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

admit I was a bit jealous
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    when Pa told me this. But when I thought about Pa's loneliness, I calmed down.
    I wonder: Are Mrs. Edmonds and Charles lonely, too?
    February 5, 1866
    Another play opened in the theatre today. It is called A
    New Way to Pay Old Debts.
    There are only five actresses, so I will not have to work nearly as hard getting everyone dressed.
    February 6, 1866
    Today when Mrs. Edmonds was here with Charles for his lesson, she spoke very sweetly to me. She said, "Your father always says such nice things about you, Ginny. I hope we can get to know each other better."
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    I wonder when Pa says these nice things. Does he call on Mrs. Edmonds a lot?
    February 7, 1866
    Pa is growing a beard! At first I thought he had just forgotten to shave for a few days. But when I asked him about it, he said he had been the only man in the charity ball orchestra who did not have whiskers. He thinks the beard might bring him luck.
    I think he will look very handsome. But I will miss seeing the dimple in his chin.
    February 11, 1866
    Nearly three weeks, and still no answer from Mr. Booth. He must get many letters from people who admire his talent. I imagine it takes him quite a while to answer them all.
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    Today is President Lincoln's birthday. He would have been fifty-six years old today.
    I once read that President Lincoln grew his beard because a little girl told him he would look more handsome if he had a beard.
    I wonder if Mrs. Charles Edmonds has anything to do with Pa's whiskers.
    February 16, 1866
    Wonderful news! Today Pa was offered a regular job with the orchestra that played at the charity ball! Perhaps his beard has indeed brought him luck.
    [Image: Two American flags.]
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    An amazing thing has happened. I am so excited I can barely write. It is the most wonderful thing that has happened to me in all my life.
    Tonight I am to have a part onstage! I shall perform the role of Waiting Woman in the play A
    New Way to Pay Old Debts.
    Here is how this came about:
    When I arrived at the theatre tonight, I learned that the actress who normally plays Waiting Woman had come down with a terrible case of laryngitis. She cannot speak above a whisper.
    The Waiting Woman actress is very close to my height and size. When I heard about the situation, I spoke right up. I told Mrs. Wood that the Waiting Woman costume fit me perfectly and that I was sure I could perform
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    the role! The play closes in less than a week, and Mrs. Wood does not want to hire another actress for only a few performances. So she agreed!
    I shall have only three lines, but Mrs. Wood says they are very important to the play and I must speak them loudly and clearly.
    Here is what I am to say:
    "Foh, what a smell is here!"
    Then: "I begin to feel faint!"
    And finally: "Sweet madam, keep your glove to your nose!"
    Later
    I am dressed in my Waiting Woman costume. I was very confident when I spoke to Mrs. Wood, but now I feel my confidence is leaving me. I wish Mr. Booth were here to give me advice!
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    In less than an hour, I will be onstage. I keep saying my three lines over and over and over. Mr. Ponisi has told me not to worry, that he will be there to call out my lines if I forget. That would be so embarrassing! I pray, I pray that I do not forget my lines.
    Later
    I am terrified. I have never been so frightened. I thought writing in my journal might calm me, but it has not. My hand is shaking so badly I fear I will never be able to read what I am writing now.
    I tell myself that there is nothing to be afraid of, but my heart will not stop pounding.
    I must go now and stand in the wings and listen for Frank Wellborn to shout: "Ah!
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    Better and better!" That is Waiting Woman's cue to go onstage.
    Later
    It is over. I am home.
    My time onstage seemed to fly by. When I came off, I could not be certain I had spoken
    any
    of my lines. But Mr. Ponisi assured me I had spoken them all, and had done a fine job!
    I am the happiest I have ever been. When Pa