I struggled back to life--and then
I took up my needle again.
"It may surprise you that I should have failed (having an actress
for my dearest friend) to use the means of introduction thus
offered to me to try the stage--especially as my childish
training had given me, in some small degree, a familiarity with
the Art.
"I had only one motive for shrinking from an appearance at the
theatre--but it was strong enough to induce me to submit to any
alternative that remained, no matter how hopeless it might be. If
I showed myself on the public stage, my discovery by the man from
whom I had escaped would be only a question of time. I knew him
to be habitually a play-goer and a subscriber to a theatrical
newspaper. I had even heard him speak of the theatre to which my
friend was attached, and compare it advantageously with places of
amusement of far higher pretensions. Sooner or later, if I joined
the company he would be certain to go and see 'the new actress.'
The bare thought of it reconciled me to returning to my needle.
Before I was strong enough to endure the atmosphere of the
crowded workroom I obtained permission, as a favor, to resume my
occupation at home.
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