we going to get all these?"

"We can't," sighed Phillis, hunting ruefully through the typed list of a
theatrical provider, "the prices for hiring them nowadays are simply
wicked. I call it profiteering. Just look here:

_Per night._

Celtic torc or necklace 15_s._ 0_d._
Inset imitation rubies 18_s._ 0_d._
Chaplet, Celtic design 17_s._ 6_d._
Jewelled 21_s._ 6_d._

Why, we should be ruined, absolutely ruined, if we hired for the whole
company."

"It can't be done," agreed Marjorie, "and yet" (wistfully) "they'd look
so lovely. The show won't be really Celtic and mystical and song-drama-y
without them. I could sing twice as well if I wore a torc and a chaplet.
Yes, Lesbia Ferrars, you needn't laugh! I _know_ I should. It's my
artistic temperament cropping out. Some people may be able to sing on a
bare platform, without any scenery or fancy costumes, but they sound
just about as inspired as gramophones or pianolas. If I'm to imagine
myself 'Etaire' I must have her jewels. I couldn't be a Celtic princess
without them. If you laugh again, Lesbia, I'll go for you."

"Is that part of your artistic temperament? There, old sport, I'm not
laughing. Not _really_. Only in sympathy. I've got a suggestion to
make. I was looking through Miss Lightwood's book on _Celtic Art_--the
one she took the costumes from--and I suddenly had a brain-wave. There
are whole chapters on Celtic jewellery, with lovely illustrations. I'm
sure I could copy some of the ornaments in cardboard and gilt paper.
Seen from a distance they'd pass muster and be better than nothing."

"You absolute mascot! Do you think you really can manage it?"

"Bring me some gilt paper and some thin cardboard to school to-morrow,
and I'll try at any rate. Don't blame me if I fail."

Lesbia was innately artistic, and her slim fingers had that creative
faculty which belongs to the born craftswoman. She suspended the
stencilling of VA, which Laura Birkshaw had unwillingly yielded back to
her, and, borrowing Miss Lightwood's book on _Celtic Art_, retired on
Tuesday afternoon to the Studio, and set to work, with gilt paper,
cardboard, fine scissors, seccotine, a bottle of 'Stickphast' and a
paste-brush. She used her time to such advantage that when Phillis came
from rehearsal she was able to astonish her with the following articles:

1. A gilt coronet cut in a floral pattern,