Chapter II
The play had been the ideal pretext for Sir Warwick to invite lots of people to Deepwell. A Midsummer Night's Dream had many dramatis personae and there weren't enough 'actors' at first. As they discussed casting each part, Athena had come up with the idea that Basil Prickling might be perfect for 'Bottom' – and when her uncle brought him there and Sophia met him, there had been lots of laughs because he fit so well in character. Though he was still young, Basil had gained weight, he had had a very short hair-cut, which made his fat neck and double-chin show, moreover he used to rotate his big pale greyish eyes like a mating turkey, talking too much, always exaggerating… - but beyond all this, Athena had seen his histrionic spirit, his talent for improvising and his desire to impress the public since he was in his early teens. Fortunately for Sophia, Basil had no problems in playing any kind of part – in this case playing 'the ass' was funny and important.
Basil was not the only one staying at Deepwell for the summer. The Longmans, for instance, were old friends of Sir Warwick's – and they showed enthusiasm when they heard about the play. The honourable Raymond Longman was keen on the subject of Renaissance, and his eighteen-year-old daughter, Ruby, loved theatre and was more than willing to act, too – this was her only opportunity to do it, since there was no chance she could become a real actress. Mrs. Longman had no such talents, but she was good at painting, sewing and tailoring, and she offered to help with the costumes and the scenery. Mr. Longman also had a son from his first marriage – Brandon. The young man was not brilliant, but he was interested in philosophy. He was a serious student – tall and bony, with a big head and lots of pimples. He had come accompanied by his room-mate, Randall Tobias Hargrove – the younger son of a country squire – an energetic, athletic fellow who had intended to study theology first, only to find it too boring and to turn to logic and mathematics instead. Although they attended different subjects, the two young man shared the same dorm, the shy and quiet Longman allowing himself to follow Hargrove example and live a healthy life. However, Brandon was almost unaware of a growing inferiority complex – he felt that his friend, though one year younger, was more of a man than he was.
The young Hargrove was the kind of person who would get along with everybody, nevermind to which social class they belonged – he knew how to talk, he was bold and versatile. It was this versatility that had made Mr. Longman suggest that his son should take his friend along to Deepwell and to have him play a part. Hargrove suspected a hidden intention of creating a subtle bond between miss Ruby and him – he had no marrying plans yet, but he did fancy the girl, especially since she was nowhere like her elder brother: she was short, with an extremely thin waist, but with voluptuous curves – also a silky skin enriched by a tinge of gold, beautiful green eyes with long lashes, thick curly hair that looked like dark copper, plus sensual full lips that made her look like a temptress to sin. And yet Ruby was just a good, naïve girl who would have never guessed the desires she caused to a young man of her brother's age.
He most enthusiastically offered to play Lysander when he found out that Sophia had suggested that Ruby should be Hermia. Brandon didn't really feel like playing the part of Demetrius, but it wasn't so difficult to make him accept. Sophia wanted to play Puck herself, so she asked Athena to be Helena.