"Say, you're a real nut, aren't you?
How'd you ever get this way ?" And again he was talking, telling now of his past and his struggles to educate himself as a screen actor--one of the best.

He spoke of Simsbury and Gashwiler and of Lowell Hardy who took his stills, and of Tessie Kearns, whose sympathy and advice had done so much to encourage him.

The woman was joyously attentive.

Now she did more than smile.

She laughed at intervals throughout the narrative, though her laughter seemed entirely sympathetic and in no way daunted the speaker.
"Well, Merton, you're a funny one--I'll say that.