"I mustn't keep you.

get these two youngsters

I know you'll be wanting to off to bed. But I would like

to meet them, if I may. Their act is terrific!"

(she always

Aunt Jemima turned to us. "Girls, called us girls unless we were definitely playing the role of boys which is one of the many reasons why we loved her) "Girls, this is a gentleman whom I hoped you'd meet one day Mr. Robert Dulac. Mr. Dulac is one of the greatest impressarios in the world," We both smiled and curtsied slightly, but he strode over, took our hands in his, and gazed at us keenly, quite imper- sonally, as if he were inspecting a picture offered for sale.

Then he said: Why, they are girls, and very tal- ented ones, too almost as talented as you, Jemmie! He let our hands go. "Now I insist that you young lad- ies work for me. Why, with talent like that, we could have your names in lights at the great variety theatres of the world Sydney, London, Paris, Berlin, Moscow, New York, Los Angeles

"Not for a few years yet, said Aunt Jemima firm-

ly. "Not till they've got their degrees."

Mr. Dulac protested vehemently, but Auntie would not budge. She had promised my parents that we would not take up a stage career until we had complet- ed our education and that was that.

The months, the years, faded past us almost un- noticed. Our hair grew until we had to wear it in plaits. Each year we took part in two or three stage shows in one or other of the State capitals, but other than these holiday-times, it was work, study, practise- very full were our lives, very active, and very happy. We passed our first public examinations; we matricula- ted; we were ready to enter the University.

There was just one thing that had to be done first: we had to lose our lovely long hair. Aunt Jemima gras- ped the scissors. We waited sadly.

Nothing happened. There was a long silence.