"How's my friend, the ex-Jehu?" he laughed.
"Fine! I hope you are well."
"I'm all right. How's the play?"
"I have it here. It is good."
"Good, is it?" Mr. Frohman's eyes twinkled.
"Yes. My--Mrs. Jocelyn worked at it with me, and I have to admit that the success, if it is one, is largely due to her."
"She is a writer, too?"
"No, but she has a keen dramatic sense. She understands character, too."
"So? Lucky for you. Does she want her name on the bills?"
"She has never spoken of it, but I wish her to go on as co-dramatist."
"All right. Clever wife is an asset. Now we've got just two hours. Go ahead--read me what you've got there."
Jarvis unpacked the manuscript and began. He had worked over the scenes so often with Bambi that he fell into her dramatic way of "doing" the scenes. Once or twice the manager chuckled as he recognized her touch and intonation on a line. Certainly Jarvis had never read so well. He was encouraged by frequent laughs from his audience. There were interruptions now and then, criticisms and suggestions. As he read and laid down the last page, Mr. Frohman nodded his head.
"Pretty clever work for amateurs," he said.
"You think it will go?"
"With some changes and rearrangements. Yes, I should say so."
"Are you thinking of producing it soon?"
"Yes, if I can make satisfactory arrangements with the author I'll put it in rehearsal right away."
"I think the author will be satisfied."
The manager looked a question.
"We have been corresponding during my work on it," Jarvis explained.
Mr. Frohman stared, then laughed.
"We can soon find out whether she's pleased. She is due here at three o'clock to-day."
"She is coming here to-day?" Jarvis exclaimed.
"Yes."
"Could I talk to her then--there is so much----"
"Sorry. I promised there would be no one here. Some crazy idea about keeping her name a secret."
"Of course. I would not intrude," said Jarvis, hastily. "She wrote me that she would leave rehearsals to you and me."
"Did she? Will your wife want to come to rehearsals?"
"I think so. Would there be any objections?"
"Not if she is co-author."
"She is very clever."
"I don't doubt it. You leave that copy here. I'll go over it, in part, with the author, and let her take it to look over. I will wire you what day I want to get the company together for a reading."
"All right, sir."
"If the author is satisfied with this, I'll have a contract made out to submit to you and your wife. In the meantime, do you want an advance?"
"No, thanks."
"All right. You'll hear from me. You've done surprisingly well with this, Jocelyn--you, or your wife."
"Thank you. Good-day."
"Good-day."
At three o'clock the other member of the Jocelyn family arrived.
"You are good to see me. I would have burst with curiosity before Jarvis got back," she began the minute she got inside the door.
"I naturally wanted to consult the author before I accepted the play."
"Is it any good? Are you going to take it?"
"What do you think about it? Are you satisfied?"
"Yes. I think it's a love of a play."
He laughed.
"How much of it did Jarvis do?"
"Oh, a great deal!"
"Not enough to spoil it, eh?"
"He has worked very hard," she said seriously.
"He tells me he has corresponded with the author during his work, and he begged to be here for this meeting."
"Did he? Bless his heart! It has been so funny--that correspondence! He's crazy about that author-lady."
"Either you are very clever, or he's very stupid, which is it?"
"Both."
"When are you going to tell him the truth?"
"The opening night."
"Upon my word, you _have_ got a dramatic sense. Blaze of success, outbursts of applause, husband finds wife is the centre and cause of it. That sort of thing, eh?"
"Yes, but don't say it like that. It sounds silly and cheap."
"Husband will be mad as fury at the whole thing."
"You don't think that, do you? That would spoil the whole thing so entirely," she said in concern.
"You're the dramatist, I'm only the manager," he laughed.
They talked about the cast, the sets, and other practical details.
"You're coming to rehearsals, aren't you?" he asked her.
"Rather!"
"Jarvis prepared me for that."
"Did he? Well, he won't be much good. He can't act."
"I told him you would look over the play, then I would call the company together for a reading."
"Consider the script looked over. Do call it quick, Mr. Frohman; I can hardly wait."
"What about contracts? Do you want one as author, with another to you and Jarvis as playwrights?"
"No, that's too complicated. Let's have one for the whole thing, then we can divvy up what there is."
"Suits me. I'll see you next week, then. Better make arrangements to stay in town during rehearsals."
"Oh, yes, we will"
"I think we will pull off a success. This is very human, this stuff. Good-bye."
"You've been such a dear. We've just got to succeed for your sake. Good-bye, and thanks."
XXVI
Bambi hurried to catch the 5:30 train for home, and as it rushed through the station she spied Jarvis striding on ahead, evidently bound for the same train. With the caution of a lady detective she kept behind him until he got aboard. Then she rushed ahead and got into the first car. At Sunnyside she astonished the town hack-man by leaping into his cab and ordering him to drive her home, top speed.
The situation appealed to her taste for intrigue. Into the house she sped and to her room. The Professor and Ardelia were in bed and asleep. When Jarvis came in she descended, to inquire about the fate of their play, with the calm of a finished actress.
"I'm waiting for you! What news?" she demanded.
"He likes it. If the author is satisfied, we go ahead at once."
"Hooray!" shouted Bambi, pirouetting madly. "Mr. and Mrs. Jarvis Jocelyn, the talk of the town," she sang.
"You did want your name on the bills, then?"
She stopped in alarm. Had she given it away after all her trouble?
"How do you mean on the bills?"
"As co-author? Mr. Frohman asked me. I told him you had never spoken of it, but that I wanted you to have full credit."
"What else did you tell Mr. Frohman about me?"
"I told him you were clever."
"What did he say?" she laughed.
"Said he didn't doubt it. He will allow you to come to rehearsals."
"I should hope so! So it's all settled?"
"Yes, if the author consents. She was to see the play at three this afternoon."
"Was she? Why didn't you wait and see her?"
"She wished to talk to Mr. Frohman alone."
"Isn't she tiresome, with all her mystery? You don't think she could hold us up on it now, at the last minute, do you?"
"She could, but I don't think she will. Rehearsals will be called next week."
"Oh, goody! Jarvis, aren't you happy about it?"
"Yes."
"But you aren't happy enough!"
He sighed. It was all so different from the way he had planned to bring her his first success.
"Something seems to have gone amiss with us, doesn't it, Bambi?"
"I haven't noticed it."
"You're satisfied to go on as we are now?"
"I can think of a few improvements. I'll tell you about them later."
"So many things seem to hinge on the success of this play!"
"They do! May the gods take notice," she laughed.
On the following Tuesday came the call for a reading of the play with the company, Wednesday, at eleven. Bambi was as excited as a child over the announcement.
"I think we had better plan to stay at the National Arts Club again, during rehearsals, Jarvis."
"I am not sure I can finance that. I told Mr. Frohman I did not need an advance."
"I've got some left. You can borrow back the hundred you paid me, to start off on."
"You're like the old woman with the magic purse."
"I'm thrifty and saving."
"Well, if we can accomplish it without robbing you I agree with you that it would be better to stay in town."
"Settled. You go pack your things, and I'll look after mine."
They prepared to make their second pilgrimage, this time to the "Land of Promise."
The Professor showed an unusual amount of interest in the matter.
"How long will it take to rehearse it?" he asked.
"We don't know yet, we're such amateurs. But as soon as we know the date set for the opening you and Ardelia are to prepare to come. You can come up the day of the performance, and if you can't stand it, you may come home the next day."
"A trip to New York? What an upsetting idea!"
"Would you rather stay here, and miss the first play Jarvis and I ever did together?" said Bambi, disappointedly.
"No, certainly not. I'll come. Just make a note of it, and put it in a conspicuous place," he added.
"We'll keep you reminded, never fear."
Ardelia gasped when she heard she was to go.
"I'll send you a list of the clothes to bring for the Professor in plenty of time. I shall give you a new black silk dress for the occasion."
"Lawd a' massy, Miss Bambi! I'se so excited I cain't talk. A noo silk dress an' a-goin' to Noo Yawk wid de Perfessor. I decla' dey ain't no niggah woman in dis heah town got sech quality to work fo' as dis old niggah has."
"Why, Ardelia, we couldn't have it without you."
"Am I gwine sit wid de' white folks in de' theatre, or up in niggah heaven?"
"You'll sit in a box with the rest of us."
"Gawd-a'mighty, honey, dis gwine to be de happies' 'casion ob my life."
The co-authors took the night train.