Slowly, because Merton Gill at first proved to be diffident at the crisis.

For three rehearsals the muscular arm of Miss Montague had most of the clenching to do.

He believed he was being rough and masterful, but Baird wished a greater show of violence.

They had also to time this scene with the surreptitious entrance of the brother, his theft of the money which he stuffed into a paper sack and placed in the ice-box, and his exit.
The leading man having at last proved that he could be Harold Parmalee even in this crisis, the scene was extended to the entrance of the indignant father.

He was one of those self-made men of wealth, Merton thought, a short, stout gentleman with fiery whiskers, not at all fashionably dressed.