And when you don't read a book, the play made therefrom lacks lucidity, and you experience the need of a "key." I should imagine that the dramatization of a novel killed its sale. Who, after viewing "Nancy Stair" as a play, would tackle it as a novel? Of course, when a book is dramatized after it has had a stupendous sale, the author cannot complain.

He has no excuse for protesting. This is a somewhat interesting topic. Miss Mannering coped with _Nancy_ as she would cope with _Camille_ or _Juliet_, or any character quite outside of her range of ability.

In light comedy episodes, she is quite acceptable. She is a very pretty, graceful, distinguished young woman, but her "emotion" is absurd. Her dramatic fervor is such an exceedingly stereotyped affair that you can watch it in a detached mood.