said Jessica. "You ought toget it."
"Not in a Shakespearian play," replied Anne, shaking her head. "I mightnot do well at all with that kind of part."
"Never fear, you'll be the star before you know it," said Nora.
By Friday, there was nothing on the school horizon save the cherishedplay. Before school, at recess, and even in classes it was the topic ofthe hour. To the eager girls the day seemed particularly long, and aheartfelt sigh went up when the dismissal gong rang.
As the four chums hurried toward the gymnasium, Anne suddenly caughtGrace by the arm with a faint gasp of surprise. Glancing quickly down ather friend to ascertain the cause of Anne's sudden agitation, Grace sawher friend's eyes following the figure of a tall, distinguished-lookingman who was just disappearing down the corridor leading to thegymnasium.
"What's the matter, Anne?" asked Grace. "Do you know that man?"
"No," replied Anne, "but I know who he is."
"He must be a remarkable person, considering the way you gasped andclutched me," laughed Grace.
"That man is Everett Southard, the great Shakespearian actor," said Annealmost reverently. "I saw him in 'Hamlet' and his acting is wonderful."
"No wonder you were surprised," said Grace.
"It fairly takes my breath. I've seen ever so many pictures of him andread magazine articles about him. What do you suppose he is doing inOakdale, and at the High School--of all places?"
"Time will tell," said Nora. Then she suddenly clasped her hands. "Ogirls, I know! He's here for the try-out!"
"Why of course he is," exclaimed Grace. "Now I remember Miss Tebbsshowed me a magazine picture of him one day last year, and told me thatshe had known him since childhood. Besides, he is playing a three-nightengagement in Albany. I read it in the paper last night. It's as plainas can be. Miss Tebbs has asked him to run up here and pick out thecast."
"Good gracious," said Jessica. "I shall retire in confusion if he looksat me. I won't dare aspire to a part now, and I had designs on the partof Phebe."
"Don't be a goose," said Nora. "He's only a man. He can't hurt you.I think having him here will be a lark. Won't some of those girls puton airs, though. There he is talking with Miss Tebbs now."
The girls entered the gymnasium to find there nearly all of those whohad attended the first meeting in the library increased by about a scoreof girls who had decided at the last minute to try for parts. Eleanorstood at one end of the great room, with Edna Wright and Daisy Culver.Grace thought she had never seen Eleanor looking more beautiful. She waswearing a fur coat and hat far too costly for a school girl, and carrieda huge muff. Her coat was thrown open, disclosing a perfectly tailoredgown of brown, with trimmings of dull gold braid. She was talkinganimatedly and her two friends were apparently hanging on every word sheuttered.
"No wonder Eleanor has an opinion of herself," said Nora. "Look at Daisyand Edna. They act as though Eleanor were the Sultan of Turkey or theShah of Persia, or some other high and mighty dignitary. They almostgrovel before her."
"Never mind, Nora," said Grace. "As long as you retain your Irishindependence what do you care about what other girls do?"
"I don't care. Only they do act so silly," said Nora, with a sniff ofcontempt.
"Sh-h-h!" said Jessica softly. "Miss Tebbs is going to call the meetingto order."
A hush fell over the assembled girls as Miss Tebbs stepped forward toaddress them.
"I am very glad to see so many girls here," she said. "It shows that youare all interested in the coming play. Although you cannot all haveparts, I hope that you will feel satisfied with the selection made thisafternoon. In order that each member of the cast may be chosen on hermerit alone, my old friend, Mr. Southard, kindly consented to come fromAlbany for the sole purpose of giving us the benefit of his greatShakespearian experience. Allow me to introduce Mr. Everett Southard."
He was greeted with a round of applause, and after bowing his thanks,the eminent actor plunged at once into the business at hand.
He spoke favorabl
y of the idea of an all-girl cast, saying that eachyear many girls' colleges presented Shakespearian plays with markedsuccess. The main thing to be considered was the intelligent delivery ofthe great dramatist's lines. The thing to do would be to find out whatgirls could most ably portray the various characters, it would benecessary to try each girl separately with a few lines from the play. Inorder to facilitate matters, he suggested that those girls who reallydesired speaking parts step to one side of the room, while those whowished merely to make the stage pictures, step to the other.
Out of the eighty girls, about thirty-five only stepped over to the sidefrom which the principal characters were to be chosen. Many of the girlshad no serious intentions whatever regarding the play, and the aweinspired by Mr. Southard's presence made them too timid to venture toopen their mouths before him. Jessica, whose courage had fled, wouldhave been among the latter if Nora had not seized her firmly by the armas she prepared to flee and marched her over with the rest of the PhiSigma Tau. Eleanor and Edna Wright were among the junior contestants,while there was a good showing of sophomores and freshmen.
Mr. Southard took in the aspirants with keen, comprehensive glance. Hiseyes rested a shade longer on Eleanor. She made a striking picture asshe stood looking with apparent indifference at the girls about her.Then his quick eye traveled to Grace's fine face and graceful figure,and then on to Anne, whose small face was alive with the excitement ofthe moment.
A breathless silence had fallen over the room. Every eye was fixed onthe actor, who stood with a small leather-covered edition of "As YouLike It" in his hand. Miss Tebbs stood by with a pencil and pad. Thegreat try-out was about to begin.