But you have said so much to defame my nieces in the eyes of our friends, here assembled, that you must explain yourself more fully." The manager seemed astonished by his reception.

He looked from one to another and said more mildly: "It is easy enough for _me_ to explain, but how can the Stantons explain their conduct?
They are under contract to act exclusively for the Continental Film Company and I pay them a liberal salary.

Yet only yesterday, when I was kind enough to give them a holiday, they went down to the beach and posed for a picture for our rivals, the Corona Company!" "You are mistaken, sir!" retorted Arthur.

"The young ladies were in our company the entire afternoon and they did not pose for any picture whatever." "Don't tell me!" cried Goldstein.

"I've just seen the picture down town.
I was going by one of the theatres when I noticed a placard that read: 'Sensational Film by Maud Stanton, the Queen of Motion Picture Actresses, entitled "A Gallant Rescue!" First run to-night.' I went in and saw the picture--with my own eyes!--and I saw Maud Stanton in a sea scene, rescuing a man who was drowning.