"Russ knows we aren't millionaires, and with
papa out of an engagement so long--oh, chicken! Come on. I haven't
tasted any in so long----"
"Alice--dear!" objected Ruth, sharply. "You mustn't mind her, Russ,"
she went on, rather embarrassed.
"I don't," he laughed. "But if you'll all come I'll promise you some
of the best chicken you ever tasted. And mother's hot biscuits in the
chicken gravy----"
"Don't you say another word, Russ Dalwood!" interrupted Alice. "We're
coming!"
"I--I think we will," agreed Mr. DeVere, with a laugh.
Thus was his new engagement fittingly celebrated.
The memory of that chicken dinner lingered long with the DeVere
family. For though there was daylight ahead there were dark and
dreary days to be lived through.
As usual in theatrical companies, no salaries were paid while "A
Matter of Friendship" was being rehearsed. Neither Mr. DeVere, nor
any of the company, received any money for those two weeks of hard
work. Those actors or actresses who had nothing put by lived as best
they could on the charity of others. It was indeed "a matter of
friendship" that some of them lived at all.
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