“Yes,” said Ruth, simply.

“From the maturity of your treatment of the scenario I fancied you might be a teacher here at Briarwood,” pursued the man, smirking.  “But I find you a young person—­extremely young, if I may be allowed the observation, to have written a scenario of the character of ’The Heart of a Schoolgirl.’”

“I wrote it,” said Ruth, for she thought the remark was a question.  “I had written one before.”

“Yes, yes, yes!” exclaimed Mr. Farrington.  “So I understand.  In fact, I have seen your ‘Curiosity.’  A very ingeniously thought out reel.  And well acted by the Alectrion Company.  Rather good acting, indeed, for them.”

“I have not seen it myself,” Ruth said, not knowing what the man wanted or how she ought to speak to him.  “Did you wish to talk to me on any matter of importance?”

“I may say, Yes, very important—­to yourself, Miss Fielding,” he said, with a wide smile.  “This is a most important matter.  It affects your entire career as—–­ I may say—­one of our most ingenious young writers for the screen.”

Ruth stared at him in amazement.  Just because she had written two moving picture scenarios she was quite sure that she was neither famous nor a genius.  Mr. Amasa Farrington’s enthusiasm was more amazing than his appearance.

“I am sure I do not understand you,” Ruth confessed.  “Is it something that you would better talk to Mrs. Tellingham about?  I will introduce you to her——­”

“No, no!” said Mr. Farrington, waving a black-gloved hand with the gesture Hamlet might have used in waving to his father’s ghost.  “The lady preceptress of your school has naught to do with this matter.  It is personal with you.”

“But what is it?” queried Ruth, rather exasperated now.

“Be not hasty—­be not hasty, I beg,” said Amasa Farrington.  “I know I may surprise you.  I, too, was unknown at one time, and never expected to be anything more than a traveling Indian Bitters pedler.  My latent talent was developed and fostered by a kindly soul, and I come to you now, Miss Fielding, in the remembrance of my own youth and inexperience——­”

“For mercy’s sake!” gasped Ruth, finally.  “What do you wish?  I am not in need of any Indian Bitters.”

“You mistake me—­you mistake me,” said the man, stiffly.  “Amasa Farrington has long since graduated from the ranks of such sordid toilers.  See my card.”

“I do see your card,” the impatient Ruth said, again glancing at the bit of pasteboard.  “I see that you represent something called the ’Criterion Films.’  What are they?”

“Ah! now you ask a pointed question, young lady,” declared Mr. Farrington.  “Rather you should ask, ‘What will they be?’ They will be the most widely advertised films ever released for the entertainment of the public.  They will be written by the most famous writers of scenarios.  They will be produced by the greatest directors in the business.  They will be acted by our foremost Thespians.”