ng
to be the scolding old woman. She and I divide the old women between
us."

"Too bad, Preston!" said Mrs. Sandford laughing. "What else are you
going to be?"

"I am going to be one of those fellows coming to murder the little
princes."

"Who is Bassanio?"

"Hamilton says he will undertake that. George declines."

"Suppose we do some work, instead of so much talking," said the former
person; who had hitherto been a very quiet spectator and listener. "Let
us have a little practice. We shall want a good deal before we get
through."

All agreed; agreed also that something in the shape of artistic
draperies was needed for the practice. "It helps"--as Hamilton Rush
remarked. So Daisy went to desire the attendance of June with all the
scarfs, mantles and shawls which, could be gathered together. As Daisy
went, she thought that she did not wish Nora to be queen Esther; she was
glad Preston was firm about that.

The practising of Bassanio and Portia was so very amusing that she
fairly forgot herself in laughter. So did everybody else; except Mrs.
Sandford, who was intent upon draperies, and Preston whose hands held a
burden of responsibility. Hamilton was a quiet fellow enough in
ordinary; but now nobody was more ready for all the life of the play. He
threw himself back into an attitude of irresolution and perplexity, with
the letter in his hand which had brought the fatal news; that is, it was
the make-believe letter, though it was in reality only the New York
Evening Post. And Daisy thought his attitude was very absurd; but they
all declared it was admirable and exactly copied from the engraving. He
threw himself into all this in a moment, and was Bassanio at once; but
Theresa was much too well disposed to laugh to imitate his example. And
then they all laughed at Theresa, who instead of looking grave and
inquiring, as Portia should, at her lord's unusual action and
appearance, flung herself into position and out of position with a
mirthfulness of behaviour wholly inconsistent with the character she was
to personify. How they all laughed!

"What is it, Daisy?" whispered Nora.

"Why, he has got a letter,"--said Daisy.

"Is that newspaper the letter?"

"Make believe it is," said Daisy.

"But what are they doing!"

"Why, this man, Bassanio, has just got a letter that says his dearest
friend is going to be killed, because he owes money that he cannot pay;
and as the money was borrowed for his own sake, of cour