Ballet Shoes

Pauline buys a beautiful black velvet frock, and then Mr. Simpson takes her in his car to meet the manager. When she arrives, she meets another young actress, Winifred, who is wearing “an ugly brown velvet frock […] When Winifred’s mother [sees] Nana, she [gives] her Winifred’s coat and shoe bag and ask[s] her to be so kind as to look after her” because her husband is ill at home with five younger children (116). Nana agrees, and Winifred’s mother leaves.

Winifred tells Pauline that they’re auditioning for the role of Alice in a production of Lewis Carroll’s Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland that day. They were told to bring a ribbon to help them look like Alice. She tells Pauline how much she needs the money: “If I could get this job, Mother’d put half away for me, but even what’s left would mean the extra stuff Dad needs to get well. He’s had an operation, and doesn’t seem to get right after it” (117). Pauline almost hopes that Winifred will get the role since she needs the money more.

While the girls wait with the other actresses trying out for Alice, Pauline tries to shake off her nerves.