"If you're not, don't be afraid to say so," spoke Mr. Pertell. "I can
understudy you----"
"Oh, no, indeed!" she exclaimed, energetically. If there is one thing
more than another that an actor or actress fears, it is being
supplanted in a role. Of course, all the important parts in a play
are "understudied"; that is, some other actor or actress than the
principal has learned the lines and "business" so, in case the latter
is taken ill, the play can go on, after a fashion. But players are
jealous of one another to a marked degree, and rather than permit
their understudy to succeed him, many a performer has gone on when
physically unfit. Perhaps it was this that induced Miss Dixon to
conceal the pain she was really suffering.
Mr. Pertell glanced sharply at her, and then his gaze roved to Ruth
and Alice, who were standing with their father. A musing look was on
the face of the manager. Miss Dixon saw it, and arose.
"I am perfectly able to go on, Mr. Pertell," she said, quickly.
"There is no need of getting anyone in my place."
She walked across the room, with a slight limp, and the spasm of pain
that showed on her face was quickly replaced by a smile.
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