A Time to Dance-My America 3 Read Online Free PDF Page A

went on to perform the play.
    There was an entire castle onstage. There was a ghost, and soldiers, and much fighting with swords. And in the center of it all was Mr. Edwin Booth.
    Mr. Booth did not shout or wave his arms as many of the players did. And even though he sometimes spoke the poetry of Shakespeare very softly, I understood every word.
    I was so sad when he was killed that I cried and cried. But when he came out for his curtain call, I wept for joy that he was not really dead.
    I wish life could be like that.
    [Image: Two American flags.]
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    I have been reading
    Hamlet
    in Jed's Shakespeare book. As I read it, I see and hear Mr. Edwin Booth, over and over.
    January 8, 1866
    I am weeping again. I just read the words spoken over Hamlet when he dies.
    "Goodnight Sweet Prince, and flights of angels sing thee to thy rest." Isn't that beautiful?
    January 9, 1866
    This morning, I talked with Jed about why Mr. Edwin Booth is such a great actor. I reminded him that when President Lincoln gave his speech at Gettysburg, a magazine said he had spoken "from the heart to the heart."
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    That is what I believe Mr. Edwin Booth does onstage. When he performed
    Hamlet,
    I felt I always knew exactly what he was thinking and feeling. He spoke directly from his heart to mine.
    January 10, 1866
    I think I am in love with Mr. Edwin Booth. I cannot stop thinking about how he looked in his black costume, and how he walked, and how he spoke. He is surely the greatest actor who has ever lived.
    January 13, 1866
    There was an engraving of Edwin Booth on the cover of
    Harper's Weekly
    newspaper today.
    He has dark, wavy hair, sad eyes, and a
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    strong nose. He looks very thoughtful. I wonder, I wonder what he is thinking about.
    January 15, 1866
    I have noticed that Mrs. Edmonds is staying longer and longer after Charles's lessons. Today she and Pa sat together in the parlor for almost an hour.
    After she left, Pa went to his room and played his violin until Jane Ellen called him to supper. His music was joyful and spirited.
    Could Pa's feelings about Mrs. Charles Edmonds be like mine for Mr. Edwin Booth?
    January 18, 1866
    I spoke to Jane Ellen about Pa and Mrs. Edmonds. She thinks it is good for Pa to have
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    a lady friend. She said he must be very lonely. I told her he shouldn't be lonely, that our house is filled with people. She said there were many ways to be lonely.
    January 20, 1866
    I have been thinking about Pa's loneliness. Perhaps Jane Ellen is right. I myself have sometimes felt very lonely, even in our crowded little home.
    I am sure Edwin Booth has felt terrible loneliness in his life. I can tell from the sadness in his eyes.
    January 23, 1866
    I have done a bold thing. I have written a letter to Mr. Edwin Booth. Here is what I said:
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    Dear Mr. Booth,
    I had the wonderful pleasure of seeing you perform
    Hamlet
    at the Winter Garden Theatre on January 3. I feel your performance changed my life.
    I am concerned that you might be feeling lonely and sad. I heard that you had retired from acting because of your brother John. I am very glad you changed your mind. I believe President Lincoln would be glad, too.
    If you would like to correspond with someone who understands your loneliness, I would very much like to hear from you.
    Yours most sincerely,
    Virginia Dickens
    [Image: Two American flags.]
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    It has been nearly a week since I wrote to Mr. Booth. I still have not received a reply. But I know he is very busy.
    January 30, 1866
    Last night Pa played at a very fancy charity ball for the Nursery and Children's Hospital. Mrs. Edmonds had helped to organize the event. The conductor of the orchestra was an acquaintance of hers, and last week she arranged for Pa to play his violin for him.
    The conductor said Pa is very talented and hired him on the spot. He even said he might have more jobs for Pa in the future.
    Mrs. Edmonds and Charles went to hear Pa play at the ball. Afterward, they all went out for ice cream! I will