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第25章 STILL A MYSTERY(2)

The picture concluded with the scene where Uncle John lifted the body into the automobile and dashed awaya with it to the hospital.

Maud Stanton,used as she was to seeing herself inmotion pictures,was even more impressed than the others when observing her own actions at a time when she was wholly unconscious that a camera—man had his lens focused upon her.

"It's a great picture !"whispered Flo,as they made theirway out of the crowded theatre."Why can't all our ?lms be as natural and absorbing as this one ?""Because,"said her sister,"in this case there is no acting.The picture carries conviction with a force that no carefully rehearsed scene could ever accomplish.""That is true,"agreed her Aunt Jane."The nature scenes are the best,after all.""The most unsatisfactory pictures I have ever seen,"remarked Uncle John,"were those of prominent men,and foreign kings,and the like,who stop before the camera and bow as awkwardly as a camel.They know they are posing,and in spite of their public experience they're as bashfula as schoolboys or as arrogant as policemen,according to their personal characteristics.""Did you notice the mob of children in that theatre?"askedPatsy,as they proceeded homeward."I wish there were more pictures made that are suitable to their understandings.""They enjoy anything in the way of a picture,"saidArthur."It isn't necessary to cater to children;they'll go anyhow,whatever is shown.""That may be,to an extent,true,"said Beth."Children are fascinated by any sort of motion pictures,but a lot of them must be wholly incomprehensible to the child mind.I agree with Patsy that the little ones ought to have their own theatresand their own pictures.""That will come,in time,"prophesiedb Aunt Jane."Already the film makers are recognizing the value of the children's patronage and are trying to find subjects that especially appeal to them."They reached the hotel soon after ten o'clock and found"Ajo"seated in the lobby.He appeared much brighter and stronger than the day before and rose to greet Patsy with a smile that had lost much of its former sad expression.