Part 26 (2/2)

[_Exit nurse. Baby having got both fists into his mouth beguiles himself into quiet._

_Mrs. A._ Let me see! How was it? Oh! ”Harold gazed moodily into her calm, sweet face. It was not the expression he would have liked to find there. He would have preferred--” (_Shriek from girl of two._) Oh, dear me! She has shut her darling fingers in the drawer! Come to mamma, precious love, and sit on mamma's lap, and we'll sing about little p.u.s.s.y.

_Enter nurse with bottle. Curtain falls._

SCENE II. STUDY.

[_Three hours later; infant and Girl of Two asleep; house in order; lunch and dinner arranged; b.u.t.tons sewed on Girl of Eight's boots, string on Girl of Ten's hood, and both dispatched to school, etc. Enter Mrs. A. Draws a long sigh of relief and seats herself at desk. Reads a page of d.i.c.kens and a poem or two to attune herself for work. Seizes pen, scribbles erratically a few seconds and begins to write._]

_Mrs. A._ (_after some moments_). I think that is good. Let us hear how it reads. (_Reads aloud._) ”He would have preferred to find more pa.s.sion in those deep, dark eyes. Had he then no part in the maiden meditations of this fair, innocent girl--he whom proud beauties of society vied with each other to win? He could not guess. A stray breeze laden with violet and hyacinth perfume stole in at the open window, ruffling the soft waves of auburn hair which shaded her alabaster forehead.” It seems to me I have read something similar before, but it is good, anyhow. ”Harold could not endure this placid, unruffled calm. His own veins were full of molten lava. With a wild and pa.s.sionate cry he--”

_Enter cook bearing a large, dripping piece of corned beef._

_Cook._ Please, Miss Anastasy, is dis de kin' of a piece ye done wanted? I thought I'd save ye de trouble o' comin' down.

_Mrs. A._ (_desperately_). It is!

[_Exit cook, staring wildly._

_Mrs. A._ (_resuming_). ”With a wild, pa.s.sionate cry, he--”

_Re-enter cook._

_Cook._ Ten cents for de boy what put in de wood, please, ma'am!

[_Mrs. A. gives money; exit cook. Mrs. A., sighing, takes up MS. Clock strikes twelve; soon after the lunch-bell rings._]

Voice of Girl of Ten, calling: Mamma, why _don't_ you come to lunch?

SCENE III. DINING-ROOM.

_Enter Mrs. A._

_Girl of Ten._ Oh, what a mean lunch! Nothing but bread and ham. I hate bread and ham! All the girls have jelly-cake. Why don't _we_ have jelly-cake? We _used_ to have jelly-cake.

_Mrs. A._ You can have some pennies to buy ginger-snaps.

_Girl of Ten._ I hate ginger-snaps! When are you going to make jelly-cake?

_Mrs. A._ (_sternly_). When my book is done.

_Girl of Ten_ (_with inexpressible meaning_): Hm!

_Curtain falls._

SCENE IV. STUDY.

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