a curtain extending from front to back of stage, it being
necessary that both should be seen at once. SERVANT ushers
EUNICE, who has just arrived, into R., one of them._
SERVANT. This is the room you are to have, miss. Mrs. Atherton and Miss
Blanche have gone out, but will be in soon.
EUNICE. Very well. (_Exeunt SERVANT, R. EUNICE takes off bonnet and
shawl, and lays them on the table. Afterward takes up a book, sits down,
and begins to read._)
(_MRS. B. and BLANCHE enter the other chamber, L., and lay aside their
outer garments._)
B. I wonder when our rustic friend will arrive? (_EUNICE looks and
listens attentively._) I am quite curious to see her. I suppose she
will begin by giving me an account of all the household matters in
particular, and the farm-work in general. I can imagine her dressed in a
rainbow-colored costume, making a deep courtesy to you, and giving a nod
of recognition to your humble servant. I dare say before night she will
tell me confidentially all about the country swain whom she most favors.
MRS. A. Why, Blanche, how you do run on! Don’t, I beg of you, make her
appear any more ridiculous than she naturally is. And, above all things
else, pray don’t introduce the subject of cows.
B. I’m sure I don’t see any harm in drawing her out. It will be so
amusing. I will invite her to go shopping with me to-morrow, just to
see how she will stare in the windows. There will be a slight contrast
between our large and fashionable stores and the one little variety store
in her native village, where they sell everything from a peck of potatoes
to a silk dress.
MRS. A. I should be too much mortified to do so. But she may have arrived
already. Let us go down and see.
(_Exeunt._)
E. (_astonished and amused_). Is it possible that my aunt and cousin
expect to find me so countrified? It would be cruel in me to disappoint
their expectations. I have always been considered quite good at
imitation, and I have a great mind to personate, for a little while, the
character of a backwood’s maiden—for my amusement as well us theirs. I
must practise a little, first, in order to carry it out well. (_Goes to
mirror and makes a low courtesy._) Why, haow d’ye do, Aunt Tildy? I’m
proper glad to see ye. And haow d’ye do, Blanche? I’m dreadful tickled
to meet ye. (_Turns round smiling._) I wonder how it would do to give her
what Charlie calls a “Down East hug.” They would be fairly horrified, I
think. But I will be governed by circumstances, and go down to meet them
without further delay.
(_Goes out, R. Curtain falls._)