"
Jim hung his head, feeling somehow that the pastor had seen
straight into his heart and discovered his petty weakness. He
was about to turn toward the door when it was thrown open by
Barker.
"Where is she?" shouted the manager, looking from one to the
other.
"She can't come," said Jim in a low, steady voice, for he knew
the storm of opposition with which Barker would meet the
announcement.
"Can't come?" shrieked Barker. "Of course she'll come. I can't
get along without her. She's GOT to come." He looked at Jim,
who remained silent and firm. "WHY ain't she comin'?" he asked,
feeling himself already defeated.
"She's hurt bad," was Jim's laconic reply.
"The devil she is!" said Barker, looking at Douglas for
confirmation. "Is that right?"
"She won't be able to travel for some time," said Douglas.
"Mr. Barker is our manager," Toby explained, as he edged his way
to the pastor's side.
"Some time!" Barker looked at Douglas as though he were to blame
for their misfortune. "Well, you just bet she will," he declared
menacingly.
"See here, Barker, don't you talk to him like that," said Jim,
facing the manager. "He's darned square even if he is a parson."
Barker turned away. He was not a bad-hearted man, but he was
irritated and upset at losing the star feature of his bill.
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