Page:Hollyhock house; a story for girls (IA hollyhockhousest00tagg).pdf/336

314 awful? Sydney Fleming—you remember, his stage name, that was?—was simply great in the lead, could do anything. We acted together like we were made for it. And it’s my belief we were. Things come out like that in this world, once in a while; folks sent into it to be with certain other folks, for work and pleasure. And say, we were happy, honest! Petey and me got on when we was in private life just like the leading lady and her support does in the slickest plays. It’s broke me up something fierce to lose him. See, I’m wearing his ring! I won’t part with it while I can hold it, but I’m down on my luck. Comp’ny burst up, couldn’t get a leading man fit to take Pete’s place, I was all in; couldn’t do justice to my repertoire, we played to poor houses, manager was up against it; sorry for me, sorry Pete died, but sorry for himself when he run behind. He had to shut down, and it took pretty much every cent I had to get home; we was playin’ the State of Washington when the end come. So I don’t know how long I’ll be keeping poor blessed Petey’s ring.”

The poor creature, kind and honest, though grotesque and slangy, pulled off her shabby glove and displayed the huge diamond, of yellowish