the men were supposed to make low bows. There weren't many lines to speak, but Dennie O'Brien was supposed to be a visiting French count, with very gallant manners, and he had to say "Bon soir, Mademoiselle Parker" (Lucy's ancestors had lived in Southmead during the Revolution, so she kept her own name in the play), and then he had to lift her hand and kiss it. Dennie had never been able to do this at any of the rehearsals yet without giggling, and setting everybody else to giggling. But this time the teacher in charge spoke severely.
"Now, Dennis," she said, "this is a dress rehearsal. You go through your part right!"
"Yes'm," Dennie answered, feeling of the little black goatee stuck on his chin to see if it was on firm, and trying to keep his face straight.
When his turn came to enter, he got off his "Bon soir, Mademoiselle Parker" all right, and bowed over her hand without a snicker. But, just as he kissed her fingers, his goatee came off and fell to the floor. Everybody laughed, except Lucy. She was mad at him, because she wanted the play to be a great success, and before he could lift his face, she brought her hand up quickly and slapped his cheek a good, sounding whack.
Dennie jumped back, surprised. Then he picked up his goatee, while Lucy stamped her foot. "You great clumsy—boy!" she exclaimed.
