Jane, who was not in the least embarrassed, came to his rescue.
"Tell me exactly what I am to do, please, Mr. Paxton."
"Well, there is a platform and a long flight of stairs leading down from it. The tableaux form on the stage and then dissolve and go down the stairs into the throne room."
"No, you go alone. You appear with the head, on the charger, hold it up so they can see it, then you come down the stairs."
"You go to the throne, display the head to Herod and the Queen, and run off with it, stage right."
"No, you come on later, during a dancing number, walk across and sit on the steps of the throne, watching the dancers. If that is too difficult, we could get you on before the dance begins."
"You ought to rehearse walking in among the dancers, not to halt them, or run into them. The other girl had a good deal of trouble with it."
"Suppose you wait until after I come off with the head to decide whether I make that later entrance."
"All right. Have you ever been in amateur performances before, Miss Judd?"
"I cannot begin to say how grateful I am to you for helping me out this way."
They arrived at the club, and pushed their way into the bedlam behind scenes. It was packed with excited performers, waiting to be made up, or just finished. Jerry was hailed on all sides with questions and anxious protests. He found a chair for Jane.
"Keep your wrap on; it is draughty here. I'll be back in a minute."
"Everybody except those in the first three tableaux clear out. We can't have this confusion. Quickly, please," he shouted.
He directed them into other rooms, with clear directions as to what they were to do, where they were to stay, until called for. The women all tried to get a few words with him, but he kept them moving. One royal creature, whom he addressed as Mrs. Brendon, appeared, swathed in sable. She spoke to him, caressingly, as a privileged intimate.
"I haven't seen her. Here she comes now."
A fair, lovely woman made her way toward them through the crowd. She was Naomi.
"I was just asking Jerry about you," the older woman said.
"My! but you are magnificent, Herodias," she exclaimed.
"You are really perfect, Althea. Isn't she lovely, Jerry?" Mrs. Brendon responded.
Althea looked into Jerry's eyes, and blushed.