Mr. DeVere looked grave when told of the accident, and after a moment or two of thought remarked:
"I wonder if I had better let you girls keep on with this moving picture work? It is much more dangerous than I supposed. I am worried about you."
"You needn't be, Daddy dear!" exclaimed Alice, slipping her arm about his neck. "Nothing has happened yet, and I'll be real careful. I should be heartbroken if we had to give it up now. I just love the work; don't you, Ruth?"
"Indeed I do; but twice lately, danger has come to you."
"Well, I'll have one more near-accident and then the 'hoodoo' will be broken, as Mr. Sneed would say. Three times and out, you know the old saying has it."
"Oh, Alice!" cried Ruth. "Do be sensible!"
"Can't, dear! I leave that to you. But, Daddy, you mustn't think of taking us out of moving pictures. Why, some of the best and most important of all the farm dramas are to come yet. There's the one with the burning barn--I wouldn't miss that for anything! Please, Daddy, let us stay. You want to; don't you, Ruth?"
"Oh, yes, of course. Only there seems to be so many dangers about a farm. I used to think a country life was calm and peaceful, but things happen here just as in a city."
"Indeed they do," laughed Alice, "only such different things. It's quite exciting, I think. Mayn't we stay, Daddy?"
"Oh, I suppose so," he consented, rather grudgingly. "But take no more chances."
"Oh, I didn't take the chances," laughed Alice. "The chances took me."
During the next few days several farm scenes were filmed by Russ, and a number of partly finished plays were completed, the reels being sent to New York for development. Word came back that everything was a success, only a few minor errors being made, and these were easily corrected. A few scenes had to be done over.
"But I'm glad it wasn't the one with the hose," said Mr. Bunn, with a sigh. "Really I'd never go through that again."
"Ha! I vould like dot--if I vos on der right side of der hose!" exclaimed Mr. Switzer.
The day had been a busy one, filled with hard work for all before the moving picture camera. When evening came the players were glad of the chance to rest.
"Let's walk down the road," suggested Alice to Ruth. "It is so pretty and restful on the little white bridge, just before you come to the red schoolhouse."
