room in party dress. "Why, it's a set for a music drama by Satie and Cocteau!" she exclaimed.
"Isn't it wonderful what Damon has done?" said Hal.
"He has carried out my idea most collaboratively," Figente declared, frowning at Hal. "Damon and I work well together."
"All you need now," observed Lucy, "is Salomey and a head on a platter."
"Salom-ay, my dear."
"All right, Salom-ay. I hate to think what this place will look like about three tomorrow morning. It's good we women wear short skirts or we'd be straw scarecrows. I hope it doesn't get on the couches."
"Don't be mundane," Figente said testily.
"You cute little fatty, don't you know I'm a demi-mundane?"
Figente groaned. "To think such a bad pun would issue from the lips of Venus."
"Venus! I thought I was going to be the Virgin?"
"You are, in a tableau with Cynski as Joseph because of his beard."
"Isn't that sacrilegious?" asked Vida uncomfortably.
"Not at all, it's merely a tableau, they'll be inactive. Your important number," he turned to Lucy, "is the dance you and Ranna do as Sheba and Solomon."
"We can do our duet, it will be a good rehearsal for the recital."
"Boswell, you will be Mary Magdalene."
"I can't," said Vida, trying not to look shocked. "You must leave me out of it. I'll help get things ready."
"If you'd rather. Repentance is dull anyway. In that case, you had better get here early."
"Yes, I'd rather," said Vida, wishing she could enter into play without embarrassment like Lucy.
"How do I look?" cried Hal, bounding in and posing arms outstretched and clad only in a leopard loincloth.
"Who are you?" asked Lucy with such an unbelieving expression that Vida laughed convulsively.
"I'm David and I'm to play the harp before the Ark but I think I ought to dance too," he declared, leaping and turning in what he fancied was ballet.
Lucy screamed. "I never knew you were knock-kneed!"
"I am not, am I, Ray?" He tossed his head petulantly. "It's just that my legs are thin." He straightened himself to prove it.
