A Peep Behind the Scenes

n illuminated, and three rows of brilliant stars shone forth from the little theatre belonging to Rosalie's father. He had b

ad in at the door of the caravan, 'surely y

it, if you stayed long enough with me;

ave to fill your part up every time. Conrad has to take it, and

ever I can,' said the

They lie still thinking about it, and nursing themselves up, long after a man would have

ugustus,' said his wife, 'I'm

better than that. Well, mind you have Rosalie

mother's side, and was crying qu

ou think you'll be fit to come on the stage if they're red and swollen with crying? Do you hea

will be so angry, and it's time you got ready. What a noise there i

he play. It was a white muslin dress, looped up with pink roses, and there was a wreath of paper roses to wear in her hair. S

lf in bed, and arranged her

e thin, wasted mother, the dirty, torn little frock she had just laid aside, were q

e box, in case a violent fit of coughing should come on, Rosalie ran quickly down the caravan steps, and rushed into th

ge, in which her father's company was assembled. They all looked tired and cross, for

just underneath the three rows of illuminated stars. Here they danced, and sang, and shook tambourines, in order to beguile the people to enter. Then t

ous parts. It was a foolish play, and in some of the parts there was a strong mixture of very objec

ch happier than theirs, and that her lot was greatly to be desired. They looked at the white dress and the pink roses, and contrasted them with their own warm but homely garments; they watched the pretty girl going

nd insufficient food, the dirty, ragged frock. They knew nothing of the bitter tears which had just be

resh amusement; but the actors had no rest. Once more they appeared on the platform to attract a fresh audience, and then the same play was repeated,

nother began, and the theatre was filled and refilled, long after

she, that she could hardly drag herself up the caravan steps. She opened the door very gently, that she might not disturb her mother, and then she tried to undress h

nest hours ago, instead of being exposed to the close, hot, stifl

e position, her white dress unfastened, and the pink roses from her hair fallen on the ground.

' she said tend

, and, when her mother touched her, sh

or I have found My s

picture, poor child,' sa

rms. Very gently the poor weak mother helped her to take off her white dress and her

said the mother, as the we

said Rosalie, i

assionately, and then lay awake by her side, weep