He did not know the piece, but of course it would be a small one.

He wondered--for, so far as he knew, she had had no experience of the stage--how she could have been got ready in the time to take even a small one.

Inevitably it would be a part with three words to say and nothing to sing--probably a maid-servant's.

He smiled as he thought how sincerely Elfrida would detest such a personation.

When the curtain rose at last Mr.John Kendal searched the stage more eagerly than the presence there of any mistress of her art had ever induced him to do before.