SCENE: _A corridor in the library of Morton College, October of the year
1920, upon the occasion of the fortieth anniversary of its founding.
This is an open place in the stacks of books, which are seen at both
sides. There is a reading-table before the big rear window. This window
opens out, but does not extend to the floor; only a part of its height
is seen, indicating a very high window. Outside is seen the top of a
tree. This outer wall of the building is on a slant, so that the
entrance right is near, and the left is front. Right front is a section
of a huge square column. On the rear of this, facing the window, is hung
a picture of SILAS MORTON. Two men are standing before this portrait_.
SENATOR LEWIS _is the Midwestern state senator. He is not of the city
from which Morton College rises, but of a more country community farther
in-state_. FELIX FEJEVARY, _now nearing the age of his father in the
first act, is an American of the more sophisticated type--prosperous,
having the poise of success in affairs and place in society_.
SENATOR: And this was the boy who founded the place, eh? It was his
idea?
FEJEVARY: Yes, and his hill. I was there the afternoon he told my father
there must be a college here. I wasn't any older then than my boy is
now.
(_As if himself surprised by this_.)
SENATOR: Well, he enlisted a good man when he let you in on it. I've
been told the college wouldn't be what it is today but for you, Mr
Fejevary.
FEJEVARY: I have a sentiment about it, and where our sentiment is, there
our work goes also.
SENATOR: Yes. Well, it was those mainsprings of sentiment that won the
war.
(_He is pleased with this_.)
FEJEVARY: (_nodding_) Morton College did her part in winning the war.
SENATOR: I know. A fine showing.
FEJEVARY: And we're holding up our end right along. You'll see the boys
drill this afternoon. It's a great place for them, here on the
hill--shows up from so far around. They're a fine lot of fellows. You
know, I presume, that they went in as strike-breakers during the trouble
down here at the steel works. The plant would have had to close but for
Morton College. That's one reason I venture to propose this thing of a
state appropriation for enlargement. Why don't we sit down a moment?
There's no conflict with the state university--they have their
territory, we have ours. Ours is an important one--industrially
speaking. The state will lose nothing in having a good strong college
here--a one-hundred-per-cent-American college.
SENATOR: I admit I am very favourably impressed.
FEJEVARY: I hope you'll tell your committee so--and let me have a chance
to talk to them.
SENATOR: Let's see, haven't you a pretty radical man here?
FEJEVARY: I wonder if you mean Holden?
SENATOR: Holden's the man. I've read things that make me question his
Americanism.
FEJEVARY: Oh--(_gesture of depreciation_) I don't think he is so much a
radical as a particularly human human-being.
SENATOR: But we don't want radical human beings.
FEJEVARY: He has a genuine sympathy with youth. That's invaluable in a
teacher, you know. And then--he's a scholar.
(_He betrays here his feeling of superiority to his companion, but too
subtly for his companion to get it_.)
SENATOR: Oh--scholar. We can get scholars enough. What we want is
Americans.
FEJEVARY: Americans who are scholars.
SENATOR: You can pick 'em off every bush--pay them a little more than
they're paid in some other cheap John College. Excuse me--I don't mean
this is a cheap John College.
FEJEVARY: Of course not. One couldn't think that of Morton College. But
that--pay them a little more, interests me. That's another reason I want
to talk to your committee on appropriations. We claim to value education
and then we let highly trained, gifted men fall behind the plumber.
SENATOR: Well, that's the plumber's fault. Let the teachers talk to the
plumber.
FEJEVARY: (_with a smile_) No. Better not let them talk to the plumber.
He might tell them what to do about it. In fact, is telling them.
SENATOR: That's ridiculous. They can't serve both God and mammon.
FEJEVARY: Then let God give them mammon. I mean, let the state
appropriate.
SENATOR: Of course this state, Mr Fejevary, appropriates no money for
radicals. Excuse me, but why do you keep this man Holden?
FEJEVARY: In the scholar's world we're known because of him. And really,
Holden's not a radical--in the worst sense. What he doesn't see
is--expediency. Not enough the man of affairs to realize that we can't
always have literally what we have theoretically. He's an idealist.
Something of the--man of vision.
SENATOR: If he had the right vision he'd see that we don't every minute
have literally what we have theoretically because we're fighting to keep
the thing we have. Oh, I sometimes think the man of affairs has the only
vision. Take you, Mr Fejevary--a banker. These teachers--books--books!
(_pushing all books back_) Why, if they had to take for one day the
responsibility that falls on your shoulders--big decisions to make--man
among men--and all the time worries, irritations, particularly now with
labour riding the high horse like a fool! I know something about these
things. I went to the State House because my community persuaded me it
was my duty. But I'm the man of affairs myself.
FEJEVARY: Oh yes, I know. Your company did much to develop that whole
northern part of the state.
SENATOR: I think I may say we did. Well, that's why, after three
sessions, I'm chairman of the appropriations committee. I know how to
use money to promote the state. So--teacher? That would be a perpetual
vacation to me. Now, if you want my advice, Mr Fejevary,--I think your
case before the state would be stronger if you let this fellow Holden
go.
FEJEVARY: I'm going to have a talk with Professor Holden.
SENATOR: Tell him it's for his own good. The idea of a college professor
standing up for conscientious objectors!
FEJEVARY: That doesn't quite state the case. Fred Jordan was one of
Holden's students--a student he valued. He felt Jordan was perfectly
sincere in his objection.
SENATOR: Sincere in his objections! The nerve of him thinking it was his
business to be sincere!
FEJEVARY: He was expelled from college--you may remember; that was how
we felt about it.
SENATOR: I should hope so.
FEJEVARY: Holden fought that, but within the college. What brought him
into the papers was his protest against the way the boy has been treated
in prison.
SENATOR: What's the difference how he's treated? You know how I'd treat
him? (_a movement as though pulling a trigger_) If I didn't know you for
the American you are, I wouldn't understand your speaking so calmly.
FEJEVARY: I'm simply trying to see it all sides around.
SENATOR: Makes me see red.
FEJEVARY: (_with a smile_) But we mustn't meet red with red.
SENATOR: What's Holden fussing about--that they don't give him caviare
on toast?
FEJEVARY: That they didn't give him books. Holden felt it was his
business to fuss about that.
SENATOR: Well, when your own boy 'stead of whining around about his
conscience, stood up and offered his life!
FEJEVARY: Yes. And my nephew gave his life.
SENATOR: That so?
FEJEVARY: Silas Morton's grandson died in France. My sister Madeline
married Ira Morton, son of Silas Morton.
SENATOR: I knew there was a family connection between you and the
Mortons.
FEJEVARY: (_speaking with reserve_) They played together as children and
married as soon as they were grown up.
SENATOR: So this was your sister's boy? (FEJEVARY _nods_) One of the
mothers to give her son!
FEJEVARY: (_speaking of her with effort_) My sister died--long ago.
(_pulled to an old feeling; with an effort releasing himself_) But Ira
is still out at the old place--place the Mortons took up when they
reached the end of their trail--as Uncle Silas used to put it. Why, it's
a hundred years ago that Grandmother Morton began--making cookies here.
She was the first white woman in this country.
SENATOR: Proud woman! To have begun the life of this state! Oh, our
pioneers! If they could only see us now, and know what they did!
(FEJEVARY _is silent; he does not look quite happy_) I suppose Silas
Morton's son is active in the college management.
FEJEVARY: No, Ira is not a social being. Fred's death about finished
him. He had been--strange for years, ever since my sister died--when the
children were little. It was--(_again pulled back to that old feeling_)
under pretty terrible circumstances.
SENATOR: I can see that you thought a great deal of your sister, Mr
Fejevary.
FEJEVARY: Oh, she was beautiful and--(_bitterly_) it shouldn't have gone
like that.
SENATOR: Seems to me I've heard something about Silas Morton's
son--though perhaps it wasn't this one.
FEJEVARY: Ira is the only one living here now; the others have gone
farther west.
SENATOR: Isn't there something about corn?
FEJEVARY: Yes. His corn has several years taken the prize--best in the
state. He's experimented with it--created a new kind. They've given it
his name--Morton corn. It seems corn is rather fascinating to work
with--very mutable stuff. It's a good thing Ira has it, for it's about
the only thing he does care for now. Oh, Madeline, of course. He has a
daughter here in the college--Madeline Morton, senior this year--one of
our best students. I'd like to have you meet Madeline--she's a great
girl, though--peculiar.
SENATOR: Well, that makes a girl interesting, if she isn't peculiar the
wrong way. Sounds as if her home life might make her a little peculiar.
FEJEVARY: Madeline stays here in town with us a good part of the time.
Mrs Fejevary is devoted to her--we all are. (_a boy starts to come
through from right_) Hello, see who's here. This is my boy. Horace, this
is Senator Lewis, who is interested in the college.
HORACE: (_shaking hands_) How do you do, Senator Lewis?
SENATOR: Pleased to see you, my boy.
HORACE: Am I butting in?
FEJEVARY: Not seriously; but what are you doing in the library? I
thought this was a day off.
HORACE: I'm looking for a book.
FEJEVARY: (_affectionately bantering_) You are, Horace? Now how does
that happen?
HORACE: I want the speeches of Abraham Lincoln.
SENATOR: You couldn't do better.
HORACE: I'll show those dirty dagoes where they get off!
FEJEVARY: You couldn't show them a little more elegantly?
HORACE: I'm going to sick the Legion on 'em.
FEJEVARY: Are you talking about the Hindus?
HORACE: Yes, the dirty dagoes.
FEJEVARY: Hindus aren't dagoes you know, Horace.
HORACE: Well, what's the difference? This foreign element gets my goat.
SENATOR: My boy, you talk like an American. But what do you
mean--Hindus?
FEJEVARY: There are two young Hindus here as students. And they're good
students.
HORACE: Sissies.
FEJEVARY: But they must preach the gospel of free India--non-British
India.
SENATOR: Oh, that won't do.
HORACE: They're nothing but Reds, I'll say. Well, one of 'em's going
back to get his. (_grins_)
FEJEVARY: There were three of them last year. One of them is wanted back
home.
SENATOR: I remember now. He's to be deported.
HORACE: And when they get him--(_movement as of pulling a rope_) They
hang there.
FEJEVARY: The other two protest against our not fighting the deportation
of their comrade. They insist it means death to him. (_brushing off a
thing that is inclined to worry him_) But we can't handle India's
affairs.
SENATOR: I should think not!
HORACE: Why, England's our ally! That's what I told them. But you can't
argue with people like that. Just wait till I find the speeches of
Abraham Lincoln!
(_Passes through to left_)
SENATOR: Fine boy you have, Mr Fejevary.
FEJEVARY: He's a live one. You should see him in a football game.
Wouldn't hurt my feelings in the least to have him a little more of a
student, but--
SENATOR: Oh, well, you want him to be a regular fellow, don't you, and
grow into a man among men?
FEJEVARY: He'll do that, I think. It was he who organized our boys for
the steel strike--went right in himself and took a striker's job. He
came home with a black eye one night, presented to him by a picket who
started something by calling him a scab. But Horace wasn't thinking
about his eye. According to him, it was not in the class with the
striker's upper lip. 'Father,' he said, 'I gave him more red than he
could swallow. The blood just--' Well, I'll spare you--but Horace's
muscle is one hundred per cent American. (_going to the window_) Let me
show you something. You can see the old Morton place off on that first
little hill. (_pointing left_) The first rise beyond the valley.
SENATOR: The long low house?
FEJEVARY: That's it. You see, the town for the most part swung around
the other side of the hill, so the Morton place is still a farm.
SENATOR: But you're growing all the while. The town'll take the
cornfield yet.
FEJEVARY: Yes, our steel works is making us a city.
SENATOR: And this old boy (_turning to the portrait of_ SILAS MORTON)
can look out on his old home--and watch the valley grow.
FEJEVARY: Yes--that was my idea. His picture really should be in
Memorial Hall, but I thought Uncle Silas would like to be up here among
the books, and facing the old place. (_with a laugh_) I confess to being
a little sentimental.
SENATOR: We Americans have lots of sentiment, Mr Fejevary. It's what
makes us--what we are. (FEJEVARY _does not speak; there are times when
the senator seems to trouble him_) Well, this is a great site for a
college. You can see it from the whole country round.
FEJEVARY: Yes, that was Uncle Silas' idea. He had a reverence for
education. It grew, in part, out of his feeling for my father. He was a
poet--really, Uncle Silas. (_looking at the picture_) He gave this hill
for a college that we might become a deeper, more sensitive people--
(_Two girls, convulsed with the giggles, come tumbling in_.)
DORIS: (_confused_) Oh--oh, excuse us.
FUSSIE: (_foolishly_) We didn't know anybody was here.
(MR FEJEVARY _looks at them sternly. The girls retreat_.)
SENATOR: (_laughing_) Oh, well girls will be girls. I've got three of my
own.
(HORACE _comes back, carrying an open book_.)
HORACE: Say, this must be a misprint.
FEJEVARY: (_glancing at the back of the book_) Oh, I think not.
HORACE: From his first inaugural address to Congress, March 4, 1861.
(_reads_) 'This country with its institutions belong to the people who
inhabit it.' Well, that's all right. 'Whenever they shall grow weary of
the existing government they can exercise their constitutional right of
amending it'--(_after a brief consideration_) I suppose that that's all
right--but listen! 'or their revolutionary right to dismember or
overthrow it.'
FEJEVARY: He was speaking in another age. An age of different values.
SENATOR: Terms change their significance from generation to generation.
HORACE: I suppose they do--but that puts me in bad with these lice. They
quoted this and I said they were liars.
SENATOR: And what's the idea? They're weary of our existing government
and are about to dismember or overthrow it?
HORACE: I guess that's the dope.
FEJEVARY: Look here, Horace--speak accurately. Was it in relation to
America they quoted this?
HORACE: Well, maybe they were talking about India then. But they were
standing up for being revolutionists. We were giving them an earful
about it, and then they spring Lincoln on us. Got their nerve--I'll
say--quoting Lincoln to us.
SENATOR: The fact that they are quoting it shows it's being misapplied.
HORACE: (_approvingly_) I'll tell them that. But gee--Lincoln oughta
been more careful what he said. Ignorant people don't know how to take
such things.
(_Goes back with book_.)
FEJEVARY: Want to take a look through the rest of the library? We
haven't been up this way yet--(_motioning left_) We need a better
scientific library. (_they are leaving now_) Oh, we simply must have
more money. The whole thing is fairly bursting its shell.
DORIS: (_venturing in cautiously from the other side, looking back,
beckoning_) They've gone.
FUSSIE: Sure?
DORIS: Well, are they here? And I saw them, I tell you--they went up to
science.
FUSSIE: (_moving the_ SENATOR'S _hat on the table_) But they'll come
back.
DORIS: What if they do? We're only looking at a book. (_running her hand
along the books_) Matthew Arnold.
(_Takes a paper from_ FUSSIE, _puts it in the book. They are bent with
giggling as_ HORACE _returns_.)
HORACE: For the love o' Pete, what's the joke? (_taking the book from
the helpless girl_) Matthew Arnold. My idea of nowhere to go for a
laugh. When I wrote my theme on him last week he was so dry I had to go
out and get a Morton Sundee (_the girls are freshly attacked, though all
of this in a subdued way, mindful of others in the library_) Say, how'd
you get that way?
DORIS: Now, Horace, don't you _tell_.
HORACE: What'd I tell, except--(_seeing the paper_) Um hum--what's this?
DORIS: (_trying to get it from him_) Horace, now _don't_ you (_a
tussle_) You great strong mean thing! Fussie! Make him _stop_.
(_She gets the paper by tearing it_.)
HORACE: My dad's around here--showing the college off to a politician.
If you don't come across with that sheet of mystery, I'll back you both
out there (_starts to do it_) and--
DORIS: Horace! You're just _horrid_.
HORACE: Sure I'm horrid. That's the way I want to be. (_takes the paper,
reads_)
'To Eben
You are the idol of my dreams
I worship from afar.'
What is this?
FUSSIE: Now, listen, Horace, and don't you _tell_. You know Eben Weeks.
He's the homeliest man in school. Wouldn't you say so?
HORACE: Awful jay. Like to get some of the jays out of here.
DORIS: But listen. Of course, no girl would _look_ at him. So we've
thought up the most _killing_ joke, (_stopped by giggles from herself
and_ FUSSIE) Now, he hasn't handed in his Matthew Arnold dope. I heard
old Mac hold him up for it--and what'd you think he said? That he'd been
_ploughing_. Said he was trying to run a farm and go to college at the
same time! Isn't it a _scream_?
HORACE: We oughta--make it more unpleasant for some of those jays. Gives
the school a bad name.
FUSSIE: But, listen, Horace, honest--you'll just _die_. He said he was
going to get the book this afternoon. Now you know what he _looks_ like,
but he turns to--(_both girls are convulsed_)
DORIS: It'll get him all fussed up! And for nothing at all!
HORACE: Too bad that class of people come here. I think I'll go to
Harvard next year. Haven't broken it to my parents--but I've about made
up my mind.
DORIS: Don't you think Morton's a good school, Horace?
HORACE: Morton's all right. Fine for the--(_kindly_) people who would
naturally come here. But one gets an acquaintance at Harvard. Wher'd'y'
want these passionate lines?
(FUSSIE _and_ DORIS _are off again convulsed_.)
HORACE: (_eye falling on the page where he opens the book_) Say, old
Bones could spill the English--what? Listen to this flyer. 'For when we
say that culture is to know the best that has been thought and said in
the world, we simply imply that for culture a system directly tending to
that end is necessary in our reading.' (_he reads it with mock
solemnity, delighting_ FUSSIE _and_ DORIS) The best that has been
thought and said in the world!'
(MADELINE MORTON _comes in from right; she carries a tennis racket_.)
MADELINE: (_both critical and good-humoured_) You haven't made a large
contribution to that, have you, Horace?
HORACE: Madeline, you don't want to let this sarcastic habit grow on
you.
MADELINE: Thanks for the tip.
FUSSIE: Oh--_Madeline, (holds out her hand to take the book from_ HORACE
_and shows it to_ MADELINE) You know--
DORIS: S-h Don't be silly, (_to cover this_) Who you playing with?
HORACE: Want me to play with you, Madeline?
MADELINE: (_genially_) I'd rather play with you than talk to you.
HORACE: Same here.
FUSSIE: Aren't cousins affectionate?
MADELINE: (_moving through to the other part of the library_) But first
I'm looking for a book.
HORACE: Well, I can tell you without your looking it up, he did say it.
But that was an age of different values. Anyway, the fact that they're
quoting it shows it's being misapplied.
MADELINE: (_smiling_) Father said so.
HORACE: (_on his dignity_) Oh, of course--if you don't want to be
serious.
(MADELINE _laughs and passes on through_.)
DORIS: What are you two talking about?
HORACE: Madeline happened to overhear a little discussion down on the
campus.
FUSSIE: Listen. You know something? Sometimes I think Madeline Morton is
a highbrow in disguise.
HORACE: Say, you don't want to start anything like that. Madeline's all
right. She and I treat each other rough--but that's being in the family.
FUSSIE: Well, I'll _tell_ you something. I heard Professor Holden say
Madeline Morton has a great deal more mind than she'd let herself know.
HORACE: Oh, well--Holden, he's erratic. Look at how popular Madeline is.
DORIS: I should say. What's the matter with you, Fussie?
FUSSIE: Oh, I didn't mean it really _hurt_ her.
HORACE: Guess it don't hurt her much at a dance. Say, what's this new
jazz they were springing last night?
DORIS: I know! Now look here, Horace--L'me show you. (_she shows him a
step_)
HORACE: I get you. (_He begins to dance with her; the book he holds
slips to the floor. He kicks it under the table_.)
FUSSIE: Be careful. They'll be coming back here, (_glances off left_)
DORIS: Keep an eye out, Fussie.
FUSSIE: (_from her post_) They're coming! I tell you, they're _coming!_
DORIS: Horace, come on.
(_He teasingly keeps hold of her, continuing the dance. At sound of
voices, they run off, right_. FUSSIE _considers rescuing the book,
decides she has not time_.)
SENATOR: (_at first speaking off_) Yes, it could be done. There is that
surplus, and as long as Morton College is socially valuable--right here
above the steel works, and making this feature of military
training--(_he has picked up his hat_) But your Americanism must be
unimpeachable, Mr Fejevary. This man Holden stands in the way.
FEJEVARY: I'm going to have a talk with Professor Holden this afternoon.
If he remains he will--(_it is not easy for him to say_) give no
trouble. (MADELINE _returns_) Oh, here's Madeline--Silas Morton's
granddaughter, Madeline Fejevary Morton. This is Senator Lewis,
Madeline.
SENATOR: (_holding out his hand_) How do you do, Miss Morton. I suppose
this is a great day for you.
MADELINE: Why--I don't know.
SENATOR: The fortieth anniversary of the founding of your grandfather's
college? You must be very proud of your illustrious ancestor.
MADELINE: I get a bit bored with him.
SENATOR: Bored with him? My dear young lady!
MADELINE: I suppose because I've heard so many speeches about him--'The
sainted pioneer'--'the grand old man of the prairies'--I'm sure I
haven't any idea what he really was like.
FEJEVARY: I've tried to tell you, Madeline.
MADELINE: Yes.
SENATOR: I should think you would be proud to be the granddaughter of
this man of vision.
MADELINE: (_her smile flashing_) Wouldn't you hate to be the
granddaughter of a phrase?
FEJEVARY: (_trying to laugh it off_) Madeline! How absurd.
MADELINE: Well, I'm off for tennis.
(_Nods good-bye and passes on_.)
FEJEVARY: (_calling to her_) Oh, Madeline, if your Aunt Isabel is out
there--will you tell her where we are?
MADELINE: (_calling back_) All right.
FEJEVARY: (_after a look at his companion_) Queer girl, Madeline.
Rather--moody.
SENATOR: (_disapprovingly_) Well--yes.
FEJEVARY: (_again trying to laugh it off_) She's been hearing a great
many speeches about her grandfather.
SENATOR: She should be proud to hear them.
FEJEVARY: Of course she should. (_looking in the direction_ MADELINE
_has gone_) I want you to meet my wife, Senator Lewis.
SENATOR: I should be pleased to meet Mrs Fejevary. I have heard what she
means to the college--socially.
FEJEVARY: I think she has given it something it wouldn't have had
without her. Certainly a place in the town that is--good for it. And you
haven't met our president yet.
SENATOR: Guess, I've met the real president.
FEJEVARY: Oh--no. I'm merely president of the board of trustees.
SENATOR: 'Merely!'
FEJEVARY: I want you to know President Welling. He's very much the
cultivated gentleman.
SENATOR: Cultivated gentlemen are all right. I'd hate to see a world
they ran.
FEJEVARY: (_with a laugh_) I'll just take a look up here, then we can go
down the shorter way.
(_He goes out right_. SENATOR LEWIS _turns and examines the books_.
FUSSIE _slips in, looks at him, hesitates, and then stoops under the
table for the Matthew Arnold (and her poem) which_ HORACE _has kicked
there. He turns_.)
FUSSIE: (_not out from under the table_) Oh, I was just looking for a
book.
SENATOR: Quite a place to look for a book.
FUSSIE: (_crawling out_) Yes, it got there. I thought I'd put it back.
Somebody--might want it.
SENATOR: I see, young lady, that you have a regard for books.
FUSSIE: Oh, yes, I do have a regard for them.
SENATOR: (_holding out his hand_) And what is your book?
FUSSIE: Oh--it's--it's nothing.
(_As he continues to hold out his hand, she reluctantly gives the
book_.)
SENATOR: (_solemnly_) Matthew Arnold? Nothing?
FUSSIE: Oh, I didn't mean _him_.
SENATOR: A master of English! I am glad, young woman, that you value
this book.
FUSSIE: Oh yes, I'm--awfully fond of it.
(_Growing more and more nervous as in turning the pages he nears the
poem_.)
SENATOR: I am interested in you young people of Morton College.
FUSSIE: That's so good of you.
SENATOR: What is your favourite study?
FUSSIE: Well--(_an inspiration_) I like all of them.
SENATOR: Morton College is coming on very fast, I understand.
FUSSIE: Oh yes, it's getting more and more of the right people. It used
to be a little jay, you know. Of course, the Fejevarys give it class.
Mrs Fejevary--isn't she wonderful?
SENATOR: I haven't seen her yet. Waiting here now to meet her.
FUSSIE: (_worried by this_) Oh, I must--must be going. Shall I put the
book back? (_holding out her hand_)
SENATOR: No, I'll just look it over a bit. (_sits down_)
FUSSIE: (_unable to think of any way of getting it_) This is where it
belongs.
SENATOR: Thank you.
(_Reluctantly she goes out_. SENATOR LEWIS _pursues Matthew Arnold with
the conscious air of a half literate man reading a 'great book'. The_
FEJEVARYS _come in_)
FEJEVARY: I found my wife, Senator Lewis.
AUNT ISABEL: (_she is a woman of social distinction and charm_) How do
you do, Senator Lewis? (_They shake hands_.)
SENATOR: It's a great pleasure to meet you, Mrs Fejevary.
AUNT ISABEL: Why don't we carry Senator Lewis home for lunch?
SENATOR: Why, you're very kind.
AUNT ISABEL: I'm sure there's a great deal to talk about, so why not
talk comfortably, and really get acquainted? And we want to tell you the
whole story of Morton College--the good old American spirit behind it.
SENATOR: I am glad to find you an American, Mrs Fejevary.
AUNT ISABEL: Oh, we are that. Morton College is one hundred per cent
American. Our boys--
(_Her boy_ HORACE _rushes in_.)
HORACE: (_wildly_) Father! Will you go after Madeline? The police have
got her!
FEJEVARY: _What!_
AUNT ISABEL: (_as he is getting his breath_) What absurd thing are you
saying, Horace?
HORACE: Awful row down on the campus. The Hindus. I told them to keep
their mouths shut about Abraham Lincoln. I told them the fact they were
quoting him--
FEJEVARY: Never mind what you told them! What happened?
HORACE: We started--to rustle them along a bit. Why, they had
_handbills_ (_holding one up as if presenting incriminating
evidence--the_ SENATOR _takes it from him_) telling America what to do
about deportation! Not on this campus--I say. So we were--we were
putting a stop to it. They resisted--particularly the fat one. The cop
at the corner saw the row--came up. He took hold of Bakhshish, and when
the dirty anarchist didn't move along fast enough, he took hold of
him--well, a bit rough, you might say, when up rushes Madeline and calls
to the cop, 'Let that boy alone!' Gee--I don't know just what did
happen--awful mix-up. Next thing I knew Madeline hauled off and pasted
the policeman a fierce one with her tennis racket!
SENATOR: She _struck_ the officer?
HORACE: I should say she did. Twice. The second time--
AUNT ISABEL: _Horace_. (_looking at her husband_) I--I can't believe it.
HORACE: I could have squared it, even then, but for Madeline herself. I
told the policeman that she didn't understand--that I was her cousin,
and apologized for her. And she called over at me, 'Better apologize for
yourself!' As if there was any sense to that--that she--she looked like
a _tiger_. Honest, everybody was afraid of her. I kept right on trying
to square it, told the cop she was the granddaughter of the man that
founded the college--that you were her uncle--he would have gone off
with just the Hindu, fixed this up later, but Madeline balled it up
again--didn't care who was her uncle--Gee! (_he throws open the window_)
There! You can see them, at the foot of the hill. A nice thing--member
of our family led off to the police station!
FEJEVARY: (_to the_ SENATOR) Will you excuse me?
AUNT ISABEL: (_trying to return to the manner of pleasant social
things_) Senator Lewis will go on home with me, and you--(_he is
hurrying out_) come when you can. (_to the_ SENATOR) Madeline is such a
high-spirited girl.
SENATOR: If she had no regard for the living, she might--on this day of
all others--have considered her grandfather's memory.
(_Raises his eyes to the picture of_ SILAS MORTON.)
HORACE: Gee! Wouldn't you _say_ so?
CURTAIN