She sometimes beat the drum, or tolled the bell behind the scenes, when the representation needed such embellishments, and occasionally fulfilled the duties of prompter.

In this respect it was unavoidable that she should be now and then rather overtasked.

On one special evening she held the book during the performance of the old farce of "Who's the Dupe ?" The part of Gradus was undertaken by her leading actor, one Gardner, and in the scene of Gradus's attempt to impose upon the gentleman of the story, by affecting to speak Greek, the performer's memory unfortunately failed him.

He glanced appealingly towards the prompt-side of the stage.

Mrs.Baker was mute, examining the play-book with a puzzled air.