这部名为《牺牲》的电影终于上映了。周一的下午，小小的影院里挤满了人。几个女孩已经迫不及待地想看看自己在影片中的表现了。这部电影是那样扣人心弦，而她们出现的瞬间又是那样短暂。第二天上午，她们和约翰叔叔一起去了电影制作公司，威纳先生热情地接待了他们。那么，在参观的过程中都发生了什么奇怪的事情呢？
The picture，which was entitled "The Sacrifice"，proved—to use Patsy's words—"a howling success."On Monday afternoons the little theatres are seldom crowded，so Mr.Merrick's party secured choice seats where they could observe every detail of the photography.The girls couldnot wait for a later performance，so eager were they to seethemselves in a motion picture，nor were they disappointed to？nd they were a mere incident in the long roll of ？lm.
The story of the photo—play was grippinga in its intensity，and since Mr.Werner had clearly explained the lesson it conveyed，they followed the plot with rapt attention.In the last scene their entrance and exit was transitory，but they were obliged tob admit that their features were really expressive of fear.The next instant the wall fell，burying its victims，and this rather bewildered them when they remembered that fully half an hour had elapsed while the dummies were being placed in position，the real people removed from danger and preparations made to topple overc the wall from the inside of the building.But the camera had been inactive during that period and so cleverly had the parts of the picture been united that no pause whatever was observable to the spectators.
"My！What a stuffyd place，"exclaimed Louise，as they emerged into the light of day."I cannot understand why it isnecessary to have these moving picture theatres so gloomy and uncomfortable.""It isn't necessary，"replied Uncle John."It's merely ahabit the builders have acquired.There seemed to be a total lack of ventilation in that place.""No one expects much for ten cents，"Arthur remindedhim."If the pictures are good the public will stand for anything in the matter of discomfort.""Did you notice，"said Patsy，slowly，"how manychildren there were in that theatre ？""Yes，indeed，"answered Beth."The pictures seem to be an ideal amusement for children.I do not suppose they can understand all the dramas and love stories，but the pictures entertain them，whatever the theme may be.""They are not allowed to go unless accompanied by a parent or guardian，"Arthur stated；"but I saw a group of eleven under the care of one cheery—looking old lady，so I suppose the little ones evade the law in that way."On Tuesday forenoon they drove to the office of the Continental Film Manufacturing Company and inquired f o r M r.Werner.Every approach to the interior of the big stockade a was closely guarded in order to prevent the curiousfrom intruding，but Werner at once hurried out to greet themand escorted them into the enclosure.
"You are just in time，"said he，"to witness one of thescenes in our great picture，'Samson and Delilah.'They're getting it on now，so you must hurry if you want to see the work.It's really the biggest thing our ？rm has ever turned out."They passed a group of low but extensive frame buildings，threading their way between them until ？nally they emerged within a large open space where huge frames coveredwith canvas were propped up in broad daylight and apparently in great disorder.Huddled here and there were groups of people wearing Oriental costumes of the Bible days，their skinsstained brown，the make—up on their faces showing hideouslyain the strong light.A herd of meekb donkeys，bearing burdens of faggots，was tethered near by.
"Follow me closely，"cautioned their guide，"so you will not step over the 'dead line'and get yourselves in the picture.""What is the 'dead line'？"inquired Uncle John.
"The line marks the limit of the camera's scope.Outside of that you are quite safe.You will notice it is plainly marked in chalk."They passed around to the front and were amazed at the picture disclosed by the reverse of the gaunt，skeleton—like framework.For now was displayed Solomon's temple in all its magni？cence，with huge pillars supporting a roof that seemed as solid and substantial as stone and mortar could make it.
The perspective was wonderful，for they could follow aline of vision through the broad temple to a passage beyond，along which was approaching a procession of priests，headed by dancing girls and musicians beating tomtoms and playing upon reeds.The entire scene was barbaric in its splendor and so impressive that they watched it spellbounda，awed and silent.
Yet here beside them was the motion—picture camera，clicking steadily away and operated by a man in his shirt—sleeves who watched the scene with sharp eyes，now frowning and now nodding approval.Beside him at times，but rushing from one point to another just outside the chalk—marks that indicated the "dead line，"was the director of this production，who shouted commands in a nervous，excited manner and raged and tore his hair when anything went wrong.
Something went very wrong presently，for the directorblew a shrill blast on his whistle and suddenly everything stopped short.The camera man threw a cloth over his lenses and calmly lighted a cigarette.The procession halted in uncertainty and became a disordered rabbleb；but the director sprang into the open space and shouted at his actors and actresses in evident ill temper.
"There it is again！"he cried."Five hundred feet of good film，ruined by the stupidity of one person.Get out of that priest's robe，Higgins，and let Jackson take your place.Where's Jackson，anyhow ？""Here，"answered a young man，stepping out from a group of spectators.
"Do you know the work ？Can you lead that procession into the temple so they will leave room for Delilah to enter，and not crowd her off the platform？"asked the director.