Margaret was living in The Dolphin. She was not allowed to go outside, even for a walk, unless a policeman came too.

‘Such a fuss!’ Margaret said to Katie. ‘She wouldn’t be such a fool as to try and get me again.’

There was a great deal of discussion about Margaret’s future. Lord Delaware wrote from Ireland imploring her to come for a long holiday to stay with him. ‘It’s a sad, dirty place, is London,’ but Margaret refused.

‘I’ve no time for a holiday yet, I need a lot more experience as an actress. I’ll come when everybody has heard of Margaret Thursday.’

Sir John had decided to put on The Tempest and there was wonderful news about that. Lady Teaser had relented, Katie might play Ariel. Nobody knew what had made her change her mind, but Lou probably was right when she guessed that it was knowing Margaret that had done the trick.

‘Nobody can say being on the stage and taking a big part had spoilt that child, so why should it spoil little Katie?’

As soon as the Ariel question was settled Tommy Smith came forward with his repertory idea.

‘There is an opening if you would like it, Margaret, for a slap-up tour with Sir George Pinkerton. And he has some fine parts lined up for you, including Juliet. You are, of course, under contract to The Dolphin so you won’t lose touch with us, but Sir George will teach you a lot that you need to learn.’

Margaret talked the tour idea over with Katie.

‘Mr Smith’s quite right, I have got a great deal to learn, like always listening to who is talking and coming in quickly on a cue. Oh, there’s such a lot I don’t know.’

‘Lots you don’t know!’ said Katie. ‘What about me? Every time I even think about playing Ariel my knees shake. You know how frightening Papa can be when he thinks somebody is acting badly.’

‘He won’t be angry with you because you’ll be good. There’s something magic about you always, which will be just right for Ariel, but of course you’ll be scared just as I will be playing Juliet and all the other parts with Sir George.’

‘It’s not only Ariel,’ Katie said, ‘it’s you. You’ll never know how wonderful it has been sharing everything with you. I love Miss Grey but it’s not like having someone my own age to do things with. You’re different, you’ve liked sharing but it doesn’t mean the same to you as it does to me.’

Margaret thought that over and saw that Katie was right.

‘It’s different for you. You’ve got a father and a mother and a famous name. All I have got is me so, by myself, I’ve got to make me famous and I’m going to do it. If I stop to think, wouldn’t it be lovely to go on doing lessons with Katie? Wouldn’t it be lovely to have a real home? I’ll go backwards. You see, I’ve a long way to go, Katie, so each step must be forward.’