As a matter of fact, however, he was allowed to play till the end of the season, but this was not very far off. Warm weather had set in, and audiences became small.

 

One day Harry² Bertram called Jed aside.

 

"Well, Jed," he said, "I am afraid we must part."

 

"Why, Mr. Bertram?"

 

"The weather has become so warm that we are no longer paying expenses. Mr. Mordaunt has decided³ to close the season on Saturday night."

 

Jed looked blank. He didn't know what would come next.

 

"I thought we might hold out another[Pg 126] week, and we might if the weather had remained comfortable, but people won't come to see 'The Gold King' or any other play when the thermometer stands at eighty degrees."

 

"What shall you do, Mr. Bertram?"

 

"Fall back on my trade, if possible."

 

"What is that?"

 

"I am a telegraph operator, and I may be able to fill in the summer in some Western union office. I have to work at summer prices, but as long as I make my board and lodging⁴ I shall be content."

 

"I wish I had a trade," said Jed thoughtfully.

 

"You don't feel like going back to your old home?"

 

"In the Scranton poorhouse? Not much!" answered Jed energetically. "I'll starve first. Have you got any place engaged?"

 

"No, but I have worked two summers at Sea Spray, an Atlantic coast summer resort. I shall go there and see if there is an opening."

 

"Is it far away?"

 

"About fifty miles. I'll tell you what, Jed,[Pg 127] you had better come with me. Something may turn up for you."

 

"What is the fare, Mr. Bertram?"

 

"About a dollar and a half. You will have some money coming to you. You haven't been paid anything yet, have you?"

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