Mrs. Claire Hamilton--about 35 years of age--portly--simply
dressed.
Master Hal Hamilton--her son--about 10 years of age--full of
life--dressed in Boy Scout uniform.
Mr. John Hamilton--soldier--botanist--about 39 years of
age--tall--well built.
Sergeant, soldiers and pedestrians.
Claire Hamilton is seen fixing her corner flower stand and
endeavoring to sell her plants to passers-by, but after three
futile attempts she becomes tired of standing and takes seat on
wooden bench in front of her stand. Takes letter from
pocket--sighs and begins to read letter aloud.
_Mrs. Hamilton (reading)._ "Dearest Love and Hal Boy--We are still in
the bowels of hell--but even this would be nothing if I but knew my
loved ones were well and happy. (_She wipes away a tear and continues
reading._) Nothing but a miracle can end this terrible war. Give my
own dear Hallie boy a kiss from his longing papa." (_She lays letter
on her lap and meditates._) Peace (_shakes her head--looks at date of
letter._) February 16th--six months past and now it's all over--three
months ago--Oh, God, bring him back to me and my boy. (_She goes back
of flower stand and brings out box of mignonettes. Hal comes running
in with bundle of newspapers and very much excited--his sleeve is
torn. He stands still and looks at mother rather proudly and
defiantly._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Hal Boy--what's the trouble?
_Hal._ I licked Fritz.
_Mrs. Hamilton._ What for?
_Hal._ He said it took the whole world to lick the Germans.
_Mrs. Hamilton._ But, Hal, my boy--the war is over--you mustn't be
hateful--be kind and forgiving.
_Hal._ Make them bring back my daddy then.
_Mrs. Hamilton._ You still have your mother--(_Hal runs to mother and
embraces her tenderly._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Whose birthday is it to-day? (_He thinks--pause._)
This is the 20th of August--now think hard. (_She awaits
answer--silence--then takes box of mignonettes._) Whose favorite
flower is the mignonette?
_Hal._ Papa's! Papa's! (_Claps his hands boyishly._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Yes, Hal--it's papa's birthday and mother is
remembering the day by decorating our little stand with the flowers
your papa has grown. (_He caresses the mignonettes tenderly._)
_Hal._ Dear daddy--dear flowers--aren't they lovely, mother?
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Yes, Hal. (_She wipes away a tear, trying to conceal
her emotions from her son._)
_Hal._ Maybe some day I'll be a famous botanist like papa and then
you'll have two boxes. (_Mother is silent trying to keep back the
tears and Hal notices it._) Papa is coming home soon, isn't he,
mother? (_She just shakes her head._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ We must be brave.
_Hal._ When I get big I'm going to be a soldier and be brave like
daddy.
_Mrs. Hamilton._ That won't be necessary any more--it isn't the people
who want to fight.
_Hal._ But daddy did and you bet if anybody makes me sore I'll fight
too.
_Mrs. Hamilton._ No, my boy--daddy didn't want to fight----
_Hal._ Then why did he go?
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Hal, you're a little boy and wouldn't understand--but
just remember what your mother tells you: Don't be selfish--be
tolerant, honest and charitable to all the peoples of the world, the
big and the small alike. (_Enter passer-by who stops to look over
plants. After Mrs. Hamilton has shown several and given him prices, he
picks up the box of mignonettes._)
_Man._ I'll take this box.
_Mrs. Hamilton (confused, not knowing whether to tell stranger about
that particular box of flowers or sell it, as she sorely needs money.
Then she picks up another plant to show it.)_ Here's a very sturdy
plant, sir.
_Man._ But I want this one. (_Pointing to box of mignonettes._) How
much is it? I'm in a hurry.
_Hal (goes to stranger and takes box from his hands)._ You can't have
them--they're daddy's.
_Man (pushing him to one side)._ Get away from here, you little
ruffian.
_Mrs. Hamilton._ That's my son, sir--he's not a ruffian. His father
has not returned from the front and that----
_Man (interrupting)._ Oh, yes--yes--we hear those stories every day
now on every corner--it's the beggar's capital. (_He walks away
hurriedly, but Hal starts after with clenched fist._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Hal! Hal! What did mother tell you a few moments ago?
_Hal (coming back)._ But he made me sore.
_Mrs. Hamilton._ What's the news--(_Hal hands her a paper, kisses her
and starts up street._)
_Hal._ Paper--extra--paper! (_He disappears._)
_Mrs. Hamilton (is attracted by headlines in paper and begins to read
aloud)._ "Fifty men return to-day from the front to be placed in the
asylum." (_She buries her face in her hands._) Better that he were
dead. (_Sound of footsteps is heard. Enter detachment of ten men in
uniform in charge of a sergeant. They swing corner of flower stand and
Mrs. Hamilton watches every man and there is a tense silence. Suddenly
Mrs. Hamilton rushes toward them._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ John! John! My boy! (_They halt. Mrs. Hamilton
swoons. Sergeant goes to her and assists her to bench in front of
stand. She becomes calm and goes toward husband with out-stretched
arms._) Don't you know me? Claire, your wife! (_He stares at her, but
shows no signs of recognition._) You remember Hal--Hal, your own
boy--our little boy--John! (_He just looks at her and smiles
foolishly. Sergeant takes her gently by the arm to lead her away,
thinking her hysterically mistaken as many others have been._)
_Sergeant._ Are you quite sure, madam, that he is your husband?
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Yes--John Hamilton--have you no record----
_Sergeant._ Not yet. But time will clear away any doubts----
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Time--time! I've waited long enough on time. He's
mine and I want him. (_Turns toward husband._) You want to stay here
with me and our boy--don't you, John? (_Pause._) Sergeant, let me have
him.
_Sergeant (trying to hide his emotion)._ You're quite sure,
madam--(_Mrs. Hamilton nods and sergeant takes John from ranks. John
just stares. Mrs. Hamilton leads him tenderly to seat. Sergeant starts
others to march._)
_Sergeant._ I'll return for him after delivering these men. (_Mrs.
Hamilton takes no notice of his remarks and they march off._)
_Mrs. Hamilton (kissing his hands tenderly and giving him all signs of
love and affection)._ Doesn't it seem good to be with us again? (_He
smiles foolishly._) And our boy Hal--He is so large now--You'll see
him soon. Think of it--he's ten years old. (_Hal enters and without
noticing father rushes toward his mother, holding a package in his
hand. His father sees him and notices his uniform--rises quickly and
rushes toward him but mother grabs his arm and holds him back. Hal
remains standing._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ That's Hal--your own boy. Hal--your son.
_Mr. Hamilton (looks at Hal fiercely)._ Attention! (_Hal looks
perplexed._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ This is your own papa--my boy. (_Hal runs toward him
but stops._)
_Mr. Hamilton._ Attention! (_His hands grab his pocket for revolver
but finds none._) You scullion--this is my girl! (_Turns and puts arms
around Mrs. Hamilton._) Aren't you, Sissy? (_Mrs. Hamilton realizes
situation and plays her part--leads him to seat--strokes his hair and
caresses him._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ What have you, Hal?
_Hal._ I sold all my papers and brought you a little cake for daddy's
birthday.
_Mrs. Hamilton (smiles and shakes her head. She takes box of
mignonettes and shows them to Mr. Hamilton.)._ You surely remember
these--your own mignonettes--your prize? (_She is silent. He smells
flowers--she anxiously awaits any signs of recognition--long pause--a
slight spark of intelligence comes over him as he fondles the
flowers--Mrs. Hamilton very tense but says nothing. Hal remains
standing as if rooted to the spot. Enter sergeant._)
_Sergeant._ I must deliver him with the others, madam. (_No reply._)
It's my duty. (_He goes to take Mr. Hamilton by the arm, but Mrs.
Hamilton interferes._)
_Mrs. Hamilton._ Duty! Duty! It has been my duty to slave and
starve--my husband has done his duty--he volunteered his services--I
willingly let him go--for what? For whom? (_Pause._) Now it's all
over. This is the result to me--to thousands, but now--(_stands
between Mr. Hamilton and sergeant_)--God has brought him back to me
and God will keep him with me!
_Mr. Hamilton (in a whisper)._ God--(_rubs hands over eyes_)--God----
(_Smells fragrance of the mignonettes. He takes Mrs. Hamilton's hand
and Hal runs to him and kneels beside him._) My mignonette. (_Smiles
to Mrs. Hamilton and Hal._) My mignonettes.