‘Something wrong? Katie in disgrace?’

This was a joke for Katie was never in disgrace, so Miss Grey smiled and ignored it.

‘I allowed Katie to help me fit Margaret Thursday out in her clothes. The girls took to each other. It came to me that perhaps it could be arranged that I teach Margaret during rehearsals. Katie would love it and it would be a convenience to you for I could teach the child when she could be spared.’

Sir John did not answer at once. Then he said: ‘I doubt her Ladyship would agree. You know how she feels about the theatre.’

Miss Grey nodded. ‘Naturally I know. But I also know that Katie knows all about The Little Queen. The servants told her. I believe there was hope in the kitchen that Katie might play the part, a hope Katie has undoubtedly shared. Besides being a convenience to you it would be a consolation to Katie to have the fun of working with another child.’

Sir John considered this. ‘It would be a great convenience to me. These new education laws and licences are a terrible nuisance. Children did capitally without them – look at Ellen Terry. I’ll have to wait until her Ladyship is in the right mood and then I will put forward your suggestion. Thank you for making it, Miss Grey.’

Sarah and Margaret moved into their rooms at Mrs Wallow’s, and Margaret at once wrote to The Dolphin giving Mr Smith her change of address.

‘Do you think we had better find a school for me?’ she asked Sarah.

Sarah felt that now Margaret was engaged to play at The Dolphin Theatre such matters as schools were for Sir John and Mr Smith to decide.

‘Leave it until rehearsals start,’ she advised. ‘There must be arrangements for schooling for theatrical children and Lou says you have to have a licence. I expect they’ll see about that.’

Margaret was sure Sarah was right but she thought life in a genteel neighbourhood terribly dull. It had been much more exciting when they stayed with Lou, for there was always something going on in the streets, even if it was only a fight. Then there was the fun of supper when Lou came home brimful of theatre gossip and descriptions of the clothes she was making. Now nothing happened; they did not even go shopping for it had been so much easier to allow Mrs Wallow to cook for them, and it made such a change from their own small rooms to go down to the kitchen for meals.

Then, just as Margaret, who was never good at being bored, decided she could not endure going on as they were a day longer, a note was delivered from The Dolphin Theatre. It said:

Lady Teaser wishes to see you. Will you please come to the theatre at 3 o’clock on Friday next.

Friday was two days away.

Chapter Nine

HER LADYSHIP HEARS THE STORY

Although she no longer acted, Lady Teaser liked to know what was going on in their theatre. So when Sir John asked her if she would allow the little girl he hoped would play Anastasia to do lessons with Katie during the rehearsal period, she decided it was a good chance to have a look at the child. She did not suppose she would allow the girl anywhere near Katie for probably under the veneer of breeding, taught to all young actresses, she was a common little thing. However, the excuse that she was just seeing Margaret Thursday as a possible playmate for Katie was a good one, so she told Sir John, if he sent for the girl, she would see her.