NO PLAYS EXCHANGED. ALL ABOUT ADAM Price, 15 Cents 0«PY»ll«MT. 1 •••, BY WALTER H BAKM * THF AM A7ANS ^^^^ ^ Three Acts. Seven males, Ave iemaies. llUi AOIALVilJ Costumes, modern; scenery, not difficult Play 3 a full eyening. THE CABINET MINISTER S^e^.^t^tntt^: soeneiy, three interiors. Plays a full evening, DANDY DICE ^»''c® ^ Three Acts. Seven males, four teraaies. " Costumes, modem ; scenery, two interiors. Playf two hours and a half. THP fiAY f ADH ATTFT Comedy in Four Acts. Four males ten lllC UAl IrUftW yUCA fgj^ales. Costumes, modern ; scenery. two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. HIQ HAITCP IN ADTIPD Comedy in Four Acts. Nine males, fo'Tf IU3 aUlidC in Ul^IfCIl f^^^les. costumes, modern ; sceneiy. three interiors. Plays a full evening, THF HARRY HORSF comedy in Three Acts= Ten males, five illC llVDDl IlvAJG fgjQj^ieg^ Costumes, modern ; scenery easy » Plays two hours and a half. inic Drama in Five Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. I ADY RAITNTIFIIF -^^^y ^ ■'^ ■^^'^ Acts. Eight males, seven fe- ifitVI UWlM-UliLi j^g^j^gg Costumes, modern ; scenery, four in- teriors, not easy. Plays a full evening, LFTTY ^'^*™* *^ ^®^^ ■^°*^ *^^ ^^ Epilogue. Ten males, five fe- ^^ males. Costumes, modem ; scenery complicated. Plays a fall evening. Sent prepaid on receipt of price by Walttt 1$. TSaUt & Company No, 5 Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts All About Adam A Comedy in Two Acts By ALICE C. THOMPSON Author of "-"-Oysters;' "-"-The Truth About Jane^* "•"-Romantic Mary" "-"-Just Like Percy^' etc. BOSTON WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 1911 All About Adam CHARACTERS Professor Adam Moon. Mrs. Moon, his mother. Miss Harriet Harding '\ \ ^ ^^/yX Miss Agatha Harding y st'sUrs. ^^ \0^ Miss Winnifred Harding ) • I Hester. -ft) 63^ SYNOPSIS Act I. — Library at the Hardings*. Act II. — Sitting-room in Mrs. Moon's house. PROPERTIES Act I. — Sewing materials ; an old glove ; a vase ; flowers ; a cloth duster ; books ; a money-box containing silver coins and. a one cent piece ; a dime for Hester. Act II. — Knitting materials ; a plate of biscuits ; a white table-cloth ; knives, forks, three plates, cups and saucers ; the mission box ; glove and coins used in Act I. Copyright, 191 i, by Walter H. Baker & Co. ©CI.O 23291 All About Adam ACT I SCENE. — Library of the Misses Harding. At R. c. is a table and rocking-chair ; on the table a flower vase. At L. c. , a sofa and armchair. At r., against the wall, is a bookcase with books ; on top of the bookcase a money-box. Entrances at c. and down L. and R. To the left of door c, a window. {The curtain rises to discover Miss Harriet and Miss Agatha Harding seated l. c. andv.. c, Agatha on sofa, each with a piece of sewing. Agatha is mending an old glove. Neither of the sisters is very young.) Har. Agatha, I am convinced that the professor comes here for a reason. Agatha {dropping her sewing). I have thought so myself for some time. But why do you call him the professor ? I can never get accustomed to that title. I always think of him as Adam. Har. Professor sounds dignified and suits him. — Is it Winnifred, do you think ? Agatha. Winnifred ! Oh, she's so much younger than he is. Har. That doesn't matter. And after all, though he may seem old to her, he is really only a little over forty. Agatha. I know how forty seemed to me when I was Win- nie's age. She doesn't understand him. He needs a sensible wife — a woman of er — more mature years. We must not imagine things, Harriet. Har. No, I want to get at the truth. The other day he gave Winnie the rose he wore in his buttonhole. Agatha. An act of politeness merely. She admired it. Har. She kept it in water on her dressing-table. Agatha. Don't count on trifles, Harriet. Har. What is that you are mending, Agatha ? 3 4 ALL ABOUT ADAM Agatha. A glove. {Hides it.) Har. That is Adam's old glove. He left it here last week. I should think his mother would do his mending. Agatha {bringing it out again). I thought I might as well do it. It was torn. Of course I won't stand in Winnie's ^ay if there is anything between them. * Though she is only our stepsister, my affection for her is just the same as for you. Har. There is no question of standing in her way, my dear Agatha. And I do not doubt your feeling for her. I think sometimes you have spoiled her, I have noticed lately a tendency on her part to be irreverent and cynical. She seems to question our old standards. She is not as pliable as she used to be. Agatha. Yes, and she is inclined to interfere between us and Hester. Har. Then I won't allow it. Hester was our find. (Hester heard singing off l.) There, she's singing again. She's al- ways singing. Agatha. She does not seem to reahze that we prefer quietness. Har. I believe Winnifred encourages her in that boisterous cheerfulness. Ssh ! here's Winnie now ! £nter Miss Winnifred Harding, c. She is a pretty, attract- ive girl of about twenty-two or three. Win. What a glorious walk I've had ! Away down to the river. You ought to be out on a day like this, Harriet — and you, Agatha — not mooning indoors. Har. I don't know exactly what you mean when you say "mooning." You can see that we are busy. (Win. seats herself and removes her hat.) Agatha. Have you seen anything of Adam ? Win. Oh, no. Har. We were just speaking about him, Winnifred. He is a very fine man. Win. He is the most absent-minded man I've ever met. Agatha. But you have not known many men, have you ? Win. That is true. Har. Have you ever wondered, Winnie, why he comes here so often ? Win. We happen to possess some very good reference books ALL ABOUT ADAM 5 left by poor papa. Isn't that sufficient reason for a great student ? Har. But he is also a human being, my dear. Win. Well (Hester heard singing outside.) Har. Kindly close that door, Winnie. Hester's noise is very disturbing. (Win. rises and closes door.) Win. She is scrubbing out that passage as if her life de- pended on it. She works very well for a young, inexperienced girl, does she not ? Har. She will improve with training. Agatha. I think we were fortunate to get her. Our visit to the farm had good results. Har. That remains to be seen. Agatha. Did you find out nothing more about her ? Har. No. Mrs. Green said her parents died when she was an infant. She has lived with the Greens ever since. Win. Poor child. She could not have been very happy on the farm, for you say she was glad to come with you. Agatha. She was naturally pleased at the thought of earn- ing money for the first time. On the farm she had just the bare necessities of life ; but she always speaks of it as home. Win. And she is grateful. Do you know, she told me that she intends saving all her money to buy Mrs. Green a silk dress. Har. I don't approve of that at all. She might better give her money to the heathen who need it. And that reminds me. (^Rises and goes over to bookcase.) Here is our mission box. It is nearly full. I think I shall return it on Sunday next. Agatha. Do you think it safe to leave it there, Harriet? You know the coins may be easily taken out. One has only to remove the little cork in the bottom. Har. True. And we know very little about Hester. Win. Nonsense ! Let us at least believe her honest till we have some reason to doubt her. Enter Hester, l., carrying a large bunch of autumn flowers. She is a girl between fourteen and fifteen years of age. Wears a simple gingham dress and a straw hat. She comes to the table. 6 ALL ABOUT ADAM Har. Hester, where did you get those flowers ? {Rises.) Hester. I picked them on the other side of the porch. Agatha. From Mrs. Linden's yard ! Har. How could you do such a thing ? They are not our flowers. Hester {standing still). Not yours ? Har. Certainly not. Hester. But they grow quite near the house. (Puts flowers on table and removes hat, throwing it on sofa.) Win. Naturally, a country girl would not understand, as there is no fence dividing the yards. Hester, I'm sure she wouldn't mind; do you think so? There are so many growing there. And I do so love flowers, don't you? I'll put them in water, and then I'll run over and tell her that I took them. Har. You will do nothing of the kind. I feel most an- noyed. Mrs. Linden prides herself on her flowers. She will say we steal. Win. Harriet ! Hester. Oh, no, she couldn't say that. Why, at home Har. Never mind telling me what you did at home. This is not the country. Take the flowers out. I will see Mrs. Linden myself. And never do such a thing again. (Hester crosses over to l., with flowers.) When you come back bring a duster. This room is in a shocking state. \^Exit Hester. Win. After all, it was a little thing to do. Har. The principle is all wrong. {Sits.) Win. I will explain to Mrs. Linden. Har. I am so scrupulously honest myself that I can't bear the least shadow of dishonesty or subterfuge. Win. Why, she was certainly very frank. Agatha. I will ask Adam Moon about it. He has such good judgment. Win. If you can get his mind off the stars long enough to listen to you. Agatha. Winnifred, you are disrespectful. Win. Indeed I am not. I mean it seriously. He is so completely wrapped up in his pursuits that he does not seem to heed the common things of earth. Sometimes when I have been talking to him, I have suddenly realized that he is not listening to me at all. And yet I have tried to understand him. I do admire hira. I feel — I ALL ABOUT ADAM 7 Agatha (self-consciously). I think I understand him. Har. Ah, my dear Winnie, he sees more than you think. Agatha. Don't let us jump to wrong conclusions. I wonder if he will call this afternoon. I have a feeling that he may. (Agatha rises and goes to window. Win., seeing the glove on the floor y picks it upy looks at it and conceals it in her belt.) Har. I see I am going to have trouble in training Hester. Look where she has thrown her hat. She acts as if this were her own home. Win. But isn't it ? Reenter Hester, carrying a cloth duster. She goes over to the bookcase. Har. Dust everything very carefully, Hester. And don't miss the corners. Hester. What's this ? {Picks up money-box, and rattles it.) A little bank. Isn't that nice? Sammy Green had one just like this. He saved up all his pennies and bought an air rifle and then shot the pig in her left hind foot. It was awful. Har. We don't save for air rifles here. That money is for the poor naked heathen. Hester. Oh, where are they ? Har. Over in Africa, where it is very hot. Hester. Then they must be fine and cool. Har. (severely). They do not realize their condition. Hester. Is there a great deal of money in the box ? Har. No, not a great deal, for we are not wealthy. There is only what we have saved by denying ourselves. Agatha. I know every coin just as if they were children and had names. There's fifty cents I got for selling bottles to the ragman — a great pile of 'em. It has a nick in it. And a silver dollar we saved in butter in three weeks. Har. And a penny, Agatha — I remember a penny. Agatha. Yes, we put that in the night we didn't buy the paper. Har. On principle, Agatha. Agatha. Yes, on principle. It was full of that dreadful scandal and we just wouldn't buy it. I hope the editor heard about it. 8 ALL ABOUT ADAM Hester. I would like to put something in, too. May I ? Agatha. Have you any money, child ? Hester. Yes, I have a dime. It's all my own. ^ Har. Did Mrs. Green give it to you ? Hester. No, a gentleman on the train. Har. But, Hester, you mustn't take money from strangers. Don't you know that an honest girl earns her money by work- ing for it ? Hester {earnestly). Oh, I did earn it. I minded the baby for a whole hour. Har. The baby ! ^ Hester. And he looked after the four other children. And then I gave him the baby and played with the others till we reached the city. Agatha. Hm ! where was his wife ? Hester. She was dead. He was taking them all to their grandma's. I felt so sorry for him. {She unties a corner of her handkerchief and takes out coin.) See, here is my dime. I'll give it to the poor heathen who have so little. {Drops coin in bank.) Har. {to Agatha). I begin to feel suspicious. That's not natural. Win. Thank you, Hester. It's very good of you to sacri- fice money that would give you pleasure for the benefit of some fat, roly-poly heathen who is much happier v/ithout clothes. Har. Winnifred, you are shocking. You had better go to your room. Win. {smiling). I think I will. [Exity L. Agatha. And I shall go and change my dress. {Rises.) Why, Where's the glove — the glove I was mending? It's gone ! Har. {rising). If a gentleman calls, Hester, show him in here and come and tell me at once. I am expecting Prof. Adam Moon. Agatha. And let me know also. But I wonder where that glove is. {Exeunt Har. and Agatha, l., Agatha looking back at Hester with some distrust. Hester gives a little sigh and drops into chair. Reenter Agatha. Hester jumps up. Agatha, in a loud whisper.) Don't fail to let me know if the professor calls. Hester. Very well, ma'am. (Agatha disappears* Hester ALL ABOUT ADAM 9 sits again.') Oh, my flowers ! And in the country we had so many that I sometimes passed them by without even looking at them. The poor sweet things ! I'll never do it again. {A knock R. Hester rises quickly and opens door. Enter Professor Adam Moon, carrying a large book. He is gray haired and wears spectacles y but has still a look of youth about his face and figure. His manner is simple f diffidetit and kindly.) Adam. Ssh ! not a word ! Don't let them know I'm here. Hester. Are you Professor Moon ? Adam. lam. {Alarmed.) Were they — do you think they are expecting me ? Hester. Oh, yes, sir. Miss Harriet said I was to tell her at once when you called, and Miss Agatha said not to fail to let her know. Adam. And what did Miss Winnifred say ? Hester. She said nothing. Adam. She said nothing, eh ? What's your name ? I sup- pose you have a name. {Smiles.) Hester. I'm called Hester. Adam. Well, Hester, oblige me by not mentioning this visit. I'll only stay a few minutes. I'm in a great hurry. I want to look something up. (^Goes to bookcase and kneels.) Ah, here it is. {Takes out book.) If I thought Winnifred But no, she doesn't want to see me. {Turns.) And where did you drop from ? I don't remember seeing you before. Hester {earnestly). Oh, no, sir. This is the first time you've ever seen me. I come from Erindale. It's away off in the country. (Adam rises.) Adam. And do you like it better here? Hester. Better ? Oh, no. Miss Winnifred is very good to me, but I miss my stars. Adam. What ! you miss Hester. My stars, shining up in the sky, you know. They look so tiny, but they're really very big. Did you know that ? Adam. So they are your stars, too, little girl ? Hester. I call them mine. Of course I know tliey don't really belong to me, but to God. All through ihe summer I slept close beside the window and I left the blinds open so I could see them shining down. And I loved them. There was «ne, bigger than the rest and brighter. I always looked for it 10 ALL ABOUT ADAM and I missed it if it wasn't there. It seemed to look at me. It seemed to be my star. Adam. And can't you see your stars any longer? Hester. No, nothing but a brick wall. Adam. Would you like to know something more about your stars ? What it is that makes them shine, what force it is that keeps them there through all the years ? Hester. Oh, so much. I've often wondered and some- times I asked people out in Erindale. But no one could tell me. They didn't look at them. They said it was a waste of time. Adam. Yes, that's what people used to say to me. But some day I'll tell you all about them. Keep on looking up. Better be lighted by a star than a kerosene lamp. Why, I try to teach the students at the college. Hester. Do you ? I'd like to go to college. Adam. I'll tell you what. We'll have a lesson. Yi^'srsiw^ {joyously'). Now — to-day? Adam. Yes. Now I'll have to give you some facts before we get to the really interesting part. You must know that our sun is the centre of a vast system. Do you know what I mean by system ? Hester. Oh, yes. That's what Miss Harriet has. She says she prides herself on her system. Adam. Hm ! This isn't just the kind of system Miss Har- riet is so proud of. Let me see. How can I explain ? {He absently picks up the money-box.') What's this? {Rattles it.) Hester. That's for the heathen. Adam. For the heathen, eh ? {He empties the box in his hands.) The very thing ! We'll make use of the heathen's money. All these shining silver coins will be constellations and planets. Hester. Stars? Adam. Yes, stars. {Goes down on his knees.) This fifty cent piece is the earth. (Hester drops down beside him.^ Hester {eagerly). Has it a nick in it? Yes. Well, Miss Agatha got that by selHng bottles to the ragman. Adam. Good old ragman ! Here's a big silver dollar. Hester. That's saved from the butter money. She told me so. ALL ABOUT ADAM II Adam. And now it's going to shine as the sun. See, here they are. {Places coins.) The Sun, Mercury, Venus, the Earth and Moon — the penny will do for that — Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, Neptune. Hester. Are those the names of my stars ? Adam. Yes. Do you think you can learn them by heart ? Hester. If you will write them down for me. Adam. I will. Mars, this big fellow here, and the first of the superior planets, performs his revolutions round the sun in six hundred and eighty-seven days at an average velocity of fifty-five thousands miles an hour. Hester (^brightly). Why, that's faster than a railroad train. Adam. Faster than a railroad train ! Yes, just a little. Hester. It's very interesting. Adam. Do you think you understand ? Hester. Oh, yes, but I want to know what makes them shine ''like a diamond in the sky." Yes, what is it makes them look so like diamonds ? Adam. I am going to try and tell you. I'm afraid I've gotten into a dry and dusty way of talking. I'll simpHfy (Har. is heard off l. calling Hester.) Who's that ? Hester {starting). Miss Harriet ! Adam. I must go. She mustn't find me here. I think I have a class and if she comes in I'll never get away. {He sweeps all the coins up in his hafid, puts thefn in his pocket and jumps up.) Don't let them know I called. Not a word, remember. Hester. I promise. [Exit Adam, r. (Hester rises^ gets her duster and goes to table as e7iter Har.) Har. Haven't you finished dusting? Hester. Not quite, ma'am. Har. You've been wasting your time. What have you been doing ? Come, answer me. Hm ! it's very plain you've been in mischief. Meddling with the books, I dare say. {Goes to bookcase.) Why, this isn't even dusted. I don't know what you (Lifts up mo?tey-box ; horrified.) It's empty ! (Hester starts.) The box is empty. Where is the money ? Speak, tell me what's become of the money ! (Har. runs to l., calling shrilly.) Agatha ! Agatha ! Winnifred ! Oh, I might have known better than to leave it there. Where is it ? Give it to me, at once. 12 ALL ABOUT ADAM Enter Agatha. Agatha. What's the matter, Harriet ? Is the professor Har. The mission money has been stolen. Agatha. Stolen, the mission money ! Har. Every cent. Here's the box. You can see for yourself. It's quite empty. Agatha. Who — who has been here ? Har. No one but Hester. Enter Win. Agatha. Hester, where is the money ? Win. What money ? Agatha. The money for the mission. It's gone — stolen ! Win. Some one must have come in. Har. No one has been here but Hester. I left her in this room. Agatha. Hester, where is the money ? Hester. 1 haven't got the money. (^Opens her hands.) Har. What did you do with it ? Hester. Nothing. Har. You deny that you emptied the mission box. But no one else has been here. She lies to me. First she steals, then she lies about it. Win. Oh, I can't beheve it. Hester, did you take the money ? Hester. No, Miss Winnifred. Win. You hear what she says. Har. You are very simple, Winnifred. She knows that no one else was in the room. She shall restore that money and go. I cannot harbor a thief. Agatha. Hush, Harriet, let me speak to her ! I will ap- peal to her conscience, to her better nature. (^Goes to Hes- ter.) Hester, we want to save you, to save you from yourself. Only confess that you took the money and we will try and for- give you. Hester {firmly). I did not take the money. Agatha (with an affectation of great feeling). Oh, Hester, think of the little heathen children — think of them standing over there, holding out their helpless hands and crying so piti- fully, <'Come over and help us." Picture them, poor be- nighted beings, ignorant, naked, and then think of what you are depriving them. ALL ABOUT ADAM 1 3 Har. {in a hard voice). Four dollars and eighty-six cents. {All look at Hester, who remains unmoved by this ha- rangue.') Agatha. I'm afraid she is wholly bad. Win. No, I can't believe it. — A girl who loves stars and flowers and babies — she can't be altogether bad. (Hester bursts into tears.) Don't cry, Hester. Hush ! I'll tell you what I'll do, Harriet. I have five dollars in change; I will replace the exact amount that was in the mission box, and we will say no more about it for the present. Just now we are all excited. I feel sure it will turn up. I will go and get my money. \_Exit, Har. She may replace the money, but I am determined to find the thief. Agatha. You are quite right, Harriet. Har. I have no desire to be unjust, but if Hester cannot at once explain satisfactorily where the money is, she must go. Agatha. Speak, Hester. We want to forgive you. (Hester //Vy^i- up her hat and goes slowly out r.) Har. a clear case of guilt. Agatha. Oh, Harriet, what will Winnie say ? Har. I cannot help what Winnie will say. The girl's de- parture is nothing more or less than confession. Agatha {going to window). But I wonder where she will go- Har. And where has she put the money ? She must have hidden it somewhere. {Begins to search.) Agatha. Oh, how unfortunate we were to get such a wicked girl in the house. Four dollars and eighty-six cents. Think of it. And I missed a glove too. That should have been a warning. Enter Win. Win. Here is the money. {Comes down c.) Where is Hester ? Har. She has gone. 14 ALL ABOUT ADAM Win. Gone, where? Har. I don't know; and I can't say that I am going to disturb myself about it. She went rather than confess openly to having taken the money. And where it is, I don't know. Win. And you let her go — a young girl all alone in this city. Har. I will not keep a thief in the house. Win. I don't believe she took the money. How could you turn her out ? She will wander the streets. Har. I can't consider that I owe her anything. You see how she has repaid our kindness. Agatha. With base ingratitude. Win. Harriet, you would not willingly see me alone and unprotected in a strange city, and I am much older than Hes- ter and have always lived in a town. Think of that poor child, hurt, lost, bewildered. I must go at once and find her. Har. Nonsense. I will not let you go. Win. But you will not keep me. No, nothing will keep me until I find her. If I don't come home you will know I am searching. (^Goes to r.) Justice is a very noble thing, no doubt, but if we had nothing but justice a good many of us would fall by the way. [Exit, CURTAIN ACT II SCENE. — Sitting-room at Mrs. Moon's. The same day, late ift the afternoon. A comfortable, simply-furnished room. At R. c, an armchair ; at L.., a bookcase against wall. At ■ L. c, a round table, three small chairs and an easy-chair. On a shelf, some plates, cups and saucers and a white cloth. An entrance c, one down l., and one leading into a passage or hall, down r. A window left of c. {The curtain rises on Mrs. M., a sweet-faced old lady. She sits at L. c. knitting.^ Enter Adam, r. Adam. Well, mother, there you are, still, just as I left you, knitting. {Comes to her and kisses her.) Always knitting. Mrs. M. I'll put it away, now you're home. But as a matter of fact, I only came in ten minutes ago. Adam. I'm glad to hear you have been out. Mrs. M. And I'm glad I got back first. I thought you might catch me and I wanted to give you a surprise. Adam, guess what I brought home to-day. Adam. Guess what you brought home, mother? Oh, the usual thing, I suppose. A lame dog, a lost kitten, a bird with a broken wing. Mrs. M. I might call her all of those without exaggera- tion, — a poor motherless, homeless girl. Adam. A girl ! Where did you pick her up ? Mrs. M. On the street. Oh, she's a country girl, not a town waif, this one. Let me tell you. I had about decided that I would not go out, when it suddenly occurred to me that I might run over to the market and get you some of that sausage you're so fond of. Adam. I don't know whether I should bless that inspiration or not. Mrs. M. I was on my way home when I heard some one call me, and turning, I saw a young girl out of breath with running. She came up and gave me my pocketbook which I had not even missed. '' Well, well," I said, " you are an hon- est girl; " and I offered her a reward, which she refused with 15 1 6 ALL ABOUT ADAM these rather remarkable words, '' Oh, no, ma'am, I shouldn't be paid for being honest." Adam. Hm ! Was the reward big enough to tempt her ? Mrs. M. Adam, please don't be cynical. I asked her where her home was, and she said she had none. *' Well," said I, '< where will you sleep to-night ? " With that she pointed to the park: ''Maybe I'll sleep in that field." Then I knew she was a country girl, and so I brought her home. Adam. And what are you going to do with her ? Mrs. M. I don't know yet. Perhaps keep her; I like her. I feel confidence in her already. Adam. But you always do have confidence in them. Mrs. M. And I'm not always mistaken. (Rises and lights lamp.) Adam. Well, mother, your good heart does you credit. Mrs. M. That's more than I can say for your memory, Adam. Look at your shirt ; just look at it. Adam (examining his cuffs). What's the matter with it ? Mrs. M. Matter ! Two days ago I told you to change it and left you a clean one. Adam. Did you ? I must have forgotten. Mrs. M. Did you forget you had a lecture this afternoon ? Adam. Oh, no, I remembered that all right. I met two of the students and they reminded me. Mrs. M. Been over to the Hardings' ? Adam. I think I did go. Mrs. M. Whom did you see. Miss Harriet or Miss Agatha ? Adam. Neither of them. Mrs. M. Winnie, then? Adam. No, I didn't see her. Perhaps it was yesterday. No, it wasn't, because I recollect, now, I got a book there. I saw no one but the maid. Mrs. M. There's a fine girl — Winnifred Harding. She would make a lovely wife for some man. Adam. Yes, I believe she would. Mrs. M. You admire her, don't you ? Adam. Very much. More than that, I feel I have come to — love her. Mrs. M. Well, why don't you tell her ? Adam. Tell her ? Mrs. M. Yes ; ask heir to marry you. That is, if you ever ALL ABOUT ADAM 1 7 get the chance with those two older sisters of hers continually on hand. Adam. I never thought of it. I don't know if I'd dare. Do you think Winnifred could care for me ? She's so bright and young. Mrs. M. Certainly. Why shouldn't she care? You could make any woman care for you. Adam. Oh, mother, who else but you would make such a daring statement ? Mrs. M. Besides, you need a wife. I won't always be here to look after you. And you are constantly forgetting things. I never saw such a memory, or such a lack of it in all my days. Adam. Winnie is a sweet, intelligent girl. Mrs. M. a girl I could welcome, on condition that she didn't have her stepsisters over too often. Adam. They mean well. Mrs. M. Very hkely, but Winnie does well. There's a difference. I'll tell you what we'll do. We'll have her over to supper some day, and I'll leave you two alone for half an hour. Adam. Oh, mother ! Mrs. M. Well, isn't that long enough? Or would you require an hour ? Adam. What a contriving little lady you are ! Mrs. M. Oh, I don't mind giving you a httle help, but I tell you there's a fate about these things. Now, Adam, go right up-stairs and change your shirt. Supper will be ready soon and I'm going to have it in here. We're housecleaning, and the dining-room is all upset. (Adam goes to l. ) Adam. What's this red string on my finger for ? Mrs. M. How do I know? It may have been there for days. Adam. Yes, I believe I noticed it on Tuesday. Mrs. M. And this is Thursday. Good gracious ! Per- haps it was to remind you to take your umbrella, or to wear your rubbers, or to put out your light when you go to bed — or any one of a thousand things. How can I tell ? Adam. No, I remember now, it had something to do with a concert. 1 8 ALL ABOUT ADAM Mrs. M. To be sure. You were to get the tickets for the Symphony concert on Wednesday. That was last night. Adam. Yes, last night. Mrs. M. And I forgot all about it, too. Adam. That's too bad, too bad. {^Exif, l. Mrs. M. {looking ath.). Bless the boy ! What a head he has. So chock full of great things there is no room for the small. Enter Hester, c. Hester. Please, ma'am, will you let me do something? Then I'd feel as if I really belonged here. {^Comes down c.) Mrs. M. Can you set a table ? Hester. Oh, yes. Mrs. M. You have worked for some one, I suppose ? What made you leave ? — You would rather not tell me. You didn't do anything wrong, did you ? Hester. No, I didn't do anything wrong. Mrs. M. Very well, I am satisfied. How do you like your room ? Is it comfortable ? Hester. Oh, it's just lovely. There's a great big chestnut tree outside my window with real birds in it, like at Erindale — the country, I mean. Mrs. M. So you really love trees and birds ? Hester. Oh, yes, don't you? Mrs. M. I love the city, I guess, because I can meet peo- ple. They are my favorite study, Hester. People seem to me like books. I want to read them, especially if they have neat, attractive covers. That's human nature, I suppose. When I come across a stranger I think that now, perhaps, I've found the great book I'm looking for, that when I open it I'll light on something beautiful and true. Hester. And do you often find it, the great book ? Mrs. M. Not often, sometimes. I must confess to having been deceived by the outside. Then I say to myself, "It serves me right for judging by the cover only." Do you un- derstand me? Hester. Yes, ma'am, I think I do. Oh, I wonder what kind of book I am ? Mrs. M. I don't think I shall be disappointed in you. Hester (sadly). I must have a very plain cover. Mrs. M. Nonsense; I didn't mean that. Now I must go and look after my son and see that he puts the right clothes on. ALL ABOUT ADAM I9 Hester. Oh, you have a little boy ! Mrs. M. Not exactly. It's a long time since he was a lit- tle boy, but I have to look after him just the same. All men are big boys, Hester, nothing more. But Adam's worse, for he's a great student and consequently has no memory whatever for ordinary things. So, Hester, if you sometimes see things all in their wrong places, a cup or plate upside down and the house generally topsyturvy, don't be surprised. Those are only my jogs to his memory. He's a star gazer. Hester. A star gazer ? Mrs. M. Yes, and there are no people more incapable of looking after themselves. (^Goes to door c.) I think I'll make some hot biscuits for supper. You see I'm a cook-book. Hester. Hot biscuits ! Oh, that sounds just like a real home. [Exit Mrs. M., c. Enter PiDhM, 1..^ carrying a book. He whistles as he comes C, Adam {stopping suddenly). It seems to me I have seen you before. Hester. Oh, yes, sir. To-day at Miss Harding's. Adam. Hm ! is that so ? I was talking to you in the library, wasn't I? I think you said you were interested in astronomy. Hester. Oh, no, sir, I said I loved the stars. Adam. Stars? Oh, that's much better. So it was. And I remember we were interrupted. Hester (eagerly). Yes, sir, just as you were telling me the names of my stars. Adam. Perhaps we'll find another opportunity. By the way, what are you doing here ? Hester. I don't know. A kind old lady brought me here. Adam. My mother. So you are the girl she picked up — the little country girl who would have slept in the park ? Hester. It looked so beautiful and green, something like Erindale. (A kftock at R.) Adam. I'll go. (Exit Hester, l. ADAM^^^^i- to r., and opens door.) Enter Win., without a hat. Win. (breathless). Adam, may I come in for a few minutes ? Adam. Oh, do come in. Won't you stay? Please stay to 20 ALL ABOUT ADAM supper, I mean. My mother expects you, at least she expects you some day. Win. Thank you. I'm afraid I can't stay to-day. What must you think of me, rushing over unceremoniously like this ? Adam. Oh, I'm delighted. Won't you sit down? Win. (sttiing). I came over here because I'm in trouble. I thought your mother — or you, might be able to help me. Adam {sitting beside her). I'll do my best, if you'll tell me. Win. I can't be very explicit. You see, it's like this. If you were .championing the cause of a person who had appar- ently done wrong and there was no way out, and you had vowed not to return home until things were righted, what would you do ? Adam. I think I'd keep my vow. Win. Even if it made things rather uncomfortable? Adam. The main thing is to be true to oneself, isn't it? Win. Yes, but I don't know what to do. Adam. I know you can be depended upon to do the right thing always. Win. You must have a high opinion of me, Adam ? Adam. I have known you for a long time, Winnie, almost since you were a little girl. And we've always been good friends. Win. Yes, the best of friends. Adam. Sometimes I'm afraid I've lived in the clouds too much. I must seem a very humdrum fellow to you. Win. Oh, no, no. Adam. Do you think you could — ever learn to love me, Winnie? I want to tell you that I've loved you for years and only found it out just now. Win. You love me? Adam. More than all the world. Do you see how a man — an absent-minded beggar Hke me — could go on for a long time like one asleep and suddenly awaken? Well, that's what hap- pened to me. Win. Yes, I see, I do understand. — Look^ I have something of yours. You left it at our house. ( Gives him glove. ) Adam. It's an old one; it was torn, I think. And you have mended it for me? Win. No, I didn't. Agatha must have done that. Adam. It was very kind of Agatha. Win. Give it to me. I'm going to rip those stitches out and mend it myself. ALL ABOUT ADAM 21 Adam. Why should you give yourself so much trouble? Win. It's not trouble, it's pleasure. Sometimes a girl will suddenly waken up too, and realize Adam. Winnie, you care for me. You will marry me ? Win. Yes, Adam. (JECe takes her hand and kisses it slowly.) Enter Mrs. M. with a plate of biscuits. Mrs. M. {holding up plate). Light, fluffy, and sweet as a nut if I do say it myself. (Adam and Win. separate.) Why, Winnie, my dear, when did you come ? Adam {^jumping up). She will, mother. She did. It's all right. I took your advice. It's all right, and she'll stay to supper. Win. Adam ! Mrs. M. My dear, dear girl. Wait a minute. I must kiss you. Take this, Adam ; hold it very carefully. ( Gives him plate and goes to Win. with hands out. Adam stands stiffly ^ holding the plate with great caution.) Welcome ! Congratu- lations ! {Kisses her.) Oh, I wish you the best of everything. I don't know when I was so pleased. Adam. One would think this was a wedding. Mrs. M. Oh, but I see one in the near future. Now my biscuits, Adam. You'll stay, Winnie. (Puts biscuits on table.) Win. Oh, thank you. I — I am forgetting my errand. {Enter Hester carrying some plates.) Hester ! Hester {falteringly). Oh, Miss Winnie. Win. How did you come here, Hester ? Mrs. M. You know her, Winnie ? Win. {going to Hester). I ran after you, but I couldn't find you. I wanted to bring you back. Where did you find her, Mrs. Moon ? Mrs. M. On the street. But how do you come to know her? I thought there was a mystery. Adam. No mystery at all. Hester was at Miss Harding's. I saw her myself. It's very simple. (Hester goes to table and arranges plates, etc.) Mrs. M. Then why didn't you tell me, Adam? Oh, what 22 ALL ABOUT ADAM a boy you are ! Come and have something to eat. We will talk about this afterward. Winnie, come. (All go to table and sit.) Now this is to be a sort of celebration. Adam. Well, what a way to set a table ! Here's my plate upside down. Mrs. M. Dear me I Adam. And a regular wigwam made with my knife and fork. Now who has been building around here ? (Suddenly.) Mother, what is this to remind me of? Mrs, M. I didn't set the table, my dear boy. (Looks at Hester.) It's nothing. Adam. Well, I'm not convinced. When I see things all askew, I'm positive there's something I've forgotten, and some kind soul is trying to jog my memory. Now what have I for- gotten this time ? Mrs. M. Ah, my dear Winnie, you have your work cut out for you. It's just awful to think that a first rate fellow like Adam should have such a third rate memory. Win. But I have heard memory can be cultivated. Hester (coming to table). Yes, I have heard that too. Adam. I shouldn't be at all surprised if I've forgotten the most important thing I've had to remember in a good many months. Hester (eagerly and yet shyly). Try and think. (^All look at her in astonishment. There is a quick^ loud knock at R. Adam rises and goes to door. Eftter Har. and Agatha, the former very stern, the latter much agitated.) Har. Is Winnifred here ? (Mrs. M. rises ; they come to c.) Ah ! I thought I should find you. (Astonished.) And Hester ! Agatha. Hester ! Har. Mrs. Moon, do you know anything about this young girl? Mrs. M. Practically nothing. Har. You do not know, then, that you are harboring a thief. Mrs. M. That's a very hard word, Harriet. Har. May I ask if Winnifred brought her here ? Mrs. M. Certainly not. I brought her here myself. She found my pocketbook and restored it to me. Har. After she had robbed me. ALL ABOUT ADAM 23 Mrs. M. She robbed you ! Har. Where is that money, Hester ? Mrs. M. What money ? She told me she hadn't a cent. Har. She knows very well. She emptied the mission box — robbed the poor heathen. Agatha has the box ; here it is. Agatha. I don't know how she had the heart. Adam. A mission box ? Har. It stood on top of the bookcase in our library. You must have seen it many a time. Indeed, Adam, I know you have contributed. It contained four dollars and eighty-six cents. .^ Adam. A mission box on the bookcase. I remember. Har. I left Hester alone in that room while I went up- stairs. No one else came in. Adam. Now I begin to see. I understand. {Puts hands in pockets.^ Good Lord ! If this isn't the very I remem- ber it all now. Jupiter, what a fool I've been ! Mrs. M. Adam, what do you mean ? Adam. Don't be too sure that no one else came in the room. The child didn't touch your money. Here it is, every cent {Empties pockets,) There, count it and put it back. (Agatha takes itioney.') Win. I don't understand, but I believed in Hester. Adam. It was a stupid blunder on my part. I called for a book and came across her in the library. She said she loved the stars, and I was naming them for her. I picked up the box and used the coins, one by one. Then in my usual absent- minded manner I put them all in my pockets, under the im- pression, I suppose, that I was a millionaire, and walked coolly home. And she has had to bear the blame and be called a thief. A girl who loves the stars. I don't know what ought to be done to me. Har. Why, this is incredible ! Adam. It is the truth. There's the money, you will find every cent. Hm ! they were shooting stars all right ! Agatha. Yes, here's the dollar we saved from the butter and the fifty cents the ragman gave us. Har. Why didn't you tell me, Hester? Adam. My fault again. I told her not to mention my call- ing. I was in a hurry ; just wanted to look something up. Har. But I had given her orders. FEB 8 1911 24 ALL ABOUT ADAM Hester. I promised. Adam. I'm sorry. I wouldn't have made so much trouble for the world. Oh, my memory, my memory, it's the very dickens ! Win. Hester's silence, under the circumstances, was heroic. Adam. Hester is a brick. I must say I feel ashamed of myself. Agatha. Indeed, and so do I. Har. Well, I am more astonished than I have ever been in my life. I apologize to you, Hester. I am sorry I spoke so strongly. Now that we have the money, we may as jft^ell go home. Come, Hester. *^ Win. Wait a minute. Hester must say if she wishes to re- turn or not. Mrs. M. She can always have a home with me. Hester. Then I'll stay with you. I am happy here. Har. Very well. I suppose we will manage as we did be- fore she came. Are you coming, Winnifred ? Win. In a little while, Harriet. Mrs. M. I want to tell you, Harriet, that we are going to steal Winnie from you for keeps. Agatha. What ? Har. What do you mean ? Adam. Winnie has promised to become my wife. Har. It is just as I expected. I wish you both happiness. Agatha {going to Win.). Darling, I am so glad it was one of us. Har. Good-night. Don't be late, Winnie. Adam. I will bring her home in good time. Agatha. Good-night. (Exeunt Agatha and Har. Hester goes to window and parts the curtains?) Hester. It is' quite dark already. And see, there is my star shining over the chestnut tree just as it did in the orchard at home. CURTAIN gi. W. ^tnero^s Paps ^ttce* 50 €tnt$ €ac|) THE MAGISTRATE ■^*'^^® ^° Three Acts. Twelve males, four females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, all interior. Plays two hours and a half. THE NOTORIOUS MRS. EBBSMITF ^J^r^ 3" J^y ^f« El' ■ males, five females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, all interiors PI: ys a, tull evening. THE PROFLIGATE Pl*y^^^o"rAc<.s ^even males, five females. Scenery, three interiors, rather elaborate ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THE SCHOOLMISTRESS ^^^^^ ^^ Three Acts. Nine males, seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. TBE SECOND MRS. TANQUEBAY i">7 ^ F„„r ac.s Eight *- males, five females. Cos- tumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. SWFFT I A VFNHFR C^^^^y ^^ Three Acts. Seven males, four females. Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THE TIMp^ Comedy in Four Acts. Six males, seven females. Scene, a single interior ; costumes, modern. Plays a full evening. THF WFAKFR SFX Comedy in Three Acts. Eight males, eight 1 lilt TT L< L
  • . J. r>AH>VHILk A. CO., PlilNTCRS, BOSTON, U.S.A.