The Picture Show Annual (1928)

92 Picture Show Annual The Other Girl. The problem of getting a gold dress caused Peggy quite a few anxious thoughts. She had no money except what she earned at the studio, and with that she had to help keep the house going. Janet saw to that. But she did so want to be a success and look her best. She wanted to see the light of approval shine in Lionel's eyes when he surveyed her in it, and to know that no one else could have looked nicer than she. But what can one do without money. Peggy at last, in desperation, wrote to an aunt and explained her position. The aunt was pleased to think her niece was making good, and in a generous mood she sent Peggy a ten- pound note on the understanding that a couple of tickets should be sent her for the trade show when her niece would appear. Peggy applied for the tickets, and wrote Lionel at the same time. His car drew up at Snaresbrook Terrace the following day to take her shopping. Janet watched them go off together. Her jealous nature could not understand that she had chosen her own life and that Peggy had but done the same, and to imagine that she was having a better time than the other was just sheer foolishness. But Janet was foolish. Peggy looked so happy and pretty, and Janet felt annoyed. Peggy bought her frock and also gold shoes and stockings to match, and then, 'after leaving orders for them to be sent home, she and Lionel went off to have tea in the West End. It was a treat for Peggy. She did not often have time to spare, or an escort, and she did not have opportunities for meeting many people except when she was working, so this was a red-letter day. Lionel knew every restaurant and teashop within a two-mile radius, and he was very proud to be seen with her. Apart from her being the future star of the big English film company, Lionel was in love—genuinely in love for the first time in his life. There had been dozens of other girls, of course, but never before had one made him feel willing to give up his freedom. There was something so sweetly, genuinely childish and unselfish about Peggy. Her care for her father, and then for little Jackie, had woven into her character something which Lionel could appreciate, and which he had never seen in any other girl. As he led her to a table in the centre of the big, fashion- able tearoom he was conscious only of her, and had eyes for no one else. In one corner of the room was seated a man and a girl. The girl was dark and foreign-looking, and wore a swathed turban of gold tissue and orange crepe-de-Chine on her closely cropped head. Her eyes were thickly pencilled and her skin was hidden under a layer of cosmetics. In her long, thin fingers she held a cigarette holder, but she was not smoking for the moment. Her companion, an elderly man in a greasy frock coat and soiled linen, was watching also the direction of her eyes that were fixed on the newcomers. " So—ho," he said in a low voice. " So that is how the wind lies, does it ? Kitty Belton turned her attention to him. " Yes," she said with a bitter little laugh. " You see what this means, don't you ? That chit of a thing is going to have the lead in Greasby's next production. It's an insult putting her before me. I did think this was going to be my chance, but you see— "she made an expressive gesture with her hands. " Half the time you men don't know what you want," she went on contemptuously. " You look at that film ; her part isn't nearly as strong as mine. She's just fresh, and has a baby face, and Greasby has taken a fancy to her, and because he has, Lionel Hickman must do the same. He must be in the limelight if there is any going. He took me out to dinner a little while ago when he thought I stood a chance." She repeated her bitter little laugh. You ve none of you any minds of your own—you just follow each other. I'm fed up with this milk-and-water business. We don't have talent nowadays—it's just publicity, and everyone runs and repeats what they are told. You see—she'll be getting on the legitimate stage next, and she'll have a run. Just because Greasby has chosen her to appear with Hickman at the Trade Show on Monday week." The man she addressed was leaning back in his chair regarding her amusedly as she was speaking. " Jove ! " he said. " I like you when you get roused, Kit. I always feel you ought to have done something more than you have." " I could if I had a chance," retorted the girl bitterly. " But I've never had any luck. It doesn't come my way." The man leant forward. He was an out-of-work actor himself, one of those derelicts that can often be seen hovering round Maiden Lane. " You think it's just a case of publicity, but suppose the public wouldn't have it, Kit ? Suppose they see through it and won't have it, what then ? " " Oh, then one is done, of course. For instance, if the public booed and shouted when one appeared, then one s number would be up, of course ; but that's just my point—they won't, they haven't any minds of their own, they just follow the lead. One claps and they all clap, and that makes a public success." The girl lit her cigarette and began to smoke. The man leaned forward over the narrow table. If people didn't applaud her but hissed when they saw her, would that help you much, Kit ? " he asked. She shrugged her shoulders and smiled into his care- lined, wizened old face. " Who knows," she said. " It would be a revenge for stepping over me, anyway, wouldn't it ? " And as she finished speaking she pushed back her chair. I've had enough of this," she said brusquely. " Let's get across to the lounge." The Test It was the day before the trade show when Jackie was taken seriously ill. Janet had refused before to send for the doctor. She thought Jackie was just teething until Peggy persisted; but when the doctor came his face was very grave. The child's life was in danger. Peggy was in the sickroom nursing her darling. In (Continued on page 94.)