The Showstopper. Mary Casanova

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      Still, Rebecca allowed herself to smile. Mr. Hammerstein may have given them no choice—but he’d also given his approval. Tomorrow they would visit the famous Olivia Berry at the New Amsterdam Theater, and Rebecca couldn’t be more excited. “You can rely on us, sir,” she said.

      “Good,” he said. “I’ll let Flora know that I have given permission for both of you to assist Miss Berry. I want you to take a full half hour every day for your delivery. Of course, that means you’ll have to work extra hard to get your work done at the farm.”

      “A half hour?” It was even more than Rebecca had hoped for. “What if we get kicked out of the theater?”

      “Act like you belong,” he said, “and everyone will assume you do.” Then he waved them out the door.

      …

      The subway train bounced along, careening around corners and squeaking at each stop. Smelling of the turpentine he’d used to clean paintbrushes, Michael sat by himself. The girls huddled together, going over their day.

      “I can’t wait to find out more about the ethereal Olivia Berry,” Rebecca said. “I mean, she’s the biggest rising star in all of New York City, and yet she’s friendly to us.”

      “To you,” Ana corrected her.

      Is Ana envious? Rebecca wondered. Remembering how it had stung to feel left out by Flora and Ana earlier in the day, Rebecca tried to smooth things over. “Won’t it be fun for us to see what the Follies are all about?” she asked. “Mr. Hammerstein didn’t have to ask me to keep my eyes and ears open. I would anyway!”

      “Mr. Hammerstein wants us to spy. Nothing good comes of spying,” Ana said, gazing out the window at the dark subway walls as they flew past. “We must tell parents.”