"Watch that man," the actress said to the boy of the streets. "I want you
to do that sort of an act with me one of these days."
When he had thus received his first lesson, she led him back to the
theatrical boarding-house, and in her room he showed her what ability he
had picked up as a singer and dancer. She secured a room for him in the
house, and she had the precaution to lock him in lest he should take
fright at his novel change of surroundings and flee in the night. When she
released him on the next morning she found him docile and cheerful.
She escorted him into the big dining-room to breakfast.
"Who's your friend, Lil?" asked a certain actor whose name is known from
Portland to Portland.
"He's my new side partner," she said, looking at the boy, who was not in
the least abashed at the bold gaze of the negligently dressed soubrettes
and the chaffing comedians who sat at the tables.
Everybody laughed. "What can he do?" was the general question.
"Get out there and show them, young one," she said, pointing to the centre
of the dining-room.
The boy obeyed without timidity.
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