Explore "The Three Strings" by Natalie Sumner Lincoln on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
THE impatient crowd, regardless of the early hour, clamored for admittance before the closed doors of the Belasco Theatre. From his vantage point behind the ticket seller's window, James Palmer smiled at friends and acquaintances as they pressed forward to buy tickets for the "Tableaux of the Allies," or secure those already engaged. Not only would the Red Cross reap a rich harvest from the tableaux, but the amateur performance would be viewed by a representative Washington audience, judging from the presence of high Government officials, members of the Foreign Missions detailed to Washington, diplomats; and army and navy officers among the men and women who thronged the lobby of the theater.
Palmer watched the ticket seller's deft manipulation of blue, red, and white pasteboards and his swift counting of change for a while longer, then hearing his name called he discovered Dr. Hayden waiting for him, and he promptly hurried through the private office into the lobby. Stopping to exchange a word of greeting with several friends just back from their summer outing, Palmer and Hayden entered the theater and made their way to Mrs. Burnham's box. Mrs. Burnham, well gowned as always, and wearing the jewels for which she was famous, turned on their entrance and shook hands cordially, while Burnham offered his seat to Hayden with an ingratiating smile.