French's international Copyrighted (in England, her Colonies, and the United States) Edition of P R the Works of the Best Authors. I 217 3 £9E25 A BOY'S PROPOSAL H Xtttie Corners in ©ne Bet BY ARTHUR ECKERSLEY Copyright, 1909, by Arthur Eckersley **************** *******************& No. 172 I » rf I £ $ ft I c i $ to £ £ CAUTION.— All persons are hereby warned that "A Boy's Proposal," being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, is subject to royalty ; and any one presenting the play without the consent of the author, or his authorized agent, wi ;< be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application f r stage rights must be made to SAMUEL FRENCH, 24 West 22d Street, New York City. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED PRICE 25 CENTS New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 24 WEST 22d STREET London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton St. 89 STRAND Glass JBll^U Book .~?3 E?„S Gotp^htN COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. /6>oof^ A BOY'S PROPOSAL H little Cornet^ in ©ne act BY ARTHUR ECKERSLEY Copyright, 1909, by Arthur Eckersley CAUTION.— All persons are hereby warned that "A Boy's Proposal,'- being fully protected under the copyright laws of the United States, is subject to royalty; and any one presenting the play without the consent of the author, or his authorized agent, will be liable to the penalties by law provided. Application for sta^e rights must be made to SAMUEL FRENCH, 24 West 22 d St., New York City. All rights reserved New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 24 WEST 221) STREET London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street STRAND <2 ©Cl.0 W 4 Produced at the Adelphi Theatre, Lor.don, on Monday, March 29, 1909, with the following cast. A BOY'S PROPOSAL. CHARACTERS. Mr. Augustus Sheringham. (a bachelor) Mr. Hubert Willis Tom (his nephew, aged 14) . . Master Philip Tonge Lady Pilkington (a widow) . . . Miss May Chevalier Dean . . , Mr. P. L. Julian Scene. — Lady Pilkington's drawing-room. -Time : an afternoon in June. A pleasant, handsomely fur- nished room, very feminine and dainty. Flowers everywhere, r. in flat a door giving into hall. L. 2 e. another door to boudoir. Window r. 2 e. In the left upper angle of the room a fireplace with bell beside it. Sofa down stage r. c. below window. Easy- chair l. c. Small chair c. Tea-table, and wicker cake stand with cakes, etc., r. c. above corner of sofa, subsequently moved by Dean down to L. c. beside chair. Writing-table up c. against back wall. Various small tables and chairs. N. B. — The directions are given for the right and left of the performers, not the audience. PROPERTIES. Usual drawing-room furniture to include sofa and easy-chair. Tea-table. Cake-stand with cakes and bread and butter. Tea-things for three on trav. 3 ' A BOY'S PROPOSAL, Dish of hot toast. Writing-table. Bell, beside fireplace. HAND PROPERTIES. Letter for Sheringham. Watch for Tom. Letter in writing-table for Lad)' Pilkington. Cab-whistle (off). A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Scene — Drawing-Room of Lady Pilkingtoris Flat in Shane Gardens. Time about 4. p. m. As the cur- tain rises, Dean, a genial, elderly butler, enters r. c. showing in Mr. Sheringham. Mr. Sher- ingham is a florid portly little gentleman about 40, dressed in the height of afternoon-calling fashion. At present he appears much agitated.) Dean. We expect her ladyship back every moment, sir. Will you kindly take a seat, and I'll tell her directly she comes in. Sheringham. Thank you. (coming down) If you will be so good. Tell her that Mr. {Looking about him anxiously) Dean, (smiling) I know the name, Mr. Shering- ham. Sheringham. Ah! of course, of course, Dean. I didn't recognise you for the moment. I am a little upset! (testily) Where on earth is that boy ? Dean. The little gentleman stopped in the Hall to look at something, sir. Sheringham. Tutt I Tutt ! (calling) Tom! Tom! Tom. (outside) All right, (he appears in door- way) I say, Uncle Gus, there's such a spiffing sword out here. Dean, (beaming) Ah, that was one of the late Sir Geoffrey's swords, sir. Tom. (to him) Can I get it down ? Dean, (a little scandalized) Well, sir, we must see what her ladyship has to say to that* 5 6 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Sheringham. {interposing angrily) Nonsense t Of course you can do no such thing. Come in at once. Tom. {entering) All right. You needn't get shirty, I asked. Dean. Perhaps, sir, the young gentleman would like a piece of cake while he is waiting. I'm sure my lady would wish it. {hands eake-stand r. c. to Tom). Sheringham. Thank you. No. The young gentleman would like nothing of the kind. Tom. {taking cake) I say, Uncle Gus, you do tell 'em. {very politely to Dean) Thank you very much. Dean. {delighted with him) Thank you, sir. There's nothing in it to hurt, Mr. Sheringham. I'll tell her ladyship directly she returns. ,{exit r. c) Sheringham. (lOalking tip and down furious) Upon my word, sir. Upon my word ! You seem to have absolutely no sense whatever of the position in which we at present stand. Tom. {munching cake. Seated on sofa R. c.) You stand. Sheringham. Don't prevaricate. If you are un- able to appreciate the consequences of what you have done, you might at least have the decency to assume regret, {threateningly) And let me tell you, sir, that before I have finished with this affair you will have no difficulty in doing so. Tom. {sulkily) I've said I'm sorry. Sheringham. Sorry ! Bah ! Tom. I don't know what more I could be. Sheringham. You have committed deliberate forgery. Tom {rises) I only meant it as a joke. Sheringham. A joke, sir, for which older and — er — wiser men than you have been transported. How- ever {with resignation') I knew how it would end. Ever since you developed that pernicious practice of imitating other people's handwriting I have prophesied that it would lead to disaster. It has brought us — to this. A BOY'S PROPOSAL. f Tom. It wouldn't have brought me if I'd known where you were coining. Sheringham. Ah ! It was for that very reason that I informed your head-master merely that I wished to take you out for a half-holiday. Tom. Sneak! If I'd known I'd have been bilious. Sheringham, Silence, sir, and why have I brought you here — ? Tom. (sulky) Oh, I know. To apologise. Sheringham. To apologise to the Lady whom your impudent forgery has so grievously insulted. (magnanimously) I say nothing about the injury to myself. Tom. No. {reflectively) You said that part in the cab. Sheringham. Directly I received her letter I knew of whose abominable trickery it was the outcome. {takes out letter and adjusts glasses) Tom. {eyeing letter with apprehension) Oh, Uncle Gus — you've read it twice to me already. Sheringham. (glares at him) Then I shall read it a third time. Perhaps— I say perhaps — it may help you to realise the enormity of your offence, (reads) " Dear Mr. Sheringham, " Your letter only reached me this morning, but I am obeying your wish and replying to it with as little delay as possible. Perhaps it is unnecessary for me to say " — oh — (speaks) — er — that does not concern you — 11 But while fully sensible of the worth of what I re- nounce you must forgive me if it cannot be as your wish." — er — (skips) — " permit me, however, to remain as before, " Your sincere and attached friend, " Annette Pii.kincton." There ! (severely to Tom, who is endeavouring to stifle a grin) That, sir, is the answer to a proposal, a proposal of marriage, which, as you know perfectly well, I never sent. It's fortunate that the conse- quence was — er — no worse ! % A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Tom. Well, as it wasn't, what's the harm ? She needn't ever know you didn't ask her. Sheringham. On the contrary, sir, that is precisely why we are here. In — in justice to myself I am now faced with the delicate, the disagreeable, the incredi- bly painful task of telling her so. Tom. Wouldn't you do that better alone ? Sheringham. I intend to do it alone, sir, — at least in the presence of Lady Pilkington. You will retire to an adjoining room. Afterwards, however, I shall demand from you the fullest possible apology to us both. Tom. Well, if I must, I must. I say, Uncle, I'd like to hear you explaining. Sheringham. Tcht. Tom. I suppose this makes it all gee-bust with that air-gun ? Sheringham. What air-gun ? Tom. The one I was going to want for my next birthday — when you asked me. Sheringham. Decidedly, sir ! I wonder you have the impertinence to mention it. After what has hap- pened all questions of birthday-presents between us is emphatically — as you put it — Gee-bust. Tom. 1 thought it would be. Anyway I wish she'd hurry up and get the thing over. Sheringham. Ah ! You are at length beginning to appreciate the position. Tom. I only meant, so as we could have tea after- wards. Sheringham. (indignant) Tea 1 Upon my word, sir, you are incredible I At such a moment you can think of tea ! All I can say is your up-bringing has been peculiar. Time upon time I have warned your mother. My only regret is that this last exploit must of course be kept — ah — strictly private. Tom. Yes. It would make you look rather silly, Uncle Gus, wouldn't it ? Sheringham. Nothing of the sort, sir! I am un- willing to cause your mother pain, that is all. A BOYS PROPOSAL. 9 ToM (rises, surveying room) I swear, this is a rip- ping room. Sheringham. {shortly) Naturally. Lady Pilking- ton is a woman of taste and refinement, for whom I have the highest regard. A fact which makes my present situation all the more appalling. Tom. Must be pretty well off, too, isn't she ? Sheringham. What has that to do with you? Tom. Nothing. Only I was thinking it was almost a pity she wouldn't have you. Sheringham. Hold your tongue, sir! Tom. (reflectively) I'm sure it was a nice enough letter. Sheringham. Ah ! That's it ! That's what I want to know, word for word, (with an outburst) What the Devil you said ! Tom. I don't think Mother would like me to hear words like Devil. Sheringham. You !— (words fail him) Tom, I ask you, as a personal favour, to tell me exactly what my letter to Lady Pilkington contained. Tom. I can't remember exactly. Sheringham. Was it the sort of letter I might have written ? Tom. You might have written, yes. Only you were such a precious long time about it that I thought I'd hurry it up. Sheringham. Cht ! Cht ! It's quite true that Lady Pilkington and I are old friends. I might have written to her any time these ten years — only somehow I didn't. And now you rush in with this proposal of yours. Probably most indelicately expressed. My wonder is that Lady Pilkington replied to it at all. Tom. Why ? It was all right. Sheringham. All right ? Tom. Yes. I got bits of it out of a book I'm reading. Sheringham. What book? Tom. Oh, a ripping one! "The Mystery of Blood ! " it's called, " Or The Pirate's Bride." 10 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Sheringham {horror-struck) The Pirate's Bride ! Great Heavens ! Tom. What's wrong with that ? Do keep your hair on ! Sheringham {furious) I shall not — er — keep my hair on, sir. I never — ssh ! Was that a carriage stopped outside ? Tom. {going to window) Yes. There's a lady get- ting out. Sheringham. {nervously) What sort of a lady ? Tom. Oh, just an ordinary sort. Rather decent looking, with grey hair and feathers. Sheringham. Lady Pilkington ! {in an agony of appi'ehension) Could any situation be more em- barrassing? Tom {leaving window) Well, what d'you want me to do ? Sheringham. Listen. I shall suggest that you leave us alone for ten minutes. When you return you will be prepared with an ample apology, in your own words. You understand ? Meanwhile I shall endeav- our to explain. Tom. I swear, I am sorry to miss that ! Sheringham. Hold your tongue, sir ! How dare — (he stops abn/ptly as the door r. c. opens and Lady Pilkington comes quickly into the room. A pretty, well- preserved widow of about 35, fashionably dressed in out- door garments.) Lady Pilkington. Ah ! Dean told me I should find you here {gives hint her hand) I'm so sorry you had to wait, (as she observes Tom) Not alone ? Sheringham (constrained) No. My nephew Tom. Mary's eldest. He — ah — accompanied me. Lady Pilkington (ivith a quick look of gratitude) How thoughtful of you ! (crosses to Tom) So you came with Uncle to see his old friend. That was nice. Tom. (evasively) Not at all. Lady Pilkington. (moving towards bell) Now let me ring for tea. A BOY'S PROPOSAL. u Sheringham. Ah! One moment! Lady Pilking- ton, I have — er — a trifling request to make. Lady Pilkington. (pausing) Indeed ? Sheringham. Will you forgive me if I ask for two words with you alone? Lady Pilkington. Alone? Sheringham. Yes. I thought if the boy could step into another room — Lady Pilkington. {a Utile puzzled) Oh, certainly. There's my boudoir in here (indicates door l.) Sheringham. The very thing. Lady Pilkington. You wouldn't mind, would you, dear, waiting in there for — (looks inquiringly at Sher- ingham.) Sheringham. Ten minutes. Lady Pilkington. Ten minutes. There are some jolly books, — and battle pictures. Tom. Oh, thank you. I shan't be a bit dull ! (cross to door, pause) "Good luck, Uncle Gus." Exit L.) (A slight pause, Lady Pilkington and Mr. Shering- ham left atone, stand embarrassed for a moment.) Lady Pikington. Won't you sit down ? Sheringham. Er — Thank you. They sit. Sher- ingham on sofa r. c. Lady Pilkington easy-chair l. c. Pause.) Lady Pilkington. What a delightful little fellow; so bright and original. Sheringham. Yes, very original. Lady Pilkington {constrainedly) You are no doubt wondering what can have been my reason for bringing the boy here this afternoon. Lady Pilkington. No. I know it already, Sheringham. (startled) Eh? Lady Pilkingion. 'You feared lest after what has happened we should not meet alone without embarrass- ment. It was like your kind self to think of it. Sheringham. Ah! Precisely. (tries again) ' I gather that you were not altogether unprepared for my visit. 12 A^BOY'S PROPOSAL. Lady Pilkington (mrvmtsly) I thought it possible you would come. Sheringham. {equally nervously) The fact is, Lady Pilkington, I have a little explanation that it is perhaps due to myself that I should make, {pause) It is — ah — about that letter. Lady Pilkington. My dear friend, surely no explanation is needed. The letter itself was enough. It told me everything. SherIngham. Oh, did it ? (awkwardly) I mean, you've kept it ? {smiling) Lady Pilkington. You speak as though you were anxious to get it back. (A slight pause, then in a dif- ferent tone) But do not think I shall ever part with it. Sheringham. Why ? Lady Pilkington. You really ask me that ? Sheringham. Of course. Lady Pilkington. Because it made me more proud than anything I have ever read in my life. Sheringham. (uncertain how to take this) Indeed ? Lady Pilkington. Yes. (slightly agitated, rises, walks away from him and fingers roses in a bowl) To know, even though what you asked was impossible, that you had cared enough for me to ask it. Surely you can understand. Sheringham. (suddenly seeing from her tone that his errand is an impossibility. To himself) No. No. I can't ! I can't do it. Lady Pilkington. No. (turning) How then can I make it clearer ? Sheringham. No, not that. 1 was thinking of something else. I understand only too well, (roman- tically. Changes to easier ma?i7ier) You did not care for me. Lady Pilkington. Ah no, no ! Indeed you must not think that. Sheringham. And yet you refused me. Lady Pilkington. Yes. Sheringham. (curiously) But why ? I confess, A ROY'S PROPOSAL. in Annette, now that the whole matter is definitely over, I should at least like to know why. Lady Pilkinoion. {down again to l. rj.) I sup- pose you have a right to ask that. And yet — it is so difficult sometimes for a woman to explain her reasons. Sheringham. Bitt you gave no hint in your answer. If, as you say, it was not that I am personally distaste- ful to you — Lady Pilkington. Surely you must understand that it was not that. But — Sheringham, Yes ? Lady Pilkington. We have known each other too long, you and I, for any nonsense of sentiment. Sheringham. {enjoyi)ig himself immensely) Our engagement could have been the shorter. And so, Annette, for this — no reason-at-rtll, you have con- demned me to solitude. {sighs comfortably) Ah cruel ! Cruel ! Lady Pilkington. My dear friend, is it possible that you have not yet seen the absurdity of wishing to marry an old woman ? Sheringham. Old — Bah ! Perish the thought ! Y 7 ou have the advantage of me by years. Lady Pilkington. A man is different. A bachelor is a mere lad at sixty. Sheringham. Because he has never really lived. Lady Pilkington. Then {hesitates) Your views are not altered even now ? Sheringham. Can you ask it ? Lady Pilkington. And you still wish to hear my reason for replying to you as I did ? Sheringham. Naturally, to be sure. Lady Pilkington. Then I will tell you. It was because — having to answer you immediately — I wrote in such haste that perhaps — Sheringham. {encouragingly) Perhaps — ? Lady Pilkington. {softly) I did not wait to know mv own mind. And now, Augustus, my answer is "Yes." 1J, A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Sheringham. {suddenly sitting bolt upright) What ? Lady Pilkington. Is it so strange ? The woman's privilege. I am an old woman, but not yet a wise one. Could you not see what has been making me so nervous ? Sheringham. {blankly) I— I see. Lady Pilkington. {crossing to him) Dear, how startled you look ! (coyly) If — if you too had re- gretted your decision, you should never have known. Sheringham. No ? ' Lady Pilkington. (gives him her hand) No. That was my cunning, to rind out before I told you. Sheringham. Ah ! Lady Pilkington. Yes. You're going to marry a very cunning woman Augustus, (breaking off ') How we shall astonish people. Sheringham. Yes. It's a bit of a surprise — for everybody. Lady Pilkington. You and I engaged ! How strange that sounds ! I can hardly believe it even yet. It's all somehow like dream, isn't it ? Sheringham. Yes. (pinches himself in the leg) Ah! Lady Pilkington. What is it ? Sheringham. I was only pinching myself, that's all. Lady Pilkington. Foolish person. (pause) Augustus. Sheringham. Yes. Lady Pilkington. (embarrassed) Oh, nothing, nothing. Sheringham. (rousing himself) Won't you sit down — er — here ? Lady Pilkington. (seats herself L. of him on sofa) Now, Augustus, you mustn't think, just because you've bullied me into saying " yes," that there need be any foolishness between us. Sheringham. But — ; Lady Pilkington. Perhaps, if you insist, one then. A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 15 Sheringham. (kisses her diffidently on right cheek) Do you know, Annette, that you are quite remarkably pretty. Lady Pilkington. Flatterer ! Sheringham. It's perfectly true. I — I never noticed it before. Lady Pilkington. You've forgiven me, then. Sheringham. For what? (seated, left arm around her) Lady Pilkington, For playing with you as I did. Sheringham. Of course, of course. Lady Pilkington. Tell me, Augustus, (blissfully) What first determined you to write that letter ? Sheringham. (horrified at remembering Tom) That — letter ? Lady Pilkington. Yes. What's the matter? You look almost ill ! Sheringham. Nothing. Nothing. 1 — (he is in- terrupted by a noise of banging on the inside of door l.) Lady Pilkington. What's that ? (alarmed, look- ing towards Mr. Sheringham/^ an explanation) Sheringham. The boy. Lady Pilkington. Oh ! We forgot all about him 1 How could we ? (Rises and moves quickly towards door.) Sheringham. (following her hastily) Perhaps I'd better just step into the other room first and acquaint him with what has happened. Lady Pilkington. No. (laughing) Don't. Let's see if he guesses anything. • Sheringham. (apprehensively) But indeed I think — Lady Pilkington. Silence ! I forbid you to say a word, (calls) Come in. (Enter Tom l. He comes in cautiously, looking from one to the other.) Tom. (showing watch) You've had eleven and a half minutes. 10 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Lady Pilkington. (tightly) Yes. And one can Jiear a lot in eleven and a half minutes. Tom. /couldn't! (then penitently to he?') I say, are you very waxy ? Lady Pilkington. (buzzled) Waxy? Tom. Because I'm most awfully sorry, really. Lady Pilkington. I'm afraid I don't quite under- stand. Sorry, what for ? Sheringham. (bustling between them hastily in the endeavour to stifie Tom's disclosure) Oh, it's nothing, nothing. Some — er — childish peccadillo. We'll hear no more about it. Tom. But, Uncle Augustus, I've been thinking it over, and I clo truly want to apologise, me myself. Sheringham. Very well — er — that'll do. We ac- cept your apology, (in a furious aside to him) Be quiet I Lady Pilkington. But you forget. I am entirely in the dark. What is this terrible crime ? Sheringham. (laughing forcedly') Oh a trifle. Nothing of any consequence. Is it, Tom ? (mean- ingly to him) Nothing, I say, of any consequence. Tom. (puzzled) Well, you said the consequence might have been worse. Sheringham. Ah, precisely. That's enough about it. Lady Pilkington. But at least let me hear the offence. Don't be afraid to speak, dear. Have you (with an inspiration) broken something ? Sheringham. (catching at the idea) Yes, that's it. A — a little vase of some sort that stood — (vaguely) about here. He was afraid you might be very angry, and in short (finding Tom's eyes on him with an ex- pression of astonishment and reproof, he breaks off abruptly) I think we ought to be running away now. Lady Pilkington. Oh ! as if I could be vexed about a trifle like that, (glancing fondly at Shering- ham) especially to-day. {to Tom) You mustn't think any more about it. And now we'll have tea. (/// to bell l. and rings) A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 17 Tom. But Uncle said — (crossing r.) Sheringham. Really, I think we must be going. i up after her, then turns to Tom, aside) Hold your tongue ! (holding out hand) Good-bye, Lady Pilking- ton. Lady Pilkington. Nonsense. Going already after — after what has happened. I refuse to hear of such a thing. Sit down both of you. (moves down l. c. Sheringham crosses down r. c.) Tom. (bewildered, c.) After what's happened ? Lady Pilkington. Yes. (to Sheringham) I think we must tell him now after all. (seated L. c.) Come here you hardened criminal (motions Tom to sit on ar?n of her chair) Tom, dear, what would you think about the idea of a new auntie ? Tom. (aggrieved) But you just told me n'otio think about it any more. Lady Pilkington. " Any more " ? Really, Augus- tus, is the boy quite right in his head ? Sheringham. Yes, yes. He's a little muddled, that's all. The fact is, Tom, Lady Pilkington and I are — She is going to be your new aunt, (sits r. c.) Lady Pilkington. Yes, Tom. Uncle Augustus and I are engaged to be married. Tom. Engaged ? (looks from one to the other tfbith dawning apprehension, then goes into Jits of hwghter) Lady Pilkington. Tom ! (rises indignant) Oh, you very rude little boy ! Sheringham. Where are your manners ? Be silent, sir! Tom. (between his gasps) Oh — I'm awfully sorry, only — if you only knew — it's so jolly funny. Lady Pilkington. What is funny? If we only knew what ? Sheringham. (in an agony) Be — be careful, sir ! Tom. (comprehensive glance at Sheringham) Noth- ing much. Only— I thought of this, before anybody. Lady Pilkington. (delighted) You rugue. Is that all ? I declare you're quite a little match-maker, isn't he, Augustus ? 13 A BOW MijPOSAL. Sheringham. [wiping his brow) Quite. Lady Pilkington. And you shall be chief guest at our wedding. That's only fair. It's a thousand pities that you can't give the bride away. Tom. {innocently) I might give Uncle Augustus away though. Sheringham. {uneasy smile) Don't be absurd. {Enter Dean with tea.) Lady Pilkington. Ah, here is tea at last. Thank you, Dean, here, please, {as Dean puts tea near Lady Pilkington, Tom saunters carelessly round behind sofa in which Sheringham is seated) Tom. {aside to him) I say, I have got you now, Uncle Gus. Sheringham. {furiously to him) You dare to say a word ! Tom. You wait. Aren't you just jolly well on toast though ? Sheringham. Little fiend ! {he chokes) Lady Pilkington. {absently) What's that about toast ? There's a plate full here. Dean. Yes, m' lady. I ordered an extra supply on account of the little gentleman. Lady Pilkington. Thanks, Dean, that'll do. Dean. . Very good, m' lady, {exit.) Tom. {crossing c.) Dean seems an awfully nice old man, doesn't he ? Lady Pilkington. {smiting) You think so ? Here, Tom dear, take this cup to Uncle Augustus. Why ? Tom {taking cup to Sheringham) Oh, I don't know. He looks so straightforward and honest, {making faces at Sheringham as he hands cup) Lady Pilkington. {laughing) Oh, I believe he's quite honest. Dyou like a little cream in the tea, Tom ? Tom. Well, I, really like a little tea in the cream. Only I'm not allowed, {back to chair c. l. of tea-table) Lady Pilkington. Well, there, {putting cream in) Don't tell anybody. A BOW, I ElOfOSAL. 19 Tom. I say, thanks awfully, (takes ted, they eat, Lady Pilkington, l., Tom c, Sheringham r.) Tom. {eating) I suppose you'll have stacks and stacks of presents. Lady Pilkington. Why do you suppose that ? Tom. People that don't want 'em always do. Now 1 think — ILady Pilkington. Well ? Tom. 1 think the people that don't have the wed- ding ought to have the presents. Lady Pilkington. {amused) Oh, that's your idea, is it ? Tom. Yes. {pauses, takes more eake, looks slyly at Sheringham) only what are called " deserving cases " of course. Lady Pilkington. Really. For instance ? Tom. {airily) For instance, me. I might happen to want an — an air gun. Sheringham. {with irritation) I entirely fail to see what you have done to deserve one. Tom. Oh, it isn't only what a person does that de- serves. Sometimes it's what he doesn't do. Lady Pilkington. Doesn't do ? Tom. Yes, or (meaningly) doesn't say. Isn't it, Uncle Gus? Sheringham. I — I'm sure I don't know. Tom. As a matter of fact though, Uncle Gus was to give me an air gun anyhow. Lady Pilkington. Was he ? How very kind ! Sheringham. 1 — I assure you I had — Tom. Yes. As a deserving case. Sheringham. Well, perhaps, perhaps. W T e'll see! Tom. (dreamily) A great big proper air gun that'll kill things. Lady Pilkington. Blood-thirsty monster ! Tom. (all the time watching Sheringham slyly out of the corner of his eye) With a great, big h-u-g-e target. , Sheringham. B'rr ! (chokes into cup) 00 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Tom. And (to Lady Pilkington) Slugs of course. Lady Pilkington. Oh, slugs of course ! Tom. Yes. Isn't it decent of him ? Lady Pilkington. But will you be allowed to have such murderous weapons at school? Tom. Rather not. They won't go to Winchelsea. They'll wait till the holidays. Lady Pilkington. (reflectively) Winchelsea ? Tom. Yes, That's where I'm at school you know. Beastly hole ! Lady Pilkington. I was trying to think where quite recently I'd seen that on an envelope. Tom. Whew ! (makes secret sign to Sheringham, rises.) Lady Pilkington. Oh, of course ! Why, (to Sher- ingham) your letter, the letter, was postmarked from there. Sheringham. Oh— er — was it ? (Tom crosses to arm of sofa above Sheringham) Lady Pilkington. Yes. What were . you doing at Winchelsea yesterday ? Sheringham. {confused) Well — er— as a matter of fact- Tom. Uncle Gus came down to see me there. Lady Pilkington. Oh, to see you at school ? Tom. (glibly) Yes. To ask if I could come up to town this afternoon, (to Sheringham) Didn't you ? (nudging him) Here, give me that cup* you'll drop it. (takes cup to table L. c. and returns) Sheringham (plunging recklessly) Yes, the fact is 1 was dining with Mary the night before last — the 21st, it's their wedding day — and she happened to mention the lad, so I said to myself " I'll — er — I'll run down and look him up." LadY Pilkington. How like you ! To think of a schoolboy even at such a moment. Sheringham. (embarrassed) Not at all. Tom. (seated affectionately on the ar?n of sofa) (~)h, that's nothing. He's always thinking of me. He's A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 21 thinking t of me now, aren't you, Uncle Gus? {Jeans towards him) Sheringham. Yes. {vindictively) In a way Lady Pilkington. But — how foolish of me — of course for that letter to reach me yesterday, it must have been posted on Thursday, Sheringham. {confused) Oh — was it ? Lady Pilkington. Surely, you ought to know. Then it was really the day before yesterday that you went to Winchelsea ? Sheringham. Yes. No. That is, yes : it must have been. Lady Pilkington. You seem somewhat vague about it. However, we can easily settle the matter. I have the letter here, {Rises and turns away from him to desk l. c. which she unlocks. ) Sheringham. {aside, agonised) Great Heavens ! Tom. {standing in front of sofa, aside to him) You've done it now. I should own up if I were you. Sheringham. Own up I {frenzied) It's you that have got to own up. I've done nothing. Tom. No. But it's you that'll get the row. Lady Pilkington. {standing by desk) Ah, here we are. Yes, " Winchelsea, June 21st." that proves it. Sheringham. Exactly. That — that proves it. Lady Pilkington. {coming down c. reading post- mark) " Collected at 10 p. m., that's strange too. Sheringham. {apprehensively) Why? Lady Pilkington. Because that evening you were dining in town with your sister. You told me so yourself. Sheringham. Yes. I did. {suddenly rises) An- nette, I give in. I fling myself on your mercy. Lady Pilkington. {alarmed) What do you mean ? Sherington. That letter — the letter you have in your hand. Lady Pilkington. Yes ? 22 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Sheringham. {brokenly) I didn't write it. Lady Pilkington. (mystified) Didn't write — then who did ? Tom. (doggedly) I did. (he is between them, a I it tie behind) Lady Pilkington. You ? (to Sheringham) You mean that you dictated — this — to him ? Sheringham. No. I mean — (hopelessly) Annette ! Can't you understand ? Lady Pilkington. I'm afraid I don't. Tom. (interposing, eon/es down, same tone of dogged confession) It's all my fault. What Uncle Augustus really means, is that I wrote that letter, me — myself, without him. I did it because I thought it funny. I imitated his handwriting. He brought me here to apologise, and then afterwards he wouldn't let me, because — (hesitates) Lady Pilkington. Because — (with dawning com- prehension) Ah ! Sheringham. (imploringly) Annette ! If I could but persuade you to believe — Lady Pilkington. (sharply) Oh, if you please one moment! Don't speak to me just yetl (thinking) I see. So that was why — I see it all now. And I was — taken in. I believed that you — Oh, it's (tearing note convulsively') rather funny, isn't it ? Sheringham. Annette, what can I say ? Lady Pilkington. (hardly) Oh, there's no need to say anything. I quite see the — the humour of the situation. In a day or two I shall laugh over it as much as you, only — you'll give me a day or two first. Sheringham. (crosses l. towards her. Tom sits on sofa) Annette, I won't have you treating it like this. (earnestly) I swear to you that what I said just now was the truth, that I meant every word of it. I ask you by everything I hold most sacred, as sincerely and earnestly as I know how, I ask you to be my wife. Lady Pilkington. (trying to appear unconcerned) Yes. You — you couldn't well say much more than that, could you ? Or much less, I suppose, now ? A BOYS PROPOSAL. 25 Only— you seem to forget that gentlemen don't as a rule remain where their presence is obviously not desired. Tom. Oh dear, that's below the belt ; because {rises) if you put it that way I suppose I must go. (up towards door, he turns as Sheringham did) But, {elaborate burlesque of Sheringham's farewell) under- stand, if I leave this house now, it's for good. You won't see me again. Lady Pilkington. I don't want to. Surely you've done enough already! (is turning away, puts hand- kerchief to eyes, almost breaks down. Tom sees this and his manner entirely alters. He comes quickly round L. so as to face her) Tom. (enireatingly) Oh, I say ! I'm so beastly sorry. Don't blub about it. I'd no idea you cared so much, really. Honest injun ! I hadn't, or I wouldn't have played the fool like that. I am a little beast. Oh, please, don't mind. Lady Pilkington. {has sunk into chair l. Holds his hand) There, I'm all right now. And not angry. How could you possibly understand ! Will you give me a kiss ? Tom. Yes. If you like, (with an effort) Lady Pilkington. There (clasps him in her arms) Now good-bye. Tom. I say ! You do squeeze. Lady Pilkington. Did I ? I'm sorry. (drying her eyes) You see I don't often have people to hug now-a-days. Tom. {pleasantly) And you easily get out of practise, don't you ? (from his position l. of Lady Pilkington he catches sight of Sheringham, who has reappeared in doorway r. c.) Sheringham. (loud whisper) Tom! Come here. (beckons) (Tom without altering his voice co?nes rounds. 4/" Lady Pilkington and with his ha/id behind him beckons Suerihgham forward) 0(3 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Tom. (continuing) It's like everything else, I sup- pose, it wants keeping up. (Sheringham is advancing on tiptoe) Lady Pilkington {without turning) Yes. I sup- pose so. Tom. And you can't well do that sort of thing by yourself can you ? (Sheringham gradually advancing on tiptoe) Lady Pilkington. No. And I shall be a good deal by myself now. Tom. What you want is someone to practise with. (Sheringham being now near, Tom catches his hand and draws him close?-) Lady Pilkington. Yes. But who ? (feels for his left hand witliout looking round, pats it gently) Would you come sometimes ? I shall be a very lonely old woman now, remember. (Sheringham attentive) Tom. (takes her hand, draws it towards Shering- ham's) I might, (slyly) if Uncle would let me. Lady Pilkington. Uncle? Tom. Yes. (steps back) Lady Pilkington. (looks up, sees Sheringham) You! Sheringham. Yes, Annette, me. I ask your par- don for this second intrusion. It was — er — not alto- gether intentional on my part. (Tom moves dozvn r. and sits on sofa) Lady Pilkington. I thought you had gone ! Sheringham. Practically I had. There was some slight delay in finding a cab, that's all. It is waiting outside now. Lady Pilkington. Then why have you come back ? Sheringham. I was obliged to. To see what had become of him. Lady Pilkington. Him ! Sheringham. (points to Tom) That ! Lady Pilkington. (half despairingly) Oh, the boy. Always the boy ! Tom. I told you so. A BOY'S PROPOSAL. 27 Sheringham. Yes. I had not intended to trouble you again. I meant only to beckon to him from the door. But, Annette — er — something drew me forward, and being here I couldn't help overhearing a word you used just now. Lady Pilkington. Indeed ? Sheringham. Yes. It's true of me too. I — er — felt it as soon as I got outside this room, when I was whistling for that confounded cab — Lonely. Annette, we're two lonely old people. Can't we keep each other company ? Lady Pilkington. Again ? Sheringham. Yes, again. Give me one more chance. Forget everything that's past, remember only that now I love you. Lady Pilkington. You love me ? Sheringham. Yes, I — I don't quite know when it began, but it's certainly there. Annette, putting aside all our mistakes and blunders, imagining that now for the first time I ask you, sincerely and humbly, to be my wife, couldn't you — consider it? Tom. {eagerly springing up and crossing c.) Oh, if you please, do for goodness' sake consider it. Sheringham. {furiously) Tom ! Be quiet ! Lady Pilkington. {stoops to embrace Tom) No. Don't be cross with him. That would be ungrateful. Sheringham. Ungrateful ! Lady Pilkington. Yes. Because — if — if I did con- sider it again, don't you see that, {looks to Sheringham) that it would be his doing after all ? Sheringham. Annette ! That means you will ? Lady Pilkington. {smiling) Well, he seems to insist upon it, doesn't he ? (Sheringham takes her hand fondly) Tom. Three cheers ! I always knew you were jolly keen on him, really, {slightly up c.) Lady Pilkington. Ridiculous boy ! But, {shyly to Sheringham) you're quite sure you mean it this time, Augustus ? NOV 15 1909 28 A BOY'S PROPOSAL. Sheringham. Mean it? My darling! {about to embrace /ier) Tom. I say, don't mind me, I've finished here ! (down r.) Lady Pilkington. Finished ? Tom. Yes. Half a jiff. I'm going out for a walk. Good-bye, Uncle Gus, {shakes hands) Goocl-bye, {meaningly) Aunt Annette ! And thank you very much for a very nice afternoon, (up stage c.) Sheringham. Stop, sir. Where are you going? Tom. (at door r. c.) Oh, that's all right. I can find my way. I'm going to order an air-gun (makes motion of shooting them. They stand backs to audience watching him. Exit Tom) CURTAIN. SEND FOR A NEW DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. VOL. XLI 321 The Pirate's Legacy 322 The Char, oal burner 323 AJelgitna 3-2-1 Senur Valiente 325 Forest Rose 326 Duke's Daughter 327 Camilla's Husband 32S Pure Gold VOL. XLII. 329 Ticket of Leave Man 330 rool% Revenge 331 UWeil the Great 332 Handy Andy 833 Pirate ol the Hies 334 1- .inchon 335 Little Barefoot 336 Wild Irish Girl VOL. XLIIL 837 Pearl of Savoy 338 Dead Heart 339 Ten Nights in a Bar-room 340 Dumb Boy of Manchester 341 BelphegortheMounteb'k 342 Cricket on the Hearth 843 Printer's Devil 844 Meg's Diversion (French's Standard Drama Continued from 2d page of Cover.) VOL. XLIV 345 Drunkard's Doom 346 Chimney Corner iit Fifteen Years. .fa Drunk 348 No Thoroughfare | ard'i 349 Peep O' Day L^ife 350 Everybody's Friend 351 Gen. Grant 352 Kathleen Mavourneen VOL. XLV. 353 Nick Whiffles 354 Fruits of the Wine Cup 35o Drunkard's Warning 356 Temperance Doctor 357 Aunt Dinah 358 Widow Freeheart 359 Frou Frou 360 Long Strike VOL. XLVI. 361 Larcers 362 Lu' ille 363 Randall's Thumb 364 Wicked World 365 Two Orphans 366 Colleen Bnwn 367 'Twixt Axe and Crown 36» Lady Claucarthy VOL. XLVU. 369 Saratoga 370 Never Too Late to Mend 371 Lily of France 372 Led Astray 373 Henry V 374 Unequal Match .75 May or Dolly's Delusion .'.76 Allatoona VOL. XLVIII. 377 Enoch Arden 37? Under the Gas Light 379 Daniel Rochat 380 Caste 3?1 School 382 Home 383 David Garrick 384 Ours VOL. XLIX. 385 Social Glass 386 Daniel Druce 387 Two Roses 38* Adrienne 389 The Bells 390 Uncle Courtship 392 Not Such a Fool VOL. L. 393 Fine Feathers 394 Prompter's Box 395 Iron Muster 396 Engaged 9T Pygmalion & Galatea •wo Leah 199 Scrap of Paper 400 Lost in London VOL. LI. 401 Octoroon 402 Confederal Spy 403 Mariner's Return 40i Ruined by Drink 405 Dreams 4l>6 M. P. 407 War 408 Birth VOL. LII. 409 Nightingale 410 Progress 411 Play 412 Midnight Charge 413 Confidential Clerk 414 Snowball 415 Our Regimen* 416 Married for Money Hamlet in Three Acts Guttle A Gulpit FRENCH'S INTERNATIONAL COPYRIGHTED EDITION OF THE WORKS OF THE BEST AUTHORS. The following very successful plays have just been issued at 25 cents per copy. A PAIR OF SPECTACLES. Comedy In 3 Acts by Sydney Grundy, author of " Sowing the Wind," Ac. 8 male, 3 female characters. A FOOL'S PARADISE. An original play In 3 Acts by Sydney Grum y, author of '"Sowing the Wind," Ac. 5 male, 4 female characters. THE STLVEB. SHIELD. An original comedy in 3 Acts by Sydney Grundy, author of "Sowing the Wind," Ac. 5 male, 3 female characters. THE GLASS OP FASHION-. An original com- edy in 4 Acts by Sv >(•>• Grundy, author of " Sowing the Wind," Ac. 5 male. 5 female characters. THE BALLOON. Farcical comedy in 3 Acts by J. H. DaRm.ey and Manvillk Fenn. 6 male, 4 female characters. MISS CLEOPATRA. Farce In 3 Acts by Arthur Shirley. 7 male, 3 female characters. SIX PEKSONS. Comedy Act by I. Zanowill. 1 male, 1 female character. FASHIONAB1E INTELLIGENCE. Comedi- etta in 1 Act by Percy Fendall. 1 male, 1 female character. HIGHLAND LEGACY. Comedy in 1 Act by Brandon Thomas, author of "Charley's Aunt." 5 male, 2 female characters. Contents of Catalogue which is sent Free. Amateur Drama Amateur Operas Articles Needed by Amateur* Art of Scene Painting Baker's Reading Club Beards. W T hiskers, Mustaches, etc. Bound Sets of Plavs Bulwer Lytton's Plays Burlesque Dramas Burnt Cork Cabman's Story Carnival of Authors Charade Plavs Children's Plays Comic Dramas for Male Characters only Costume Books Crape Hair Cumberland Edition Darkey Dramas Dramas for Bovs Drawing-room "MonoTogue9 Elocution, Reciters and Speakers Ethiopian Dramas Eveninc's Entertainment Fairy and Home Plays French's Costumes French's Editions French's Italian Operas French's Parlor Comedies French's Standard and Minor Drama French's Standard and Minor Drama, bound French's Scenes for Amateurs Frobisher's Popular Recitals Grand Army Dramas Guide Books for Amateurs Guide to Selecting Plays Hints on Costumes Home Plays for Ladies Irish Plays Irving's Plays Juvenile Plavs Make-Up Book Make-Up Box Mock Trial Mrs. Jarley's Wax Work. New Plays New Recitation Books Nigger Jokes and Stump Speeches Parlor Magic Parlor Pantomimes Pieces of Pleasantry Poems for Recitations Plays for Male Characters only Round Gaines Scenery Scriptural and Historical Dramas Sensation Dramas Seno-Comic Dramas Shadow Pantomimes Shakespeare's Plays for Amateurs Snakespeare'.? Plays Stanley's Dwarfs Spirit Gum Tableaux Vivants Talma Actor's Art Temperance Plays Vocal Music of Shakespeare's Plays Webster's Acting Edition Wigi, etc. (French's Minor Drama Continued from 4th page of Cover.) VOL. XLII. 329 As Like as Two Peas 330 Presumptive Evidence 331 Happv Band 332 Tin afore 333 Mock Trial 334 Mv Uncle's W r ill 335 Happy J a>r rAWW s Wt Af 6 W, rnNfcXt VOL. XLI. 321 Adventures of a Lov< 322 ost Child [Lettei 323 Court Tards 324 Cox and Box 325 1'drtv Winks 326 Wonderful Woman 327 ( uriotis Case VOL. XLIIL 337 Sunset m:;S For Haifa Million 339 C ble Car .:40 Early Bird 341 Alumni Hay 342 Show of Hands 343 Barbara 344 Who's Who VOL. XT-tV. 346 Who's To Win Him 346 Which i, Whkh 347 Cup of Tea ZM Sarah's Young Man 344 Henrts 350 In Honor Bound [Law 351 Freezing a Mother-in 352 My Lord in Livery SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d St., New York City, J* New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed v ree on Request. FRENCH'S STANDARD DRAMA. Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumes $1.25. , VOL. I. 1 Ion 2 Fazio 3 The Lady of Lyons 4 Richelieu 6 The Wife 6 The Honeymoon 7 The School lor Scandal 8 Money VOL. II. 9 The Stranger 10 Grandfather Whitehead 11 Richard III 12 Love's Sacrifice 13 The Gamester 14 A Cure for the Heartach. 15 The Hunchback 16 Don Caesar de Bazan VOL. III. 17 The Poor Gentleman 18 Hamlet 19 Charles II 20 Venice Preserved 21 Pizarro 22 The Love Chase 23 Othello 24 Lend me Five Shillings VOL. IV. 25 Virginius 26 King of the Commons 27 London Assurance 28 The Rent Day 1 29 Two Gentlemen ofVerona 30 The Jealous Wife 31 The Rivals 32 Perfection VOL. V. [Debts 33 A New Way to Pay Old 34 Look Before You Leap 35 King John 86 Nervous Man 37 Damon and Pvthias 38 Clandestine Marriage 89 William Tell 40 Day after the Wedding VOL. VI. 41 Speed the Plough 42 Romeo and Juliet 43 Feudal Times 44 Charles the Twelfth 45 The Bride 46 The Follies of a Night 47 Iron Chest [Fair Lady 48 Faint Heart Never Woii VOL. VII. 49 Road to Ruin 50 Macbeth 51 Temper 62 Evadne 53 Bertram 54 The Duenna 65 Much Ado About Nothing 66 The Critic VOL. VIII. 67 The Apostate 68 Twelfth Night 69 Brutus 80 Simpson & Co 61 Merchant of Venice 62 Old Heads* Young Hearts 63 Mountaineers [riage 64 Three Weeks after Ma VOL. IX. 65 Love 66 As You Like It 67 The Elder Brother 68 Werner 69 Gisippus 70 Town and Country 71 King Lear 72 Blue Devils VOL. X. 73 Henry VIII 74 Married and Single 75 Henry IV 76 Paul Pry 77 Guy Mannering 78 Sweethearts and Wives 79 Serious Family 80 She Stoops to Conquer VOL. XL SI Julius Csesar 82 Vicar of Wakefield 83 Leap Year 84 The Catspaw b5 The Passing Cloud bfi Drunkard 87 Rob Roy 88 George Barnwell VOL. XII. 89 Ingomar 90Skeiches in India 91 Two Friends 9; Jane Shore 93 Corsican Brothers 1<4 Mind your own Business 95 Writing on the Wall 96 Heir at Law VOL. XIII. 97 Soldier's Daughter 9i Douglas 99 Marco Spada 100 Nature's Nobleman 101 Sardanapalus 102 Civilization The Robbers 104 Katharine and Petruchio VOL. XIV. 105 Game of Love 106 Midsummer Night's 07 Ernestine [Dream 108 Rag Picker of Paris 09 Flying Dutchman 110 Hypocrite 1 Therese 112LaTourdeNesle VOL. XV. 113 Ireland As It Is 114 Sea of Ice 115 Seven Clerks 116 Game of Life 117 Forty Thieves 118 Bryan Boroihme 119 Romance and Reality 120 Ugolino VOL. XVI. 121 The Tempest 122 The Pilot 123 Carpenter of Rouen 1 4 King's Rival 1 25 Little Treasure 126 Donibey and Son 12" Parents and Guardians 118 Jewess VOL. XVII. 129 Camille 130 Married Life 131 Wenlock of Wenlock 132 Rose of Etlrickvale 133 David Copperfield 134 Aline, or the Rose of 135 Pauline [Killarney 136 Jane Eyre VOL. XVIII. 137 Night and Morning "" jEthiop 139 Three Guardsmen 140 Tom Cringle 141 Henriette, the Forsaken 142 Eustache Baudin 143 Ernest Maltravers 144 Bold Dragoons VOL. XIX. 145 Dred, or the Dismal [Swamp 146 Last Days of Pompeii 147 Esmeralda 148 Peter WilHns 149 Ben the Boatswain 150 Jonathan Bradford 151 Retribution 152 Minerali VOL. XX. 1 53 French Spv 154 Wept of Wish-ton Wish 155 Evil Genius 156 Ben Bolt 157 Sailor of France 158 Red Mask 169 Life of an Actress 160 Wedding Day VOL. XXI. lfil All's Fair in Love 162 Hofer 163 Self 164 Cinderella 165 Phantom 166 Franklin [Moscow 167 The Gunmaker of 168 The Love of a Prince VOL. XXII. 169 Son of the Night 170 RoryO' More 171 Golden Eagle "72 Rienzi 173 Broken Sword 174 Rip Van Winkle 175 Isabelle 176 Heart of Mid Lothian VOL. XXUI. 177 Actress of Padua 178 bloating Beacon 79 Bride of Lammermoor 80 Cataract of the Ganges 1H1 Robber of the Rhine IS'-.' School ot Reform 83 Wandering Boys S4 Mazeppa VOL. XXIV. 185 Young New York 86 The Victims 187 Romance after Marriage 188 Brigand 189 Poor of New York 190 Ambrose Gwinett Raymond and Agnes 192 Gambler's Fate VOL. XXV. 193 Father and Son 194 M:issaniello 195 Sixteen String Jack 196 Youthtul Queen 197 Skeleton Witness 198 Innkeeper of Abbeville 199 Miller and his Men 200 Aladdin VOL. XXVT. 201 Adrienne the Actress 202 Undine 203 Jesse Brown 204 Asmodeus •;05 Mormons 206 Blanche of Brandywine 2UT Viola 208 Deseret Deserted VOL. XXVII. 209 Americans in Paris 210 Victorine 211 Wizard of the Wave 212 Castle Spectre, 213 Horse-shoe Robinson 2K Armand, Mrs. Mowatt 21 i Fashion, Mrs. Mowatt 216 Glance at New York vol. xxvm. 217 Inconstant 218 Uncle Tom's Cabin 219 Guide to the Stage 220 Veteran 2-21 Miller of New Jersey 222 Dark Hour before Dawn 223 Midsum'rNight'sDrean [Laura Keene's Editioi 224 Art and Artifice VOL. XXIX. 225 Poor Young Man 226 Ossawattomie Brown 227 Pope of Rome 228 Oliver Twist 2'i9 Pauvrette 230 Man in the Iron Mask 231 Knight of Arva 232 Moll Pitcher VOL. XXX. 233 Black Eyed Susan 284 Satan in Paris 235 Rosina Meadows [ess 236 West End, or Irish Heir 237 Six Degrees of Crime 238 The Lady and the Devil 239 A veneer, or Moor of Sici 240 Masks and Faces [ly|320 Jonathan in England VOL. XXXI. 41 Merry Wives ot Windsor 242 Mary's birthday V4 .: Shandy Maguire :'44 Wild Oats '45 Michael Erie 46 Idiot Witness 247 Willow Copse 248 People's Lawver VOL. XXXII. The Boy Martyrs 250 Lucretia Borgia 251 Surgeon of Paris 252 Patrician's Daughte* 253 Shoemaker of Toul use 254 Momentous Question 255 Love and Loyalty 256 Robber's Wife VOL. XXXIII. 257 Dumb Girl of Genoa 2 8 Wreck Ashore 259 Clari 260 Rural Felicity 261 Wallace Madelaine 263 The Fireman 264 Grist to the Mill VOL. XXXIV. 65 Two Loves and a Life 266 Annie Blake. 67 Steward ^68 Captain Kyd 269 Nick of the Woods 2'0 Marble Heart 271 Second Love 272 Dream at Sea Vol. xxxv. 273 Breach of Promise 274 Review 275 Lady of the Lake 276 Still Water Runs Deep •277 The Scholar 278 Helping Hands 279 Faust and Marguerite 280 Last M:.n vol. xxxvr. 281 Belle's Stratagem 282 Old and Young 283 Raffaella 284 Ruth Oakley 285 British Sir ve 256 A Life's Hansom 287 Giralda 28 Time Tries All VOL. XXXVII. 289 Ella Rosenl.urg 290 Warlock of the Glen 291 Zelina 292 Beatrice 2v-3 Neighbor Jackwood 294 Wonder 295 Robert Emmet 296 Green Bushes VOL. XXXVTIT. 297 Flowers ol the Forest 298 A Bachelor of Arts 299 The Midnight Banquet 300 Husband of in Hour 301 Love's Labor Lost 302 Naiad Queen 3U.3 Caprice 304 Cradle of Liberty VOL. XXXIX. 305 The Lost Ship 306 Country Squire 307 Fraud and its Victims 308 Putnam 309 King and Deserter 310 La F aniiuina 311 A Hard Struggle 312 Gwinnette Vaughan VOL. XL. 313 The Love Knot [Judge 314 Lavater, or Not a Bad 315 The Noble Heart 316 Corioianus 317 The Winter's Tale 318 Eveleen Wilson 1319 Ivanhoe (French's Standard Drama Continued on id page of Cover.) SAMUEL FRENCH, 26 West 22d Street, New York City. New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogue Mailed Free on Request. I LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 014 432 716 • \