The Reverend Mister Rookie Ron Arrives in-India ~~~. A Playlet in: Three Aes \ BY EMIL W. MENZEL é Sakti, India \ THE FOREIGN MISSION BOARD EVANGELICAL SYNOD OF NORTH AMERICA 2951 Tilden Street WASHINGTON, D. C. Single Copies 25 Cents 15 pope — one performance — at Two Dollars + Send money with order to the e. - Washington Office, as above This Play is dedicated to the Young People of St. Andrews Evang. Church, Buffalo, N. Y. EDEN PUBLISHING HOUSE PRINT, 8ST. LOUIS, MO, he Reverend Mister Rookie arrives in India A Playlet in three Acts By EMIL W. MENZEL CAST The Rev. Mr. Rookie—the new missionary. Mrs. Rookie—his wife. The Rev. F. A. Goetsch—senior missionary at Bisrampur. Mrs. F. A. Goetsch—his wife Milton Lang, M. D.—our first medical missionary. The Rev. J. C. Koenig—educational missionary. The Rev. John Schultz—superintendent of Leper Asylum. Mrs. J. Schultz—his wife. Premdas—headmaster of school at Bisrampur. Dukeram—his friend. Pyare Hannah \—girls of the Bisrampur Orphanage. Martha J Mariyam f ay f Pawitin (en servants in missionary’s home. Other Indian men and women as needed, INDIA - BAITALPUR = 1s P a BISRAMPUR | parsABHADER SARANGARH @ MAHASAMUND PATNA STATE AMERICAN —) xyaeiad EVANGELICAL Mi SSION ED uel: PATHA Evangelical Synod of 1% A. PLAY Act I—A sitting room in the Bisrampur' mission bungalow. Act II—The dining room in the new bungalow at Raipur, six weeks later. Act I1I—Scene 1—Same as in Act I. Six weeks after Act II. Scene 2—At the Bisrampur Orphanage gate, im- mediately after 1. NOTE This playlet attempts to portray the actual enterprise of the Evangelical Synod of N, A. in the Central Provinces of India, known there as the American Evangelical Mis- sion. Not all details, facts, types of work, ete., could be touched upon. What is here given is sufficient to depict the scope and importance of the work being done. All missionary characters are Americans and, with, the excep- tion of Mr. and Mrs. Rookie, now in service on the field. This genuineness makes the playlet all the more interest- ing. Practically every incident produced here has hap- pened to one or the other of our missionaries at some time or another. Mr. and Mrs. Rookie might be taken to repre- sent any new missionary couple. (Where a printed program is provided it might be well to include the above. Otherwise let it be read be- fore the first curtain rises or between the acts. Other in- formation for such interludes and for a printed program may be found on the last page or will be furnished by the Foreign Mission Board, 2951 Tilden St., Washington, D. C.) 9 a) MAP The map appearing on page two will give the per- formers an idea as to relative directions and distances, areas and stations of the field. Raipur, the main station or headquarters, is over 500 miles west of Calcutta and over 700 miles east of Bombay but connected by railway to both. SUGGESTIONS FOR PERFORMANCE 1. The missionaries’ homes are one story, of brick or stone and plastered, with no wall paper. They are furnished very simply, often with home-made furniture, although grass rugs are found at times, also cane furniture. The stage setting must be plain, even crude. The dining room has only a table, a few old chairs, and an old-fash- ioned cup-board. The parlor has an old rocker, old arm chairs, an old center table. Plain lace curtains may be used, also old kerosine lamps, but no electric lights, floor lamps, and such. 2. In India the missionaries dress in palm beach suits, or in white trousers with dark coats. Unless tropi- cal helmets are available, the men wear no hats. The lady missionaries dress in summer clothes of very simple pat- tern and make. Avoid all display of finery, jewelry, etc. Remember this is back-woods India. 5. The Indian men at our stations wear something like pajama trousers without any creases, ordinary shirts like those worn by our laborers, and usually worn loosely or hanging out at one side, also a head-wrapping or turban, but that is not absolutely necessary. Pictures so far pub- lished in synodical papers and printed matter will give an idea. Most men and all boys go barefooted, but in this play both had better wear old and old-fashioned shoes. Ae 4. The Indian women wear the long flowing gar- ment, called “sari,” as shown in pictures, mostly of thin material and highly colored. Shoes should be worn. The bride might have exceptionally bright colored sari. Eight or nine yards of goods, even cheescloth, will make a splendid sari when wrapped about the waist once or twice to make the skirt and then flung over the shoulder and head. : 5. Little “make-up” or coloring is needed for the Americans, The Indians may be of a light brown color, but do not use burnt cork under any circumstances, rather attempt no coloring whatever. 6. All characters should be older adolescents or adults, except the three orphans who are seniors, and the younger girls of the orphanage. 7. The object of this play is missionary information and missionary education. Hence the long lines and heavy parts. Acting out such parts makes them very interesting to the audience. Therefore have action with good taste and all the comedy permissable to enliven every scene. Let everybody be natural, not stiff. Read about the principal characters in “Who’s Who in Foreign Missions,’ published by the Washington office. 8. For the final scene and tableau the bare stage will do if its walls have a plaster effect. Otherwise simple walls can be built with Dennison’s paper or by hanging old can- vass over poles. A door may do for the gate in the scene. 9. In presenting this play the performers preach mis- sions. Perhaps they could repeat the play at other points and for neighboring congregations. 10. For further information, photographs of people, buildings, scenes, costumes, etc., address—Board of Foreign Missions, 2951 Tilden St., N. W., Washington, D. C. SB ee 7 ACT I. The Rev. Mr. Rookie arrives in India. Mrs. Goetsch: So you have been in India two weeks now? How do you like India? Mrs. Rookie: Two weeks isn’t a very long time. Mr. Rookie: Two weeks.is just about the length of a decent honeymoon; and if a fellow weren’t so desperately in love he couldn’t even tell whether he liked his wife or not in that time. Two weeks is just enough time to show you that India is the very opposite uf America, but not enough time to tell if you will like it or not. We came to India to work and to throw our life in with that of the people. And we are simply going to like it here. Mrs. Goetsch: I think that is the best way. There is no use in looking back. But I know you will like it. There is hardly a missionary who hasn’t learned to like India even with all its inconveniences and draw- backs. We wouldn’t leave our people here for any- thing. Mrs. Rookie: Maybe we'll become so Indianized that we won't want to go back to America. eis Ole IS: Imcanvimazinesthates, sine At the end of seven years I’ll be so homesick for America. I know it will be hard to stick it out seven years before go- ing back home. Seven years is a long time. Mrs. Goetsch: Oh, yes, you will be glad enough to go home on furlough, but the surprising thing is, that, after you are home awhile, you will get homesick for India and can’t wait until you get back here. Mr. Rookie: No ice cream for seven years. Isn’t that awtul! 1 G Mrs. Goetsch: (Laughing) Oh! That won’t be the worst of it. At that you may taste ice cream before those seven years are up. (Someone is heard coughing outside the door.) Mrs. Goetsch: Someone must be there to see me. The In- dians merely cough instead of knocking at your door. Sometimes you don’t know whether the person wants to come in or really has bronchitis. Having a con- sumptive around is about as bad as a gang of boys pulling doorbells in America, ... (Mr. and Mrs. Rookies arise to leave.) ... No, don’t go! These people have no secrets. Whoever it is won’t mind if you stay. And what is more, since you don’t know Hindi, you will not be able to understand them any- way. ... (Calls toward door—‘Ah-Oh”—which means “come in” in Hindi.) (Premdas enters.) Premdas: (Addressing Mrs. Goetsch) Salaam, Mamaji! (Turning to Mr. and Mrs: Rookie he salaams to them. All parties salaam in return. Premdas salaams with an informal salute, the others merely nod and say, Salaam.) Mrs. Goetsch: Well, Premdas, how is your school getting along? Is there anything I can do for you? Premdas: (Draws himself together with effort and speaks with great dignity.) Memsahib! I am now earning eighteen rupees a month and am headmaster of the school. I ought to have a wife. Mrs. Goetsch: And whom are you thinking of, Premdas? Is she a very good girl? Premdas: Mamaji, you know that it is the custom among us that the mother and father arrange for the wed- ding and pick the husband or wife for their sons and daughters. I have lived in your orphan asylum Sere pele ever since I was found almost dead in the bush dur- ing the famine and brought to you. You, Mamaji, are my mother, and Papaji is my father. I am de- pending on you to choose me a wife. Mrs. Goetsch: But, Premdas, haven’t you someone in mind? I want you to have a wife you will like and love. She will be your wife—not mine, and you are the one who must be satisfied. Premdas: Whomever Mamaji chooses will be good. She will choose me a good Christian wife. Is there no girl of marriageable age in the girl’s orphanage? Mrs. Goetsch: Yes, there are three in the orphanage whose marriage I must arrange. But I would like to en- courage you to choose for yourself. I will call these three girls to let you see whether you like either of them; and if you would like to marry one of them we will ask her because she should have the right to choose too, ... (She goes to door and calls) :.. “Miriam, go to the girls’ orphanage and tell Pyare, Hannah and Martha to come to me.” ... (She turns to Premdas) ... “Now, you hide behind those cur- tains and keep your eyes and ears open.” (Pyare, Hannah and Martha enter and salaam.) Mrs. Goetsch: How are my seniors of the girls’ orphanage today? What are the other girls doing? Hannah: Just now they are all working hard in their gar- dens. It’s so dry they must carry water from the well every morning and evening, and you know the well is quite far. But the gardens look fine. The girls can hardly wait ’till the red peppers ripen. Martha: Our gardens are ever so much better than those of the people in other villages. Why, we raise three times as much on a small piece of ground as they do on a much larger one. Mr. Konrad showed us how to make our gardens, a= oo Hannah: Today a new bag of rice arrived from the storehouse. The girls have cleaned and shelled the rice already. Now we can call those whose duty it is to cook supper this evening. I think every girl in the orphanage over eleven years of age can cook supper, and every girl helps. Mrs. Goetsch: And what have you to report, Pyare? Pyare: Shakuntala is a little better in her reading now, but I must help Rachel quite a bit with her arith- metic. But I think she will be able to catch up with her class in school again in a few days. Hav- ing the fever so often has put her back quite a bit. This evening a scorpion was found in the boarding house but it did not sting anyone, and I’m glad of it. Shanti tore her sari on the thornbush but mended it again. She sews real neatly now, and when she goes home at Christmas she plans to teach her mother how to sew. Knowing how to sew certainly is helpful. In the village I come from, no one knows how to sew. Mrs. Goetsch: Very well, girls. Tomorrow you may come to help me sort that box of clothes which the women of the church at (Buffalo) sewed for our girls. You know, Christmas is almost here, and the girls all are waiting for their new saris and jackets. This box also contains some clothing for the boys, and dolls, and balls, and, perhaps, even.more...... You may go now! Martha: That would be a great Christmas if every boy got a ball and every girl a doll beside clothes for the new year. ... (They salaam and go away.) Mrs. Goetsch: (Addressing Mr. and Mrs. Rookie after the girls have left the room.) Well, I don’t believe our people in America can fully realize how happy and contented these Indian boys and girls are with a lit- Oe tle of the plainest clothing, and a ball or a doll, such as one can buy in the five-and-ten-cent stores in America. ... (Calling) ... Premdas, you may come out of your hiding! ... Well, what do you think? Premdas: (Enthusiastically) Truly, Pyare is like the full moon! Mrs. Rookie to Mr. Rookie (aside: I’d like to have you call me a full moon and get away with it. Mrs. Goetsch, answering Premdas: I suppose you mean by that—that you would like Pyare. Well, I’ll speak to her if you wish me to.... (He eagerly assents, saying, “Jee Ha.”’) ... But, give her a few days to think it over. You may come after three days to receive your answer. I wish you good luck, Prem- das. Salaam! (She nods and waves him away.) Premdas: Mamaji, I thank you. Salaam! (He salutes and retires from the room.) Mrs, Goetsch: Mariyam! ... (She glides in softly) Call Pyare again. ... (Mrs. Goetsch rests and thinks. Mrs. Rookie looks knowingly at Mr. Rookie.) Mrs. Goetsch to Pyare, who stands ill at ease: Pyare, how old are you? Pyare: Twenty years old, Memsahib! Mrs. Goetsch: You are a big girl and quite old enough to get married if you wish. ... Do you wish to marry? ... (Pyare hangs her head bashfully.) Pyare: (Thoughtfully) My sister became a widow when ten years old; just half as old as I am now... . But you are my mother, and Papaji is my father, and I am happy with you. Why should I want a husband? Mrs. Goetsch: Premdas, the headmaster of the school, was here and wishes to have you for his wife. Do you wish to marry him? — {0 = Pyare: (Still hangs her head very bashfully and does not look up as she answers.) Mamaji, why should I leave you? Mrs. Goetsch: Pyare, I want you to do just as you like in Pyare: this matter. You do not need to marry if you do not care to, and, even if you should, you are not com- pelled to mary Premdas. Only, Premdas chose you from among all the other girls and asked for you. So he must like you. He is a good young man. Per- haps you would rather think it over. ... Suppose you come back day after tomorrow and let me know. Should you want more time you can have it; only come back day after tomorrow. Will that be right? Why should Mamaji not be right? ... Salaam, Mamaji. . . . (She walks out rather slowly without once having looked up or around.) Mrs. Goetsch: Now Mr. and Mrs. Rookie, you have seen a “proxy proposal’. ... I have arranged for a wed- ding—perhaps! We need to do that now and then. The relatives and friends of the children would blame us terribly if we did not arrange for the marriage of our orphans. In fact, it would be a calamity, be- cause arranging one’s own marriage simply is not done here, and in India everybody must marry. And the relatives even blame us because we do not let the girls marry until they are sixteen years old, and even older if we can possibly hold them off. Most of the girls in the villages are married and have children before they are much over fourteen, and sometimes much younger. Mr. Rookie: Oh, so that’s what the excitement was about. We knew something was up, but couldn’t just make out what. ... This Hindi jabber sounds like an im- possible language to me. Mrs. Goetsch: Ah, but you'll learn shortly. Just stick to it. Ge Mrs. Rookie: (Eagerly) But, did the proposal catch? What did she say? Mrs. Goetsch: (Laughing) Well, she did what all of them do; ... pretended she was not anxious... . I think she is tickled to death to get Premdas; but, you know, girls don’t like to show it. Probably she has made up her mind by this time, but if you tell them to take their time to decide, it helps them to work their bluff of not being anxious. Women are alike the world over! (Mariyam, the servant, enters.) Mariyam: Memsahib, the Doctor Sahib has come. (Mrs. Goetsch leaves the room and reappears quickly with Dr. Lang.) Dr. Lang: (Hilariously) Hello! Here are the Rookies! (Shakes hands with both at once.) How has India been treating you? Have you been chased by any tigers as yet, and how many elephants have tossed you into the air? ... You know, I had a notion that when I came to India I’d find tigers stalking around the streets picking the fattest, plumpest people as a morsel for supper. . .. Sorry to disappoint you, but you'll hardly see a tiger until you get to an American ZOO. Mr. Rookie: No, we haven’t seen any tigers, but we heard the jackals howling last night, and somebody said a wild cat came into the house last night....Huh!... And we saw some crocodiles down at the river today. Dr. Lang: Yes, there is plenty of that sort of excitement around here. But there is no danger of tigers until you get down near Mahasamund and Khariar where Rev. Albrecht and Rev. Feierabend are stationed. That’s real jungle country, and you are liable to see things there,—if you hang around long enough. Mrs. Rookie: (Timidly) I suppose it’s very dangerous to go into the woods there. Dr. Lang: Quite the contrary. Rev. Albrecht and Rev. Feierabend, who live in a regular tiger jungle, never owned a gun. A good many of our missionaries camp in that tiger country for weeks, during their long preaching tours into the village districts, and al- though they see tigers and leopards now and then the meeting always ends peacefully, with each going AtSIOWNEWAY. «= ot). Dr. Lang to Mrs. Goetsch: May I ask for a glass of cool water. Have been over at Tilda all day in the hot sun trying to get some ideas for our hospital build- ing since we at last, have the plot of ground. Mrs. Goetsch: Certainly, Doctor! ... Mariyam, bring the Doctor Sahib a glass of water, also some tea and cookies...... And, Doctor, how is the Tilda proposi- tion developing? Dr. Lang: Fairly well. ... Purchasing land in India is about the queerest thing you ever heard of. Back in the good old U. S. A. if you want land all you do is to see the real estate agent and buy if you can agree on the price. ... But over here in India you must go to the village owner first. Likely as not, _ he does not care to sell even if you offer him twice as much as the land is worth. ... If he agrees to sell, then you must go to the Indian officials to ob- tain their permission, and after that to the English officers. ‘Each of these take from one to three years to decide your case, and the chances are you don’t get it in the end.... But at last things have been straightened out at Tilda. We also have the build- ing plans drawn, enough money in the treasury for the modest beginning of a hospital, and all we are hes RE waiting for now is the arrival of more building mate- rial. We are very busy just now. Mr, Rookie: How much of a hospital do you expect to build? Dr. Lang: That depends upon our finances. We are be- ginning with a good dispensary, operating rooms, and a ward for surgical cases. Whenever more money is available we can do more. The Medical Mission Society in America is stirring things up, and already has sent some equipment and money, but there is much more to be done. If people in America only knew what you can do in a medical way over here in India they would certainly back up that Medical Missionary Society. Hope many of our Amer- ican friends will join that society. We are counting on it. (Considerable commotion outside the door. At last the voice of Rev. Goetsch is heard above the mur- muring and the shrieks of pain.) Rev. Goetsch: Bring him in here and lay him on the couch, but be careful with that leg, or he’ll bleed to death. (Rev. Goetsch enters room excitedly, is surprised to find the room occupied, yet seems to see no one but Dr. Lang, whom he approaches and addresses. ) Rev. Goetsch: Hello, Doctor; you here? That’s luck. This could not be more opportune. Here’s a poor fellow who was attacked by a wild boar while working in the rice field. His leg is badly torn, and I am afraid an artery has been severed...... (To the men out- SiG) er aa eae Hurry, pring thesmanin. ee (The wounded man is brought in on the shoulders of two men. The women leave the room. The pa- tient is laid on the couch. The doctor removes his coat and examines the injured limb, and finding the man has fainted, feels the pulse, and issues orders.) =H tae Dr. Lang: He has fainted, from loss of blood. Think we got him just in the nick of time. Let’s have plenty of bandages, water, disinfectant, and the rest of the Thines ae eee (Man revives and groans in agony.) (Mrs. Goetsch enters with wash basin, bandages and medical kit, and Miryam the servant with a pot of water.) Mrs. Goetsch: Here they are, Doctor. Knew you would be wanting these things, so I went right ahead. Is there anything else needed? Dr. Lang: Achiebad! That’s what we call service. You’re Aerealenurses ss... ees (For a moment the Doctor and Rev. Goetsch work over the patient, washing and bandaging the wound. Then while the doctor continues, Rev. Goetsch addresses the Rev. Rookie.) Rev. Goetsch: This man was working in the rice field and was suddenly attacked by a wild bore without warn- ing, the boar charging and knocking him over. His screams attracted others who were able to frighten the boar before charging a second time. Luckily the animal ran to the jungle, for one slash at the man’s stomach with those tusks would have finished him Baier That gash in the leg was made by the tusk. ... I came up just as the boar was disappearing, wrapped a clean handkerchief to stop the flow of blood, put him in my car, and sped home. ..... Listen to his friends outside wailing and moaning. They think he’s dead. Jl step out to tell them there is no danger, and be back in a moment. (He goes out and the wailing ceases. Meanwhile the doctor finishes the dressing and the two men carry the patient away. Mariyam cleans up as Rev. Goetsch returns and is addressed by Mr. Rookie.) 5 Mr, Rookie: What would you have done if the doctor had not been here? Mr. Goetsch: Oh, the best I could. Out here all of us learn a little practical medicine, and treating minor cases. Sometimes we must even pull teeth. Once I had to play doctor all alone during a serious cholera epi- demic until help arrived. Naturally we try to do our best with everything that comes along. But I am very glad Dr. Lang was here to treat this case to- day. While we do our best, it is far better to have a trained medical man handle such cases. Even at that, we can’t attempt anything but the crudest type of work until a full staff and the hospital are sup- plied. We are glad Dr. Lang arrived after all these years of waiting for the doctor. But we need more help, and I hope the hospital at Tilda can be com- pleted at an early date so that real medical work can be done. : Mr. Rookie: Do you have many eases like this last one? Rev. Goetsch: No, not many. In fact this is the second one of its kind during my seventeen years in India. We have snake bites to treat once in a while, but accident cases belong to your world of automobiles and machinery more than to the jungle. Dr. Lang: But what we do have here is a lot of malaria, boils, and festered sores of all sorts, sore eyes, and so forth. Why, practically everybody around here has chronic malaria. People haven’t the remotest idea ‘of sanitation. Rusty scythes and sicklés are used by Indians for all sorts of primitive surgery. No won- der 60% of all infants died in Bombay five years ago frompintectiony.: cis. Smallpox cases run along the public roads unhindered...... The people of India are more faithful about baths and cleaning teeth than we in America, but what good does it do. They use mes (7 the dirtiest and most infected water, green with scum, for washing, cooking, and drinking. Mr. Rookie: That makes it all the harder. The problem seems to be one of education. Dr. Lang: That’s right. Good medicines are needed, but even more than that—the teaching of good health habits in and out of school. Rev. Goetsch: Yes, we realize the need of sanitation, public health instruction, and such as that, but more than that we need doctors, the fully equipped hospital, and a medical expert to supervise the many little clinics we have scattered about in different places. Mr. Rookie: Do you find opportunity for surgical operations here, Dr. Lang? Dr, Lang: Certainly. The people of India have about every ailment we have in America, and a great many more. I have performed some operations, since coming to India, for the opportunity of which most American surgeons would envy me. (Enter Mrs. Rookie.) Rev. Goetsch: Ah, Mrs. Rookie; I hope you have been able to amuse yourself. Regret that we had to leave you this afternoon; but work is work. Mrs. Rookie: Thank you, but we had a real amusing time. We rode down to the river bank in your bullock tonga —our first tonga ride. Say, does the tonga always jolt like that, and is that all the speed you can make with it? Why, it must have taken us over three- quarters of an hour to travel the two miles down to the river, and, really, I don’t know what is more sore—my head from bumping the roof of the tonga, or the rest of me from bumping the seat. (All laugh) Bee es Rev. Goetsch: You'll get used to that kind of joy-riding after you have spent a few “all days” in the tonga. The auto is the time saver for us. We figure that an auto saves the time and the salary of two or three missionaries every year. Every auto makes a mis- sionary just so much more yaluable and effective, and we can reach most places with them except those out of the way points...... Well, what else did you do? Mrs. Rookie: We saw Mrs. Goetsch proposing to one of your Juliets for a dusky young Romeo. Mrs. Goetsch: I suppose you found that quite amusing Lnetal eats You’d find the wedding even more amusing. Mrs. Rookie: If that’s so, I certainly want to witness it. It would be worth coming a hundred miles to see. Mrs. Goetsch: It’s only forty miles from Raipur to Bisram- pur. Why not come. I invite you to be our guest when the wedding occurs. Rev. Goetsch: By all means come. We will expect you as our guests for a whole week for that wedding. Mrs, Rookie: You certainly can, I answer for my husband. It’s all settled. (Curtain) GF AGIA: Learning more about India. Scene—Dining Room at Raipur. Table in center of room with some dishes on it, Time—Six weeks later. 1. No one in room as Curtain rises. Ramdin, a female servant, enters with a few plates and glasses which she proceeds to put on a shelf or in a simple china closet. She looks at a plate and decides it does not shine enough. Wipes it off with her dirty clothing. Does same with an- other plate or two and a glass. Then retires slouchily. 2. Fause of a moment or two. Then Mrs. Rookie’s voice is heard outside: Mrs. Rookie: Shoo, you fresh, old cows. You don’t have to come into my bedroom, even if the Hindus say you are sacred. (Enters, seats herself in a chair as if exhausted, and begins to wipe perspiration from face with her handkerchief, and speaks excitedly.) Mrs. Rookie: The goats came into the parlor... and ate ee OUTE a ee OLTMStINAS emt Cree ome ee and) NOwarcus these horrid cows . .. seem to be looking .. . for theirs. = share! ~ 3 (Invexasperation) ..... I hope that wire from Calcutta arrives soon so we can build a fence around the house. ... That’s the only way. you can keep these nasty goats and cows out of your house and have a decent garden! (Continues to wipe perspiration, but grows even more excited.) ..... If any one ever writes me again from America . that I can take it easy over here because I have so many servants ... I-I-I’ll throw a brick at them over the radio. .... (Somewhat calmer) ... Give =e p= me a good old gas stove, ...a vacuum cleaner,... an electric wash machine, ... and our American climate, . . . and I’ll never wish to see a servant again. ... Servants are a nuisance. . .. But I sup- pose we must have them over here in India, for with- out our American conveniences and when the ther- mometer climbs to 95 degrees in the shade in Febru- ary, and jumps to 115, in June, 3 2),., Huhj why you'd kill yourself trying to do all your housework . And when would we missionaries’ wives ever find time to do any missionary work? .. . It’s get- ting hotter every day. (Mr. Rookie enters with an open book in his hand and mumbling to. himself. He paces up and down the room several times without noticing his wife, who watches him for a while without speaking.) Mr, Rookie: Learning Hindi is the limit... . First of all— it has an alphabet that nobody but a Chinaman can read. . . . Then—it has so many letters you can’t pronounce all at one time or guess what kind of a noise to make, ... and in the third place—the words are such, that when you have learned them ten times, you find you have forgotten them eleven times.. . (Stalks out again.) Mrs. Rookie: (looks around, then into a corner—) Mercy! There’s another toad right in our dining room, I detest toads! (Calls) Ramdin! (Ramdin enters, approaches Mrs. Rookie, and awaits orders. Mrs. Rookie makes some effort to speak, even with her hands, but does not seem able to find the words. At last she calls disgustedly to her hus- band in the next room.) Mrs. Rookie: (Addressing her husband as he enters.) ... This is just terrible—to be compelled to command servants who don’t understand a word of English a Oh sees when you know hardly any Hindi. Tell me, what’s theshindi@ word form Toady: 20... ae. (Husband has been looking at her with fear; then rushes out.) Mr. Rookie: (Returns quickly with a dictionary) ... Wait a minute until I look it up... . (Looks up word without finding it, and shakes head) ... This dic- tionary isn’t any good. Hasn’t the word “Toad” in it.... Let me look up... “Frog’”—‘‘Frog”—“Frog”’ —Let me see—‘Frog” is—is—‘‘Manedak.” Mrs. Rookie: (Gleefully) ... Ramdin, ...manedak... floor ... par... hai—now, what’s the word for— “throw it out’? ... (Makes motions.) Mr. Rookie: (Rather self-conscious) ... “Penko,”’ dear! Mrs. Rookie: Yes, Yes, ... Ramdin, ...manedak . floor . par . hai . Penko. it. out.... Do you understand, Ramdin? (Ramdin looks at her blankly. Then Mrs. Rookie walks over to the corner, points to the toad, makes motion as to throw it out, and says, “Penko.” Ramdin understands, nods her head, looks at the toad but hesitates, then goes to the table, takes two soup spoons, picks up toad with these and takes it out. Mr. and Mrs. Rookie are amazed, look at each other, but cannot speak. Ramdin returns immediately and puts the spoons on the table.) Mrs. Rookie: (Sinking into a chair) ... Horrors! If we hadn’t seen it with our own eyes, look what we would be eating with! ... (Arises angrily; takes the two spoons, gives them to Ramdin, points her to the door, and says, ... “Dho dena”... Whereupon Ramdin disappears, Mrs. Rookie looking after her and shaking her head. Mr. Rookie stands with arms akimbo, also shaking his head.) (At this juncture Rev. Koenig enters rather jovially.) cee hae Rev. Koenig: Greetings, Friends! ... (Noticing their exas- perated look, he says) Must have had another ex- perience, did you? Mrs. Rookie: We’ve just had a good sample of servant’s work. Our cleaning woman picked up a toad with two of our soup spoons and then put them right back on the table without washing them. Rev. Koenig: That’s apt to be the case with a new ser- vant. You see, they do not have those things in their home such as we are accustomed to use, and consequently know nothing about our way of keeping house. Just be patient a bit longer; they learn after a while. Mr. Rookie: Learn, did you say? ... Only this morning we set her to washing the windows; but after a while they looked worse than before. Here she had smeared them with soap on one side and had dried off the other side without disturbing the soap in the least. Learn? They have much to learn! Rev. Koenig: That’s similar to some of our first house- keeping experiences. ... But not all our experiences were due to the stupidity of the servants. Often these are very clever, yes, and too much so. One day Mrs. Koenig noticed that sugar, rice and other things were disappearing rapidly. So she ques- tioned the table servant about it. He bowed and answered like a wise man: “The sugar is your’s; the rice is your’s, and I am your’s. We are all your’s. How can that which already is your’s steal what is your’s?” That’s logic! Mrs. Rookie: Is there much stealing going on? Rev. Koenig: Yes, there is always petty thievery. You must keep watch over your belongings. But when you con- sider how little these people possess and how much we have; how very rich all of us seem in their eyes, —the stealing is not bad. Our more valuable prop- erty is really safer here in India than over in Amer- ica. I have a warm spot in my heart for the Indian. For instance: The average Indian will take far bet- ter care of his father and mother, or his relatives, or a caste member, than the average American does of his flesh and blood. Here in India they will share the last grain of rice with members of their family; and beggars do not starve in India until everybody else is starving also. ... They are a happy and con- ented lot. They are among the poorest but certainly the most contented people on earth. They do not “kick” or complain. Far from being quarrelsome, they are extremely peaceful and friendly. And, as for being grateful, it was actually pathetic to see how they hung around the house all night, when Dr. and Mrs. Gass left for America, in order to bid them good bye. Mr. Rookie: Yes, someone was telling that when Gass’s baby was ill the Indians inquired about the child’s health even more than did the whites. Rev. Koenig: That’s true. ... And they seldom keep a grudge. No nation on earth has had a more tragic history than the Indian people, and yet these people do not know hate. ...I don’t believe any nation ever strove for it’s freedom with less malice or spite than these Indians are asking for home rule now. (Enter Ramdin with more dishes. Puts them into china closet. Has dish rag hanging over one arm.) Mrs. Rookie: Well, of all things! ... Ramdin, where did you get that dish cloth? ... Rev. Koenig, will you please ask her where she got it? Rev, Koenig: Ramdin, tumko yah bartan ka kapra kaha mila? Ramdin: Ku-re Kach-re may. ee Rev. Koenig: She says: “On the rubbish heap.” - Mrs. Rookie: J thought so. Yesterday I noticed her wash- ing the dishes with such a dirty rag that it almost made me sick. So I gave her a clean one only to find that she persisted in using the dirty cloth. I suppose she finally threw that on the rubbish heap to be sure not to use it again. Anyway, she must wash those dishes again. (Looks to Rev. Koenig for aid as she says the latter.) Rev. Koenig: Ramdin, Memsahib ne kaha ki sab barthan pir saf karo. (With that Ramdin picks up the dishes and leaves the room mumbling.) Rev. Koenig: She’s mumbling that these memsahibs are queer and so wasteful of good things. No doubt she will take that old rag home and think she has made a find... . (Arises as if to leave.) Mrs. Rookie: Please be seated a bit longer, Rev. Koenig... . ‘Have you heard that the quarantine ladies claim * they have discovered the real reason for bobbed hair? Rev. Koenig: No. Who are these quarantine ladies? Mrs. Rookie: Oh, that’s what my husband calls Miss Ket- tler, Miss Riechers, Miss Schichi and the rest of the zenana workers. And he has given them that title because they do the missionary work among purdah women who are kept in absolute seclusion by their husbands. Hubbie here says these women have been put into that kind of a quarantine because of the jealousy of their husbands, And so, instead of call- ing our workers ‘“zenana ladies” he simply says, “quarantine ladies.” Rev. Koenig: That’s a jolly title. ... But what is the real reason for bobbed hair. You have aroused my curi- osity. Mrs. Rookie: Why, it’s “safety first!” You see, they. found 20 da that here in India they do the same thing to widows that is being done in America to all women. They cut their hair so no man will ever think them good looking again. Rev. Koenig: Ah-ha! ... But, pardon me, Mrs. Rookie; I notice you are lettting your hair grow again. There must be some reason, (Chuckles as Mrs. Rookie shows some embarrassment. ) Mr. Rookie: By the way, Koenig; how is your Teacher’s Institute progressing? Rev. Koenig: Very well, I think. I hope it will help mat- ters as intended. It was about time that we began to do some special work in the schools. All the schools in India, mission and non-mission schools, are not up to the times. The only method used in the lower schools until a few years ago was teaching “reading, and writing, and ’rithmetic to the tune of the hickory stick,’ but with the hickory stick not quite so necessary as in America because of the more peaceful nature of our Indian boys and girls. In some classes aS many as two-thirds of the students have been known to fail, so all the teachers did was to make the pupils memorize and recite like parrots. That condition must be overcome and teachers taught how to teach and to reach the backward. Mr. Rookie: The other day I noticed a teacher counting on his fingers to do a simple little example in arithmetic. Rev. Koenig: (Sighing) ... Yes, that’s what we had to put up with in the past. Now we are getting down to business. We find that the most approved Amer- ican educational methods work excellently in India, and that the Indian children are not stupid at all but need better schools and better teachers in order to do better at school. My plan is—to have the teachers meet in groups at special conferences so samen YS enees that I can drill them in better methods. Usually I spend a whole week at one school in an effort to pull them out of their ruts. At Bisrampur I am trying to build up a model school to which every teacher will eventually be brought to study the methods, to observe our best teachers aé work, an% to practice teaching under their superviNen,. You see we have some 50 odd schools with over 4,000 pupils, and that is quite a responsibility. Mission schools are un- doubtedly the pioneers for better schools in India. Mr. Rookie: Did you hear that our High School beat all the government schools of the district at football and cricket again? Rev. Koenig: Yes, I heard that. . .. The High School is doing splendid work in every line under the direction of Rev. Seybold. There are more non-Christians than Christians attending the High School. But even at that, it is more than a paying proposition, for just those educated Hindus who have received their edu- cation in our Christian colleges are the ones carry- ing out the reform movements in India to-day; and many of these reforms are decidedly Christian. ... It is Stanley Jones who has shown in his book, “The Christ of the Indian Road,’ that all India has adopted all sorts of Christian ideas which these non- Christians imbibed in our Christian schools. . Naturally many are turning to Christianity. That proves these higher schools of learning in India must produce the leaders who can and will do most to uplift India. Mr. Rookie: At the recent mela it seemed to me that the Indian people are beginning to think in larger terms and to be taking hold of things. They deserve the best type of leaders and leadership. The Christians of India should make this contribution to their peo- ners ple. ... Speaking of the mela, wasn’t that inspiring! Think of it; a thousand people coming long distances to live on that island for five days and to listen to such fine Christian preachers and leaders as Johan Massih morning, noon, and night. That mela im- pressed me, seeing the crowds squatting on the ground and listening to their own Indian singers chant the old gospel stories to the accompaniment of drums and their native instruments. It reminded me of Homer of ancient Greece singing his tales to his people... . Yes, you could see that Christianity is taking hold on India. Rev. Koenig: Have you been able to visit all the main sta- Mr. tions of our mission? Rookie: We have visited Bisrampur, Baitalpur, Par- sabhader and Sakti, all to the north. We still have Mahasamund and Khariar to the south to visit. So far we have only seen one or two of the many out- stations. Rev. Koenig: You have many interesting sights before you .. Sorry, but I must go. Want to visit the board- ing schools conducted by Mrs. Gass and Miss Schaeffer. You know these schools are strategical centers in our whole school system, and we are try- ing to make them all a real school should be... . Can’t you come with me, or have you some special task? — Mr. Rookie: Task? Yes, a real task. I must study Hindi for all that is in me, so that I can soon join you in this marvelous work. ‘ (As Rev. Koenig leaves, Mr. Rookie takes up his book, leaves the pages to find the right place, scratches his head, looks into book and then up again as if memorizing, as the curtain falls. (End of Act II.) Sse OF ca ACT III. Learning some more about India. Scene I—“Strange Things Happen” 1. Three months later than Act II. Same room as in’ Act. i 2. Evening, soon after dark. The lamps are lighted, and Mrs. Goetsch and Mrs. Rookie are eagerly reading mail from America. They read one letter after another with- out disturbing each other. Mrs. Rookie: Of all the holidays, ‘foreign Mail Day” seems to me the best. I can hardly wait until the next mail from the folks in America. ... And if I happen to get a skimpey mailing, I feel as though I was really lost in the jungle. Letters and magazines are our one link with home. Mrs. Goetsch: Yes, if we did not have these letters and magazines from home [ suppose we’d grow jungly and rusty. It is this reading matter sent by our loved ones and friends, these magazines and good books, which keep us civilized while in India. Mrs. Rookie: I have learned to appreciate that during my short stay here. All these newsy messages, and even the little gossiping contained, together with the il- lustrated papers and magazines, the latest books and now and then those phonographs and the newest and best records have helped to keep me mentally and socially.alive. I wish the folks back home could hear the, records of Sousa’s Band, and Caruso, and Schumann-Heink over here transforming our solitude and teaching the indians a new appreciation of musical art. I do hope someone will conceive the idea of sending us a powerful radio receiving set. I know we could get the stations at Calcutta, Bom- bay, Rome, Paris and London, and maybe ..even.. New York and St. Louis. Mrs. Goetsch: That would be glorious! ... Did you have good news from home? Mrs. Rookie: Most assuredly. All the folks are hale and hearty. And, look, here is a letter from some of the members of the congregation my husband served before coming to India... (Showing her letter with extra sheet pinned at bottom) ... See, .. quite a number signed it and pinned this sheet to the letter proper. ... It’s certainly a treat to receive a letter like that, for it recalls most pleasant memories and makes you feel that you are not forgotten while so far from home.... And, .. here’s another, . (Show- ing a dainty note) . from one of the girls of a Sun- day School Class, asking if her class might sub- scribe for the Ladies’ Home Journal to be sent to me here in India. . Well, that’s mighty thoughtful of them, . That’s better than a new dress! (Enter Rev. and Mrs. Schultz of Baitalpur.) Mrs. Schultz: Hai-yo! Mrs. Rookie is here. How’s Raipur, and what are you doing in this neck of the woods? Mrs. Rookie: (Drawing up chairs for the visitors) Ah, ... Wwe came to see a... wedding ... which took place this afternoon. Rev. Schultz: A wedding? ... And did it remind you of your own amalgamation under the orange blossoms and amid the flying rice in America? Mrs. Rookie: (For a moment she fumbles about head as if straightening a bridal veil and then acts as if dodg- ing flying rice, then laughs aloud.) No, it did not. (Shakes her head and acts disgusted.) Yet it was the funniest wedding ever. (Smiles, then chuckles to herself.) . . . Why, the bride arrived before the groom, . .. and walked right up the church aisle, ee, Mrs. Mrs. Rev. Mrs. Mrs. . (Makes motion showing direction up an imagi- nary aisle) ... until she came to a long bench... in front of the altar, ...and perched herself on one end of it,... (Seats herself on a chair in erect pos- ture) ... and waited about five minutes, ... With all the people looking right at her. .. .. (Laughs heartily) ... Imagine me doing that! ... (Continues with descriptive motions of the hands) ... . Then, after seemingly an age, ...the groom marched down the other aisle,.. .. and sat down ... on the op- posite end of the bench, . .. neither one looking at the other. .. .-Can you imagine Rookie doing that in America? ... Well, then they were married, ... standing about six feet part, ...and, when it was all over, .. . without having looked at each other, ... each marched down an opposite aisle, -..the groom walking away with the men, ...and the bride with the women. .. . Both looked awfully scared and afraid of each other. ...Oh me, Oh. my! (Although accustomed to such formalities, the little group seems to enjoy Mrs. Rookie’s narration and manifest much interest and delight.) Schultz: And did you attend the wedding feast? Rookie: Would not have missed that for a fortune! ... (Chuckles) ... It was held at the school house (Again motioning) ... All the men were squatted on the floor on one side of the room with ‘the groom, and all the women sat likewise with the bride on the other side. Schultz: (Interrupting her) ... Did you eat with your fingers? Goetsch: (Interjecting quickly) ...I say she did; .. and you could see it on her face afterwards. Rookie: (Pointing) .. . Look, . .. see this spot on my face? . ... That’s where I got some curry on pee Ty een my face and scorched it..... My, but they eat hot, peppery stuff. ... After taking about two bites of rice and curry my mouth felt like a volcano. . (Motioning them away) ... Don’t come too close to me .. or my breath will scorch you even now... (All draw away in mock fear.) Mrs. Goetsch: The wedding feast is still in progress. We came away knowing there would be this foreign mail waiting for us and that you were planning to ar- rive. In a little while we shall go out to see the groom come to claim his bride. That’s always most interesting. Rev. Schultz: You know our Christian weddings back home Mrs. are tame in comparison to these typical ones in India. These Hindu weddings usually last several days and cost a lot of money, After an Indian mar- ries off his daughter he is often in debt for a number of years because of it, or he let’s the savings of a lifetime go for one wedding. We try to discourage that where we can. Schultz: By the way, Mrs. Rookie; where is your Bridegroom this evening? Mrs. Rookie: (Rather proudly) ...Oh, he went out . hunt- ing . a little while ago. Some of the people report that a jungle cat passes by a certain place about this time every evening, so he went out to get it. Rev. Schultz: (Interrupting eagerly) ... We have good news, Ladies! You know, ever since the discovery of a cure for leprosy a few years ago, we have been experimenting much with the same and have had excellent results. Now we received instructions from the “Society of Mission to Lepers,’ for whom we manage the Baitalpur Leper Asylum, that we are to change the institution from a home for “burnt out” lepers—those who are banished by their people, meen Coes into a modern hospital for the cure of leprous cases. As it is, we have one of the largest asylums in India, but in a few years we are to have one of the finest leper hospitals in all the world, possibly ac- commodating over 800 patients instead of only 500 as at present. That will be a boon to many a poor body and heart. Mrs. Rookie: But is there really a cure for leprosy? I was always told that leprosy is incurable. Rev. Schultz: So it was until a few years ago, but this new cure is working miracles. Of course, we can hardly grow back a finger that has rotted off, but with this new cure we can arrest the spread and kill the infection in a few months time so that the patient can rejoin his family and work without danger to anyone. And that is doing something for them at least. (Enter Mr. Rookie, with his gun, but looking dis- gusted.) Different voices: What luck? . . . Where’s that cat? .. Hunting season closed? Mrs. Rookie: (Comfortingly) ..°. And what did my mighty Nimrod fetch? Mr. Rookie: (Resting on his gun) ..:I1. almost . got a big black animal. Different voices: Almost? Mrs. Schultz: ‘‘Almost” is the hunter’s alibi. . . . Tell us, where does your “almost” come in? ... What hap- pened? Mr. Rookie: After telling me all about that jungle cat, the men and boys showed me the tree past which that jungle cat stalks every night. So I take my position near by, sitting down on a rock, with my back eS against the fence. It was dark there, and I could hardly see the barrel of my gun, let alone the sights. So I moved to a position where a little moonlight fell on the sights, cocked the gun and aimed it at the exact spot where that cat was supposed to pass. After holding my gun in that position for half an hour, and startled by every leaf that moved, I sud- ‘denly heard a great noise like that of a wild ele- phant right over my head. Mrs. Schultz: (Interrupting) :.. Just listen how that cat tale grows! Now it’s an elephant; next it will be the shade of a dinosaur. . Tell me, since when do elephants fly? Mr. Rookie: (Addressing Rev. Schultz) ... Sahib, kindly commana your wife to be silent until I have finished with the story! ... (Then, continuing) I didn’t say it was an elephant. I did say that it made as much noise as an elephant...... Well, I jumped up,. .and there was the great, big, coal black thing running along the top of the fence . (Makes descrip- tive motions) . right over the place where I was sitting. . . . (Others look startled, try to ask ques- tions, such as “Did you shoot?’ . Why didn’t you shoot? etc.) Sure I shot at it, . .. but because I couldn’t see the sights on my gunbarrel I missed it. ... (More questions, “What did it do?” . “Couldn’t you grab it?” ..) I was so close to it I could have caught it by the tail. . . (Questions, “Why didn’t you?”’) ... I was afraid it was a black leopard... . (Everybody laughs.) Rev. Schultz: Hold on there. That was probably a “but- schu” or “binturong,”’ a sort of civet cat. But you are stretching its size a bit, for they are never larger than a good sized tom cat in America but have a long, bushy tail. You were certainly seeing things. er} eae Mr. Rookie: Cat or no cat; tail or comet; I didn’t care to grab it, so I hit it with my gun, and, sure enough, it fell from the fence to the ground and ran away. My, that thing could run! (Everybody laughs.) Mrs. Schultz: Why didn’t you run after it, or did you run away from it? Rev. Schultz: Say, friend Rookie; by the time you have shot at fifty or more animals in the dark you may be able to hit something. Mr. Rookie: The funny thing about it all is, that after a bit a man came running to me and pointed up a tree. In that tree were two more of those animals. So I shot again and one fell down. Then I wanted to fire again, but the empty shell stuck in the barrel, giving the other critter a chance to escape by leap- ing to another tree. Then, when I looked around for that whatcha-ma-call-em” that had fallen down when I shot, lo and behold, it likewise had disappeared. No doubt it was merely wounded and could still run. Mrs. Schultz: Are you positive you actually hit it and that it did not merely leap to the ground? Men are often fooled in the dark. (Enter Rey. Goetsch, who greets every one present.) Rev. Goetsch: (As all are seated again) ... This is cer- tainly interesting. Do you remember the man who was wounded by the wild boar some three months ago? He was just over to see me. After his recovery he became much interested in Christianity. He, and his wife, and his son, desire baptism, and his son even asks to become a teacher in our work, in other words—wants to be a preacher. He says he also wants to go about telling his people of the men who heal the sick and the injured, and about the great teacher, Jesus, who was the friend of the helpless. Of course, sending this boy to the seminary at Raipur ey is a bit premature, but I will certainly ask Dr. Gass, the director of the seminary, to speak to the boy and his father when he comes to Bisrampur again. Perhaps the boy can attend the regular and high school at Raipur meanwhile, and later be admitted to the seminary. By that time we can test his sin- cerity and his qualifications. Mr. Schultz: We can’t train too many Indians for this work of the Lord, and we cannot train them too well. We need those of the right heart and mind. Our three Indian pastors are good, very good, but we need many more like them if we would reach all this vast population in our territory, Rev. Goetsch: The Bisrampur congregation’s first Indian pastor is to arrive next month. It is certainly a step forward to have some of our Indian congrega- tions support and elect their own Indian pastors. With this much accomplished I can see the develop- ment of their initiative and interest. And, think of it, most of these people have risen to this self- government from practical serfdom ... Not chang- ing the subject, Mrs. Rookie, did you see that happy couple’s new house today? Mrs. Rookie: I should say I did. And it was the surprise of my life. I found that this house which every- body praised as being such a wonderful mansion and worthy of the headmaster of the school, consisted of one room only. Some may have thought it to be a mansion because of the little thatched shed at the side of it so the cow would not need to sleep in the house proper. Tell me, if that’s a “mansion,” what’s a “‘king’s palace?’ And you should have seen what the women were doing to the floor of this man- sion and bridal chamber. Baan TA es Rev. Goetsch: I think I know. But tell it anyway. Mrs. Rookie: They were painting it with a thick paste of water, lime and cow-dung. Mrs. Goetsch: (Laughing) Oh, that is the height of cus- tom here. No house is considered clean and fit for occupancy without that preparation. (Mrs. Goetsch looks at her watch and moves to the door. ) Mrs. Goetsch: Gome, friends; it’s time for the groom to get his bride. Mrs. Schultz: (Standing in doorway to hold everybody back) ... Before we leave, let us do honor to our mighty hunter who so heroically saved the life of a poor animal or two. Mrs. Goetsch: Saved the life? How did he save it? Mrs. Schultz: He. shot. at it. and. missed. it. (All leave the room in merriment as the curtain falls ending scene.) ACT IIl. Scene IJ—“But none stranger than This.” 1. Still Bisrampur, but outside the gate and grounds of the Girls’ Orphanage, and immediately following Scene 1. It is night. 2. No one is seen on the stage, but the excited voices and giggling of the girls can be heard behind the gate. Someone opens this and quickly closes it again, calling, “Here they come!” Talking and laughter subsides. The bridegroom and his companions, carrying crude lanterns and lights, approach from one side and the missionaries from the other. Ss 6 3. Dukeram advances to gate and knocks loudly. Martha: (From within) ... Who is there? Dukeram: The Bridegroom. Martha: What does he want? Dukeram: His Bride. Martha: Who is his Bride? Dukeram: Pyare, who is fair as the lotus. Martha: Pyare is our sister; and we will not give her up. He cannot have her. Dukeram: But what is a Bridegroom to do without his Bride? He must have her! ... Give her up! See the Bridegroom waits most impatiently. Give us the Bride. (Many voices are heard from within saying: We will not give up our Sister! ... We will not give her up! .. . You can not have her!—Let all be said loudly but not in concert. Let all be real- istic. ) (Dukeram and party withdraw to a distance and hold a conference. Then the bridegroom returns to the gate.) Dukeram: The Bridegroom must have his Bride. He will give much money for her. Voices from within: How much? Dukeram: As much as you wish. Great wealth; more than you have ever seen. Voices from within: Ten rupees! Dukeram: That is too much. (Some girls come out, but not the bride, the groom stepping up to bargain with them. The scene be- comes very animated, for the Indian bargains and haggles over everything he buys or sells. Part pantomime, part own lines.) Premdas: I will give one rupee. OE a Hannah: For shame, Bridegroom. Would you insult our sister by offering only one rupee for such a beauti- ful bride. . . . We will keep our Sister, Premdas: But I am not a rajah. I am only a poor head schoolmaster. I will give one rupee and eight annas, Girls: No! .. .No! ...No! .... Ten rupees or nothing. Premdas: Two rupees, Girls: That is too little. Such a beautiful bride. Dukeram: (Stepping up) . .. Come now, let us make a real bargain. How much would you let us have her for? Remember the Bridgegroom is a very good man and will make a very good husband. ... (The girls withdraw to confer.) Martha: (Returning first) ... If he promises to treat her very well we will let him have her for five rupees. But he must let her come to see us often. Dukeram: That is somewhat better. But only a rajah can pay five rupees. Premdas: I will. give half of five rupees: two rupees and eight annas. Girls: Never! ... Never! ... Never! Our beautiful Bride only two rupees and eight annas? ... No! Never! (The haggling continues and can be drawn out to any length desirable. There are sixteen annas to a rupee.) Premdas: I see you are stubborn. ... I will give three rupees. Hannah: Oh, how little for such a bride. Girls: Let us see the money. | Premdas: Will you give me the bride?....... (Shows the money.) pees ae RT Girls: Give it to us. ... (Hannah takes. it.) Premdas: Now, give me the Bride! (They bring her out. Pyare looks bashful and Prem- das steps back. All the girls kiss her and wail: “Our Sister is leaving us!” After a bit of this, the missionaries come forward to congratulate the couple, shaking hands.) Premdas: (To Bride). Shall we go? (She nods bashfully, but says nothing. Premdas walks away slowly, Pyare six feet behind him and looking neither to right nor left until off the stage. The girls wail, some actually cry. All remain be- hind as Mrs. Rookie steps forward and says so everybody hears: “The poor Bride; he hasn’t kissed her yet!” ..... Curtain falls quickly, only to rise again in a moment, showing stage lit up, a bench in center and on it at either end Premdas and Pyare, both still looking frightened. Other characters may group as tableau. THE END. Cy (Pronunciation rules: Sound all vowels as in German— aah; e like ay or eh; i like eye; o like oh; u like ou. Accent of words, in most cases, on second last syllable.) = $9 a. PUBLIC STATEMENT to be made during performance by pastor or others. Our Evangelical Synod has been at work in the Central Provinces of India since 1884, at that time taking over the two stations organized earlier by a missionary society con- sisting of German congregations of different denominations in New York, Brooklyn, Philadelphia and other eastern cities. Since then this number has grown to seven main stations and one medical station with 54 branches called “out-stations.” The territory now involved and manned by our church is half as large as the state of Indiana and has a population of a little over two million people. In addition to the seven main stations this ‘““American Evangelical Mission” conducts the leper Asylum at Baital- pur, 60 public schools, with 4,222 scholars, one high school for boys and hostel or dormitory, 6 orphanages and board- ing homes for children, one home for blind people, one home for women, one training school for catechists and one for women workers, likewise 7 dispensaries or clinics and the hospital begun at Tilda. The force at work in 1927 consisted of 13 married Amer- ican workers, one married American doctor, 7 unmarried American ladies and one unmarried missionary, 4 Indian pastors, 98 catechists, 165 male and 27 female teachers, 30 Bible women and one colporter. The play about to be given carries us right into the midst of all this work and explain many of the details. The second foreign field of our Evangelical Synod is in Honduras, Central America, with one main station and two preaching places in the city of San Pedro Sula, three out-stations and other points of contact. Four married and 5 lady workers have been sent from America and a pastor born in Honduras added to the force, Here the work is chiefly educational and evangelistic, but it must branch out into other forms of Christian service in the days to come. eh