launched into his big opening speech. She had always thought it was twice as long as it should be. She looked around and spotted Jamie watching the play with rapt attention. She studied his face more closely than she had been able to this afternoon in the store. He certainly is handsome, she found herself thinking, almost against her will. I wonder why heâs so interested in theater? It seems funny for such a â¦
âFortuneâ¦Fortune!â
She came to with a start. She had missed her entrance! Feeling extremely foolish, she leaped to her feet and raced to her position. A snort of amusement from Jamie made her skin begin to color.
Determined to recover from the blunder and show Jamie what she could do, she threw herself into the scene, crying out in despair over her motherâs distress and reacting with terror to the advances of the wicked landlord. She ended by flinging herself over Mrs. Watsonâs knees and breaking into hysterical sobs.
Her performance earned a burst of wild applause from Jamie. âWonderful!â he cried. âThat was wonderful!â
Aaron broke into laughter. âYouâre an easy target.â
Fortune started to flare at the insult to her performance.
Jamie beat her to it. âWhat do you mean?â he asked sharply.
âThat was a lot of things, but it was hardly wonderful. You ought to see a real show someday.â
âIâd love to.â
Again Fortune caught that sense of breathless appreciation in his voice. Then she realized what Aaron was saying. âWait a minute,â she said angrily. âWeâre not that bad.â
âWell, weâre not that good,â said Aaron. âIf we were, we wouldnât be playing a hick town like this.â
âThis isnât a hick town!â bristled Jamie. âJust because people here donât have everything you city people might, it doesnât mean weâre stupid!â
âCan we begin Act Two?â asked Walter. âIf we finish this rehearsal early, we can all get a good nightâs sleep. Youâre welcome to stay,â he added, turning to Jamie. âBut please donât interrupt anymore.â
Jamie opened his mouth to protest, then thought better of it. âThank you, sir,â he said mildly.
They began the second act. Again Jamie watched with shining eyes. Fortune caught herself playing directly to him, then felt foolish about it.
Well, why not? she asked herself. An audience is an audience, after all. Itâs good practice. But she also knew she was enjoying his wide-eyed reaction.
They got through the rest of the play without incident, Jamie applauding enthusiastically after each scene.
âI think that will do it for now,â said Mr. Patchett when they finished the run-through. âWeâre all set for tomorrow night. Edmund and Aaron, Iâll need you to help me prepare the stage in the afternoon.â
âAh, the stage,â said Walter, plopping his derby onto his head. âOur home away from home.â He looked around the loft with an expression of distaste. âOf course, home is getting a little shabby these days. Oh, well. The immortal bard tells us that all the worldâs a stage, and all the men and women merely players.â
âActors,â said Aaron.
âWhat?â
âActors, Walter. The line is from As You Like It, and it says âactors,â not âplayers.ââ
âIt does not,â said Walter indignantly. He turned to Mr. Patchett for verification. âItâs âplayersââright, Henry?â
âI think so,â said Mr. Patchett, obviously not certain himself.
âActors,â said Aaron.
âItâs âplayers,ââ said Jamie. He came striding forward, his face glowing with excitement.
Chapter Three
Aaron looked at Jamie angrily. âWhy donât you stay out of this? Besides, how would you know?â
âBecause I know