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Show An Actress Loses Presence of Mind. "One of the most annc-ing things we have to endure," said the lady, "is the vigorous attempt which some of the members mem-bers of a company will make to disconcert discon-cert another: The first time I played an emotional part I suffered greatly. I was on the stage with six or eight others, and let me say that besides being comparatively com-paratively new to the business, I was exceptionally ex-ceptionally and irJsely nervous. I had to make one very fhfective speech, spoken to these six or eight people collectively. I remember that just as I was about to begin be-gin they were talking among themselves in tones that were perfectly audible to me, though of course the audience could not hear them. I frowned for them to stop, and I felt so embarrassed that I almost al-most forgot my lines. They, however, took no notice of my frown, and went on talking while I commenced my pathetic Bpeech. Soon I heard one actor say, 'Isn't she cute?' to which another replied, 'yes, but listen to the chestnuts she's telling those poor folks.' Then the girls tittered and the men made other ridiculous remarks. re-marks. I lost my presence of mind. I giggled convulsively, and then Oh, I shall never forget it I broke down and laughed outright. out-right. The 'heavy villian' had Just been telling one of the girls a silly storv at which no one could help laughing." Of course he told it loud enough for me to hear, with the intention of making me break down, and he succeeded. I was boiling over with anger when I left the green-room . The manager upbraided me in no very choice terms, and it was quite useless for me to attempt any explanation. explana-tion. I did not attempt one, however, and he informed me that if I couldn't conquer my emotions while I was on the stage, I had mistaken my vocation." " Why didn't you tell the actor what j'ou thought of him ?" asked the sagacious adolescent. "I wouldn't have given him that satisfaction," satis-faction," was the answer. "I knew that he did it intentionally, and he had enough pleasure in his success without my adding to his glee by showing him that I felt the sting of his unkindness so deeply. He tried it again the following night, but I was equal" to the occasion. When you know what you have to expect ex-pect you can be prepared to meet it. So I was quite immovable, and he saw that he could not succeed again in breaking me up. Oh, we're a sweet lot of people." New York Times. |