n
actresses, and--well, of course I gave her some examples, a lot of them
worse than anything I've told you about Flora Hackett and Janet
Raymond.... I hope," she added viciously, "that Nita dropped a hint or
two if Flora or Janet had the nerve to high-hat her when she was in
Hamilton!"

"Perhaps she did," Dundee agreed softly. "By the way, how did Nita
happen to get the job here of directing the Easter plays?"

"That's what the reporters wanted to know," Miss Earle smiled. "But Miss
Pendleton wouldn't tell them, for fear Serena wouldn't like it, and
maybe be drawn into the scandal, when everybody knows she's as straight
as a string----"

"Did Serena Hart get her the job?" Dundee was amazed.

"Yes.... Wait, I'll show you the letter of recommendation she wrote for
Nita to Miss Pendleton," Miss Earle offered eagerly. "Remember, now,
you're not to tell on me!"

She went to a tall walnut filing cabinet, and quickly returned with a
note, which she thrust into Dundee's willing hands. He read:

_"Dear Miss Pendleton: The bearer, Juanita Leigh, is rather badly
in need of a job, and I have suggested that she apply to you for a
chance to direct the Easter play. I have known Miss Leigh
personally for ten years, and have the highest regard, both
for her character and for her ability. Since you usually stage
musical comedies, I think Miss Leigh, who has been a specialty
dancer as well as an actress in musical comedy for about twelve
years, would be admirably suited for the work. Knowing my love
for Forsyte as you do, I do not have to assure you that I would
suggest nothing which would be detrimental to the school's best
interests.... Fondly yours, Serena Hart."_

"She was wrong there, but I know it wasn't Nita's fault," Miss Earle,
who had been looking over his shoulder, commented upon the last sentence
of the letter.

"Is Miss Hart appearing in a play now?" Dundee asked.

"No, but she's rehearsing in one--'Temptation'--which will open at the
Warburton Theater next Monday night," the secretary answered. "At
commencement Tuesday night, Serena told Miss Pendleton how awfully sorry
she was about Nita, and gave me tickets for the opening.... You go to
see her, but don't tell her _I_ told you anything.... I know she's
rehearsing at the theater this afternoon, because she said she would be
all week, and couldn't go to the boat to see Miss Pendleton and Miss
Macon off for E