S 1127 .L6 1918 Copy 1 baker:s i ACTING PLAYS ovjing Kjup ^rice,25 Gents 9loYtdtX^5SS m\i^>. 1^:^^ WALTER H ■ BAKER 8 CO -^ i^%vi{ 'BOSTON' )^/ inCi nSnAjLVjnD males. Coetumett, modern; Menery, »ol dlfflcult. Plays a full eTeoing. THE CABINET MINISTER mftie!, nlne^'iemafes'. Co? tomes, modem society; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full eTeniug* nANHV niPIT Farce in Three Acts. Seven males, four fe- I/AHi/I 1/ivH males. Costumes, modern ; sceuery, two inte- riors. Plays two hours and a half. TUr P AV I ADH niirY comedy in Fonr Acts. Four males, inL UAI lAJTiU \l\fX:*A. ten females. Cost umea, modern; ■oenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. UfC UnfTCr lU ADnVD comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, lUD nUUOEi in UAUEJV four females. Costumes, modem; scenery, three interiors. Plays a fall evening. TUr UnDDV UriDCI? comedy in Three Acts. Ten males, lllEi nUDDI nXjRtJtt five females. Costumes, modem; scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. ■niQ Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Coetames, IIVIO modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full eveniug. I Afiv DAfTNTIlTITf Play in Fonr Acts. Eight males, seven Ju/li/I IH/UlvlirUIj females. Costumes, modern; so«n> ery, four interiors, not easy. Plays a full evening. our Acts and an Epilogue. Costumes, modem; scenery complicated. I FTTY I^''^!^^ ^ Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five LXil 1 I females. Plays a full evening. TUT MAPIQTIIATI? Farce in Three Acts. Twelve males, lllC if liWSliJ 1 IV/\ 1 d four females. Costumes, modem; •oenery, all interior. Plays two hours and a half. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Salter ^* Paker & Company No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts The Loving Gup A Play in One Act By ALICE EROWN PLEASE NOTICE The professional stage-rights in this play are strictly reserved. Amateurs may obtain permission to produce it privately upon payment of a fee of five dolFars (^5.00) for each performance, in advance. All payments and correspondence should be addressed to Norman Lee Swartout, 24 Blackburn Road, Summit, New Jersey. BOSTON WALTER H. BAKER. & CO. 1918 The Loving Cup CHARACTERS Doctor Brentwood. Miss Pride. John C. Timmins. Mrs. Peck. Hen Batchelder. Mrs. Haynes. Andrew May. Rosie. Mrs. Timmins. Jane. Miss Nettie Snow. Cynthia May. Miss Gill. As many other men and women as you like. Confirmatory or negative speeches, of no point in illustrating character, have been given to "a woman" indefinitely, to make the effect of a crowd and to allow the number of players to be elastic. Copyright, 191 8, by Alice Brown As author and proprietor. All stage and niov big picture rights reserved. See note on title page. JUL 26 1918 d)Cl.D 50052 PLEASE NOTICE The professional stage-rights in this play are strictly reserved by the author, to whom applications for its use should be ad- tiiL.sed in care of the publishers, Walter U. IJaker & Co., 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Mass. Attention is called to the penalties provided by the Copyright I^w of the United States of America in force July i, 1909, for any infringement of her rights, as follows: :i . 28. That .iny person who wilfully and for profit shall infringe any , vrighl secured by this Act, or who shall knowingly and wilfully aid nr ihet such infrintzcment, shall be deemed guilty of a misdemeanor, and up. .11 conviction thereof shall he pimished by imprisonment for not ex- ceeding one ycir or by a fine <>f " ■' 1--^ than one hundred dollars, or both, at the discretion of the court Sec. 29 Th.at any person wlio, with fraudulent intent, shall insert or impress any notice ot Copyright rc(juired by this Act, or words of the same p'lrport, in or upon any uncopyrighted article, or with fraudulent in- tent sh ill remove or alter the copyright notice upon any article duly copy- righfeil sh.ill be guilty of a misdeme.inor, punishable by a fine of not less than one hundred dollars and not more than one thousand dollars. W: r^-m mmi m mmm ;^;a' "^l iim^ >m W^ fM The Loving Cup The time is a late afternoon in July, the place an open sward with neighboring trees, used for a picnic ground. A long picnic table of rough boards on tre,stles, c. (The Women, all save Cynthia and Miss Snow, enter the picnic ground. They are talking and laugh- ing, carrying baskets and round wooden boxes with bails (known of old as butter-boxes) containing the supper. Ro€iE and Jane are laden with festoons of maple leaves. Mrs. Peck carries a pail in each hand (for water from the spring). Miss Gill has a large spy-glass depending from her neck by a strap. She carries a basket, but from time to time sets it down and directs the glass wildly in search of birds. The others have accepted her hobby. When she an- nounces a discovery, they nod pleasantly without looking. Miss Pride carries a nipping looking basket covered with a snowy napkin, and as she walks studies desperately from a sheet of paper.) Mrs. Timmins (a large blonde woman exuding kind- ness from every pore). Who's got the table-cloths? A Woman. Here they be. Mrs. Timmins {to Rosie and Jane). You girls think you've made maple trimmin' enough? Rosie (a "sweet pretty" and natural girl). Slews of it. Jane {a thin, dark, clever girl who loves to use her tongue and her inquisitive mind. Shrewdly). Slews! That's Hen Batchelder's word. 6 THE LOVING CUP RosiE (conscious and laughing). Hen Batchelder ain't got no pay tent on words. Jane. He's got a paytent on you. (They all laugh, and Rosie cuffs Jane prettily. The Women spread the table-cloths, solicitously making them match. Rosie and Jane pin the maple leaf festoons on the table-cloths in garlands. The Women stack up the baskets and boxes, set out glasses, bring out lemons for lemonade and are bustling and busy.) Mrs. Timmins (to a neighbor). D'you bring some o' your nice gold an' silver cake? Neighbor. No, I brought sponge. Another Woman (laughing). So'd I bring sponge. Another Woman. So'd I. Mrs. Timmins (laughing unctuously and so making her words void of offense). Well, if I didn't know better'n to bring sponge-cake to a picnic, I'd give up beat. Men-folks have to be starved out 'fore they touch that. Another Woman. I know it. Ain't it queer ? Give men- folks a rich heavy cake that's fell an' plum sunk to the bottom, an' they think they're made. Rosie (in impulsive betrayal). Hen Batchelder says if he had his way he'd feed sponge-cake to the pigs. Mrs. Timmins. John C. says it's no better^n sawdust. Says you can have your sponge-cake for all him if he can set down to hot doughnuts an' cheese. I brought crullers — Aunt Nancy's receipt. Miss Gill (a thin, bird-like person, wandering vaguely about and looking through her glass into the trees). Seems if that was an indigo buntin'. Don't you think that's an indigo buntin', girls? Jane (eagerly). When's the men-folks comin'? A Woman. Soon's they've raked up. Another Woman. Goin' to bring their fiddles, ain't they? * . Another Woman. Yes, but they ain't goin' to ^I^§"^^l^' Mil LOVING CUP LU.ih^m; iiiCii tiw^..-. i ,.i.. .vlj^^ -•',•-> ^ ^ ^v,U ...all U> ln>v> to se' down an eat picnic stuff in July, you've ^ot to take us as we be." Mrs. Timmin.S. Ccilam. li^ a kiiul oi a queer lime for a picnic, middle o' the busiest month, liut I says to lohn C, " If the ladies of this town have made up their inind^ to present their old doctor with a silver cup on his f iity-tiflh birthday, an' his ])irtlKl,'\ <-Mni«^< in Jnlv. you goin' to do? " \NOTHER Woman. That's right. What you goin' to do? Mi < 1 .. \^an Amazon of (jrcat physical strength and r the county as the master of her house). .Samwel says to me, " You women have got up this rink- ' -J can carry it out yourselves. You've chipped ill the cup, an' you can present it. I'm goin* V hay." But Isays to him, "Samwel Peck, v6u d (ui.^lii to be ashamed. Here's Doctor that's stood by us all, lifty year an' over, eveiy trouble we've had, an' the old picnic place ain't a (juarter of a mile from your , an* if you ain't there I'll tell you what I'll do. I'll cuiiic after ye." A Woman. Wha'd he say? Mrs. Peck. Said he'd come. W'hat'd ye s'pose he'd say? ( They all lauyli.) Jank (stopping H'ork and talking in an eager, high- -"^'ed haste). What do you think Rosie says? She her father's told Doctor we're goin' to give him the silver cup, an' now it's all out, an' Rosie's mother f> I '- so about it she ain't comin' at alj. An' her father I'jci.^ so, he ain't neither. Mrs. Timmins. Now if that ain't a shame. {To RosiE.) I wisht I'd known it, an* known your mother'd took it so hftrd, I'd told her to come along an' make the best on't, an' bring your father, too. Mrs. Haynes (a shrezvd little woman who has ac- cuniuhifed axioms). Accidents happen in the best o' families, Gramma Hart used to say. RosiE (impetuously, and laughing a little, to cover her 8 THE LOVING CUP mortification). Mother give it to him good. She sai his tongue's hung in the middle an' wags both ways. Mrs. Timmins (sympathetically) . How was it, Rosie? He didn't go an' let it out a-purpose, I'll warrant ye. Rosie (earnestly, justifying " father "). Why, father'd been down to Mill Village, buyin' standin' grass, an' when he come back, he an' mother together, they met Doctor an' father hollered out to him, " Well, Doc, how'd you like your silver mug?" Mother tried to hush him up, but he only said, "What you pinchin' me for?" She says she was so tried she could ha' pushed him out the wagon. Mrs. Peck (ominously). I guess 'f 't had 'a' been Samwel he wouldn't ha' heard the last on't. Another Woman. What'd Doctor say ? Rosie. Why, mother says Doctor didn't take no notice. Didn't seem to hear. Miss Pride (tall, angular, spectacled, severe of dress, devoted to correct deportment and speech. Solemnly, looking up from her manuscript) . You can't tell what Doctor hears. He hears what is desirable and no more. Another Woman. No, you can't tell what Doctor hears. Another Woman. No, I guess you can't. (They all shake their heads and nod in solemn con- firmation. ) Jane (again with her air of shrewd interest in news). D'you know Cynthy May's comin' to the picnic? She's goin' to be late. Said she'd got to be, but / think it's because she feels so bad, an' she thinks we'll find it out. But she's comin'. Mrs. Timmins (in warm defense). Well, I dunno why she shouldn't come to the picnic, the poor lamb! She give her part to the presentation cup, an' Doctor sets by her as if she was his own. Jane (knowingly). Yes, but she an' Andrew don't speak. An' he's her own husband, too ! A Woman. That's true enough. Still Jane. Seems awful queer if she comes without Andrew. An' if he comes too ! That'll be queerer. mwmfxf:^mmm THE LOVING CUP ^reprovingly). Now you hi Janie. Don't you take up habits of idle talk. If Cynthy an' Andrew don't speak, it's their business. 'Tain't ourn. Mrs. PiiCK {nodding portentously). If anybody'd hit anybody over the head, Meli^sy Timmins, you'd say mebbe there was good cause. Mrs. Timmins. Well, mebbe there would be. There 'most always is. An' when it comes to Cynthy an' An- drew an' their fallin' out, there must be cause, if we but knew the rights on't. Janl (eagerly). Why, we do know. Rosic's father was there when it happened, an' he told Uncle Seth an' I'ncle Seth told Hiram True RosiE (indignantly). Now, Janie, you stop. If fath«r sjjnke nf il, he hadn't ought to, an' so mother told him. .in' he .said he wisht he nevcr'd opened his head. Mrs Timmins. That's right, Rosie. We don't want to hear no tales. Miss Gill (rushing across the scene). There's :i downy woodi)Ccker! See 'f you don't think that's a downy woodpecker. Mrs. Timmins. So all 1 .^ay i>, we keep our spoons out o' Cynthy's an' Andrew's dish. There ain't an indi- vidual thing that ain't made wuss by turnin' on't over 'n' over. Mk.^. r.-ck (emphatically). So I say. What's every- body's business is nobody's, an' likely to run into the L,'round. Mrs. 11avni:s. What ye don't tell ye can't be hung for. So Gramma Hart used to say. Mrs. Timmins. Doctor himself says this neighbor- hood's freer'n any he ever see from backbitin' an' scandal. Jane. Why, this ain't backbitin'. It's just tellin' how 'twas. That day Rosie's father went in to Andrew's. (Unconsciously the Women gather breathlessly round and listen.) 'Twas to talk about the new piazza An- drew's goin' to build. RosiE (as if contributing unwillingly). Father's goin' to haul the lumber. Jane. An' they were talkin' over how much lumber 'twould take an' Andrew asked Cynthy whether she THE LOVING CUP wanted the piazza roof to go all the way or^iirapen platform, an' Cynthy couldn't tell. Mrs. Timmins. 'Course she couldn't. Dear lamb! She's so gentle, she's afraid to death to speak, for fear 'twon't be what somebody else wants. Jane (with relish). An' Andrew had one o' his odd spells come on, an' he says, " Cynthy, you've got to tell. I don't speak another word to you till you do." A Woman. What'd Cynthy say? Another Woman. Yes, what'd she say? Another Woman. Hurry up, Jane. Cynthy may be here any minute. Mrs. Timmins (unwillingly). Well, if we've gone so fur as this — what'd Cynthy say? Jane. Why, Rosie's father says she turned white as a sheet an' went right into the kitchen an' se' down. A Woman (nodding knowingly). It's the fust odd spell he's had sence they're married. That's truth an' fact. RosiE. Mother says she'll warrant Andrew'd no sooner said it than he thought 'twas the worst day's work he ever done. A Woman (nodding). But now he's said it, he won't go back on it. Andrew's as set as Rock Dunder. Another Woman. Poor Cynthy ! Mrs. Timmins. Poor lamb ! Another Woman. Well, there ain't no thin' to be done. Another Woman. Didn't Andrew say nothin' after he told her he wouldn't speak? Jane. Why, Rosie's father says Andrew turned white as the driven snow an' looked as if he'd drop through the earth. An' he says, " My God ! I wisht I never'd seen this day." (With relish.) " My God! " that's what he says. " My God ! I wisht I never'd seen this day." A Woman. When Cynthy heard that, why didn't she laugh it off? Another Woman. Mebbe she didn't ketch it, back there in the kitchen so. Another Woman. Cynthy ain't one to laugh things off. THE LOVING CUP ..IR^TIMMINS {nodding). They go too d^pr MkS. Pi:cK {violently). Rosie, why didn't your father tell him he's a born fool, good wife as he's got an' only a year married, to kick over his dough dish like that? RosiE. Mother asked him, an' father said he wa'n't one to meddle nor make. Mrs. Timmins {withdrazving from the circle, zvhich then dissolves). Well, I guess the rest of us better not, neither. A Woman (adjusting a maple festoon). There! ain't the table ready ' Anotiii-r Woman {lo Mrs. Timmuns). You goni' to take out the victuals now? Mrs. Timmins. Why, no, seems if they'd be better on't where they be, till the men- folks come an' we've pre- "cntrd tlie cup. .,K.s. Haynks (laughing). That's so. Remember what Gramma Hart used to say : " To emmets an' flies Sweet trade is a prize." Mrs. Timmins. Soon's Nettie Snow comes with that cup Another Woman. Where under the sun is Nettie Snow? She must know the cup's got to be here 'fore Doctor comes to spy it. Jane (eagerly). Why, you know when Miss Snow went to Boston to get the cup, she said she made it in the way o' business too, an' clipped round an' looked at the fashions, an' she says our skirts are all too full an' too long an* she set up half the night last night to cut hers off an' take it in. A Woman (admiringly). If Nettie Snow ain't a born dressmaker there never was one. If she didn't keep on the clean jump, I dunno where we'd all be. Another Woman. Look as if we'd come out o' the ark, I guess. Rosie. There she is ! There she is ! Enter Miss Nettie Snow, slender, sanguine, and quite zvilling to accept middle age, save that she feels ^^^^^^^m THE ^^^^H^^^H ^FohUged to keep her clothes up to date. She has a K' tense, needle-like expression contrasting oddly with H. her furbelows, her challis dress made in almost a B caricature of fashion. In this ardent devotion to H her profession she wears flighty ragtags and floating H veils. They all surround her and begin chorusing, H "You got the cupf" "Where's the cupf" " Is't H in that bag? " Miss Snow {pleased with the importance of her mis- sion). Now, you let me get my breath. (RosiE and Jane take hands in excitement and dance round her.) RosiE. Get a move on. Jane {"catching on" to Rosie's authority) i Huh! that's what Hen Batchelder says. Rosie. I don't care 'f he does. Get a move on 1 Get a move on ! Miss Snow {deliberately opening her bag and enjoy- ing to the fidl the importance of her mission). I can't move no faster'n I can. A Woman. Is't a plain cup? Another Woman. Ain't it got chasin' on it? Another Woman. Has't got Doctor's initials? Miss Snow {apologetically). Well, no, 'tain't got his initials on't, nor the inscription, neither. 'Twas goin' to take a week to do 'em, an' I says, " Thursday's the day, an' Thursday we've got to have it, an' can't -you do no better'n that?" Mrs. Peck {disgustedly) . How long would it take 'em to cut " M. L. B. from the Ladies of Ginseng Pond " ? Anybody'd think 'twas the whole alphabet from a to zed. Mrs. Timmins {anxiously). You beseeched 'em to do it, Nettie, now didn't you? You done all anybody could, I'll warrant. What'd they say? Miss Snow {with wrinkled brow, accounting for her- self). Why, they says, "You present it, an' then you fetch it back an' we'll mark it, free o' cost." A Woman {doubtfidly) . Seems if it ought to been marked. ^■ii^^kMMmfM,isii^Mm THE LOVING CUP Mrs. Peck. Seems if anybody could ha* pitched right into 'em an' forced 'em to mark it, whether or no. A Woman {lugubriously) . Well, it's too late now. Miss Snow {driven beyond endurance). Now you look here, Susan Peck. I done the best I could, an' if you ain't satisfied Mrs. TiMMiNS {soothinijly). 'Coui>c yuu did, Nettie, 'course you did. Couldn't nobody ha' done more. (Miss Snow takes out the cup and displays it anxiously. They cluster about and pass it from hand to hand and admire.) Ain't that a beauty ! Another Woman. Handsomest piece o' silver I ever set my eyes on. Another Wu.M A.N. ihrce handles, too! If that ain't the latest thing, I dunno what is. Miss Gill {rushing across, waving her hands trium- phantly). I've seen a finch!- I've seen a finch! RosiK {excitedly, looking off). Doctor's comin' ! Doctor's comin' ! Several Women {interrogatively). He ain't! Mrs. Timmins. Mercy ! an' here's his cup right out in plain sight. A Woman. Hide it away som'er's. Another Woman. We can't present it till the men- folks come. Rosn*. Hen P.ntchclder says (I/cr voice IS drowned by their cocklinq, "Here hide it!*' *' Under here!'* "No, under here!" Mrs. Timmins sets the cup on the table, snatches a napkin from her basket and throws it over cup.) Miss Snow {agitatedly to Miss Pride). Claris.sy, you got your speech ready? Miss Pride {rising and coming forward, her head held very stiff and her hands shaking in stage fright). I hardly know. I feel very peculiar. My knees feel weak. Mrs. Timmins {comfortingly). Why don't ye jest try it over? Let Rosie hold the paper an' see how't p^ocs. Miss Pride {agitatedly). How near is he? Jane {excitedly). Down by the willers. Tyin' his hor.^e. Give me the paper, Miss Pride. Give it here ! quick ! Miss i'KiiJK \^yit,idui(j iitr hiu l'aj>tr and iiuikimj a solemn how). Doctor Brentwood, we the undesigned, the ladies of Ginseng Pond Jane. Undersigned, not undesigned. Miss Pride {indignantly). I said undesigned. Jane. Un-(/rr-signed, not undesigned. Miss Pride. I said Mrs. TiMMiNS. There, there! Don'i b^uabble. What's one word, more or less? Go ahead, Clarissy. Miss Pride {with a caustic glance at Jane). In view of the fact that it is your birthday, and being desirous of signifying RosiE {jumping up and dozun in irrepressible excite- ment). Go ahead! he's 'most here. Miss Pride {clapping her hand to her heart and sink- ing to a convenient pail turned upside dozvn). I — I The words escape me. Mrs. TiMMiNS {excitedly). Why, it's all that about how he's stood by us an' kep' us well an' strong an* brought our child'en into the world an* kep' them well an' strong. I can't tell it as you did, Clarissy, in them elegant long words, but that's the gist on't. Jane. Here he is. Several Women. Here he is. Enter Doctor Brentwood. All {in a delighted chorus). PTiillo, Doctor! How de do, Doctor ! How de do ! Mrs. Ti:m]mins. Well, now you've come. Doctor, the picnic's begun. , Doctor {beaming and shaking hands). How*s every- body? Rosie, you don't need any iron nor garden flowers. Got pinies in your cheeks. Janie, how's that little sharp tongue? Fm going to snip off the end of it so's to keep it blunt. (RosiE hangs on his arm and Jane puts out her tongue a little to him in gay defiance. Miss Pride with- draws and cons her paper desperately at side.) Miss Gill (entering and approaching him with a solemn rapture on her countenance). Doctor, I've seen three new birds this day. I don't know their names no more'n the dead. Doctor. Good for you. Maybe they haven't got any. Name 'em for me. Mrs. Timmins. We thought we wouldn't take out the victuals till the men-folks come. A Woman. But now you've come Doctor. No, no. I can't eat. Haven't the appetite. Fact is, I came early to catch you women alone. I want to consult you. All {in broken chorus). What is it. Doctor? Any- body sick? Doctor. Yes, I've got two very sick patients, and it'll take all you women-folks to help me pull 'em through. Help me? Mrs. Timmins. Certain we will. Who is it, Doctor? A Woman. 'Taln't anybody in the neighborhood? Another Woman. No, we should ha' heard. Doctor. It's Cynthia May. All. Cynthy ? Miss Snow. Why, nothin's the matter with Cynthy. Jane. I see her this mornin', niakin' tarts, makin' 'em for the picnic. Doctor. Andrew, too. He's worse than Cynthia is. Mrs. Peck. Andrew's all right. He went by with the rake an' he looked strong as an ox. Doctor. Cynthia and Andrew are pretty badly off. / can't help 'em unless you pitch in and give me a lift. Mrs. Peck. Andrew ain't had an accident in the field ? Mrs. Timmins. I guess if anything could break Cynthy up 'twould be that. Doctor {impressively). Cynthia and Andrew don't speak. All {in relief) . That all ? Oh, we knew that. Doctor. All? Don't you call it anything for a man to sit down at the table and eat the food his wife has cooked and not speak to her? Don't you call it any- thing for her not to dare to speak to him ? Mrs. Timmins. Well, that's jest the way Andrew is. Woman. Tliat's jest his way. Well. mighty Doctor, weu, it s a Mrs. Peck. So 'tis, Doctor, so 'tis, 'n' if 'twas Samwel, I'd break him of it, or I'd break his neck. Doctor. So you would, Susan Peck, so you would. But Cynthia can't. Cynthia wasn't made like you. She can't lift a barrel of flour and carry it from the store to the wagon. She's a little delicate thing, and weVe got to lend a hand. Mrs. Tim m ins. So I say. But how we goin' to? Doctor. Do you know what '^i "'i'^ 1^^ dressed up, every one o* ye ! John C. (jovially). Didn't think we were goin''io picnic with the ladies 'thout puttin' on a clean shirt, did ye? Doctor. How are you, boys? Andrew, what's the matter with your hand? Andrew (a handsome young farmer who has uUnnlcd " oddity " and has not yet licked himself into shape. Gloomily). That ain't nothin'. I ripped a hole in it, sharpenin' the machine. Doctor (insisting on examining it). I don't call that done up very shipshape. I thought Cynthia could put on a bandage. I'm ashamed of her. Andrew. Tied it up myself. Doctor. More fool you. You couldn't get at it back- handed. Here, give me a hold. (Arranges the bandage.) Andrew (looking round anxiously). Where's ? Jane. Where's what? Doctor ( cheerftdly) . " Where's Cynthia ? " he means. Where is Cynthia, girls? Jane. There she is. Enter Cynthia, a gentle looking and beautiful young woman, carrying a basket. All (but Andrew). Hullo, Cynthy! Cynthia (seeing the Doctor at work on Andrew's hand, setting down her basket and running forward with a little cry). Oh! Doctor. All right, Cynthia, all serene. Cut his hand, that's all, nice clean cut. Didn't tell you, for fear you'd fret. Cynthia (wistfully, bending over the hand). You sure? Doctor. Sure he's O. K.? Yes, I am. There, An- drew. (Finishing the bandaging. Now beaming at them all). Well, girls, what we going to do first? Mrs. Timmins (looking about her inquiringly). W^ell, I say THE LOVING CUP ^9 A Woman (confirmingly). So do I. All the Women. Yes, yes. , . . i John C. Sha'n't we fellers go to the spring and make the lemonade? . , . ., . , MrS-Timmins. No, we're gom' to have somethm ^^%h''n^'c. Somethin' else? Oh! thought ye'd have that after supper. x t » i Hen Batchelder {hoarse with shyness), Le s have Virginny Reel 'fore supper, anyways. After I ve et my fill o' cake I'm too logy to go up an' down centre. RosiE {wild with gayety). Tore supper an after, ^""hen (admiringly, as if everything she said amazed him by its splendor). You ain't been rakm hay. Mrs Timmins {embarrassed and much excited). Well now, folks-ladies an' gentlemen, 1 mean-some- thin's goin' to take place. Le's form ourselves m a kmd of a circle, so's't we can hear, an' Miss Pride will deliver the address. Glarissy Pride ! (Miss Pride comes agitatedly forward, hand on her heart. She despairingly thrusts the paper at Rosie, takes an attitude and clears her throat.) Doctor {taking c). Yes, there's going to be an address, and your old Doctor's here to deliver it. Mrs. Timmins {wildly). Doctor, you wait, halt a minute. Only you wait. Miss Pride's got a few words "^ Doctor {with a bow to Miss Pride). Miss Pride'll excuse me {She retreats relieved at escaping her task^) f know what a tip-top address she's got ready, if she wrote it herself, and when Pve said my say I w^t to read it and have her give it to me to keep. (Miss Pride bows, in gratified acquiescence.) My speech won t be correct like Miss Pride's. It won't be elegant. But I ve got to make it. Dear folks, I'm seventy-five years old to-day. I can't believe it. But I know you believe it for you've set out to make a kind of a celebration of it Not one of you here is as old as -I am. So not one of you's had time to learn as many tiling ] c been thin"king pretty seriously over the things I've learned, and I've come to Uie conclusion there's just one thing a man wants to have to remember when he comes to seventy-five. He wants to think over all the people he's made hapi)y, and he wants to remember he hasn't hurt anybody or given 'em pain. I can't think that last. I've given Jots of pain — carelessness, selfishness, hast\ speech — well, I can't bear to think of it. V\'oMEN. No, no. Doctor. Men. 'Tain't so. Doctor. If I had my life to live over again, I'd live it differently. I'd be kinder, that's what I'd do, just kinder. I might not get more book learning or more money. But I'd just be kind. And what I want the rest of you to do that haven't got so near balancing up your accounts is to look out for the happiness of them that live with you. Begin right there. Make your wives happy. Lug water for 'em and lay the fire, and tell 'em they're just as pretty as they were when they walked out brides. I won't preach to the women. They know what to do, know it better than I do, and they live up to it. Men. That's right. (Some of the women are crying softly.) Hen (fervently). You bet yer life. Doctor. Last birthday of mine, I wasn't thinking about myself very much. I was thinking about- Cynthia here, and Andrew. That was the day they were mar- ried. Cynthia was as pretty as a young angel in her white dress and syringas all over her, and Andrew looked like just what he was — a man strong enough to stand between her and all the winds that blow. Andrew (groaning). O my Lord! Cynthia. O Doctor! Doctor! Mrs. Timmins. There, Doctor, you've made her cry, the lamb. Doctor. So when the sun came up this morning, I uiu^ ^.^^' ^^ myself, "This is my birthday." I said, This is the anniversary of Cynthia's wedding day." THE LOVING CUP 21 bu know how it is. As we grow old, we think of the young. The best happiness we've got left is seeing them happy. All. That's so. Never spoke a truer word. Doctor. I said to myself, " Cynthia and Andrew are the youngest couple here. We'll do something to keep their wedding day." ( With quick, brisk change of man- ner.) Nettie Snow, you've got a silver cup laid away somewhere among the lunch baskets and water pails. You bring it out and give it here. (Miss Snow, hardly knowing what to do, glancing at the other women for instruction and yet obliged to obey Doctor, takes the cup from under the napkin. Miss Pride, as if recalled to her duties, seizes it from her, and standing with it before the Doctor begins wildly. ) Miss Pride. Doctor Brentwood, we, the unde- signed \ Jane (irrepressibly) . Unof^rsigned. Miss Pride (oblivious to her). We, the ladies of Ginseng Pond, in view of the fact that — that — we've got this cup (losing all control of herself) — It's silver, Doc- tor, solid, an' it's got three handles an' they'll mark it free o' charge. Doctor (courteously accepting the cup). I thank yoUj Miss Pride. (Turning it round and admiring it.) My! I don't believe there's an oil man or a steel man or a copper man that's got a handsomer cup than this. Andrew and Cynthia, step out and take hands. ( Cynthia timidly offers her hand, but Andrew, bewildered, stares at the Doctor.) Why, you've forgot. This way, same as you did it a year ago, when Cynthia swore to love (puts Cynthia's hand in Andrew's), honor and obey — and kept her word — and Andrew swore he'd love and cherish. Cynthia and Andrew, this cup was meant for me, an old man whose day's work Is almost done. (To men and women.) If I could tell what it was to me to know you people thought enough of me to get up such a thing, I should be crying here— like Cynthia. But I it THE LOVIKG CUP want to pass the lu[> ai< u- while I'm ahve to have the fun of it. I want it to stand on Cynthia's and Andrew's table, and remind 'em an old man loved 'em — and you all love 'em — and they love each other. Women (tumitltuoiisly). But, Doctor! Doctor, you know ! Doctor (zi'antijigly). Look out! Remember our consultation. Remember what we said. Mrs. TiMMiNS (getting hold of herself). I for one say it's all right. Mrs. Pkck. It's your cup, Doctor, an' if ihat's what you feel to do with it Several Women. It's all right, I say. Mrs. Timmins. More'n right. It's what Doctor wants. (The Doctor, smiling on them, is holding out the cup to Cynthia and Andrew, who stand dazed.) Doctor. Here, children, take it, one of you. Andrew (roughly, in great emotion). Cynthy de- serves it. I don't. You know I don't. Cynthia. No, no, Andrew! Don't you say such a thing. Doctor. Ladies and gentlemen, I understand this cup is presented, not to Cynthia, but to Andrew and Cynthia together, because Andrew and Cynthia are one. All. Andrew an' Cynthy ! Andrew an' Cynthy ! Hen (hoarsely as the shouting dies). That's the ticket ! (Is appalled at his own voice in the silence and claps his hand over his mouth. ) Doctor (holding up the cup and regarding it tenderly). It's what they call a loving cup. It's passed round from hand to hand when folks are living in peace and harmony. It is hereby presented to Cynthia and Andrew, and Thanksgiving and Christmas we'll drop in on 'em and pass the cup round. And the day'll come when you'll pass it, and your children'll pass it, and say, " Remember old Doctor that wanted us all to live in peace." THE LOVING CUP 23 Mrs. Timmins (in high excitement) . Girls, what do you say? Women. Hurrah for Doctor ! Men and Women. Hurrah! Hurrah! Doctor (remindingly) . Hurrah for Cynthia and Andrew ! All, Hurrah ! Hurrah ! Andrew {accepting the cup awkwardly with both hands and passing it solemnly to Cynthia). Cynthy, if there's any place over to our house for a cup such as this, it's because you're what you be — the best woman God ever made. All {confusedly, in love with cheering). Hurrah for Andrew ! Hurrah for Cynthy ! Hurrah for Doctor ! (Cynthia has hastily pidled a wreath of cinnamon roses from her basket, lays it on centre of table and sets the cup in it.) Mrs. Timmins. Ain't that a cunnin' wreath? D'you make it, Cynthy? Cynthia {laughing and crying). I made it this mornin' to put round this. {Takes from her basket a half loaf of cake and sets it on the table beside the cup.) Hen {greedily). Fruit cake, by gum! Cynthia. It's a piece of our weddin' cake, an' I thought we'd have a crumb all round, an' when you tasted yours, Andrew, you'd remember— you'd remember {Breaks into sobbing.) Andrew {putting his arms about her)'. Don't you cry, Cynthy ! O lovey, don't you cry ! ^ Hen {jumping up and down) . Virginny reel ! Vir- ginny reel ! RosiE. Janie, Hen's askin' you to dance. (Hen seizes Rosie's hands and kisses her boldly. They go laughing and scuffling to their places. Mrs. Timmins gives her husband a kindly reminding push toward Jank, and he advances, makes Jane a clumsy bow and offers his hand. They take their /^^ - Miss Gill views the scene for a moment, />/• s /.. / hand to her ear as if she heard a bird note, directs her glass to the trees, but as a man approaches her thr • the glass wildly aside and accepts him. Miss Sn' finding trouble with her narrow skirt, accepts r.. other. Miss Pride stands aloof, apparently superior to the diversion, but when a man offers his hand she joyously accepts. The Doctor takes Mrs. Tim m ins. Andrew takes Cynthia.) Jane {calling sharply). Cynthy V Andrew! Look at Cynthy 'n' Andrew! Married folks can't dance to- gether. Andrew {stopping and speaking boldly, his j^icc alujht with happiness). Can't they? We'll see whether they can't dance together, an' eat together, an' talk together, an' laugh together — an' live an' die together. VIRGINIA REEL Tf Jl* Ui« Pinero's Plays Price, 50 Zcnts Eacb Min rilANNPf ^^^y ^^ ^°^^ ^'^^^' ^^^ males, five femalea. IfULF'Vllilimii" Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays two and a lialf hours. THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITH ll^r 'lig'hl males, fire females. Costumes, modem; scenery, all iuterfors. Plays a full evening. Till? PR ni?I Jf* ATI? ^^*y *^ Pour Acts. Seven males, five ***I1 riVVrrijlUAli:! females. Scenery, three interiors, rather •laborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. Till? CrilflAI MIQTDFCC Parce in Three Acts. Nine males, I nCi OvIlV/V/LilUliJ I nXtJO seven females. Costumes, mod- ern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. THE SECOND MRS. TANQUERAY ^^i^ItZXi females. Costumes, modern; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. QWrrT I AVPNnFff Oomedy in Three Acts. Seven males, iJTTEiCil LiAfEilll/CiIV four females. Scene, a single interior, eostumes, modern. Plays a full evening. Till? Till T1tfni?D DAI T Oomedy in Four Acts. Ten males, inCi inUllU£iI\Dl/Lil nine females. Scenery, three Interi- ors; oostumes, modem. Plays a full evening. THP TIMFQ Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. 1 nil 1 11t1£nJ Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. Till? WI?Airi?R QFY Comedy In Three Acts. Eight males, inCi TTEhrinXiIV iJIIA eight females. Costumes, modern; ■o«nery, two interiors. Plays a full evening. A WIFE WITHOUT A SMILE F?ve*male8, four females! Oostumes, modern ; scene, a single interior. Plays a full evening. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Walttv ^. Paber Sc Companp No. 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts LIBRPRY OF CONGRESS 015 971 122 5 %l)t WiUwax Waxttn Coition of $lap0 thrice, 15 Centj^ tfat^ AS Ton I J¥F IT Com« ^^^- ThlrtMO male*, three f«raal««. inwvoiitis Scenery raried ; costume*, Greek. Plajs a full eTaalag. MABT STITAKT Tragedy in Fire Aet& ThlrtMn males, few f*. auuM k^iUAAi males, and supernumeraries. Costumes, of kha parlod ; soenerj, raried and elaborate. Plays a full erening. TIE IHtCHANT OF VENICE SSSSlh'lirSiiJS SSSSJ pteknresque ; scenery Taried. Plays a full erenlaf. VimPIIFII PlAyinFlreAeta. Flf teas males, two franalea. Se«»- mvuiOrlMJ ery elaborate ; costumes of the period. Plays m tuU •rening. THF DIVAI S Comedy In FIt« Aetsi Klne males, ire fMuOasi lUii AITALrJ Scenery Taried; eostumes full erening. of the period. Plays a Vlftasa SIE STOOPS TO CONQUEI £3Sje,S5ui:"fc-^.^ ried; costumes of the period. Plays a full erening. TWELFTH NWBT; 01, WIAT TOO flU 2Z'%.''-S5; thraa females. Costumes, piotaresque ; seenary, raried. Plays a foUeTSBing. Sent prepaid on receipt of price b/ WHlttv 0» TSatn & ConqNinf Vo. 5 Hamilton Placei Boston, ICasaachnsettt lA a o*.. MMMTSus. a u atoi^. «.«