Weeks passed and Phoebe grew in confidence. She grew and blossomed into a powerful and moving young actress. All the ones who had teased her apologized.

Then, finally, it was opening night. Phoebe was backstage, in costume, fidgeting wildly. She was so scared. Her stage fright had returned full force. Her lucky necklace couldn't help her now.

Even so, she found herself pulling the necklace out from under her costume and looking at it. She thought about how she had always worn it during rehearsals. She remembered how she had overcome her fear of performing in front of her classmates and grown into the actress she had dreamed of becoming. Her fears faded. Maybe this necklace really is lucky, she thought, slipping it back underneath her costume. It helps me remember everything I've done to reach this point. And I don't feel so afraid.

She turned her attention back to the play. The first scene was just about over. Soon it would be time for her, Melanie, and Sassy to go on stage for the first time.

The lights went down, the stage props were rearranged, and then the lights went up again. Phoebe took a deep breath. It was time. She slowly walked out onto stage next to Melanie and trailed by Sassy.

"Neither my husband nor the slave return'd," Melanie sulked, "That in such haste I sent to seek his master! Sure, Luciana, it is two o'clock."

"Perhaps some merchant hath invited him," Phoebe suggested, "And from the mart he's somewhere gone to dinner;" she sat down at a table and placed a napkin over her lap, "Good sister, let us dine, and never fret. A man is master of his liberty; Time is their master, and when they see time, they'll go or come. If so, be patient, sister."

"Why should their liberty than ours be more?" Melanie asked in annoyance.

"Because their business still lies out o' door," Phoebe replied.

"Look when I serve him so," Melanie complained, "he takes it ill."

"O, know he is the bridle of your will," Sassy quipped.

"There's none but asses will be bridled so," Melanie pointed out.

Phoebe picked up a book and read from it, "'Why, headstrong liberty is lash'd with woe. There's nothing situate under heaven's eye But hath his bound, in earth, in sea, in sky. The beasts, the fishes, and the winged fowls, Are their males' subjects, and at their controls. Man, more divine, the master of all these, Lord of the wide world and wild wat'ry seas, Indu'd with intellectual sense and souls, Of more pre-eminence than fish and fowls, Are masters to their females, and their lords; Then let your will attend on their accords.'"

"This servitude makes you to keep unwed," Sassy said, leaning over her shoulder.

"Not this," Phoebe said, gesturing to the book, "but troubles of the marriage-bed."

"But, were you wedded, you would bear some sway," Melanie pointed out.

"Ere I learn love," Phoebe said, "I'll practise to obey."

Melanie started pacing, "How if your husband start some other where?" she asked.

"Till he come home again," Phoebe said, and shrugged, "I would forbear."

Melanie pretended shock, "Patience unmov'd!" she exclaimed. "No marvel though she pause: They can be meek that have no other cause. A wretched soul, bruis'd with adversity, we bid be quiet when we hear it cry; But were we burd'ned with like weight of pain, as much, or more, we should ourselves complain." Melanie turned to address Phoebe, "So thou, that hast no unkind mate to grieve thee, with urging helpless patience would relieve me; But if thou live to see like right bereft, this fool-begg'd patience in thee will be left."

"Well," Phoebe said, "I will marry one day, but to try." She noticed Winston come out of a door on stage and added, "Here comes your man, now is your husband nigh."

It was a lot easier once she got started. She was soon lost in the world of the play. That night she performed as she had never performed before. It was perfect.

After the last bow they all raced back stage, laughing and hugging each other with delight. The girls had all been presented with bouquets of flowers from family members, which they still carried in one arm. Peter was waiting for them in the room where they had gotten into their costumes. Behind him, on a table, was a large rectangular cake. "I thought we should celebrate," he said with a smile.

The cake was cut and everyone settled down with their pieces to enjoy. Peter sat down next to Phoebe. "Thank you, Peter," she said softly, "You believed in me. That, and the necklace you gave me brought me good luck out there tonight."

Peter chuckled softly. "You were determined, stuck with it, and didn't let your fear get in the way of something you wanted to do," he told her. "That's what brought you good luck." He smiled at her and then got up to talk to another of the actors.

Phoebe sat there for a moment. Peter was right. She knew he was right. She knew, too, as she watched him talk and laugh with the others, that she would never forget the lesson. Or him. They would both be locked up in her heart forever.

THE END