V 'V 
 
 PS 
 
 !)'■ 
 
 * *iramattrs 
 
 ■>-> 
 
 ho 
 iiariatt ^tU iKrOIlenrl! 
 
Class _J?- - "^^ 
 
 GopyrightN°_ 
 
 COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. 
 
K. i^. ma. 
 
 }aBt trialH aa (2II|atrutau of tl|p Qlflmmittpp 
 

 K 
 
 CHaHt 0f Ollfarartfrfl 
 
 Mrs. Charlotte Mason, Chairman of Committee 
 
 IHrmbrra of tijp (Kommtttrp 
 Mrs. Harriet Lindsey, -------- A Bride 
 
 Mrs. Frances Lincoln, ------- A Mother 
 
 Miss Rachel Young, - - A Girl 
 
 Mrs. Ophelia Jones, Who Longs to Act 
 
 Miss Letitia Edwards, - - An old Maid 
 
 Miss Dorothy Andrews, Always Willing 
 
 Mrs. Esther Wood, - - - - A Gossip 
 
 Mrs. Clara Smith, Slightly Superior 
 
 Miss Juliet Whiting, .-..--.-- The Coach 
 
 Norah ------- The Maid 
 
 ©CI.D 17B76 
 
''Bramattrs'' 
 
 (Home of Mrs. Mason. Door to hall center back. Door to another 
 room right. In front of it a table with books, flowers, pile of "Baker" 
 plays, and loose papers. Small table and chair for telephone left of 
 center door. Chairs. As curtain rises Mrs. Mason is standing at the 
 telephone.) 
 
 M rs. M. Yes — Yes — Good-bye. (Hangs up receiver, then turns and calls out the 
 door.) Norah, when you have finished in the dining room, I want you 
 to help me in here. (Walks to the table and begins to arrange papers, etc. , 
 on it.) Dear me, I do hope they will be able to decide on something to- 
 day. It seems as though one of these plaj^s ought to be suitable. (Begins 
 to count chairs) Seven. I'll have to have three or four more. But that 
 ought to be enough, for there'll be some who don't, or can't, or 
 won't, come. (Enter Norah.) 
 
 Norah. O'im riddy now, Mum, to help 3'ez. What is it I'll be after doin'? 
 
 Mrs. M. Well, first bring in three chairs from the dining room. 
 
 Norah. Yis, Mum. (Exit Norah.) 
 
 Mrs. M. (Begins to arrange chairs in a semicircle as near the front of the stage 
 as possible. Norah enters and helps her place them.) I'm going to have 
 a committee meeting this afternoon, Norah, so when the ladies come j'ou 
 may show them in here. And if an3^one calls, 3^ou must excuse me. 
 
 Norah. Yis, Mum. Oh, Mrs. Mason. May I be after going out tonight instid 
 of Thursday? Our society is goin' to give a pla^^ and I want to know 
 what they'll be a choosin'. 
 
 Mrs. M. Why, yes, Norah. I see no reason why you can't go after dinner. 
 That's what my committee is going to do this afternoon, choose a play 
 for our Women's Club. 
 
 Norah. And have you chosen an^', at all, at all? Then let me tell 5^011 wan. Try 
 "Kathleen Mavourneen." Tis a grand play. That's the one I 'm going to 
 vote for, for us to give. 
 
 Mrs. M. I'll remember your suggestion. (Bell rings) That must be one of the 
 ladies. 
 
 (Norah exits. Enter Mrs. Jones.) 
 
 Mrs. J. What! Am I the first! How do you do, Mrs. Mason. Is'nt it lovel}^ to 
 have such a perfect daj^? Nobody can use that as an excuse for staying 
 away, can they? I started early because I always have to wait so long 
 to get a Park car. They don't run out here very often. Do they? 
 
 Mrs. M. Every five minutes. 
 
 Mrs. J. Really? Well, I suppose we will decide to-day what we are going to give. 
 I didn't like any of these last plays you sent me. They are too ordinary 
 for our Club. We ought to do something worth while — like Shake- 
 spere. Of course I know we haven't time. But we could if we wanted 
 to — there's talent enough in the Club. I should love to pla}- Rosalind. 
 (Bell rings. Enter Mrs. Smith.) 
 
 Mrs. S. Howdoyoudo! Mrs. Mason. Amithelast? Oh! I'msoglad. How do 
 you do, Mrs. Jones. I guess our dining room clock must be wrong, 
 because it was nearly four when I left home. I told Wilbur this morn- 
 ing he must set it. 
 
 (Bell rings. Enter Mrs. Lindsey and Miss Young.) 
 
 Both. How do you do, Mrs. Mason? (They shake hands.) 
 
 Mrs. M. I think you know Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Smith. 
 
Mrs. S. O, Mrs. Lindsey, how is that darling baby of yours? I saw her in her 
 
 carriage the other day and I think she is the sweetest thing. Does she 
 
 creep yet? 
 Mrs. L-y. O, no, not yet. She's only seven months old. 
 Mrs. S. Well, she's the dearest thing anyway. 
 
 (Bell rings. Enter Mrs. Lincoln and Miss Andrews and Mrs. Wood.) 
 Mrs.L-n. Good afternoon, Mrs. Mason. 
 Miss A. How do you do? 
 Mrs. M. Dorothy, I don't believe you know all these ladies. Let me introduce 
 
 you. (Introduces around the circle.) 
 
 Mrs. J. (to Mrs S.) My dear, it's the cleverest thing I've seen for a long 
 time. I don't go to Poli's very often, but everyone told me that the bill 
 was so good this week that I mustn't miss it. So I telephoned Sarah 
 Crane, and we went on the spur of the moment. I really think that is 
 the nicest way to go. Well, it was a good bill. If you haven't seen 
 it, you must go this week. 
 
 Mrs. W. I never go to Poli's. My husband doesn't care to have me. He con- 
 siders it such a vulgar place. Mrs. Mason, let me tell you, when you go 
 to New York you must be sure to see Mrs. Fiske in "Salvation Nell." It 
 is very good. But be sure and don't take your daughters. 
 (Telephone rings. Mrs.M. answers.) 
 
 Mrs. M. Hello! Yes, this is Mrs. Mason. Yes, speaking. O, yes, — yes, we're 
 having a meeting this afternoon — Oh! I'm very sorry. — Yes, of course 
 we'll exctise you. I hope your headache will be better soon. — We'll save 
 something for you to do. — Yes — Good-bye. (Hangs up receiver. Turns 
 to ladies) Mrs. White has a headache and can't come. 
 There 's so much sickness just now. This variable weather, I suppose. 
 Well, we all seem to be here but Maria Noble and Letitia Edwards, so I 
 suppose we might begin. Perhaps they will come later. 
 Letitia's always late. 
 
 Well, ladies, have any of you foundaplay which you think will be good? 
 I read "The Elopement of Ellen," and it is very clever. I think we 
 might do that. 
 
 But that was given by the young people of our church last year. 
 We don't want to repeat that, then. 
 
 Why couldn't we give something funny? Like a "Pair of Lunatics?" 
 That has only two characters. 
 
 Besides, it isn't good enough. Our Club wants to give something 
 worth while — one of the better class of plays like "Rosemary." 
 (Telephone rings) 
 Shall I answer for you? 
 Yes, do, please. 
 
 Hello. Yes, this is IV^rs. Mason's house. Yes — Mrs. Mason is here. 
 Can I speak for her? It's Miss Young. Oh! yes, Mrs. Noble's. Yes — 
 Yes — Will you repeat that last — O, ye.s — yes,^ — thank you very much. 
 Good-bye. (Hangs up receiver) Mrs. Noble's maid telephones to say that 
 Mrs. Noble has been called to New York most unexpectedly and can 
 not come this afternoon. 
 
 Mrs. J. Yes, she told me she expected to go down this morning to get some 
 clothes and see Maude Adams' new play. 
 
 Mrs. M. Let me see;, — Where were we? 
 
 Mrs L-n. I had just suggested "Rosemary." 
 
 Mrs. M. But Charles Frohman has a copy-right on all tho.se plays and charges 
 a royalty of fifty dollars. 
 
 (Bell rings. Enter Letitia Edwards.) 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 W. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 M. 
 
 Miss 
 
 A. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 M. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 S. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 L-y 
 
 Miss A. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 W. 
 
 Miss 
 
 ; A. 
 
 Mrs.L-n. 
 
 Miss Y. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 M. 
 
 Miss Y. 
 
Miss K. Good afternoon, ladies. I'm sorry to be late, but just as I was 
 
 coming out of the house the telephone rang; so I had to stop 
 
 and answer it, and then I missed all the cars. 
 Miss Y. Well, Harriet and I were talking plays over as we came along, and we 
 
 thought one of the old English plays like "The Rivals" would be good. 
 
 One of those plays that has such pretty costumes. 
 Miss E. O, yes. I'd love to be a man in that and wear a pink satin suit. 
 Mrs. L-n. How would "The Romancers" do? That is pretty, and good too. 
 Mrs. L-y. That was given two years ago by the college girls. 
 Mrs. M. I have it. lyct's give "A School for Scandal!" 
 Miss Y. Capital. 
 
 Mrs. 1,-y. Yes, that would be good. 
 Mrs. M. If you'll excuse me for a moment, I think I have a copy of the play in 
 
 the library, and we can settle on the cast now. (Exit Mrs. M.) 
 Mrs. J. Isn't that the play Mrs. Malaprop comes in? I should love to be that, 
 Miss Y. No, I think that is "The Rivals," Mrs. Jones. Lady Teazle is the 
 
 heroine of "A School for Scandal." 
 Mrs. L-y. Don't you remember Ada Rehan as Mrs. Malaprop? 
 Mrs. J. Then that is the part for me. 
 
 (Re-enter Mrs. M.) 
 Mrs. M. Here is the book, ladies. Now I will read the cast and you 
 
 make suggestions. (Reads) Sir Peter Teazle. 
 Mrs. Iv-y. How would Mrs. Morse be for that part? 
 Several. Good; if she'll do it. 
 Mrs. M. (Writing) Sir Peter Teazle, Mrs. Morse. (Reads) Sir Oliver 
 
 Surface. 
 Mrs. W. Mrs. Bemis could do that well, I should think. 
 Mrs. J. My dear! Mary Bemis could never do Sir Oliver. Think how 
 
 she'd look in men's clothes. She's too fat. 
 Mrs. S. Besides, she's so nervous. I wouldn't work with her. But I'd 
 
 suggest Miss Barnes. 
 
 Mrs. M. I should think she would be good, if she will take it. Does that 
 meet wnth your approval? (All nod.) 
 Next. Joseph Surface. Miss Young, you could do that to perfection. 
 
 Miss Y. I'm not so sure about the perfection, but I'll try, if you want 
 
 me to. 
 Mrs. M. (Writes.) Charles Surface. 
 Mrs. L-y. What sort of character is he? 
 
 Mrs. M. Why, he's that dissipated fellow, the one the girls are all in 
 love with, you know. 
 
 Miss Y. I think Letitia could take that. (Turns to Miss E.) And then 
 you could wear the pink suit, you know. 
 
 Mrs. J. Are they all men in this cast? Let's decide on the women. Anyone 
 can take a man's part. 
 
 Mrs. M. (Reads) Lady Teazle. 
 Mrs. J. I'll take that part- 
 Mrs. L-n. (Interrupting.) I think Mrs. Lindsey should have that. She does 
 such things so well, you know. 
 
 Mrs. L-y. Its very good of you, Frances, but I know there are lots of 
 others who could do it as well as I. 
 
 (Chorus of "No's.") 
 Mrs. M. What do you ladies decide? (Chorus of "Mrs. Lindsey.") 
 Mrs. M. (Writes. Reads.) Lady Sneerwell. 
 
Mrs. 
 
 J. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 S. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 J. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 M. 
 
 Miss A. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 M. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 L-i 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 M. 
 
 Mrs. 
 
 S. 
 
 Mrs. W. There's the part for 3-ou, Mrs. Jones. You could do that capitally. 
 Indeed. 
 
 And besides, 3'ou have practicall}- all the clever lines like Mrs. 
 Malaprop, you know. 
 Well, if that is the case, I'll read it over before I decide definitely. 
 (Reads) Maria. 
 
 Mrs. Lincoln ought to have that: she would look so pretty. 
 Will 3'ou take it, Frances? 
 1. I haven't done anything since I was married, but I'll try if you 
 want me to. 
 Thank 3-ou. Now to go back to the men. Sir Benjamin Backbite. 
 (Looking at her watch) Mercy! I had no idea it was so late. 
 Really, Mrs. Mason, if you will excuse me I must be going. Mr. 
 Smith and I are going out to dinner and have to dress. The rest 
 of you can make much better suggestions than I, I know. Don't bother 
 to go out with me. Good-bye, all. If there's an3'thing I can do to 
 help, let me know. (Exit Mrs. S.) 
 Mrs. W. That woman is alwaj'^s thinking of her clothes. 
 Miss E. What time is it, Dorothj^? 
 Miss A. Quarter after five. 
 
 Miss E. Then I mu.st be going too. Father just abhors having us late to meals, 
 and we dine at six. You'll excuse me. Come, Dorothj^ and walk along 
 with me. 
 Miss A. All right, as soon as I get my coat on. Good-b5'e, Mrs. Mason, 
 good-bj-e. (Exit Miss Edwards and Miss Andrews. Others begin to 
 make preparations to leave.) 
 Mrs. M. You don't all have to go, do you? I should like some more sug- 
 gestions, and we haven't filled the cast yet. 
 Mrs. J. You know the club members so well, Mrs. Mason, that I am sure you 
 will have no difiicult3' in getting people to take part. (All are ready to 
 leave. As they file out Mrs. Wood turns and sa3's,) 
 Mrs. W. I am so glad we chose something really worth while. (Exit Mrs. W.) 
 Mrs. M. (Straightens a chair, picks up a piece -of paper, then seats herself 
 again at table with club book and play in front of her. Sighs.) 
 Well, I suppose I might as well begin on this list. 
 
 (Curtain) 
 
Sloia BaQa ICatrr 
 
 (Place as in Scene i. As the curtain rises, Norah is seen dusting the 
 chairs with one hand and reading a book held in the other. She sits 
 on a sofa.) 
 
 Norah. Now let me see if Oi can saj'- it. Lord Ashcroft knales and says, 
 
 "Lad)' Giraldine, these moonlit woods prompt me to spake the words 
 lying close to me heart. Those words whose answer will make me the 
 happiest or the most miserable man in the whole wide world. Darlint, 
 I love yez. Say that yez will be my wife and travel side by side with me 
 through the tortuous parths of life. Will j'ez, darlint?" And thin I 
 wint into his arms and I say, "Beloved, as yez will." And thin our lips 
 will meet in wan long kiss. My! 'tis glad I am that Terrence O'Rourke 
 is Lord Ashcroft and not Patrick Kelley. Sure and I just wouldn't kiss 
 him, the spalpeen, play or no play. Let me see what comes next. 
 "Slipping closer into his arms, I turn me angelic eyes upward so 
 that I may look longingly into his." "Swateheart, whinever yez wish 
 I will become your wife." Then as I bury me face in me hands I look 
 at the arth and see a horrid grane snake crawling ferninst us. I scrame 
 Oh! (She screams realistically and Mrs. M. rushes in. In confusion 
 Norah jumps up, tries to hide the book in her apron pocket, and begins 
 to dust furiously.) 
 
 Mrs. M. Mercy, Norah, what is the matter? 
 
 Norah. Nothin', ma'am, but a spider, and he scared me. But he's as dead 
 as a door nail now, that he is. 
 
 Mrs. M. Well, please don't scare me again like that. If you have finished 
 your dusting you may go on with the rest of your work. 
 (Bell rings twice) 
 
 Mrs. M. That must be the postman. Bring the letters to me here. 
 
 (Exit Norah. Mrs. M. walks to table, picks up club book and says,) 
 
 Mrs. M. Well, the books have been sent out, and I do hope all the people I have 
 asked will take their parts. Let me see whom I am sure of. (Opens 
 book and reads) "Joseph Surface, Rachel Young; Lady Teazle, Harriet 
 Lindsay; Lady Sneerwell, Mrs. Jones; Maria, Frances Lincoln; and 
 Charles, Letitia Edwards. That leaves, (counting) eight men and one 
 woman still not heard from. (Enter Norah with letters on a tray. 
 She gives them to Mrs. W. picks up duster and goes out.) 
 
 Mrs. M. Now for the letters. Let me see. Mrs. Bemis, — yes, she will take 
 Lady Candour. Fine! That completes the list of women. If only the 
 men will be as good. (Opens the second letter.) Mrs. Morse cannot 
 take Sir Peter. She starts for California in two weeks. (Telephone 
 rings.) 
 
 Mrs. M. (Answers) Yes, yes, this is Mrs. Mason. Oh, yes. Miss Perkins — 
 Oh, I'm so sorry you can't take Sir Benjamin. You are the first one 
 I asked and I did hope you could do it. Can't you reconsider? — Yes, 
 I realize that the Boys' Club must take a good deal of your time. — Yes, 
 of course that has to have your first attention — Well, I am very sorry, 
 but I understand — Yes. Good-bye. (Hangs up receiver.) Let me 
 see: Whom can I put in her place? (Runs over list.) There's Mrs. 
 Jameson. I wonder if she would do it? (Picks up telephone book, 
 looks up number, takes receiver down and waits. Jerks hook up 
 and down two or three times, then waits. Finally — ) Give me double 
 one, seven, six, ring three, please. — Mrs. Jameson? — Yes, I'd like 
 to speak with Mrs. Jameson herself, please. — This is Mrs. Mason. — 
 Mrs. Jameson? Yes, this is Mrs. Mason. I want to ask a very great 
 favor of you. Will j'ou take the part of Sir Benjamin Backbite in the 
 W^omen's Qlub Dramatics? — Yes — No, we are not going to have many 
 
rehearsals. — Why, I feel perfectly sure you could do it well. I've had 
 you in mind all the time — O, thank you ever so much. We are going 
 to have the first rehearsal next Monday at the Clubhouse at ten. You'll 
 be able to come, I hope. — What? — O, yes, of course, the dressmaker 
 is important. Well, this first rehearsal won't make so much difference. 
 I'll let you know when the next one comes. Thank you ever so much. 
 Good-bye. (Hangs up receiver, crosses to table, makes necessary 
 changes in book, then goes on opening letters.) There, that was easily 
 settled. Edith Reid will, Gertrude Kellogg won't. (Telephone rings.) 
 Hello. No, this is not Donovan's Express Company. — No, you must 
 have the wrong number. (Bell rings. Enter Letitia Edwards.) O, 
 good morning, Letitia. I am so glad to see you. I want you to 
 make some suggestions about the cast. The rehearsal comes on 
 Monday, you know, and I haven't all the parts taken yet. Here is the 
 list. Do look it over and tell me whom to ask. (Telephone rings. ) Yes, 
 this is Mrs. Mason. Yes, I have just received your letter. I am so glad 
 you will take part. What?- — You can't what? O, I am so sorry. I suppose 
 I can. — Yes. Good-bye. (Hangs up receiver and turns to Miss E.) 
 Grace Chandler must give up because her husband is going to take her 
 to Florida. I guess I'll get my htisband to takemeawaj^ Well, there's 
 another vacancy to fill. (Starts to walk back to table. Telephone rings.) 
 Yes. this is eight, two, five. All right. Hello. Yes, this is Charlotte. 
 Is that you, George? — No, I haven't anything special for this 
 evening. — What? Three men? Oh! dear, I haven't a thing for dinner — 
 Yes, I suppose I can order some more, if you are sure they won't be 
 fussy — All right. Six-thirty. Good-bye. Oh! did you mail those 
 letters I gave you? (Hangs up receiver; turns to MissE.) Excuse me for 
 a moment; George has just phoned that he would bring some men 
 home to dinner. (Telephones.) Four, eight. — Burke's? — This is Mrs. 
 Mason. Please send me another head of porterhouse steak and two 
 slices of lettuce. That's all. Good-bye. (Crosses stage and sits.) 
 
 MissE. (Laughing.) Oh! do you know what you said? — A head of steak and 
 two slices of lettuce. 
 
 Mrs. M. Well, I certainly am foolish this morning. Now let's see if we can get 
 to work and finish this cast. (Both read in silence a moment, then bell 
 rings. Enter Mrs. Smith.) 
 
 Mrs. S. Good morning. I'm so glad to find you in. Good morning, Letitia. I 
 just met Jessie Spaulding on the street, and she says Mr. Dixon has 
 persuaded her not to play Charles. Do you suppose you can get some 
 one else? 
 
 MissE. The very idea! I wouldn't let a man boss me that way when I was 
 engaged. What will it be when they are married? 
 
 Mrs. S. And she says she is just crazy to take the part, too. 
 (Bell rings. Enter Mrs. Wood.) 
 
 Mrs. W. Good morning all. I just telephoned over to your house, Letitia, and 
 they told me you were hei;^. I wanted to know if you had heard that 
 Dorothy Andrews is going to be married on the Wednesday after Easter? 
 
 Mrs. S. Not really! She hasn't sent out her cards yet, has she? 
 
 Mrs. W. No. I heard it was to be a very small wedding, only relatives and a 
 few close friends. Madge Brewer told me, and she's a cousin of 
 Dorothy's, so she ought to know. (Enter Norah.) 
 
 Norah. Excuse me, Mrs. Mason. The gas man is here to see about changing 
 
 the fixtures. 
 Mrs. M. Another interruption! Excuse me a few minutes, ladies. 
 
 (Exit Mrs. M.) 
 Miss E. Is she going to be be married in church? 
 Mrs. W. No, at home, Madge said. 
 Mrs. S. What day did you say it was to be? 
 Mrs. W. The fifteenth. 
 
Mrs. S. Why, that is the day of the Club dramatics! Mrs. Mason will have 
 
 more difficulty in getting people to take part. 
 Miss E. But if there are only a few invited I shouldn't think that would 
 
 make any difference. 
 
 Mrs. W. Yes, but you know no one will take a part because they might be 
 invited. 
 
 (Enter Mrs. M. 
 Mrs. M. Who's going to be invited where? 
 Mrs. W. To Dorothy Andrew's wedding. And it comes on the day of the play. 
 
 Mrs. M. Well, I never! Doesn't it seem as if we were having more than our 
 
 usual share of trouble? 
 Mrs. S. Oh! by the way, have you seen those silks at Strong's? They are the 
 
 greatest bargains. I am going down now to get enough for a new dress. 
 
 Don't you want to come too? 
 Miss E. Why yes, I guess I will. I don't believe I could help you very 
 
 much even if I stayed, Mrs. Mason. You seem to have tried everyone 
 
 I have suggested; I will see you Monday at the rehearsal. Half past 
 
 ten, isn't it? Good-bye. 
 Mrs. W. I'll go along with you, too. Good-bye, Mrs. Mason. 
 Mrs. M. (Faintly) Good-bye. (Sinks into chair.) 
 
 Curtain 
 
©I?? iFirat Sdjraraal 
 
 Jffour Saga IGatpr 
 
 (Bare .stage at Woman's Cltibhouse. Number of chairs in confusion. 
 Telephone left front. Enter Mrs. Mason and Miss Whiting.) 
 Mrs. M. The stage is rather small as you see, but I think we can get along 
 all right. We will have to omit scenery today because there is to be a 
 dance here this evening. But we can have it next time. 
 (Enter Mrs. Jones and Mrs. Wood. They nod to Mrs. Mason.) 
 Mrs. M. Ladies, let me introduce Miss Whiting — our coach. Mrs. Jones and 
 
 Mrs. Wood. 
 Mrs. J. I am so glad to know Miss Whiting. You will enjoy working with us, 
 I am sure. There is so much talent among the ladies. I have worked 
 with them so many times, I ought to know. 
 
 (Enter Mrs. Smith and Miss Andrews. They bow and smile to Mrs. 
 Mason. She introduces them to Miss Whiting. Enter the others 
 rapidly. Miss Whiting sets the stage, marking the entrances, 
 tables, etc., with chairs. Miss Young helps her. Others stand and 
 talk, study parts, etc. Telephone rings. Mrs. Smith answers.) 
 Mrs. S. Yes. — Wait a moment and I'll call her. (Calls) Mrs. Lincoln, 
 
 it's for you. 
 Mrs. L. (Crosses to telephone and talks.) (Miss Whiting calls the rehear- 
 sal) 
 Miss W. Are j-ou all read}-? Then, we'll begin. Lady Sneerwell sits here. 
 Snake there. (Points) 
 
 (Mrs. Jones and Miss Andrews read, beginning Act i. Scene i. 
 Others listen for a minute, then begin to talk, gradually raising 
 their voices. Finally, Miss W. in despair says,) 
 Miss W. Ladies, I must ask you to speak a little lower; I cannot hear 
 the lines. 
 
 (Quiet for a moment, then noise begins again.) 
 
 Lady S " — though I fear he has a powe'rful one in Maria's heart 
 
 against whom we must direct our schemes." 
 
 (Pause. Others, conscious that something has happened, stop talking.) 
 Miss W. Who is to take the servant, Mrs. Mason? 
 Mrs. M. I haven't been able to fill that part yet. Shall I read it? 
 (Miss W. shows her place in book and she reads.) 
 
 Lady S "I don't wonder at people giving him to me for a lover." 
 
 Miss W. Are you ready to enter. Surface? 
 
 (Miss Y. jumps, looks tip place in book, then nods and begins 
 to read. Bell rings. Mrs. Smith answers it, and comes back saying,) 
 Mrs. S. Your chauffeur wants'* to see you a moment, Mrs. Jones. 
 Mrs. J. Oh, thank you. Excuse me for a moment. (She goes out. 
 
 Others stand and talk. When she returns,) 
 Miss W. Now, if you will go on, please. 
 (All read parts a minute.) 
 
 Joseph "takemy word for it. Lady Sneerwell, that fellow hasn't virtue 
 
 enough to be faithful even to his own villainy. Ah, Maria!" (Enter 
 Maria.) 
 
 Lady S "What's the matter?" 
 
 Maria "Oh! there is that disagreeable lover of mine, Sir Benjamin 
 
 Backbite" — (stops) Mrs. Mason, who is Sir Benjamin? 
 Mrs. M. Mrs. Jameson, but she couldn't be here this morning. I'll read her 
 
 part. He doesn't come in yet, though. 
 Miss W. No, but the servant does. 
 
Mrs. M. (Finds place and reads) "Madam, Mrs. Candour is below, and if 
 your ladyship 's at leisure will leave her carriage." 
 
 Lady S. "Beg her to walk in." 
 
 (Enter Mrs. Candour. She reads. Re-enter servant.) 
 
 Servant. "Mr. Crabtree and Sir Benjamin Backbite." 
 
 Mrs. M. I haven't got anyone to take , Crabtree yet, though Mrs. Allen 
 says she will if we can't get anyone else. Would you be willing 
 to read that this morning? 
 
 Miss W. (Reads.) 
 
 Mrs. M. (Reads.) 
 
 Miss A. (Looks at watch.) Oh, Mrs. Mason, will you excuse me now, 
 please? I have an appointment at the hairdresser's. Some one can 
 read my part and I'll promise not to miss any more rehearsals. 
 (Exit Miss A.) 
 
 Lady Teazle. Do I enter now? 
 
 Miss W. Yes. (They read.) 
 
 Lady Teazle. (Reading.) "Here comes Sir Peter to spoil our pleasantry." 
 
 Mrs. M. Sir Peter is ill with the grip, but will be all right again in a day 
 or two. I think we shall have to stop now, for it is twelve 
 o'clock. (Ladies begin to put on wraps.) Just a minute, please. 
 In order that you maj^ get used to your costumes, I am going to 
 have several dress rehearsals, and the first one will come a week 
 from today. I hope by that time to have all the parts filled. 
 Please be here in costume, with j^our parts learned. 
 
 Miss Y. Mrs. Mason, what day did you say this play was to be given? 
 
 Mrs. M. The Wednesday after Easter. That is the tenth, I think. 
 
 Miss Y. But that's the day of Madge Brewer's wedding and I want to 
 go. Don't you suppose we could give it on some other day iust as 
 well? 
 
 Mrs. L-y. Why, we all want to go the wedding; I shall give up my part in the 
 play if it comes on that day. 
 
 Mrs. W. I think if you tell the President about this she will let you 
 change. 
 
 Miss W. I am glad this question came up, because I have just found out that 
 I shall have to be in Boston all that week and so couldn't be here for 
 any of the final rehearsals. 
 
 Mrs. S. Then of course we'll have to postpone the day. 
 
 Mrs. M. I'll talk it over with Mrs. Carter and if she is willing we'll put it 
 off. I'll telephone you when the next rehearsal comes, and in the 
 meantime please learn your parts. 
 (Exit all but Mrs. J.) 
 
 Mrs. M. I wish we could put off the play forever. I really don't know what I 
 am going to do. If I can't fill the parts there is no use trying. The 
 ladies will prompt, or raise the curtain, or do anything else, but they 
 won't take part. Still, I'd ask a few more, and perhaps by next time 
 we can have everybody here. 
 
 Mrs. J. I have some errands to do, so I must hurry along. 
 (Telephone rings. Mrs. J. answers.) 
 
 Mrs. J. Yes — this is the Woman's Club House. — Most of them have gone, but 
 Mrs. Mason and I are here. — Really! — You don't mean it. — Isn't that 
 a shame. — I'll tell Mrs. Mason and I guess she'll be about discouraged. 
 Everything seems to go wrong for the Dramatics Committee 
 
this year. — Well, I'll tell her and she can decide ^what is best to do. 
 
 (Hangs up receiver and turns to Mrs. M.) 
 Mrs. Carter said that Southern and Marlowe are to play "School for 
 Scandal" here the ninth. That would bs the ni;jht before our play. 
 Nobody would want to see us after seeing them. 
 Mrs. M. (Sinks into a chair.) That's the last straw. Whatever shall we do? 
 It's too late to hunt up a new play, and this one is certainly out of the 
 question. 
 Mrs. J. You had better go up and talk with Mrs. Carter. Perhaps she can 
 help you. But I must hurry or I'll be late to luncheon. L,et me 
 know if there is any thing I can do to help. (Exit Mrs. J.) 
 
 (Mrs. M. puts on her coat and gloves, and goes out. Just after she 
 has closed the door the telephone rings and she returns to answer it.) 
 Mrs. M. Yes, this is Charlotte. Oh, is that you, George? You rang just in time; 
 I was just going. And I am thoroughly discouraged. First, most of 
 the parts are not filled, and then the date was wrong, and now Southern 
 and Marlowe are going to give our play. What am I going to do! 
 You have a place? Tell me quick. — California — for two months — 
 When would we start?— the fifth — Could I go? Indeed I can. I'll go 
 and tell Mrs. Carter this very minute that our club can have no dra- 
 matics this year. Or at least if they do, somebody else can see to it. 
 You're a dear. Good-bye. (Hangs up receiver.) There, that's settled. 
 (She steps to the front of the stage. Others file in forming a semi- 
 circle back of her. She says) 
 
 Good friends, you see we have tried to give pleasure; 
 
 We hope we've succeeded, at least in a measure. 
 
 "School for Scandal" we think we could do very well 
 
 If only but then there's no need to tell. 
 
 The days are so short and there's so much to do, 
 
 And those who are willing, alas, are so few. 
 
 Say farewell to the Lord, the Lady, the Lover, 
 
 And rejoice with the Chairman the day is now over. 
 
) / •" Y.. 
 
 LIBRARY OF CONGRESS