Part 4 (2/2)

Nydia, tell them I wish to see them.

_Nydia._ Here are the children, madam.

_The Boys_ (_running in_). Dear mother! darling mother!

_Cornelia._ Tell me, my Caius, what did the pedagogue teach you to-day?

_Caius._ O mother! It was wonderful! He told us how Horatius kept the bridge in the brave days of old. Wasn't that a great and n.o.ble deed, mother mine?

_Cornelia._ Yes, my darling. And you, my Tiberius, have you been pleased with your lessons?

[Ill.u.s.tration: CORNELIA AND HER JEWELS]

_Tiberius._ Mother, how you must honor our grandfather, the n.o.ble Scipio! Our teacher told the boys of his great campaigns in Africa and how the Senate called him Africa.n.u.s after the war was over.

_Cornelia._ Yes, my son, such work and such lives are lessons worthy of study. They teach the young how they too may live and die for their beloved country.

_Caius._ I shall try to be a brave man some day, too, dear mother.

_Tiberius._ And I, mother, shall try to be worthy of our n.o.ble family.

_Cornelia._ My dear, n.o.ble boys! Julia, these are my jewels.

_Julia._ How you shame my vanity, n.o.ble Cornelia! What are all the precious stones in the world compared with these n.o.ble boys! Daughter of the famous Scipio, the world will remember you through the great deeds of your sons, and all mankind will honor you as CORNELIA, MOTHER OF THE GRACCHI.

CINDERELLA

PERSONS IN THE PLAY--CINDERELLA, MOTHER, FATHER, KATHERINE, ELIZABETH, FAIRY G.o.dMOTHER, PRINCE, HERALD

SCENE I.--_Cinderella's Home_

_Mother._ I am so glad we are all invited to the ball at the Prince's palace. You know, my dear, that it will be a great pleasure for our girls.

_Father._ Yes; and I suppose you will all have to buy new ball dresses.

_Katherine._ O mamma! isn't it lovely! May I have a blue silk dress?

_Elizabeth._ And may I have pink, dear mother? And shall we get them to-day?

_Mother._ Yes, my child; and you may both go with me to buy your dresses and slippers.

_Cinderella._ Dear papa, may I go to the ball at the Prince's palace?

_Father._ You, my child! Aren't you too young for parties? Ask your mother.

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