He suddenly remembered that he had still a professional duty to
perform. He must that afternoon, and also that evening, watch a
Harold Parmalee picture. He left the cafeteria, swaggered by the
watchman at the gate-he had now the professional standing to silence
that fellow-and made his way to the theatre Baird had mentioned.
In front he studied the billing of the Parmalee picture. It was
"Object, Matrimony-a Smashing Comedy of Love and Laughter." Harold
Parmalee, with a gesture of mock dismay, seemed to repulse a bevy of
beautiful maidens who wooed him. Merton took his seat with a dismay
that was not mock, for it now occurred to him that he had no
experience in love scenes, and that an actor playing Parmalee parts
would need a great deal of such experience. In Simsbury there had
been no opportunity for an intending actor to learn certain little
niceties expected at sentimental moments. Even his private life had
been almost barren of adventures that might now profit him.
He had sometimes played kissing games at parties, and there had been
the more serious affair with Edwina May Pulver-nights when he had
escorted her from church or sociables to the Pulver gate and
lingered in a sort of nervously worded ecstasy until he could summon
courage to kiss the girl.
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