But Alice and Ruth concerned themselves very little with their jealous rivals, though they were aware of the feeling against them. Alice and Paul acquitted themselves well in the little play.
There was only one difficulty—Mr. Bunn, as usual.
He and Mr. Sneed had been cast as farm hands to fill in the background of the play. When the former Shakespearean player learned that he was to wear overalls and carry a hoe over his shoulder, he rebelled.
"What! I play that character?" he cried. "A clod—a country bumpkin? Never! I will go back to New York first!"
"Very well; go!" exclaimed Mr. Pertell, who occasionally became exasperated over the actor's objections. "Only don't come back looking for an engagement with this company."
Wellington Bunn, striking a tragic attitude, was silent a moment. Then he said, very quietly:
"Where is that hoe?"
With Mr. Sneed it was different. He did not so much care what character he played, but he was always "looking for trouble." Even in the simple character of a country farmer he was apprehensive.
"I don't know how to use a hoe," he protested.
