Susan's fancy instantly winged along this fascinating route.

"I've given recitations at school, and in the plays we used to have they let me take the best parts--that is--until--until a year or so ago." He noted the hesitation, had an instinct against asking why there had come a time when she no longer got good parts.

"I'm sure you could learn to act," declared he.

"And you'll be sure of it, too, after you've seen the people who do it." "Oh, I don't believe I could," said she, in rebuke to her own mounting self-confidence.

Then, suddenly remembering her birth-brand of shame and overwhelmed by it, "No, I can't hope to be to be anything much.