“Quite so,” and he laughed.  “But that only goes by worth.  We will see what a schoolgirl like you can do in writing a scenario.  It will give you practice so that you may be able to handle something really big about this beautiful old place.  You know, now that the most popular writers of the day are turning their hands to movies, the amateur production has to be pretty good to ‘get by,’ as the saying is.”

“Oh! now you are trying to discourage me.”

“No.  Only warning you,” Mr. Hammond said, with another laugh.  “I’ll send you a little pamphlet on scenario preparation—­it may help.  And I hope to read your first attempt before long.”

“Thank you, sir,” Ruth responded.  “And if ever I write my Red Mill scenario, I am going to write Miss Gray into it.  She is just the one to play the lead.”

“And she is a good little actress I believe,” said Mr. Hammond.  “I knew that Grimes had a girl that he wanted to push forward as the lead in this company he has up here.  I never like to interfere with my directors if I can help it.  But I will see that Miss Gray gets a square deal.  She has had good training in the legitimate drama, she is pretty, and she has pluck and good breeding.”

“That Mr. Grimes was horrid to her,” repeated Ruth, casting a glance of dislike at the man in the limousine.

“Oh, well, my dear, we cannot make people over in this world.  That is impossible.  But I will take care that Hazel Gray gets a square deal. That’s a promise, too, Ruth Fielding,” and the gentleman laughed again.

CHAPTER VI

WHAT IS AHEAD?

While Ruth and Mr. Hammond had been walking about, the Camerons had come.  Tom’s automobile was parked just beyond the moving picture magnate’s handsome limousine; and Tom had given more than one covetous glance at the big car before going into the house.

When Ruth returned and entered the big and friendly kitchen after ushering Mr. Hammond Into the sitting room again, she found the twins eagerly listening to and talking to Miss Hazel Gray, who was leisurely eating a late breakfast at the long table.

“Good morning, Ruth Fielding!” cried the guest, drawing her down to kiss her cheek.  “You are a dear.  I’ve been telling your friends so.  I fancy one of them at least thoroughly agrees with me,” and she cast a roguish glance at Tom.

Tom blushed and Helen giggled.  Ruth turned kind eyes away from Tom Cameron and smiled upon Helen.  “Yes,” she said, demurely, “I am sure that Helen has been singing my praises.  The girls are beginning to call her ’Mr. Boswell’ at school.  But I have heard complimentary words of you this morning, Miss Gray.”

“Oh!” cried the young actress.  “From Mr. Hammond?”

“Yes.”

“He is a lovely man,” declared Hazel Gray, enthusiastically.  “I have always said so.  If he would only make Grimes give me a square deal——­”