it ain’t my fault, is it? I mean, I didn’t ask for it. Mr Osborne asked me.’
‘What’s your opinion of Mr Froggatt?’ Harriet enquired falteringly.
‘Mr Froggatt?’ Kate looked at Harriet and perceived that she was blushing. ‘Oh, he’s a sweetheart.’
‘You like him, do you?’
‘I’m glad it’s him playing the part of John Rolfe—’
‘The man you marry,’ Harriet added coyly, as if there were some hidden ironical twist to it.
Kate laughed. ‘I know … Now he’d be a fine catch for you, Harriet. Still unwed, handsome—’
‘And excellent prospects …’ Priss remarked typically. ‘The only son of Dr Froggatt. You could certainly do worse for yourself than Dr Froggatt’s son, our Harriet.’
‘But it’s foolish of you to think of Mr Froggatt and me in that way, Priss,’ Harriet protested mildly. ‘It’s like comparing us with the princess and the frog, only the other way round. I’m sure he’d be far more interested in Kate.’
‘Do you think so?’ queried Kate, affecting surprise.
‘I’m sure of it … if he thought you were available.’
‘Oh, I’m available.’
‘Oh, are you, Kate?’ Harriet sounded surprised. ‘Algie told me not so long ago that you were seeing some chap … Somebody called Hodgetts, I believe he said.’
‘Our Algie told you that?’ Kate became suddenly alarmed. If news of her wantonness at the back of the shed had reached Harriet after all … ‘When did he tell you that?’
‘Oh, before he … before he became interested in that … that other girl.’
‘Well, our Algie was wrong, Harriet,’ Kate said emphatically. ‘And I’ll tell him as much when I get back home. I ain’t tied up with nobody. ’Specially nobody called Hodgetts. I don’t know where he got that daft idea from. Wait till I see him.’
‘He was quite concerned for you,’ Harriet persisted, loyally defending Algie. ‘He said he didn’t like him very much. The thing is, Kate, you could have your pick of men, if you don’t mind me saying so, a girl with your looks. It’s why I mentioned Mr Froggatt. He seems to look at you with such great interest.’
‘Me? I don’t think so, Harriet. I think you must be mistook.’
‘Well, I don’t believe so. I’ve witnessed it with my own eyes. How he looks at you when he’s reading the part … And, oh, my goodness, how he held your hand so tellingly in the scene where he proposes to you in front of Powhatan. Even though you were only reading, and not yet acting.’
‘Oh, I think he was just trying to get into the mood of the part, Harriet,’ Kate responded dismissively. ‘Anyway, he’ll have a long wait if he thinks I’m going to be interested in him … I could always tell him that you fancy him, though, Harriet. I’d be happy to give your chances a boost.’
‘Oh, no, please don’t, Kate. Oh, I beg of you, don’t say anything.’
‘Are you sure? I could have sworn I detected some interest in him.’
‘Oh, I think he’s very nice, to be sure, but he’s hardly for me …’
‘What do you mean, hardly for you?’ pried Priss.
‘Well … it wouldn’t be fair on him …’
‘Oh? Why on earth not?’
‘Because I’m still smarting over Algie, to tell you the truth.’
‘Lord knows why,’ Priss remarked disdainfully, and rolled her eyes.
Harriet shrugged. ‘It’s easy for you to scoff, Priss, but losing him has hurt me far more than ever I thought it could.’
‘Good gracious, Harriet!’ Kate exclaimed. ‘You really do surprise me.’
‘I surprise myself, Kate. He wrote to me, you know, apologising for not being straight with me sooner.’
‘He wrote?’ Kate queried. ‘What did he say?’
‘As I say, it was just an apology. I ought to reply soon.’
‘I wouldn’t,’ Priss said. ‘After the deceitful way he treated you.’
‘But there’s no reason why we shouldn’t still be friends, Priss. I like Algie. He’s basically very decent …’ She turned to Kate. ‘So what’s he been doing lately? Seeing his new lady friend, I imagine.’
‘I don’t think he’s seen her for weeks. She hasn’t been our way at all lately, as I know to.’
‘Maybe it’s all over with her then?’
Kate shrugged. ‘I couldn’t say. He don’t tell me his secrets. But I wouldn’t trouble myself over him, if I was you. He ain’t worth it. I told you … And the best way to get over one love affair is to get started with another. It’s better than any poultice, you know.’
Harriet smiled demurely.
They arrived at the Drill Hall and entered. The Little Theatre group was a mix of all the social classes, people with a shared interest in being involved, in however small a way, for the satisfaction it gave them. Seats had been set in a circle in the middle of the room, and several were occupied already by an assortment of women, some not so fashionably dressed, others in tight-bodiced costumes and the latest in toques and bonnets. Harriet, Priss and Kate sat down and said good evening to those already seated. Murdoch Osborne was standing by the stove, talking to the assembled males of the group and Katie Richards. Presently, Clarence Froggatt, well-dressed in a smart jacket and a necktie, arrived and made his way at once to the three girls.
‘Good evening, Pocahontas,’ he greeted, beaming with abundant good humour. ‘Good evening, Miss Alice. Good evening, Miss Anne.’
‘Good evening, Mr Rolfe,’ Kate answered for all three, likewise using his character name, while Harriet blushed decorously and averted her eyes.
‘Learned our lines yet, have we?’ He looked from one to the other expectantly.
‘I’ve been working hard learning mine,’ said Kate.
‘Splendid. Maybe we should attempt a first run through without the script, you and I at any rate, Miss Stokes.’
‘If you like, Mr Froggatt.’ She smiled at him, more coquettishly than previously, after hearing Harriet’s observations of his apparent regard for her. ‘But I would’ve thought that was up to Mr Osborne.’
‘Oh, he’ll be delighted that we’re both being so conscientious, I’m sure.’
More of the players arrived and eventually Murdoch Osborne called them all to order. Accordingly, the men drifted towards the vacant seats within the circle.
