V ♦ Title Imprint 16—4 iii- J i ■rench's International Copyrjghlca n England, her Colonies, and the United Stales) i ition of the Works of the Pe^t Ar th' s. t**** ********************* ' No. HI THE BUTTE^rLIES In XTbree :act0 BY HENRY GUY CARLETON It Copyright, 1908, by Samuel French CAUTION : — Professionals and Amateurs are hereby notified that this play is fully copyrighted under the existing laws of the United States Government, and nobody is allowed to do this play without first having obtained written permission of Samuel French, 24 West 22d St., New York City, U. S. A. 1: ^ ^ ^ ^ ^ "k PRICE 25 CENTS London SAMUEL FRE?iCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton ^-St. STRANt) New. York SAMUEL PR EN i; •PUBLISHER 24 WEST 22d STREET Monogfap^ FRENCH'S MkMm DRAMA. Price 15 Cents each.— Bound Volumes $1.25. VOL. r. 1 The Irish Attorney 2 Boots :it the Swan 8 How to Pay the Rent , ^rjlie Loan of a Lover > Dead Shot 5 ThL . , 6 His La=-.>1^P 7 The InvisibC. b The Prince Golilen Faraier VOL. H. 9 Pride of the Market 10 Used Un 11 The Irish Tutor 12 The Barrack Room 13 Luke the Lai>orLr 14 Beauty ami the Heast 15 St. Patrick's Kve 16 Cautain of the Watch V(3L. III. 17 the Secret [pers 18 Wliite Horse of the Pep- 19 The Ja.-obite go The Bottle 21 l<>x and Cox 22 Bajnfioo? ing 2:{ Widow'- Victim 24 Robert riaoaire XOL. IV. 25 Secret Service 2fi Omni' us 27 Irish .jion 28 MaW of Croissy 29 The Old iJuard X(i i<,aj' ing the Wind ..1 Shi her and Crasher V} Niival EnRtgemente VOL. V. ;.H C. oknies in California .' , V, '.\o Speaks First » ."ohastes Kurioso i . ".hti-lieth Travestie ii': ;rih Ambassidor 3^ Delicate Ground 39 '1 lie Weathercock [Gold 40 All that Glitters is Not VOL. VI. 41 Grinishaw, Bagshaw and Bradshaw 42 Riiiii;'! Diamond 13 Blf..,,,-i fostuine 44 Two K'liirivcastles i.5 l;.)ru to 'jo..d Luck lb K-iss ii the Dark [jurer 47 Twor.li Pizzle » Con- 18 Kill or Cure VOL. VIL 49 Box a:;ii Cox Married and 60 St. Cupid [Settled 51 Go lo-bedTom 52 Tne Ltiwyers 63 .'ick .iheppurd .i4TheToodle6 5n The Mobcap '6t) Ladies Beware VOL. VIIL 57 Morning Call 58 Popiiiiip the Questioi. 5'.) Deal' OS a Post 60 N t V Footman 61 Pleusaiit Neighbor 62 Paddy the Piper 63 Bri.tu O'Linn 64 Irish Assnrance VOL. IX. 65 Toniptrition 66 Paddy Carey 87 T»^o G ro^.irins 68 King Chari..lng •69 Po-ci-hon-t IS 70 Clorkmakei-'s Hat 71 Married Ra.,e 72 I>J»e and Mmi ler VOL. X. . 73 Trftlaiid an XAC. No. ^ THE BUTTERFLIES Produced at Palmer's Theatre, New York, Feb. 5, 1894. CAST OF CHARACTEPvS Fredebick Ossian Mr. John Drew. Andrew Strong Mr. Lewis Baker. Hiram Green Mr. Harry Hai-wood. Barrington, his son Mr. Arthur Byron. Nathaniel Bllser, on business Mr. Leslie Allen. Coddle, butler to Green Mr. Frank E. Lamb. Mrs. Ossian Mrs. Annie Adams. Suzanne Elise, daughter to Green.. Miss Olive May. Mrs. Beverly Stuart-Dodge Miss Kate Meek. Miriam, her daughter Miss Maude Adams. Act. I, Drawing room in Green's Cottage, San Augus- tine, Florida. Act. II. Another Drawing room in Green's Cottage. San Augustine, Florida. Act. III. Green's house near Lenox, Mass. FIFTY-FOURTH CONGRESS, SECOND SESSION, CHAPTER 4. AN ACT to amend title sixty, chapter three, of the Re- vised Statutes, relating to copyrights. (January 6, 1897.) Be it enacted hy the Senate and House of Representa- tives of the United States of America in Congress as- sembled. That section forty-nine hundred and sixty-six of the Revised Statutes be, and the same is hereby amended, so us to read as follows : " Sec. 496G. Any person publicly performing or repre- senting any dramatic composition for which a copyright has been obtained, without the consent of the proprietor of said dramatic composition, or his heirs or assigns, shall be liable for damages therefor, such damages in all cases to be assessed at such sum, not less than one hundred dollars for the first and fifty dollars for every subsequent performance, as to the court shall appear to be just. If the unlawful performance and representation be willful and for profit, such person or persons shall be guilty of a misdemeanor, and upon conviction be' imprisoned for a period not exceeding one year. Any injunction that may be granted upon hearing after notice to the defendant by any circuit court of the United States, or by a judge thereof, restraining and enjoining the performance or rep- resentation of any such dramatic or musical composition may be served on the parties against whom such injunction may be granted anywhere in the United States, and shall be operative and may be enforced by proceedings to punish for contempt or otherwise by any other circuit court or judge in the United States. Especial notice should be taken that the possession of this book without a valid contract for production first having been obtained from the owner, confers no right or license to professionals or amateurs to produce the play publicly or in private for gain or charity. All persons infringing upon the copyright of " The But- terflies," pirating the phiy in any way or manner, will be prosecuted to the full extent of the law. Permission to produce this play must be procured by addressing SAMUEL FRENCH, 24 West 22d St., N. Y. City. THE BUTTERFLIES ACT I Scene of Act I : — Drawing room in Green's cot- tage, modern style and luxuriously furnished. , {See diagram) Arched entrance from veranda, up R. c. door R. door l. arch L. c. leading to an- other room partly shown. Table and two chairs L. c, well down; ottoman r. c. Enter Green and Barrington l. c. rapidly. Green in loose ivhite clothes, with a brilliant scarf; wears a palmetto hat on the hack of his head. Is smoothly shaven, except for a little tuft under his chin, is about fifty years of age; rather florid face; sandy hair, slightly bald. Has a rose in his but- ton-hole. Barrington, young, dandified, dressed in height of fashion and wears a monocle. Green, {hurriedly) No, no! You go alone to meet them, — never mind me — {watch in hand) You're late now — {ivhistle of train in distance) There's the train. Mrs. Stuart-Dodge and Miriam'll see enough of me after they come. Hurry, my boy ! {exeunt R. c. luithout) James, drive quick! Jump in ! Letters for me, eh ? All right ! Off with you ! {sound of wheels) There you go ! {re-enters r. c. carries a number of letters in his hand, sorting them as he comes in) Coddle! Coddle! 0, Coddle! {enter Coddle r. 2, dressed as an English butler; with little tufts under his ears; carries himself very stiffly, but without exaggeration) Where the devil • — Ohp there you are. What were you doing ? 6 6 THE BUTTERFLIES Coddle, (calm hauteur) Seeing the rooms are in border, sir. Green, (c.) And are they? (going l. c.) Coddle (r. 2) Puffectly, sir. The chimeber- mide is just puttink roses in the vaws hon the tyble, sir. ' Green, (turns sharply) The which is doing what ? Eoses in what ? Coddle, (importantly) In the vaws, sir. Green, (puzzled) Vaws? Didn't know I had one. Coddle, (pointing to a vase up c.) Like that one, sir, only smaller. Green, (goes up to it) That's a vase. Coddle. Beg pardon, — Mrs. Hossian calls it a vaws, sir. Green.- (looking at it) She does, eh? Then it's fash'nable. (reflectively) Vaws — vaws! (coming doivn. Aloud) Tell my daughter that Mrs. Stuart- Dodge and Miss Miriam will be here in a few min- utes. (Coddle going up l.) By the way (Coddle stops), Mr. Frederick Ossian and Mr. Strong will arrive to-day or to-night, on the yacht — tlie Alba- tross. Keep a look-out for her — and — which will be Mr. Ossian's room? Coddle. Next to his mother's, sir. Green, (going L. c.) All right. Give Mrs. Ossian this letter. (Looks at it. Coddle hows, and exits up L. 3 arch — aside) From her son, Fred- erick. Now I wonder if he has been donkey enough to tell her that I invite'd him to visit me. I'll bet he has, — and I wanted to surprise her. Coddle, take this — (holds it out with his right hand, looking at the other letters in his left) I hope Barrington gets there in time. Well, what are you waiting for? (impatiently, then turns and sees that he has gone) Why, of all the — (re-enter Coddle with salver l. 3) Where in thunder have you been vanishin' to? Didn't I tell vou to take this letter ? THE BUTTERFLIES % Coddle, (c. Injured air; stiffly) I went to get the sawver, sir. Green. (l. c. Puzzled) The sawver! What are you going to do with that silver plate? Eat strawberries and cream on the lawn ? Coddle. That's the sawver, sir, as I halways ^and the letters hon. Mrs. Hossian hordered it for me, sir. Green*, (change of manner; loohs around; tlien, with lower voice) Oh! What's the matter — ain't your hands clean? I suppose a sawver is fash'nable. Always do what Mrs. Ossian tells you to do. In some things, she's more like my sainted Sue — (chechs himself) Take the letter, and give my mes- sage. Coddle. Yes, sir. (exits, walking stiffly r. u. e.) Green, (eyeing him) Wonder if that's dignity, or rheumatiz. He does rile me, but (sighs) I sup- pose he's fash'nable, and my boy and girl has to be fash'nable. I'll have to stand it. (sits at table l. c. — sorts letters) What a bustin' lot of 'em. I re- member when I was poor, I got Only one letter in seven years, and that was from old Si Dannels ask- ing me to loan him a dollar. And I hope. Si — (looking upivards) that between your spells of hally- loojerin, you'll remember that there dollar was more to me, than a million is now. (sighs) Ah, me ! I'll bet Si would have paid that dollar if* he'd lived fifteen or twenty years longer. Ullo ! a letter from her lawyer — this will be interestin'. (opens letter; reads) " Hiram Green, Esquire, San Augustine, Flor- ida. My dear Mr. Green — (m — m) — Mrs. Os- sian's power-of-attorney to you has been recorded." (That's good!) "Under the circumstances, it is no breach of faith for me to tell you that her property is nearly buried in mortgages, and most of it would have been lost by foreclosure, if you had not paid the interest." (M — m !) — " I am certain that her son Frederick does not know the condition of her affairs. 8 THE BUTTERFLIES as Mrs. Ossian has always insisted upon my absolute secrecy/^ (Well — he shall know — and soon!) *^ I will exactly follow your instructions. Yours faithfully, Abram Hutchins." (Just as I thought — bless her tender heart ! — Let her grown son Fred- erick cavort around in society, scattering money like chaff, while the money sharks were grinding her to bits, (re-enter Coddle, ivith card on salve?-) But now that Vyb got my clutch on her belongings, just wait till dear Frederick comes, — that's all — eh ? (takes card from salver, reads) Nathaniel Bilser! (then, inquiringly) Bilser? Bilser? I don't know any Bilser. (then suddenly recollecting) Oh, yes, Frederick's tailor! (then, to Coddle) Show him in. (exit Coddle r. u. e.) Bilser! He came quicker than a streak of lightnin' ! He's ahead of Frederick. I reckon we'll have a nice reception for Frederick — (re-enter Coddle, r. u. e. followed hy Bilser; then exit Coddle r. c. Bilser in a business suit of English check, cut in the height of the pre- vailing fashion. Derby or soft hat of latest style. Should he rather a small man, smoothly shaven, ex- cept for side whiskers; an American attempting to appear very English. He is generally washing his hands with imagination soap. When speaking he punctuates his remarks with little affable bows, — he is easily frightened, and then he has a habit of back' ing away when spoken to) — and when he arrives, — (sees Bilser) Ah ! Mr. Bilser ! (rises and goes up to meet him cordially ; Bilser backs away a little) I didn't expect you for two days, (brisk scene) Bilser. I — I — This is Mr. Green? (Green nods) I was just about to leave New York — In fact, I had my ticket, sir, when your lawyer called and explained the — the business. In fact — I — but really! I don't exactly understand. Green, (bringing him down) Then I'll explain.- (watch) I have got to hurry, because my son's THE BUTTERFLIES 9 financy^s mother will be here in two minutes. My lawyer explained matters? BiLSER. I — yes, sir — Mr. Hutchins told me, sir, that he had arranged with two- other creditors of Mr. Frederick Ossian's to assign their claims to me and he told me that if I would come to Florida and press Mr. Ossian, you would make it quite a con- siderable object to me. Green. I will give you double the amount of the claim. BiLSER. (well up R. c.) I — really, sir, — it is impossible. (Green about to speak) I beg par- don, sir. Mr. Ossian has been our customer for years, and as numbers of the very best young men follow in his lead, his patronage is very valuable. Green. I know that, but — BiLSER. {deprecatory manner, hut firmly) I really cannot annoy Mr. Ossian, and — {takes paper from his hreast pocket) here are the assignments. Green, {sarcastically) And you have come all the way to Florida to tell me that ? BiLSER. Oh, no, sir. I — excuse me, sir, but {goes to Green, smoothes down the sleeve of his coat; tucks up the shoulder, etc.), I hate to pass any comments, but WHO made that coat? If it were not on you, sir — dear, dear, even the buttons are a misfit. If it were not upon you, sir, I would say that this coat had been partly made for William Evarts, and partly for Grover Cleveland. Green. All wrong, eh? BiLSER. Dear, — no sir, not all, — the cloth is fair, but that is not the tailor's fault — quite shock- ing, really, on Mr. Hiram Green — {low how) — er — Shall I take your measure now? Green. No, — this evening. I will give you carty blanky. Is that the French for it ? BiLSER. Well, — carty blanky — that's how they pronounce it in our best boarding schools, sir, but in 10 THE BUTTERFLIES Pa-ree, I believe it is considered more swagger to say cawt blawnch. Green. Cawt blawnch, eh? (Bilser nods) That's the swagger thing! Very well. Now you go ahead and do as I tell you. I don't want to annoy Mr. Ossian, but I want to teach him a lesson. A young man of his age and position ought to be at work, and ought not to be in debt, see? When a man is sick we give him a pill. Now he's wasting his time, and he's almost run through all his fortune, and I want to give him a pill. Bilser. And I — Green. You are the pill. (Bilser starts) Can I rely on you? (watch) Hurry up; Mrs. Stuart- Dodge will be here in a moment, (going up r. c. and looking off) Bilser. (crossing to l. c.) I — Mrs. Stuart- Dodge — Dear me, — the very one I have come down to see. I — Green, (still looking off r. c.) Come down to see Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, eh? Well, she will be here in a few minutes. Her daughter is engaged- to my son. Bilser. Dear me — I — how very unfortunate. (Green tur^is down r. c.) I — I — mean — that — that — Green. You have business with her ? Bilser. I — yes, sir. In fact, sir — you see I too, sir, have just been betrothed to Maclame Cre- tonne, the modiste, sir, in New York. Quite a union of hearts and business. She is the American Worth, sir, — I — only Worth is a man, and she — Green. Oh, she is to make Miss Stuart-Dodge's trouser. Bilser. I beg pardon, sir, her — ? Green. Trouser, wedding outfit, flummer}^, you know. Bilser. Oh ! I think, sir, you mean trousseau. THE BUTTERFLIES ^l Green. Troo what? BiLSER. Trousseau. Green. Troo-so. Well, they spell it trouser any- way. Is that what you came down for? {goes up again) -, , • BiLSER. (showing uneasiness and trying to evade) No, sir — I — Madame Cretonne has been creating gowns, or as I may say, confections — Green, (goes up r. c, looks off) Confections? BiLSER. Con-fections, for a long time, she has been creating for both Miss Stuart-Dodge and her mother, but (Green pulls out ivatch again, glances at it, then aside), Dear me — very unfortunate. I promised Sophronia that I would collect her bill, or sue Mrs. Stuart-Dodge at once, and it's very un- pleasant. „ Green. Train is in,— Mrs. Stuart-Dodge will be here in a minute, and I expect Frederick Ossian on the yacht soon. BiLSER. (aside) I must not meet her here. I — (then to Green) I will go over to the hotel, sir, and will call some other time, (nervously, crosses to door R. c.) ^ _ Green. All right. I will tell Mrs. Stuart-Dodge that you were here, (comes down a little o.) BiLSER. (comes down a little r. c.) No, sir — I — in fact, sir, it might be unpleasant, as she does not know, sir, that I have come from Madame Cre- tonne. If you will let me, sir, see her here some time this evening, it will be better — I — Green. Very well. But how about this account of Frederick Ossian's? BiLSER. I — I will think over your plan, sir, \)iii — positively — Mr. Ossian, sir, is too valuable a customer, and I — Green. I will come over to the hotel and we will talk it over. BiLSER. Very well, I — (glances up R. C.) I 12 THE BUTTERFLIES will go down this side street, sir. I — I might an- noy your guests, sir. (low bow. Exits r. u. e. x. back of c. window exit l. u.) Green. Well, he is the politest I ever see. Come all the way to Florida to get orders for Miriam's trouser, eh? Troo-so. However, I suppose it's fash'nable to have tradespeople running after you. (sits L. c. and begins arranging his mail) Suzanne, {without) Papa! {enters R. c. run- ning. Is dressed in ivhite, as becomes a girl of six- teen, has a straw hat hanging by its ribbons down her bach; carries a large bunch of loose roses; is in great excitement) Papa ! 0, here you are ! Is it true ? (stops c.) Green. Is what true, chickie? Why, Susan, what — Suzanne, (puts her hand on her heart; panting) dear, I ran all the way from the green-house. Bar- rington said — Green. What did he say ? Suzanne, (going to him) Why he came to me ten minutes ago, while I was cutting these roses for Miriam — and this one for you, that's wilted — (puts roses on table; puts one in his coat) and said, if I would lend him ten dollars, he would tell me something I wanted to know. Ouch ! (strikes a thorn in the rose) And I loaned him the ten dol- lars you gave me last night — Green. You will never get it back. Suzanne. I know that, — but I wanted to hear, — and he told me that Frederick Ossian, — and — (with downcast eyes) and Mr. Strong — Green, (luith rising temper) What! Suzanne, (going c.) He said that they left New York two days ago, and would probably get here sometime to-night. Is that so? (stops; back to him) Green, (getting up from his chair) Well, if I 3.on't lam that young cub within an inch of his life. THE BUTTERFLIES 13 Did he say that? (Suza-^ne nods) And did — did Mrs. Ossian hear him ? Suzanne. N-n! He took me to the other end of the green-house, and whispered, — and he said you didn't want her to know, because you wanted Fred- erick's coming to be a surprise to her. Green, (mollified) Oh, he did? ^ Well, then it's all right, (going L. and sitting again) But, if he had told her ! Suzanne, (demurely, with eyes downcast, smooth- ing the roses) Is Mr. — Andrew Strong coming too ? Green, (busy with his letters again) Certainly. It is his yacht, the Albatross, that Frederick is on. Suzanne, (rapturously, aside. Sits on sofa r.) He is coming! (a pau^e; she buries her head among the roses, lost in reverie) Green. I want you to be very nice to Strong while he is here. He is a partner of mine in a big deal. Of course he's English, and a good deal older than you are, but try to entertain him, for your pa's sake, (a pause) Well! (turning and looking at her) Durned if she hasnt dropped off asleep, (then sharply — sternly) Susan ! Suzanne. Oh! What did you say, papa? Green, (absorbed in a letter) I said I wanted you to be specially nice to Mr. Strong when he comes. Suzanne, (half frightened, and baching) To — to Mr. Strong? Green. Yes — and I don't want Frederick to be devoted to you. Suzanne. To be devoted to me ? (Aside, with a giggle) He's head over heels in love with Miriam! (aloud) He won't devote himself to me. (de- murely) Green. He won't, eh? I'm not so sure of that. Suzanne. I am. Ha pulled Miriam out of the ocean last summer, — and of course — you know what always happens in such cases. 14 THE BUTTERFLIES Green. Nonsense. .She has just been engaged to Barry. * Suzanne, {doubtfully) Ye-es — she^s engaged to Barry — but I must hurry and dress and go down to meet Miriam. Green. To meet Miriam? I sent the drag five minutes ago. Suzanne, {alarmed) Oh, what shall I do? Green. Do? Wait here till she comes. It's all right. Barry went down, and he's the fash'nable one of the family, {she draws herself up) It's all right, chickie. I'm not fash'nable, you see, and I reckon that it's better to sort of keep in the background. Mrs. Stuart-Dodge'll like it better. Suzanne. {indignantly) Isn't her daughter Miriam going to marry Barrington? Isn't he my brother, and your son? Oh! I do get so tired of this world! {throwing herself on her Icnees beside him, places roses on table) Green, {petting her) The world's all right, chickie — it's only that some of the people in it have got a little warped. Don't you worry. You're just as refined as can be made, and please Heaven we'll get Barry licked into shape after a while, and it don't matter about me. I'm common as brown sugar, but I've got sense enough to keep out of the wet. It's all right, chickie. Suzanne, {with sudden spirit) I won't know any one who thinks you are like brown sugar. There never was such a kind, dear papa in all the world — {kissing him) and Mrs. Ossian says — Green, {eagerly) Says what? — Did she say anything? Tell your old dad. Aint she a fine woman ? — more like your sainted ma than any woman I ever saw. What did she say? Suzanne, {crosses to r. c.) I'm not going to tell you, — you'd be spoiled. But she said all sorts of nice things. And her opinion is as good as any THE BUTTERFLIES 15 one's, isn't it? She's got grandfathers, — and she's swell, isn't she? {bach to c.) Green. Grandfathers? She's got more grand- fathers than would fill a bushel basket. Sh ! (rises — looking around — going c.) I wouldn't have her hear for a pretty, but she is more like your sainted ma — 'm — said something about me, eh ? (sound of wheels outside) Ullo! Here they are! (Suzanne goes up c, looks off c. & e. Sounds of wheels up r. c.) Ullo! (Suzanne runs out) Suzanne. Here they are, papa ! Quick, give me my roses! (as he picks up the roses, she snatches them out of his hand and runs up R. c.) Miriam, (without) Suzanne, (exit Suzanne c.) Suzanne, (without, rapturously) Miriam! you darling ! Miriam, (without) You dear! Green, (looking off) Well, well, never saw such a lot of kissing in my life. How are you, ma'am? Mrs. Stuart-Dodge. Oh, the sleeper ! Green, (exits; continues speaking) When you get through hugging my daughter, Miriam, I'll hug you. The sleeper was too hot, eh ? They always are. (enters with Mrs. Stuart-Dodge c.) If I have my choice when I die, between going to the good old- fashioned Gehenna, or spending my time in a through sleeper, blest if I don't think I'll take Tophet. Mrs. S. D. (as they come down to r. c.) I sup- pose the railroads are so accustomed to being extrava- gant with coal — Green. Oh, no, ma'am — that ain't it, not at all ! You don't catch a railroad company using a pound more coal a year than they have to. 'No. It's the sleeping-car porters. Mrs. S. D. The porters? Green, (gravely) Porters. Every porter is an African, — every African is born with a hot-house thermometer inside him, and the moment it falls 16 THE BUTTERFLIES below a-hundred-and-ten in the shade, he has a chill. Consequently, every Pullman is kept hot enough to hatch eggs. Mrs. S. D. (critically surveying the room with her lorgnon) Charming — charming! You really have exquisite taste, Mr. Green. The architecture, — the works of art, — the coloring, — all perfect, {sits R. sofa) Green. Not my taste. I don't know any more about architecture than you do about hawg killin'. It was Mrs. Ossian, ma'am. She went with my daughter Susan, and picked out everything, except that — that vaws — (triumphantly) Susan got that. (Mrs. S. D. starts at the mention of Mrs. Ossian's name) Don't know what we'd have done without her. Mrs. S. D. (assumed ignorance) Mrs. Ossian? — Ossian ? — Ah, yes — Barrington told me that there was somebody of that name visiting you once. She is — here still ? Green, (nods) Don't know what Susan would do without her. She's visiting Susan, you know. But you must have met her. She knows the very best. Of course, you know her. Mrs. S. D. (aside) Just as I thought, — a mere governess ! (assuming to hut half remember) Os- sian ? — Yes, I have heard — I think that is the name. Yes, — they are poor, but really quite re- spectable. She has a son, I think — Frederick ? (doubtful as to the correctness of the name) Green. Frederick. That's him. Nice fellow, Frederick, but lazy, — or — (checks himself) You've met Frederick? Mrs. S. D. (with ill-concealed displeasure) I — I have seen him several times. He was at Narragan- sett last summer. Green. You don't like him. Mrs. S. D. (smilingly) Eeally, I have never had THE BUTTERFLIES 17 occasion to analyze my feelings towards Mr. — Ossian, I think his name is? Green. Speakin' of Mrs. Ossian, — she is the — (enter Mrs. Ossian l. 3 — aside) Here she is now, — do be kind o' pleasant, (then to Mrs. Ossian as she comes down l. c.) Er, — ma'am — er — allow me — the honor — Mrs. Ossian, ma'am, Mrs. Dodge, ma'am, my son's fianancy's mother — (both ladies how, coldly) er, Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, I mean. I al- ways forget that Stuart. Spelled with a hifalutin'. (goes up when Mrs. 0. is then down l.) Mrs. S. D. (furious, but controls herself, and smilingly) With a hyphen. Mrs. Ossian. (luith unaffected cordiality, crosses to her R. c. — hand outstretched) It is some years since we have met. Mrs. S. D. (Ignores the hand; then sweetly) So long as that? The time has passed very rapidly to me. Time always does when one is free from annoy- ance, don't you think? Where is Miriam? (going up R. c. Laughter of Miriam and Suzanne off r.) Miriam, dear? (goes up R. c.) Green, (l. c. Aside to Mrs. Ossian) She doesn't mean anything. How could she ? Mrs. Ossian. (c.) I fear it is on account of Frederick. Green. Frederick! Just so! He gets you into more trouble in a minute than you can get out of in a year. Mrs. Ossian. (pleadingly) Don't, don't! (x. l.) Green. Well, it makes me madder than a wet cat to see the worry that young man gives you. You wait till he gets here — you'll see. (music p. & P. for Miriam's entrance. Mrs. Ossian remonstrates with him in dumb show during the following) Mrs. S. D. (at door r. c.) Miriam! Miriam, (without) Yes, mama. Mrs. S. D. Come, dear, (enter Miriam and 2 M THE BUTTERFLIES' Suzanne r. c. Miriam in a iravelling suit; arms about each other) Miriam! Miriam, I thought 3'ou were with Barrington. {sitsB,.) Miriam, (r. c. As they come down a little) No indeed ! Suzanne and I have a hundred and one thousand things to say to each other — haven't we? (gives her a little hug; Suzanne nods) And I sup- pose Barrington felt that he was de trop (Green turns, holds out his hands), — for he went back in the dog-cart to the Ponce de Leon. Why, Mr. Green! {rapturously. Stop No. 2 music) In that white hat I did not know you. (goes quicMy to him with hands outstretched. He meets her c.) Green. Didn't, eh? Blest, if I ain't so mixed up with your coming that I didn't know I had my hat on. I beg your pardon, both of you — (to Mrs. 0. and Mrs. S. D.) Let go my hands {to Miriam), till I take off my hat. (Mrs. Ossian l. c.) Miriam. Not till you give me — Green. Give you what? (Miriam purses up her mouth) Want me to kiss you? {astonished; she nods) Me? {she nods) I thought Barry had taken out a contract to do that ? Miriam. {highly indignant) Barrington never kissed me in his life, and isn't going to. Green. Never ? Miriam. That depends. Green. Well, it won't be said that Hiram Green ever refused an invite to sample cherries like those. {kisses her) Lord ! Sweeter than pine-apple cream. Ain't she pretty? {to the others; extending Miriam's arms and looking at her) Pretty as a primrose in June. Susan, come here. (Suzanne comes left of him; he puts his left arm around her, his right arm around Miriam. Then to Mrs. S. D.) Ain'tl lucky ? {Then to Mrs. Ossian) There ain't two preciouser girls in the whole broad republic, than my daughter {gives Suzanne a little hug), and my daughter-in-law, {gives Miriam a little hug) THE BUTTERFLIES 19 Miriam. Not your daughter-in-law yet. Call me daughter, — I like it better. Mrs. S. D. The other will come soon enough. Green". So it will. Miriam. So it won^t. I will let you know that this is the nineteenth century, and almost the twen- tieth, and Suzanne, and I are not going to marry until we get good and ready. Are we, Suzanne? (Suzanne shaJces her head and nestles closer to Green) And neither of us has begun to think about it yet, have we^ Suzanne? (Suzanne shakes her head) Mrs. S. B. That is chatter. Green. I reckon it is. (then with sudden thought, to Miriam) Why, haven't you met Mrs. Ossian? — Mrs. Ossian, ma'am, I beg your pardon (Susan up a step), my future daughter-in-law, Miss Dodge — Stuart-Dodge, — I always forget that hifa- lutin'. (up to Susan. Miriam crosses to Mrs. Os- sian eagerly, with hands outstretched. Mrs. S. D. rising, shows displeasure) Miriam. I am delighted to meet you. I have often wished to meet you. I know your son Fred- erick — I — that is — I don't know him, but he rescued me from drowning at Narragansett. Mrs. S. D. Miriam ! Miriam. I never had a chance to thank him, but he must know that I am grateful and remember. Mrs. 0. He has often spoke of you. Miriam, (eagerly) Has he? What did he say? Mrs. S. D. Miriam ! Miriam. In a moment, mama, (then to Mrs. 0.) Did he tell you that — (petulantly) 0, dear! Mrs. S. D. (as Miriam crosses to her) We must be dressing for dinner, dear. Green, (surprised) Dinner! (taTces out loatch) Can't be that late. Mrs. S. D. (in an undertone to Miriam) I in- sist upon your being merely formal with Mrs. Ossian. 20 THE BUTTERFLIES Green. Plenty of time before dinner. What in the name of the old Scratch did Barry go back to the hotel for? That boy is always — {enter Bareington R. u. E. dressed in the extreme of fashion) Eh, you are here, are you? Barr. {affected voice down R. c.) Ya-as, father, I have been over to the Ponce, and what do you think, — Captain Strong's yacht has just come up the harbor. (Suzanne starts at, and echoes Strong's name with a gasp of delight) Suzanne, {under her hreath) He has come! {up to window) Green. Are you sure? Barr. Oh ya-as — it's the Albatross — and who do you think he has on board? (Green makes signs to him to keep quiet) Miriam. Why, whom ? Green, {trying to check him. Aside) Barry! Barr. He has got Fred Ossian aboard. Miriam, {under her hreath, with a start of de- light) Frederick! Mrs. Ossian. My son! (goes up; looking off window) Barr. { x. downiL.) Ya-as — no mistake. Saw him plainly through the telescope. Green. Now you have gone and done it. I was intending this as a little surprise for you, ma'am. {to Mrs. Ossian) Miriam, {aside; delightedly) And for me. Green. Do you see them, ma'am? I wanted to surprise you. (then to Barrington) You spoiled all my fun, Mrs. Ossian. (up r. c.) Here is Frederick coming up the road ! Green, {up to window) Yes, that's him! I see him! And there's Strong! (Suzanne shows de- light, and runs off r.) Well, well! — both of 'em tanned as a dog-skin glove. THE BUTTERFLIES 21 Mrs. Ossian-. (to Green)' I am so — so much obliged to you for asking him here — Green. Not a hit \— (exeunt Mrs.- Ossian and Suzanne r. u. e. waving liandkercliiefs, then Green, aside) More like my sainted Sue— (exit R. u. e. Miriam up to window then down l. 0. Barry xs to R. c. Miriam xes up to steps) Mrs. S. D. (down r. c. to Barrington) I ask you as a special favor not to present this Mr. Ossian to either Miriam or me. Barr. But, I — I don't understand — Miriam, (severely) It would be difficult for any one to understand mama's objection to my being civil to a man who has saved my life. Mrs. S. D. Saved your life ! — He hauled you out of the surf by the foot,— by the foot — and the beach was crowded at the time. It was shocking ! (sits R.) Barr. If he dragged you out by the foot, he is no gentleman, — but don't tell him I said so. Mrs. S. D. Dragged you out by the foot, — a total stranger to you — t i. . Miriam. I am thankful that he dragged me out at all, and I do not understand — Mrs. S. D. (crossing to r. c.) Understand or not, I expect you to respect my wishes, (exit grandly R. 2) , . i o Miriam. Did you ever? What do you think .'^ Barr. I don't think he acted like a gentleman, and I shan't present him. Miriam, (mochingly) So cruel of you ! (crosses to c. trying to get a peep off r. c.) Green, (without) Well, Frederick ! Ullo, Strong — got here at last, eh ? Fred, (luithout) Yes, at last. Well, well, little mother. Barr. (c.) Ya-as, but why should your mother dislike Fred? She has never met him. Miriam, (c. well down, looking shyly off r. c.) 22 THE BUTTERFLIES Can't you understand ? Because Fred — I mean Mr. Ossian — was polite enough to prevent my drowning at Narragansett that day — {laughter outside r.) mama must needs think I am in love with him. (laughter off r. u. e. Miriam cranes her neck as if trying to get a glimpse of him) Barr. (sulkily) Look here ! I will be jealous the first thing you know, (xes L.) Miriam. Jealous ! It won't do you a bit of good. (Re-enter Mrs. S. D. standing at door r. 2. Miriam stealing towards c. evidently sees him, starts, averts her face quickly; catches her hreath.) Mrs. S. D. Arc you coming, dear? (Miriam straightens up and effects indifference) Miriam, (languidly) Yes, mama, (going r.) Barr. I am sorry father invited Fred Ossian down here, for he is going to cut me out. Miriam. Cut you out! (laughs) You? Im- possible ! Mrs. S. D. (crosses c.) There is not the slight- est danger, my dear Barrington. I don't believe he has five thousand a year, and that couldn't keep a man nowadays in cigarettes and alimony. Miriam is only teasing you. Are you not, dear ? Miriam, (tvith a sigh) Yes, mama, — only teas- ing — that's all. (exit r. 2. Mrs. S. D. looking after her) Barr. (crosses R.) Miriam, wait a minute. I won't be made Jealous, and if Fred Ossian thinks he can come down to my own house and cut me out — Mrs. S. D. My dear, dear boy. Cut you out? (laughs) Don't use that dreadful expression. Ab- surd! Only, I think we will announce the wedding to take place as soon as possible. I will consent to say — Easter week. Barr. Easter week, — that's hardly a month. Mrs. S. D. It cannot be sooner, you know. (laughter outside as before; she glances up; she low- ers voice) I do not wish to criticize your father's THE BUTTERFLIES 23 selection of guests, but it would be better if Mr. Frederick Ossian^s visit could be made as short as pos- sible — you understand? If you could only manage to — Barr. Be disagreeable, eh ? Mrs. S. D. Not exactly disagreeable, — but — (Re-enter Coddle r. c. with telegram on salver.) Coddle. Telegram, mem. Barr. I will. Mrs. S. D. You dear boy! We will talk about this later, (xes to l. Coddle exits r. 3. Takes telegram; opens it; reads; show indignation) From Madame Cretonne! How dare she — (reads) " Further postponement impossible. The matter has been placed in the courts." (then controlling herself by an effort, and placidly, to Barr.) Eemember — Easter week. Barr. Easter week, (laughs; exit Mrs. S. D., r. 2. Barr goes up c, — laughter off r. c. Green, Strong, Suzanne, Mrs. Ossian and Frederick) If you try any of your flirting tricks on my fiancee, Mr. Fred Ossian, I will see that everybody knows that neither you nor your poverty-stricken mother own more than the clothes on your back. Just try it on — (laugh) that's all. (exits L. 3 c. renewed laughter No. 3 music lively.) Grren (without) Well! Well! You never will learn Yankee ways, Strong ! Here, Fred ! Fred. Telegram for me, eh? (enter r. u. e. with Mrs. Ossian. Wears uniform of the New York Yacht Club, with white trousers and shoes) So, if you had known I was on the yacht, you would have worried — only a bit of plank between me and a watery grave, eh? Well, when I am ashore there\s only a bit of shoe leather between me and a sandy grave. Never mind, little mother — (with a hug) wait until I buy my own steam-yacht, mile long. (stop No. 3 music.) Mrs. Ossian. If you ever buy a yacht, I'll die. 24 THE BUTTERFLIES Fred, {opening telegram. Moves to r. c.) Well, if you don't die until I do buy one, you — {reads telegram, his face falls; Mrs. Ossian ivatching him) The old skinflint! {crushes the telegram) Mrs. Ossian. (l. c.) My son! what is it? Fred, {trying to he cheerful; c.) Oh, noth- ing— Mrs. 0. Is it something about money ? Fred. Well, yes. Fact is, I asked old Abram Hutchins if he could not accommodate me with a thousand or two, until he has made some collections from our tenants. (Mrs. 0. turns aside to hide her emotions. Sits r. of table l.) I needed some money, and I didn't want to bother you — so I offered old Hunksie special rates of interest. He wires me — '^ Absolutely impossible." (Mrs. O's lips move, echo' ing the words despairingly) Of course, little mother, I do not know anything about business, and you do — but it seems to me that Hutchins is letting our tenants do pretty much as they please. It is now six months since he has remitted anything. I should think it advisable to take matters out of his hands — don't you ? Mrs. 0. {nervously) You do not understand. Our property is in a somewhat confused state, — and Mr. Green kindly offered to straighten it out for me — and I gave him an unlimited power-of -attorney — so you see that really Mr. Hutchins is not to blame. It will all come right in time, my son. {aside) I cannot tell him the whole truth, that we have almost nothing, {xes to L.) Fred, {drops down l. of table) Well, they'll have to wait — that's all. Mrs. 0. {looking at him searchingly) They? Whom do you mean? Fred, {sits l. of table) Why, I have always had two or three running accounts — lately they have been galloping rather hard, and — {hesitates) THE BUTTERFLIES 25 Mrs. 0. (clasping her hands) Has any one dunned you ? Fred. Well — (then with forced cheerfulness) Everybody needs money at this season, you know — and I suppose that business is dull all over, but — (Mrs. 0. rises xes to c. Going to her and kissing her) Don't l)other your head aloout it, little mother. If Hiram Green has our affairs in charge, suppose I ask him to advance me a little money on interest. We won't ask it as a favor, but merely a business transaction, eh ? Shall wq ? {petting her, and going up c.) Mrs. 0. Yes, I — I will ask him — and see what can be done, {goes up l. c. ivith Fred. He holes off R. C. ; she clasps her hands, despairingly) Fred. What a little woman Suzanne is getting to be. {looking off r. c.) It seems only yesterday I met her — dresses up to her knees — two pig-tails down her back — mouth smeared with chocolates. Do you remember what an odd figure she was on the piazza at Saratoga? Do you know, I think Strong is badly in love with her. I hope he will win her. Mrs. 0. You hope he will Avin her ? Fred. Yes — but he'll have to wait till she grows up. (r. c.) Mrs. 0. I thought you loved Suzanne. Fred. I do. Mrs. 0. {with an apprehensive look r.) But the — the other one ? Fred. The other one ? — Miriam Stuart-Dodge — I adore her. Mrs. 0. {down c.) I was in hopes that some day you might fall in love with and marry Suzanne. Fred. I? Suzanne! Mrs. 0. I am sure Suzanne is very fond of you — and — Fred. But, my dear little mother, — Suzanne is growing, and needs three meals a day — I couldn't 26 THE BUTTERFLIES support even a tomcat. But Miriam — {rapturously clasping his hands) Miriam! Mrs. 0. My son ! Don't ! They will hear you. Fred. They? (she makes a sign r. 2) In there? {imitati^ig her sign, and dropping his voice) Who? Mrs. 0. Haven't you heard? Fred, (c) Heard what? Who is it? Anybody to collect a bill ? Who is it ? Mrs. 0. Can't you guess ? Fred. By your frightened manner, I should judge it was {pointing downnmrds) — his majesty. Mrs. 0. It is Mrs. Stuart-Dodge. Fred. What? How did she happen here — and she ? — Miriam ? — Is she here ? — (Mrs. 0. nods) Eapture ! I shall meet her. My Miriam. How came she here? No matter. She is here: I shall meet her. Mrs. 0. Frederick ! Fred. Let the whole world listen. She is ador- able — Ever since that day at Narragansett, when I saw her sweetly drowning and pulled her out, I have loved her. I wish there were twenty eternities in- stead of a paltry one ! — I would love her through them all, then begin again, {xes l. Mrs. 0. xes to window c. Re-enter Suzanne r. great excitement) Suzanne. Fred ! Fred. What is it? Suzanne, {emphasizes each word hy tapping him on the chest) Promise me something? Fred. Promise what? Suzanne, {glances up r. c. lowering her voice. Strong and Green appear, chatting. Strong is about thirty-two; long blonde moustache ; beard cut very close, dresses in yachting suit; cap on his head) Mr. Strong won't stay to dinner, because he isn't in evening clothes. You make him. I'll die if you don't. See? THE BUTTERFLIES 27 Fred, (imitates her) Why didn't you write me that Miriam Stuart-Dodge was here ? See ? Suzanne. She only came a few minutes ago. She's in there, (pointing r. 2) Fred, (mimics her gesture) In there? (she nods) Suzanne. She'll be out in a minute. Will you make Mr. Strong stay? If you don't, I swear I'll die. Promise ? Fred. Certainly — Strong! (xes to c.) Strong. Beg pardon! (comes doiun r. c.) Fred. Strong, you must stay to dinner — Miss Green says she'll die if you don't. Suzanne, (l. c.) I didn't. Fred. I stand corrected — Miss Green says she will die if you do ! Suzanne, (furious) Miss Green said nothing of the kind, (aside, to Fred) I will pay you for this. (aloud) I only asked him to ask you — and papa knows it's for his sake I wanted you to stay, (then to Fred, threateningly) You see if I don't get even? Green. Certainly ! Strong, you must stay. Strong. I — (loohs at his clothes) Then I must go back to the yacht, and — Green. Nonsense! (looJcing off r. c.) Coddle, tell James to go down to the landing, and get a boat and go over to the yacht, for Mr. Strong's evening clothes, (then to Strong) Strong! Strong! I said you could dress in my room. Tell James to hurry, (to Coddle. Strong up to Green. Su- zanne xes doivn l.) Fred, (to Suzanne, ivho has gone to Mrs. Os- SIAN, and is nestling in her arms) There — he will stay to dinner. Are you happy ? Suzanne. No, I am not. I am perfectly furious, and I will never, never forgive you as long as I live. Are you going to dress for dinner, Mrs. Ossian? (Be-enter Coddle, followed by a sailor with steamer trunTc, hat-box, canes, etc.) 28 THE BUTTERFLIES Mrs. 0. N'ot yet — but — (to Fred) I will go up stairs and unpack your things. Are you coming, dear? (to Suzanne) Suzanne. Yes. (going) Hateful! (^o Fred, maJcing a face) Fred. Tut, tut — mustn't pout ! I'll be up in a few minutes, mother, and we will have a chat. Mrs. 0. Very well, dear, (going up l. c. with Suzanne) Fred. And won't 3'Ou kiss and make up? Come here! (croohing his fingers) Yes — I've got some- thing to tell you. (jerks his thumb towards Strong. She looks towards Strong; then comes toivards him) Suzanne, (eagerly ivhispers) Well, what is it? Fred (jerlcing his thumb over his shoulder towards Strong; and in a loiv voice) Clean gone. Suzanne. (whisper) He is? (Fred nods) How do you know ? Fred. Never mind how I know. If I help you with — (indicating Strong) — will you help me with — (indicating r. 2) Suzanne. Miriam? (Fred nods) You don't need any help witli her. FitED. How do you know? Suzanne. T know. You help me, and I'll help you ! Is it a liaio-ain? Fred. A bargain, (draws Jicr to him, is about to hiss her) Suzanne. N-n ! You mustn't kiss me. Fred. Why? Suzanne. Because I'm seventeen now — some- body will see vou. Fred. Oh ! Suzanne, (severely) Hereafter our friendship is purely Platonic — (then changing her manner to eagerness and whispering) You won't forget! (in- dicating Strong) Fred. I won't — and you will — (indicating r. 2) .Suzanne, (whisper) I will help you all I can. THE BUTTERFLIES 29 Mrs. Ossian, let's hurry, (talcing Jiold of her hand) Mrs. 0. Don't be long, Frederick. Fred. Ten minutes. Suzanne, (kisses her hand to Fred) Eemem- ber! (points to Strong) Fred, (kissing his hand to her) I do. Eemem- ber? (jerking his thumb r. 2. Suzanne nods; and exeunt L. u. e. with Mrs. 0. Jjooking r. 2) She is here! (rapturously) I shall see her — Miriam! This morning the whole sky was clouded — not a ray of brightness anywhere — now — Miriam — I am dreaming, (pinches himself) Ouch ! No, I'm not. This isn't heaven — it is Florida. She is here — I shall see her. (sits l. c.) Green, (aside to Strong) I will depend upon your silence, and that you will not offer to help him. Strong. I will not, but — really — too bad, don't you know — he's such a capital chap — quite extraor- dinary — Green, (r.) He is a capital chap, but he needs a touch of the curry-comb. I'll make a man of him yet. Lord, what a picnic there luill be ! Not a word now. Strong. Not one — but — Green, (motions him to he still — then to Fred gaily) Take care of Strong for a few minutes, Fred. (exit r. 2. Strong looks at Fred, comes down. Fred in reverie. Fred sits r. of table) Strong, (passing to above table) Cheer up a bit, old chap. Your luck is bound to change. Fred. Luck! (reads telegram) Look at that. Strong. '^ Absolutely impossible." What does that mean? (sits in chair at fire) Fred. It means that I've got to look out for snakes. Strong. Look out for snakes? Extraordinary. Are serpents prevalent in this remarkable country this time of year ?. 30 THE BUTTERFLIES Fred, (springs to his feet) Luck ! I have the best in the world. But it's mixed like chow-chow ! (paces excitedly to and fro) Think of it — first, my mother's tenants, for some devilish and unaccountable reason, sto}^ paying rent — my income for the last six months wouldn't have kept an invalid parrot in peanuts — next, my creditors take a violent fancy to asking me financial conundrums about every other day. That's bad enough, eh? — But now comes the good ! — she — my Miriam — (pointing r. 2) is here — we will dine at the same table — breathe the same air — and I — (xes to r. c.) I who saved her life — Strong, (rises, drops doivn l. of table) Saved her life? You never told me tliat. Fred. I never told you that? What did I tell you? Strong. You — you told me she was an angel — don't you know. Fred. An angel ! She is. Strong. And that — that she was like a flower — don't you understand — (Fred nods) — and — and all that sort of rubbish, don't you see ? And that you love her, don't you know — but you never said anything about saving her life, old chap — Fred, (incredulously) I never told you that? Strong. Quite incredible, but you never did. How did it happen? Saved her life — extraordi- nary, (xes to L., sits in chair l. of table) Fred, (rapidly) It was extraordinary — it was miraculous ! It happened at Narragansett, — ever}^- thing happens at Narragansett. You have never been to Narragansett ? Don't go. It is all right, you know — but — it is Narragansett. She and I arrived the same day. I saw her first upon the drive, and that instant I loved ! Then I saw her on the veranda, just before dinner, and I worshipped. Somebody told me her name ! Miriam ! It was music ! Once, as she strolled up and down, she stopped near me — so near, that earthy sea, sky, the THE BUTTERFLIES 31 babbling crowd — everything — swam around me, and I only saw, felt and heard — HER ! In that moment she turned, and I swear that for an instant two little loves shyly nodded through the windows of her dear eyes, to the cupids who were frantically praying to her through mine. Only an instant, — then her lashes fell — and the scarlet swept to her cheek — and like the glimpse of heaven she was — she vanished ! {takes stage up) Strong. And next time you saw her ? Fred. Next day — in the surf. She was one of two thousand, — I would have seen her if there had been two million. An object was with her — a tow- headed, spindle-shanked object ! — and it couldn't swim. Together they tripped into the water. I hur- ried after. The billows raced — mad to clasp her in their strong arms, and hold her forever! The first knocked (scathingly) him — sprawling — but she — like a mermaid she dove through the green curve, and struck out — laughing and fearless. I was wild with terror. You know wdiat ocean is — one moment a kitten — the next a tiger ! I rushed after. Too late ! A furious sea hurled down an avalanche ! — she was gone ! Strong, (has risen and now Icneels over chair l. c. Excitedly) Gone ! — and you ! Fred. I ? — What wouldn't man do ? My love — my frenzied agony — my despair — made me a giant ! Like a flash, I plunged into the whirl of white and green — down — down — ten thousand howling sea- devils dragged me hither and thither — flashes of flame blinded my sight — my lungs were bursting for air — air ! — still I struggled and reached — grap- pled in all directions — here, there — everywhere ! — no use ! I was hopeless — unconscious, almost — when suddenly my hand. — ah ! it touched something warm — living — I clutched it — it was she ! With one last desperate lunge I rose — like a Samson I battled — then another wild surge ol waters shot us 32 THE BUTTERFLIES shoreward, where a hundred strong hands were out- stretched — we were snatched from the sea — she was saved — saved ! — and I ? — I fell and knew nothing! {drops into sofa R. c. as exhausted. Strong, ivlw has risen during ihe foregoing, excitedly xes to him. Places chair hack to r. of table) Strong, {hand outstretched) Thank you! — It was noble — you were a hero — thank you ! Fred. Thank me ! — for what ? I didn't save her for 3^ou. I saved her for myself. You are getting things mixed. Strong. But — great heavens ! — if even for an instant, you had let go her hand ! Fred. Her HAND! {groans, averts his face) — if it only had been her hand! Strong. I — I don't understand — if you didn't have her hand — I — I — Fred, {rising, pathetically) Was / to blame if it wasn't her hand ? — When a man is ten feet under water, with his nose full of sand, and his mouth full of jelly-fish, hustling around among the saddle-rocks and flounders to find the girl he loves — he's in a hurry I He hasn't time to LEAD her out {appro- priate gesture), as he would his partner in the lan- cers! He's got to grab {pushes Strong bach till he falls in chair L. c. Bus.), and grab quick — and take the first thing he comes to ! That's what I did — {pathetically) — I wasn't to blame, was I — but if you had seen the look her mother gave me when I brought her out, it would have broken your heart — it broke mine. Strong. Quite extraordi — have you ever seen her since ? Fred. No. You see, I had just strength enough left to gasp for a little whiskey to keep me from hav- ing cold, and the boys gave me enough to ward off nine cases of double-l3arreled pneumonia. Next morning — {gesture implying big head) — whew! — and before I was able to go out, she and her mother THE BUTTERFLIES 33 had vanished, leaving only her memory behind. But that makes no matter ! She knows and I know, and she is here ! — here — and to-night I shall tell her what she knows already, that I love her — my Miriam — I adore her! (tvalking up and down) Strong. But how can she know that you love her ? Fred. How ? — I don't know how, but she knows it — trust me — girls have a mysterious way of knowing things, like Providence. Strong, (up l. c. Pulling his moustache, starts and evidently thinbing of Suzanne, with a look off L. ) Eh ? — do — do — you think so ? Fred. Certainly — no doubt of it — a girl al- ways knows when a man is in love with her. When she pretends that she doesn't — that's bunkum. When she says that she is so surprised — that's bosh. I Jvnow 'em. — If the man in the moon fell in love with a girl in Brooklyn — no need for anybody to tell her — she'd know it. (re-enter Suzanne l. c. Suzanne comes on running, and stops short, seeing Strong, stands with downcast eyes) Isn't that so? {to her) You'd know in a minute, wouldn't you? Suzanne. I — I don't know anything — except that I forgot to get any roses for myself, and I am going out to the greenhouse to get some, {goes R. c.) If you were not so busy, and had so mucib to talk over with your mother {demurely) I'd like to have you — or — or somebody — come out with me and hold them, {xes up to r. u.) Fred, {xes up to her) I see. {seeing that she really ivishes Strong to go) Well, — I'll go with you. Suzanne. Oh, don't, that is, I mean — I don't want to take you away from your mother — I wouldn't for worlds — Fred. {gravely) Very well — then suppose Strong goes — will you, Strong — as a special favor to me? Will Mr. Strong do? {to Suzanne) 24 THE BUTTERFLIES Suzanne, (downcast eyes) Yes — if — that is unless — Strong. Delighted — I — I mean — (Fred talces Tiim up) Fred. Certainly — just to oblige me — of course Suzanne would rather have me, and you would rather stay here — but — Heaven bless you both — {urges them out) — don't quarrel — and Suzanne — {as they go) — if l3oth of you are to hold the roses at the same time — get long-stemmed ones ! Suzanne, {great dignity) I — I don't under- stand you. Do you, Mr. Strong? {Re-enter ^i'RS. Ossian l. 3 c.) Strong. Certainly not. {Exeunt Strong and Suzanne c. going r. Fred laughs; comes down.) Fred. There is a great case. He is as brave as: a game-cock, but he is deathly afraid to let her see he loves her. Mrs. 0. Until he is sure that his love is returned, he is wise not to — Fred. Not a bit of it. A girl wants to have her heart carried by storm like a fortress — and to the man who hesitates, she says she will be a sister. Xo, no — I remember your telling me how father dashed at you — wooed and won you before you had time to think. You loved him for it — and that's the way I am going to woo her — {xes to L. c. LooJcing R. 2) — you watch me — my Miriam — Mrs. 0. (r. c. Agitation) But Frederick — my son — if you only knew — ! Fred, (c.) I do know. — I know that I love her — I know that she i^ adorable ! Mrs. 0. But Frederick — her mother — you are poor and — Fred. But I saved Miriam's life. You shall see her mother rush into my arms, {re-enter Mrs. S. D. r. 2) — here she is now. You shall see. {very elated; preparing himself for the introduction) THE BUTTERFLIES 35 Mrs. 0. {distractedly) But Frederick — {sees her) Mrs. S. D. {smoothly) I had hoped that you were alone. Mrs. 0. {confused at first, then calmly) I — Mrs. Stuart-Dodge — this is my son, Frederick. Fred, {goes forward with alacrity, hand out- stretched) Most charmed — I assure you — I — {checked by her coldness; she achnowledges his how hy little more than a doivnward motion of the eye- lids; he stops, with his hand still outstretched) quite so — I mean — {clasps his own hand) Delighted ! Mrs. S. D. {sweetly to Mrs. 0.) At your earliest convenience, I would like to confer with 3^ou. Mrs. 0. (l. c.) Certainly — now if you wish. Mrs. S. D. (r. ivith a glance at Fred) Well, — soon, I hope, {with a slight movement to go) Fred. (r. c.) I infer, from your delightful cor- diality, that you desire that conference to be at some time when my presence is omitted. Mrs. S. D. You are almost clairvo3^ant. But an- other time will do, if — Fred {exti-eme urbanity) 'No time like the pres- ent. Besides I may chat with my mother at any time, but you seldom have had, or may have — that honor. {profound bow, which she acknowledges as before. He goes up r. c.) Mrs. S. D. Mr. Ossian. {he turns) Upon sec- ond thoughts — perhaps it is better that you remain. {xes R.) Fred, {quietly, with dignity) That shall be as my mother desires. Mrs. 0. Eemain, my son. {sinks into chair at table) Mrs. S. D. {to Mrs. 0.) t thank you. {to Fred) Will you not be seated ? {seats herself r. c.) Fred. You are very kind, but unless the interview is very fatiguing — Mrs. S. D. It will be very brief. 36 THE BUTTERFLIES Mrs. 0. (quietly) For which, we both thank you. Mrs. S. D. (fanning slowly) Not at all. Purely selfishness on my part, I assure you. But to begin. At Narragansett last summer, you took the liberty of laying violent hold of my daughter in the surf. Fred. But, my dear madam, a heavy sea had broken over her, and I thought she was drowning. She had completely disappeared. Mrs. S. D. That did not excuse your conduct. In the presence of quite a number of people, you seized my daughter — (pause) in a shamelessly fa- miliar manner — although I fail to remember that you had ever been presented to her. (he starts to spealc; she checls him) As for saving her life — there was a bathing master hired for that purpose. Mrs. 0. (with lifted eyes and clasped hands) Well — of all the ingrates ! Mrs. S. D. You appreciate, Mr. Ossian? (he hows) I am very glad, (he starts) Now I have something else to say. (pause) You will not think me disagreeable? (very sweetly) Fred, (more sweetly) How could I? — You were about to pleasantly remark that — er — Mrs. S. D. As my daughter and I are also visiting here, circumstances may compel us to meet you more or less frequently — that is — not exactly meet in the social sense, but — Fred. — Be on the same earth together — infest the same hemisphere — Mrs. S. D. Precisely. Fred. My mother and I will try to bear it w4th Christian resignation. Mrs. S. D. And our naturally strong constitutions will no doubt enable my daughter and myself to sur- vive. Fred, (watch) My dear madam — seven now — dinner will be announced in a moment and I am yet ' — (gesture toivards clothing), although I have never THE BUTTERFLIES S7 enjoyed myself so much in my life ; as a special mark of your good will, will you come to the point ? Mrs. S. D. The point? (rises) With pleasure. I have noticed the almost frantic efforts of a certain person — to force his acquaintance upon my daugh- ter. Mrs. 0. (rising, indignantly) And I have no- ticed the efforts of a certain per — Fred. Mother — absurd ! (arm about her, sooth- ing her) Please! (then suavely to Mrs. S. D.) You were saying — efforts of a — a person — to force acquaintance upon Miss Stuart-Dodge. Well ? Mrs. S. D. Even were he not penniless, and prob- ably saturated with debt, — that person would hardly be — (Mrs. 0. starts to speak; again he checks her. Mrs. .S. D. smilingly notes this, and calmly contin- ues) But we will let that pass. It suffices 'to say that any attempt to make her acquaintance can only be regarded by both my daughter and myself, as im- pertinent and obnoxious, (turns as to go) Mrs. 0. (fast losing control) Is that quite all? Mrs. S. D. (turns) Quite. I have made myself sufficiently clear, Mr. Ossian ? Fred. .Delightfully transparent, madam? Mrs. 0. (with intensity) And permit me to add — Fred (smilingly) ISTo, mother, — no — Mrs. 0. (glaring at her) Impertinent and ob- noxious — an Ossian of Boston. Mrs. S. D. (grandly) Yes — impertinent and obnoxious, to a Stuart-Dodge of Philadelphia, (^o- ing) Fred. Philadelphia ! Where is Philadelphia ? (Mrs. S. D. turns, indignant, glares, hut controls herself with a strong effort, then turns, with her scowl changed to a smile. Opens the door r. 2 calls) Mrs. S. D. Miriam! Miriam! (Fred remon- strates ivith his mother) Come just as you are — < 38 THE BUTTERFLIES you need not wait to fix your hair — (Feed starts; looks R. 2. Mrs. 0. turns aside despairingly) Mrs. 0. If you only knew — if you only knew. Fred. Knew what ? — She is coming ! Mrs. S. D. Come! — {withdraws a little from the door. Re-enter r. 2 Miriam, in a silk peignoir, trimmed icith lace, her hair is down; at sight of Fred, she shrinks hack) Miriam! — (then, with half -veiled contempt, hut smoothly) there is no one here you need mind, (she stops) I merely wished you to be present when — (re-enter Barr. l. u. e.) Ah — here you are now. (extending her hand to him, and tvith a cordial smile; Miriam startled; con- fused; Fred. c. regarding her; Mrs. 0. l. c. Mrs. S. D., R. c.) — 3'OU are most charmingly opportune. I was just about to announce — Miriam. Mother! (Mrs. S. D. turns quickly and gives her a severe look) Mrs. S. D. (smoothly, smilingly) — I was just about to announce to — to your acquaintances — my daughter's engagement to you. (Fred starts; looks at Miriam, tvho with downcast eyes, is struggling to repress her mortification and indignation) — I have quite settled to allow the wedding to take place Eas- ter week, (to Barr. graciously. Up c. a little) Barr. Thanks — that'll be jolly soon, (aside to her; his hack to Fred) That settles him! (she nods assent; delighted; Fi^ed realizing the truth, staggers slightly. His mother takes his left hand in hoth hers; his lips move as echoing what Mrs. S. D. said) Miriam, (lotv voice) And now, perhaps I may be allowed to express to Mr. Ossian — Mrs. S. D. (tvhirls sharply) Entirely unneces- sary. I have thanked Mr. Ossian for his trivial service. Have I not? Fred, (ivith a slow how) More than sufficiently, madam. (Miriam looks at him; her hands clasping THE BUTTERFLIES 39 and unclasping ; seems ahout to speah; then with a sudden impulse exits r. 2) Mrs. S. D. {to Barr.) Let us chat for a few minutes on the piazza, (then as they go up) Miriam, is so happy now that everything is settled, but — of course, you will understand that, etc., etc., etc. (Fred as unahle to realize still staring at r. 2. Mrs. OssiAN lows her head, pressing his hand.) CUETAIN. ACT II Scene. — Another drawing-room in Green's house; red mahogany, with panels of darh green leather. Boom on right, in white, ivith Indian red panels, colonial; room l. light terra-cotta. A. ; hlach drop, shoiving the harhor by moonlight, light-house in distance, b. ; cut-drop. c. ; lai-ge archway, lead- ing to veranda. D. — d., railing of veranda, e. — E., doors leading to other rooms, r. and r. v. a stained glass ivindoiv. k., a circular divan, Per- sian hanging lamp (ruby light) over it. M., a bit of the staircase, t., a table and lamp, p., a piano lamp, with the light about six feet from the floor; red shade (heliotrope or pale blue on lamp X. ; yellow shade on lamp t. q., a divan on a dais. s., a small sofa. Masthead light on Strong's yacht, Y., showing. Also the red light of light-house in distance. Moonlight on the veranda; but no moon showing. Divan under railing of stairway L. Tall slender vase on neivel-post, with looses in it. Hand- some tapestry hanging from railing. As curtain rises, sound of tuning up off r. Laughter off L. Green laughing heartily, enters l. c, napkin in hand. Green, (looks bach, and speaking off L., chuck' ling) That^s good! You had me there! I will be back in a minute, (comes down chuckling) Fred's smart. A man that can sass him, can get the best of a buzz-saw. Coddle! (enter Coddle r. u. e.) Oh, there you are! (watch) Has them fid- dlers — 40 THE BUTTERFLIES 4l Coddle, (r. c.) Just come, sir. (music off n., string and reed hand, very soft) Green. They're late, eight-twenty. Barry told me they ought to have been here to play for dmner. Coddle, (loftily) It's quite swell, sir, to 'ave a bit of 'armony with each course, sir. . , ^^ • Green, (l. c. Drily, evidently johtng) it is, . eh? I thought we only had hominy with canvas- back duck. Coddle, (r. s. Still more loftily) I said ar- jjiony sir,— not 'ominy — like 'armony and peace. Green. Hominy and peas? — don't like either of 'em. ., s , 4 Coddle, (still more haughtily) 'Armony, sir,— not 'ominy, like that, sir, they are playing m the other room. ^ , .r. i. Green, (c.) Is that harmony? I thought that was fiddlin'. (Coddle straightens up) Now don't get mad,— I was just practicin' a little reparty. Coddle, (r. c. Haughtily) Eepar4ee, sir. Green. Eepar4ee, eh? (Coddle nods impor- tantly) Well, while I'm practicin' my repartee sup- pose you serve them with some Moker coffee m there ^ (Coddle crosses up l. going) Hold on a nimute. (aside) I ought to send him down after Bilser,— Bilser's late, (then to Coddle) You go down to the hotel and tell Mv.— (aside). No, it won't do to confide in a hired man. I will send Barry, (then to Coddle) Tell Barry I want him. (exit l o. Coddle, stiffly; Green watches him) That feller ain't got no more fun in him than a bag of sawdust. Eepar-tee,— repartee./ Vaws!— ? Burn me if I ain't like a young parrot learnin' how to talk. (sits u c on sofa) Ah me! (then seriously) Now, that Bilser has come, I had better tell Mrs. Ossian the whole scheme. I must bring Fred to his senses, and she must not interfere. Bless her heart, how she idolizes that boy. I wonder why Mrs. Stuart- Dodge is so high-strung and touchy with her. Every 42 THE BUTTERFLIES .1 time Miriam looks within nine points of tPie compass towards Fred, her mother — (stop No. 6 music. En- ter Barry l. c, evening clothes, white waistcoat; large houtonniere of lilies of the valley. He is a little ■flushed with wine. Down L. c.) Say, Barry, I want you to do me a favor, my boy. Barh. What favor? {languidly) Green. Well, it ain't lending money, — I want you to go down to the hotel and ask for Mr. Bilser. You know him? Barr. I know only one Bilser, — Fred Ossian's tailor in New York. He made these clothes. Green. Well, that's the one. {rises) You go over and tell him I want to see him. {crosses to c.) Barr. Tell Mrs. Ossian to call up the hotel. I sent her to the telephone just now. Green, {furious) Sent her to the telephone ? Barr. {languidly crossing r. c.) Ya-as, — I told her to find out why the musicians were late. Green. (c.) What! — you told Mrs. — How dare you tell her to do anything ? Why — you young — {enter L. c. Mrs. Ossian; dinner gown of Mack) Mrs. Ossian, ma'am, — you must excuse this da — I — I — the idea of his telling you to tele- phone — (Barr. sits r. c. gets out cigarette) Mrs. 0. (l. c. pleasantly) I tried to telephone, but the wires seem to be out of order. Green, (c.) Yes, ma'am. There is only one thing that is never out of order with the teleplione, and that is the bill. Them fiddlers has come. Barry, hurry over at once, and tell Mr. Bilser to come. I reckon he misunderstood me. Hurry, Barry. (Barr. settles languidly hack) Barr. (r. c. Languidly getting out match-safe) I don't choose to call on a beggardly tailor. That's a servant's place, — not mine. Green, (c. With surprise) Why, Barry — Barr. {seated r. Drawling insolence) And, my dear father, — may I distinctJy request you to cure THE BUTTERFLIES 43 yourself of that vulgar habit of shortening my name ? Green, (fast losing his temper) Shortening your name ! — young man, you were christened plain Irish Barry — named after the grocer who gave us credit one winter when hawg cholera had cleaned us out. You can Barrington yourself all you want, but I'm da — excuse me, ma'am, but this Barrington and this Suzanne Elise business is too rich for my blood. Mrs. 0. (extreme l. Re-enter Coddle, l. c. e.) Coddle, {down l. c.) Will you 'ave coifee 'ere, sir? Barr. Send Coddle, — or James, — or one of the hostlers. Green. Coddle has the coffee to serve. > What are the others doing? (to Coddle) Coddle. Jimes and the 'ostler is at dinner, sir. Shall I tell either? Green. Certainly not. I'll have nobody's dinner spoiled. I don't want coffee. Fetch Barry's hat. (Coddle going) Mr. Barrington's hat, — and — ■ {exit Coddle up l. c. — up steps) Now, Barry, my boy, or Barrington, if you like — just to please "your old dad — (Barr. Sitting sullenly, twisting his moustache) won't you? — Say, you'll twist them three hairs off. (Barr. gives him an indignant look) Mrs. 0. (goes l. c.) I'll try the telephone again. Whom do you wish to call? (up l. c.) Green. No, ma'am — Barry's a little stuck up, now that's he's engaged (Barr.- mes), — but — but — that's right, my boy, — you'll go. Barr. (going l. c. crossing Green and Mrs. 0.) No, I'll not — (Green astonished) and whatever I am — (turning) I'm not ignorant or vulgar. (Green starts, a pause) Mrs. 0. (c. A little up stage) Oh, Barring- ton! — Barr. (l. c. Sullenly) He had no business to say what he did. 44 THE BUTTERFLIES Mrs. 0. But you — (Green checks her; she crosses up to c.) Green, (r. c. Gently; sadly) No, he's right. I am ignorant, and I am vulgar — but — but you ain't orter been the one to reproach me with it, my boy. I haven't had the chances that you've had, Barry — I didn't have no hard-workin' hands to pick the thorns and flints out of my road, — but I am ignorant and I'm vulgar — you spoke truth, boy — and I hadn't orter done as I did — and — {suddenly extending both hands to him) — I'm sorry. Barr. (after looking at him contemptuously) Very well. Don't do it again, (saunters up L. c.) Green, (quietly) Barry! (Barr. stops, with- out turning around) Barr. (after a slight pause) Well — ? Green, (same tone of gentle reproach) I'm holding out my hand to you, boy. Barr. (near l. c.) I see it. (going) ' Green, (^ust as he gets to door l.) Barry! (firm and commanding tone; Barr. stops) Come here! (Green just r. of c. Mrs. 0. up c, hack of ottoman) Barr. (sullenly, half defiant) I — I am going back to the dining room. Green, (rising temper; tvell in hand) You are not. (then, crescendo) You are going to accept the apology I made, and take my hand like one gentle- man takes another's or by the great American eagle, I'm goin' to give you the darndest lickin' a boy ever got between here and Kalamazoo ! Mrs. 0. (alarmed) Mr. Green ! Your guests will hear! — (going to him. r. of ottoman) Green, (r. Boiling up his sleeves) Let 'em! They'll have lots to hear out of him in a minute. Now, sir — Mrs. 0. (c. Coming between them) But — consider — Geeen. (r. c.) Gimme room, ma'am, (gently THE BUTTERFLIES 45 putting Tier aside, to right. She goes up hacfc otto- man; then to L. c.) — Now, sir — (Extending his hand again) — you see my hand? Bare. ( l. c. Meekly) Y-yes, father. Green, (quietly, but with firmness) Take it. (Barr. hesitates) Mrs. 0. (re-assuringly, going to Barr. l. c.) Please take it, Barrington. (he crosses timidly and takes it) Green, (r. c.) That's right. Give it a good grip, — it won't bite, (then still holding his hand) Never refuse an. honest hand held out to you, my boy, — and always accept an honest apology. That's manly. And even if your father is ignorant and is vulgar, people will notice it less, if you don't let 'em see that you're ashamed of him. Ain't that so? (re-enter Coddle ivith Barr's hat, cane and coat; stands L. c. gently) Now, my son. (X's to Coddle. Takes hat and cane from Coddle) Here's your hat ■ — (puts hat on the hack of Barr's head; Barr. ad- justs it mechanically) and cane — (hands him cane and takes overcoat from Coddle) Here's your coat, — that's all. Coddle. (Coddle exits l. u.) Barr. (r. c. Surlily) I don't need a coat. Mrs. 0. (up c. and l.) Green, (c.) Better put it on, going out in the air. (holds coat for him) Now, then — (helps him on ivith it) Guess I'd make a pretty good valley, eh? Now — (arm about him, and taking him r. c. speaking in low voice) Tell Mr. Bilser to come over at once, — he'll understand, — then hurry back to your financy. Now we're friends again, eh ? Barr. (sidlenly) I'll take your message to Bil- ser. (exit R. u. e.) Green. Thank you, my boy. (Green looks after him, shakes his head; sighs) Mrs. 0. (down l. c.) Poor boy! — I am sure he did not intend to be rude. Green, (comes down r. c.) Then he's a power- 46 THE BUTTERFLIES ful good actor. I suppose it's fash'nable for a boy to sass his dad, but I reckon I'll change the custom some in my neighborhood. Mrs. 0. He'll settle down after marriage. Green. Ma3^be, — but Lord help the poor girl that does the settlin'. I tell you — {with rising tem- per) — I don't want to do my own flesh and blood an injustice — {pacing up and down) — but I'm not blind, and when I see that sweet-faced girl, Miriam, and think what's in store for her, knowing him as T do — I — {makes a gesture of despair; turning aside) Mrs. 0. Don't say that! — You don't think the boy is bad at heart — you don't think he'd be cruel to his wife? Green, {sudden determination) Cruel to her! — No, he'll not be — he'll not be. I may have been foolish enough once to believe that love would change him — but now — {dashes a tear from his eye) But come, ma'am — I've got somethin' to tell you about your own son. {she shores alarm) Don't worry ! — ■ it's all right. Both our boys need a little bitter with their sweet — and we must do our duty by 'em. Mrs. 0. {handhercliiof. L. c.) Frederick is a good son, but he doesn't know. Green, (r. c. With gentle firmness) But he must know — and you must not interfere, {up c. Looks L. e. 3) They are leaving the dining room. Come out on the front porch and I'll tell you what I've dbne and what I'm goin' to do. Don't worry, ma'am. I'm rough, but — but — will you trust me ? {holding out hands) Mrs. 0. (l. c.) Yes. I will trust you. {turns aside, wipes her eyes. Green, {aside) Thinkin' of the late lamented, again, {sighs; tvaxes sentimental) And she's more like my sainted — Mrs. 0. {turns) I know that you do it for his good, but — {up L. c.) Green, {firmly) No, ma'am — leave Frederick THE BUTTEEFLIES 47 to me. It may be a little hard medicine for him to take, but it'll do him good. Cheer up. Come. (hoth look off L. c.) Both your Fred and my Barry need a rowing up Bitter Creek, and please God they're going to get it. Come ! Mrs. 0. (l. c. Up stage) I do hate to hurt Frederick ! Green, (r. c. up stage) Yes, and I hate to lamm Barry, but Barry is goin' to be lammed. Come ! (Mrs. 0. takes his arm) — There's more boys ruined by indulgent parents than is ruined by rum. Ijet's do our duty, ma'am — let's do it — unflinchin'. (going out into the moonlight. Up c. to veranda) Ain't that moon a picture? Mrs. 0. (withdrawing her arm) Yes, and the magnolias — how they perfume the air — (goes slowly and thoughtfully r. Exit. Green looks after her sentimentally) Green, (sigh) Thinkin' again of the late la- mented, (sigh; exit; going r. Enter L. u. e. rap- idly Miriam in a pet, followed hy Mrs. S. D., l)oth in handsome dinner gowns. Miriam wears a large corsage bouquet; comes down to l. c.) Mrs. S. D. (down c.) I am amazed at you! — I saw you myself! Sometimes I wonder if you are really my daughter ! Miriam, (l. c. stamp) Such a cyclone in a tea- kettle ! — just because I looked at Mr. Ossian. Oh, dear! (turning aside) Mrs. S. D. (more temperately) No. It was the way you looked at him. Wrong, my love. I am sure Barrington noticed it, and — (Miriam turns; is about to speak; Mrs. S. D. checks her) — no — you must have regard for Barrington's feelings. You are en- gaged to him. Miriam. (up l. c. Pettishly) You mean — you engaged me. Mrs. S. D. (smoothly) That is an immaterial point. He is the best catch of this season at whom 48 THE BUTTERFLIES you have had a chance, {going to divan c, sits r. c.) His father is worth at least eight milUons. I know that^ for ever since 3011 came out, I have subscribed for the commercial agency books, and I know the rating of every man whom I have allowed you to meet. This — Frederick Ossian — isn't even men- tioned at all. But Mr. Green — at least eight mil- lions, my dear, and when he dies — Miriam. Mr. Green is very healthy, {goes up L. c. obviously to get a glimpse of Frederick) Mrs. S. D. The longer he lives, the more mil- lions. Besides {complacently), perhaps I myself may — but that is a matter of the future. I admit that these Greens are raw — vulgar, even, but w^e can tell our friends that — that it is eccentricity. There are many eccentric persons in society, nowa- days. (Miriam looking off l. c. Clasps her hands and sighs) Besides, we are Stuart-Dodges. We can afford to do what we please. Miriam, {bitterly) Except marry whom we love. {sits c.) Mrs. S. D. Love ! — what mediaeval and mildewed nonsense ! — a pastime indulged in now only by the lower classes. Do the crowned heads of Europe marry for love. You are a Stuart-Dodge. Miriam, {crosses l. c. Not paying attention) Yes, mama, {up L. c. aside) Why doesn't he look this w^ay ! Mrs. S. D. You will have your house on Fifth Avenue, near the Park. Miriam, {up, looking off l.) Fifth Avenue is so noisy. Mrs. S. D. Your cottage at Newport, — Miriam. Newport is so stupid, {stealing further up to get a looTc at Frederick) Mrs. S. D. Barrington wdll get you a yacht, if you wish. Miriam, {dotvn l. c. and up again) A yacht ! — he was deathly ill one day in a rowboat. THE BUTTERFLIES 49 Mrs. S. D. (rising, and with enthusiasm, and worTcing down R. a little) And above all, my dear — you will have money. MOXEY ! — what more can the heart of a girl want ? A town house — a cot- tage — a yacht — a — {turns and sees her trying to get a peep at Frederick, then, iiidigna^itly) Miriam ! Am I to suppose that you are actually again exchang- ing clandestine glances with that — person ? Miriam confused) Eeally — {loith intense severity) — I had intended remaining here at least a week, to allow you and Barrington to enjoy love's young dream together — but your persistent coquetry with this poor-house dandy, compels me to go. {goes towards r. 2.) We leave to-morrow morning. On the Limited. Miriam. {timidly) For — for Philadelphia. (Mrs. S. D. turns sharply) Mr^. S. D. For ANYWHERE, where he cannot follow. Though for that we need not go very far on any road charging three cents a mile, {going; Miriam goes toivards her impulsively ; crosses to her) Miriam, (r. c.) But mama — do not be angry! I — {then mischievously) Mr. Ossian is very good looking if he is poor, and — when a good looking man saves a girl's life, — even if he is not — Mrs. S. D. (r. Witheringly) Certainly! — they must marry — settle down to one of those suites of connecting closets called a flat, and try to be happy on kisses and soup. Miriam. Ah, don't be angry! — {caressing her mother) Mrs. S. D. On one condition — that while you are engaged to Barrington, you will not speak to this man, or allow him to speak to you. Do 3^ou promise ? (Miriam, who has turned aside on this proposition, draws herself up; a hrief pause) Well? Miriam, (half -shut eyes and meaiiingly) Yes. (pause) While I am engaged to Barrington, I will not — speak — to Mr. Ossian. • Mrs. S. D. (proudly clasping her. Miriam 4 • 50 THE BUTTERFLIES • wholly irresponsive) My own daughter! There! (Mssing her forehead) — I am proud of you — (sur- veying her) You are beautiful to-night. And that gown ! — Eeally, I must manage to send Madame Cretonne a couple of hundred on account. She fits you better than any one has ever done, (going to door R.) Miriam, (hitterly) Judging by Madame Cre- tonne's telegram to you, she is not likely to make me any more gowns, (then suddenly hreahing from her control) — Oh ! — it is. humiliating ! — even the very dress I wear, owed for ! — every time any one com- pliments me I could die with shame ! Mrs. S. D. Madame Cretonne was a little inso- lent in threatening suit, but — (smiling) — she is in New York and we are in Florida. These trades- people are all alike. The worse you treat them the more they will do for you. (caressing her) When you are married to Barrington, there will be no more bills. (Enter Suzanne l. c. running. She is also in din- ner costume, hut very simply made. ^Years a large corsage of roses, with one sunflower among them; down L. c.) Suzanne. Oh, Miriam, I — (stops short, seeing Mrs. S. D.)— Oh I— (haclcing)—! — I didn't mean to interrupt. Mrs. S. D. Not at all. Miriam and I were merely discussing millinery and nonsense. I have an important letter to write to Madame Cretonne — (then aside to Miriam) Happiness is a flower that blooms best in the golden sunshine of money, dear. Eemember ! Miriam, (hands clasped) I remember. (Exit Mrs. S. D. r. 2 e. Miriam looJcs after her mother; lifts her head with determination. Su- zanne lool'S at her, then, demurely:) Suzanne. (c. Caressing the sunflower) I know a thing or two if my name is Green. THE BUTTERFLIES 51 Miriam, (r. c. Wearily) What do you mean, dear? Suzanne, {sloivhj, studying the flower) W-e-1-1, I know that if / were, you — and I were en- gaged to -Barry . . . and were in love with F'red . . . (Miriam starts) ... and my mother — that is, if I had a mother — wanted me to throw Fred over for Barry —(Miriam breathless with interest) — I know what Fd do. Miriam. You would do — what ? Suzanne, (safiie business) W-e-1-1, I'd . . . of course, I wouldn't let my mother know, because of course she'd fuss. . . . But I'd — I'd Miriam, (eagerhj) You would — ? Suzanne, (gravely; same business with the flower) I'd bust Barry's engagement higher'n Gilde- roy's kite. (Miriam starts, then eagerly) . Miriam. You mean it? (Suzanne nods; then Miriam, impulsively holding out her arms) Su- zanne! —(Suzanne runs to 'her, they clasp each other) — you dear! Suzanne. You darling! (hugging her) Oh! (disengaging herself, examining the corsage bouquet) Miriam. Did I crush them ? (scene rapid from this to Miriam's exit) Suzanne. (smoothing the sunflower) M! — I don't mind the roses, but he said that sunflowers al- ways reminded him of home, and so — but it isn't hurt.^ You aren't in love with Barry, are you? (taking both her hands; Miriam averts her face) You DEAE ! (puts arms about her, kissing her) — I knew it, and I was dying to tell you what Fred said — Miriam. Did he say anything ? — you darling! , (kisses her) What did he say? (they sit r. c. holding hands) And you don't mind my not loving your brother? Suzanne. N'ah ! — and he won't mind it either. 62 THE BUTTEE FLIES Barry don't know his own mind — why he was head over heels in love with a prima donna last spring. Miriam. With a PEIMA DONNA ! Suzanne. {?iods gravely) And he used to go aronnd all day whistling ^' Tararahoom-de-ay " (gives a Utile I'ich) till papa gave him a licking for it. Miriam. He did ? • Suzanne. M' h-m! Break off with Barry! He'll have a new girl in a week. (Miriam starts) Aren't you in love with Fred? Miriam, (confused) Why — I — I do not even know Mr. Ossian. Suzanne. That doesn't matter. I hardly know And — I mean Mr. Strong, and still — Miriam. You are in love with him? Suzanne, (nods) Up to here, (hands across neck) And you are with Fred, aren't you? (Miriam averts her face) — Say, yes! You are? (Miriam drops her head; Suzanne with a glad cry, tlirows herself into Miriam's arms, face down on her hreast, arms about her; they roclc to and fro) Ooh ! Isn't it jolly ! — I knew you were. And now you won't let him ^o away, will you ? Miriam. Go away? (holding her off, and with alarm) Suzanne, (nods) He said he was going away to-niglit — on tlie yacht — going to Andrew — Mr. Strong's plantation in Cuba, where they have yellow fever. Miriam. {Iwrror-stric'ken) Yellow-fever! He is going there ! Suzanne, (slowly shaldng her head) Nah ! He is bluffing! He knows that you are in love with him. (Miriam starts; Suzanne nods) He said so. Miriam, (hridling) He did? (Suzanne ?ioJ.s) Suzanne. Well, he said it would break his heart if you knew that he was going away — Miriam, (with indignation) Indeed! THE BUTTERFLIES 53 r SuzANXE. (nods) He said that he was going to speak to you the first time he found you alone. Miriam, (with spirit) Will he — we shall see. (rises, x. R. c.) Fll teach him a lesson. I love him, do I ! My heart is breaking, is it ! — and he will speak to me ! — we shall see. Men are all alike. Never let a man know that you care a straw for him. (goes up c.) Suzanne. (dolefully) I'm afraid that Mr. Strong knows that I care a whole haystack for him. Miriam, (down l.) He'll speak to me, will he? The first time he finds me alone. I'll give him a chance. We shall see. (Stuoj^g laughs off l.) Sh! — Go see what they are doing. (Suzanne runs up L. c, peeps through the portiere) Suzanne. They are coming in! Let's hide and — (Re-enter Mrs. S. D. r. 2. Miriam does not see her, hut Suzanne does, and changes at once to extreme innocence) Miriam. No, let us — (Suzanne malces a gesture of warning) Suzanne, (dotvn l. c. Very demurely) Why, there's your mama now. Mayn't we go out on the veranda, Mrs. Stuart-Dodge ? It isn't a bit damp. Mrs. S. D. (c.) Certainly. And I will go with you. (despair of both) If it were damp, my neuralgia — Miriam, (l. QuicJcly) But it is damp. Suzanne. Awful. Mrs. S. D. (to Miriam) Then you cannot go. Miriam. Oh, but it isn't as damp as that, is it, Suzanne ? Suzanne. I'll see. (runs up r. c. out on veranda, fans herself with her hands) Oh, no ! It isn't a bit too damp for us — but if I had neuralgia — I'd be afraid. Mrs. S. D. (smiling) Very well. I see you I M THE BUTTERFLIES want to be alone together. But you must have a wrap — Miriam. A wrap ! — I'd roast ! Mes. S. D. (r. c.) This is light. (taJces the lace scarf from her shoulders, puts it on Miriam. L. c. Suzanne delighted) Don't stay out long. {then slightly raising her voice, to Suzanne) Where is Barrington? Suzanne. Gone to the hotel. He'll be back soon. (up to veranda) Mrs. S. 1). (r. c. To Miriam; lower voice) That will give you a chance to get better acquainted with Mr. Strong. E-norraously rich, my dear — and if anything should come between you and Barring- ton — (then to Suzanne, who comes down c. r.) Mr. Strong is not engaged to or interested in any one, is he? (Suzanne gasps with amazement) Suzanne. How — how should I know — (Miriam restrains her) Mrs. S. D. {meaninghj, to Miriam) You un- derstand, dear. I will leave you together, {exit r. 2) Suzanne. What did she mean by — {go l. c. to Miriam. Strong laughs off l. c. Both start) Miriam. They're coming! {dreamy ivaltz music offn.) Fred. {Off l. c.) It is no laughing matter to me. Suzanne, {whisper) Quick, (they run to stair-- case L.) We can sneak out to the veranda by the other stairs, (they go up; Strong r. and Frederick L. enter up L. both in evening clothes with bouton- nieres) Miriam. Hide close! (Suzanne up c. shrinks be- hind the large vase, clinging to Miriam; Miriam down stage) Strong. Quite extraordinary. I don't quite un- derstand American society. Fred, (with nervous rapidity) Don't try to. THE BUTTERFLIES 55 There is only one man who ever did understand it, and he's dead, {they come doivn L. c.) Keep out of society. You would never succeed in it. You are too clever. You alarm persons with ideas. Never bring ideas into society. Ideas make persons think. You have filled your noddle up with — with art^ and — and that sort of rubbish, don't you know, and literature — which is all very well in its way, but tommy-rot to society persons, don't you see, — and then, you are a bee — I am a butterfly. You work — I flit. I succeed in society. You never would. Strong, (c.) But — if you never discuss art, and — Fred. (l. c.) No, no — wouldn't do. Strong. But how do you converse ? Fred. I never converse in society. I twitter. {sits on divan l. under railing of stairs) I shall never twitter again, {dejectedly) Strong, {approaching him) Cheer up a bit, old chap. I didn't think you were so hard hit. {sits beside him) Fred, {mechanically getting out a cigarette-case, offers to Strong) Hard hit ! — who wouldn't be ! — Did you ever see such eyes ! — such a throat ! — such hair! so heavenly a smile! — {business for Miriam a?id Suzanne, overhearing this) Ah ! — and you've never been in love. Strong! (Suzanne leans over the railing) Strong, {also attitude of dejection) Then I don't know what ails me. {business for Miriam and Suzanne) Fred. There is only one girl in the whole world — there has only been ONE since the dawn of crea- tion! Strong. Quite so. {both Miriam and Suzanne delighted) Fred. WTiat a mysterious power love is. Strong. Isn't it ! (Miriam mahes signs to Suzanne to pelt them with 56 THE BUTTERFLIES rose leaves, they hreak up the roses on their cor- sages.) Fred. If I were hlind, I would know if she en- tered the room. I could FEEL her presence. (Miriam and Suzanne Jet a few rose leaves fall; Suzanne sprinkling Strong, Miriam Frederick; then they dodge bach out of view.) (Stop No. 8 music.) Strong, (fervently) So could I. (brushes a rose-leaf off his head; looks up; then, sotto-voice) Most extraordinary! (then sees the roses in vase over his head, and is evidently satisfied that the petals fell from them; Fred too deeply in thought to no- tice) Fred. Of course I know that I do not deserve her. (Miriam cautiously peeps oid, and she and Suzanne begin to sprinkle rose leaves again) She is above me — (Miriam starts) in a way — (she sees his meaning) — just as your sweetheart is above you. (business for Suzanne) Strong. Quite so ! Frederick. If she only knew how I love her"! (Miriam aiid Suzanne sprinkling petals again) — but she never will . . . never ! ( Strong brushes a petal from his head; both girls dodge back; he looks up) Strong. Eemarkable how those roses moult! (Miriam and Suzanne stealthily peep out again, and are about to sprinkle more leaves, ivhen STiiONG looks up suddenly and catches them.) Strong. I saw you! (both make him a gesture of silence) — Quite so ! (Miriam leans over to whis- per; he rises) Eh ? Fred, (gloomily; same position) 1 said that she must know I love her. Strong. Certainly, she does, old chap. (Miriam scatters all the rose leaves in her hand upon Frederick's head.) Fred, (more gloomily; brushes a petal from his THE BUTTERFLIES 57 head) I shall go to Cuba with .you to-morrow. (Brushes another petal from his head; Miriam ges- tures Strong that Fred must not go) Strong. No, old chap. You've never had yellow fever. I have. Miriam, {aside to Suzanne) How can we get out on the veranda without being seen ? Suzanne, (ivhisper) By the other staircase. I'll show you. (Miriam mahes a gesture of silence to Strong, who nods assent; exuent Miriam and Suzanne iip stairs.) Fred. Yellow fever is — pooh! (Jcnocls another leaf from his head) I would rather — (Miriam a7id Suzanne hreah into uncontrollable laughter off l.) Her voice! (rises — laugh — listens, the laughter dying aivay in the distance. He hnocTcs more petals from his head) She is laughing — laughing — while I ! Where the devil did all those rose leaves come from? (then excitedly) Did you throw them on me? (folloiving scene very rapid) Strong. I ? — No, dear boy ! — I fancy that vahs — Fred. I was not under it — and they're not the same kind of roses. They were here! (goes quickly out to c, to look up the stairs; looks up stairs) You saw them — Strong, (goes l. c. Confused, trying to evade) Eeally, old chap — Fred. (l. of Strong) Look me in the eye ! Strong. I — I — Fred, (rapturously) I knew it ! — she was here ! — she heard me ! — she knows I love her — she has filled m}^ whole life with blossoms ! (gathers up petals from the divan, presses them to his lips) — she is mine ! — mine ! Strong. But her mother — Fred, (frantically) BLOW her mother ! — (then rapidly; lower tone) Strong, you must help me. I m THE BUTTERFLIES know that Miriam is as wild as I for an interview. She will return. When she does, you choke her mother — will you ? Strong, (sits on divan) Choke her mother — Fred, (l.) Yes — choke her — that means, keep her away while I have a word with Miriam, — with Miriam ! Oh, how the whole world of thorns has blossomed into tenderness. I'd like to see anything make me unhappy now. {glances up stage. Miriam and Suzanne languidly saunter hy, on the veranda from L. to R. ivithout looking down stage. Frederick dodges hack behind angle, of the staircase) Sh! Strong. What is it, old chap? {attempt to rise; Fred forces him hack; lays finger on lips) Miriam, {panting; aside to Suzanne) Is he looking ? Suzanne, {aside; panting) Yes, shall we go in? Miriam, {aside) !N^ot for a minute. Oh, how my heart beats! {exeunt sloivly, going r.) Fred, {amazed) They didn't drop those rose leaves. Strong. Yes, they did! Fred, {air of conviction) No ! There they are ! Sh! {forces Strong doivn again as he attempts to rise. Suzanne and Miriam re-appear again appar- ently studying landscape and harbor) Miriam. {quick whisper; aside) Is he still there ? Suzanne, {takes a quick look) Mh-m! {excit' edly) Yes. . Miriam, {leaning over balcony as if unconscious of Fred's pi-esence) How exquisite the sky! the water ! that lighthouse ! like a dream ! Fred, {nudging Strong) Like a dream! Miriam. And Mr. Strong's yacht — Suzanne, {rapturously) It doesn't seem like a yacht, does it ? — it seems like Heaven ! Fred, {aside) Strong, your yacht seems like Heaven ! THE BUTTERFLIES 59 Miriam, {obviously for Strong) How would you like to float away in a yacht like that and sail . . . and sail . . . and sail . . . Fred, {sotto voce) And sail, {falling inflec' Hon) Suzanne. And be all alone — Miriam. All alone? Suzanne, {long-drawn sentimental sigh) Alone with the man you love. (Fred eager for Miriam's reply) Strong, {sentimentally) The man she loves ! Miriam, {languid indifference) I wouldn't like it. {then quickly aside) Is he there yet? Suzanne, {glances quickly) Mh-m! — But you do love him? Fred, {aside, dismally) She wouldn't like it. Miriam. {aside) I love him — madly. {then, aloud, and obviously for Fred's benefit) No, a man is always so conceited, my dear, {coming down, sits on sofa R. Suzanne stands behind her) Fred, {sotto voce, with a gulp) Conceited ! Miriam, {as before) He thinks if you look at him, you are in love with him. (Fred groans) Suzanne. Mh-m ! Miriam, {ivith vicious emphasis) And that it will break your heart if he goes away ! How absurd ! (Frederick groans) — and sometimes he is impu- dent enough to think he could speak to you if he found you alone! (Frederick collapses) Even if I loved him, I would HATE him ! — Fred, {dismally) Did you hear that? (Miriam and Suzanne go up to the veranda again) Now, I'll wrench her heart ! {takes Strong's arm, strolling c. the girls look) Yes! {dismal sigh) I will go to- morrow morning early, {sits on divan d. c. Strong L. of him) Strong. Go where? — I — (Fred gives him a> vicious prod; jerks his thumb towards the girls) — 0, I see ! 60 THE BUTTERFLIES Fred, {aloud and more dismally) I know there is yellow fever there, but — is it very fatal? {winks at Strong; Miriam and Suzanne listening intently) Strong. Not when you're used to it — (Fred gives him another prod) I — unless you recover, it — it is quite fatal. Fred, {as before) I know that I will get it. I am addicted to fevers. Perhaps it will be fatal, but — {despairing gesture; sinks hack, then aside to Strong) Is she wilting? Miriam, {aside to Suzanne; nose in air) As if I didn't see through him! (Suzanne nods; try- ing to repress laughter. As Strong turns to look, hoth girls turn quickly to study the heavens and harbor) Strong. No, dear boy. She doesn't wilt. Miriam, {smoothly) Mama was afraid to come here. She is afraid of yellow fever, {ivith scorn; Fred listening intently; clutches at Strong) Suzanne. And aren't you? (Miriam gestures to her to go in; they stroll in together) Miriam. If Of yellow fever ? If {airy scorn) Aunt Winslow had it, and she says it is really noth- ing at all, imless you happen to die — of course then it is unbecoming, because it makes you look like a spoiled lemon. (Suzanne nods gravely) Fred, {aside; wilted) Spoiled lemon! Miriam, (r. c. Affected surprise) Why there is Mr. Strong ! Suzanne, (r. also affected surprise) So it is — and Frederick! {going to liim) Strong, (l. c.) Quite so. (Fred makes him a quick gesture, implying that he wishes to be pre- sented to Miriam) Strong. {to Fred) Certainly — Miss Stuart- Dodge, — {X's to her. Elaborate preparations on the part of Fred for the introduction) — may I have the honor of — (Miriam makes a quick gesture to Su- THE BUTTERFLIES 61 ZANNE, implying that she does not wish to he intro- duced) — my friend, Mr. — Miriam, (suddenly) Oh ! — I left my fan on the veranda ! — Won't you come, Mr. Strong, and help me find it? (goes a little way up r. c.) Strong. Certainly — I — {going to her), but — quite extraordinary, don't you know — but you have your fan! (Suzanne goes to Fred. l. of him.) Miriam. Why so I have — how funny ! — (Suzanne l. c. hands hehind her, regards Frederick gravely.) Strong. Quite so, but allow me — (Fred again hraces up: Miriam hurriedly interrupts Strong.) Miriam. I — it was only an excuse to have a little chat with you (coquettishly) , and you caught me ! (slipping her L. arm through his with a light laugh and leading him up stage) Strong. I — I — upon my honor, don't you ' know — Miriam, (shaking her fan at him as they go up) I believe you are — a flirt ! Strong. No — upon honor, — I assure you ! (They go up to the arch and stand in the moonlight ; Miriam very -flirtatious, hut watching Fred.) Suzanne, (slowly shakes her head) Poor Fred ! — Do you feel as bad as you look ? Fred. Worse, (jerks his thumh towards Miriam; tries to speak; gulps, then thumps his heart twice) . . . broken! Suzanne, (gravely, and without much sympathy) W-e-1-1, her mother asked her to promise that she wouldn't let any one present you. Fred. And . . . [again indicating Miriam. Gulp. Suzanne nods, then suavely) Suzanne. She promised, (he sinks hack on the divan. She fans him) 62 THE BUTTEEFLIES Miriam, (r. c. sinoothly) Why must you leave us to-morrow? (coming to L. of the divan) Strong, (r.) It is most unpleasant, but my agent in Cuba, in charge of all my affairs there — was inconsiderate enough to get yellow fever — and now he's dead and all that sort of thing, don't you see? Miriam. (leading him l. c. above the divan) But why not send some one in your place, — some one who doesn't mind risking his life for a trifle? (point- edly; comes down r. of the divan and sits. Fred is on the left side of it facing l. ; Suzanne standing near him) You certainly must not risk yours. Be- sides — (hechons him to tend down; she whispers him) Fred, (sotto voce) A — a trifle! — You heard her! (to Suzanne) Suzanne, (aside to Fred, in a tone of smooth indiffererice) W-e-1-1, I did my best, (fixing the flower on her corsage) I told her that you said you knew she loved you. . . . (Fred horrified) and that you said if you went away, it would hreak her heart. ... I did all / could, didn't I. Fred, (miserably) You certainly did. Suzanne. (And tlien I — Fred. Never mind the rest! (attitude of pro- found dejection) Suzanne, (with difficulty repressing a laugh) What else can I do? Fred, (broken-hearted) Nothing, thank 3'OU — unless — if you happen to see the coroner — tell him I am ready. (Head in hand; elbow on Tcnee. Su- zanne quaking ivith silent laughter) Strong, (to Miriam) Eh? — then you're only chaffing — (she checks him; goes up C, motions to Suzanne to take Strong away; Suzanne nods as- sent, beckons to Strong) Oh, yes ! — I see ! — Ila, ha! (she checks him; Suzanne beckons him; both tiptoe up to R. c. ; then Miriam makes a sign fot THE BUTTERFLIES 63 Suzanne to hole off r. 2, Suzanne goes to door e., cautiously^ peeps off) . . . Most extraordinary, these Americans ! — Fred, (aside; despairingly) Did it to oblige me ! . Miriam. Suzanne ! Suzanne. (to Miriam; indicating r.) Your mother; she's there; reading letters. Sli! — (goes up R. c. Miriam sits on r. side of the divan; sinks back, her right hand ivith handkerchief, and the cor- ner of the lace scarf extended to midway hettueen her- self and Frederick. During the following she withdraius her hand, leaving the handkerchief and scarf. Suzanne takes one end of tlie screen up r. c. and beckons to Strong to take the other; finger on lips to enjoin silence. Strong takes the other end of the screen, on tiptoe they carry it down to a point midivay between the door r. and Frederick; adjust it; then speaking off R. ; extreme innocence) Yes, Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, to keep out the draft, (pause) No, Miriam is not in a draft — she is in the warmest corner of the whole room, (sneaks up R. c. ; and then nods to Miriam, implying that it is all right) Poor Fred! (then smothers a laugh with her hand- kerchief) Strong. (aside, to Suzanne) Really — if I were in his place — I'd be most unhappy too, don't you know? Suzanne, (loivered eyes, and mischievously)' Would you? (to Miriam, comes down l. of m.) I'll take him away for five minutes. Miriam. Say fifteen. (crosses to Suzanne.) Would you like to see how your yacht looks in the moonlight ? Strong, (eagerly) Eh? Suzanne. Would you . . . (marches up to him, chin in air, hands behind her; marches out into the moonlight, turns, gives him a languishing look, smiles and still smiling and looking at him exit r. c, going r.) M THE BUTTERFLIES Strong, (holes after her) Upon my word, I — I wonder what she meant by that. I — (nerving himself up) I'll ask her. [{Exit, going r. A moment's pause. Miriam glances out of the corner of her eyes towards Fred, who is in the same attitude of despair, evidently unconscious that she is in the room.) Miriam, (enjoying the situation, hut half fright- ened) Well, — he is alone with me ! — I — I wonder if he'll dare speak to me. I — I'm afraid he will, and — (pause) I'm afraid he won't. Fred, (deep gloom) No nse. . . . I'll go to Cuba. . . . Yes. What odds ! After that interview with her mother to-day, yellow fever will seem as mild as buttermilk. . . . Yes, I'll go. (While he speaks the above, Miriam cranes her neck around to get a^peep a this face. As he speaks the last ivords, he turns toivards her. She instantly re- covers her former position. Ilis eye lights on the handkerchief. He starts. His eye slowly follows the scarf till he sees that she is there, ivhen he also quickly turns his face away) Great heav — ! She is here ! Miriam, (aside) I — I wish that Suzanne would — (gulp) — would come back, (looks uneasily up r. C. turning to her left) Fred, (resolutely) I'll speak to her. (draws himself up) I — (pause; mops his face) I — ■ (weakens) — no — (looks again at the handkerchief) ■ — no. SHE also would think it " impertinent and obnoxious." That handkerchief. She would not miss it, and — it has touched her hand — her lips. (reaches slowly for it) Miriam, (very nervous) This is dreadful! I ■ — what can I do — I — I'll go. Where's my hand- ker — (feels for handkerchief; reaching slowly out for it without looking) Fred. (looks up r. c. ajid feeling for the Jiand- Jicrchief with his left hand) Nobody looking! THE BUTTERFLIES 65 (their fingers touch; Miriam jerhs her hand awaij with a gasp; she sits upright. He starts also at the touch) Miriam. How perfectly bold! (half frightened, half indignant) If he had spoken to me — and asked for it — but, now, he shan't have it. (looks, sees his fingers cautionsly feeling for it; she deftly picks up the handkerchief) Fred. No — that wasn't her hand! (feeling again for the handkerchief without looking, gets hold of the trailing end of the scarf. He lifts it, feels that it is lace; his face lights up. Re-enter Mrs. Stuart- Dodge, R., letters in her hand; goes up r. c; looks down stage, sees them; stops horror-stricken. Fred aside) Her handkerchief! (stealthily draws it to- wards him, not looking, Miriam sees what he is do- ing; sloiuly rises, the scarf slipping from her shoulders) In my cruel exile, I'll wear it out with kisses, (begins stuffing it in his pocket, his face showing increased surprise when each thrust of his hand fails to get it all in. Suzanne and Strong saunter in on veranda, going up toivard L. they pause, looking off towards the harbor) Miriam, (breathless with amazement) Well . . . in . . . in . . . my . . . life ! Mrs. S. D. (volcanic burst) MIRIAM! (All start; Fred rises; Miriam utters a cry and stands (^bashed. Strong and Suzanne turn, come just un- der the arch r. c. Mrs. S. D. crosses to r. c, with a freezing smile) That bit of point lace not only has intrinsic value, but it is an heirloom. (Fred starts) May I — trouble you? Fred. (c. recovering his self-possession) You may. (draws it slowly from his pocket; folds it once; puts it over his left arm; approaches her) Madam, I trust you will find it uninjured, (draws it off with his right hand, offers it to her ivith a bow; she takes it) & 66 THE BUTTERFLIES Mrs. S. D. (r. c. with majestic dignity) I am glad to find it at all. Fred. Madam, I — Mrs. S. D. {checks him; tvith venomous smooth- ness) Explanation is entirely unnecessary — the cir- cumstance speaks for itself, (going towards dooi' r.) Miriam, (r. c. suddenly) Mother — {then to all) I — it was all my fault — I — (Mrs. S. D. checl'S her) {Re-enter Barrington r. u. e. with hat and over- coat on. He is evidently excited,, and somewhat under the influence of liquor.) Barr. {as he enters, quicldy, to Suzanne, r. c. above) Where is Miriam? {then seeing Fred) Ah! There you are! {tone of mingled anger and contempt) Fred. Yes, what do you wish? Barr. I don't wish anything ; somebody else does. Your tailor! He is coming, {pointing r., up r. c. ; ALL start) Mrs. S. D. (r.) Tailor! (Fred straightens up) Barr. He is coming into our house to collect — Fred, {takes a step toivards him as if about to strike; then controls himself) You have been drink- ing. Barr. (c. with a sneer, and loudly) If I have, I paid for it. Fred. (c. l.) You — Miriam, {eyes blazing ivith indignation) Bar- rington ! {starts towards him. x. c. Fred gives way to L.) Mrs. S. D. Daughter ! — Miriam (c. Low voice to Barr.) How . . . DARE . . . you? Mrs. S. D. {quietly ; but with imposing severity) Daughter . . . please leave the room. (Su- zanne comes doivn, l. of Fred takes Fred's hand) Suzanne. I am ashamed of my brother. THE BUTTERFLIES 67 Barr. (r. c. sullenly glancing from Fred to Miriam) I — If he hadn^t tried to steal you from me — (Mrs. S. D. cJiecks him) Mrs. S. D. Daughter! {indicating r.) Please — Miriam, (head erect; eyes flashing, hut ivith calmness, looJcing at Barr.) Not until I have an- swered him. (to Barr.) Mr. Ossian could not steal me from you, for I never gave you the right to call me yours. Mrs. S. D. (starts; heseechinghj) Daughter — Miriam, (slowly drawing from her finger the en- gagement ring) No! . . . Even to please you — I was unwomanly to wear this for a moment. (tosses the ring at Barrixgton's feet. Looks at him with head erect and eyes flashing; then at Fred who is standing L. c. ivith face partly averted, evi- dently struggling to restrain his anger. She seems about to speak; when after a slight pause) Mrs. S. D. (gently) Daughter, you are acting in anger, and — Miriam, (lifts her head proudly and looks at her mother) Anger! You are mistaken. I — (sud- denly breaks down; turns; buries her face in her hands, and with a stifled sob hurries from the room R. U. E.) Barr. (stoops and picks up the ring; then in a loud insulting tone to Fred) This is all your doing, and — (Mrs. S. D. restrains him) Fred, (his anger getting the best of him) You — (makes motion towards Barr.; is restrained by Suzanne) Suzanne. Please, Frederick, (then to Barr.) Wait till papa knows, Barry ! Mrs. S. D. (in a low voice to Barr.) Come and explain to Miriam. She doesn't mean half what slie says, (leading him r.) Barr. (loud tone, looking towards Fred) Yes, but I mean — (is checked by Mrs. S. D.) 68 THE BUTTERFLIES Mrs. S. D. (quietly; smiling, with a glance at Fred) Come — we will find Miriam. Barr. You told me to be disagreeable. (Mrs. S. D. and Barr. exeunt r. u. 2 e.) Suzanne. (breathless with indignation) The hateful old thing ! And if papa doesn't fan Barry ! — M ! — Never mind them, Fred ! — If you owed all the tailors in the world, I love you! (arms about him) Fred, (pets Jier hand) Yes, yes — I know — I know — (Re-enter on the veranda, Green and Mrs. Ossian. He makes a gesture enjoining silence, and evi- dently asking her to go. She goes ivith evident reluctance, clasping her hands as in distress. He looks after her a moment, then comes down) Strong, (dining the foregoing business, aside) Poor chap ! — I must help him — even if I promised Green I wouldn't — (comes down to him) I say, dear fellow — (r.) Green, (cheerfully, coming down r.) Through smoking, eh ? — Good. Now Frederick we can have that chat you promised me? Suzanne, (r. of Fred, X'ing to Green) Before you chat, papa, I'm going to tell you that Barring- ton — Green. No Chickie. If it's anything that's goin' to make Barry more unpopular with me than he is now, put it off a little for his sake. You and Strong amble out and take in the magnolias and the moon. Come, Strong. Strong, (c. aside to Fred) Cheer up, old chap. All's well that ends, you know — and — faint heart and all that sort of thing — and — every cloud has a lining, don't you see, and that sort of rubbish — cheer up. Fred. (l. c. Pulls himself together) Yes. (Strong slaps him on shoulders then go to r. u.) Suzanne, (to Green) But I hate to be fired! THE BUTTERFLIES 69 Green. And I hate to fire you. But I've got business, (then to Strong as tie comes up, indi- cating Fred) You know. {As Strong answers " Quite so " — drop down a hit.) Strong. Quite so. (then to Suzanne) May I hear the tree-toad sing? Suzanne. (dolefully) I don't know. If he feels as / do now, he won't sing much. (Exeunt Suzanne and Strong r. c. going r. A moment's pause; Green half tvay up r. c. ivatching Fred, who is down c, and standing in gloomy thought.) Green, (aside) He's kind of flabbergasted — reckon he has heard from Bilser. (aloud) Well, my boy, your mother told me a few minutes ago, you wanted to have a bit of a chat with me. What has Barry been saying? Fred. Nothing — I — he made a hasty remark, and — but let that go. A sudden emergency has arisen. Green, (r. c.) Some money troubles, eh ? Fred. (l. c.) Yes. The fact is, Abram Hutch- ins has not made any collections of late from our tenants, and — and — (then with sudden determina- tion) Frankly, I want to raise some money by morl^age, and as mother has placed all her affairs in your hands, I — (Green seats himself r. c.) — I necessarily come to you. Green, (assuming a stolid business air) You have some debts? Fred, (starts, then composes himself) Yes. Green. One of them — Bilser the tailor — has followed you here. (Fred starts again, and with a less successful effort at control.) Fred. Yes. Green, (same air) Three of your other cred- itors have assigned their claims to Bilser, and — Fred, (losing his temper) What does this T'O THE BUTTERFLIES mean? I have never been dunned in my life until now. Don't' these men know — Green. (checJc^ him) My boy — the business world is run on business principles. When men know that their money is sure, they are never un- easy, (calmly and without looking at Fred) Per- haps they have heard that you have run through your money. (Fred looks at him amazedJy) Fred. Eun through my money — [then, as see- ing) Well, yes. I suppose that as fast as my money came in I have run through it. But — we have property. Green, (in a quiet, husiness-Uke manner) You have been frank with me. I will be frank with you. Your mother has some little property, and — you had some, but it is gone. Fred. Gone! (amazement) GOXE! Green, (as before) Gone, (nurses Ms left Tcnee and rocks sloivly) Fred, (breathless with surprise and horror) Im- possible ! . . . The house on Eleventh Street ? Green. Mortgaged. Fred. (increased amazement) Mortgaged? (Green nods gravely) The tenement on Avenue A? Green. (same manner) Two mortgages on that. Notice of foreclosure came this morning. Two lots in Harlem mortgaged up to their full value, and so is the farm in Westchester County. Fred, (looks at him, unable to realize) Mort- gage — foreclosure — Why ? Green. To keep you goin'. (Fred recoils to divan, buries his face in his hands. Green ap- proaches him, then in kindly tone, laying his hand on his shoulder) To keep you goin'. My boy — you've been foolish. You've danced all summer like the grasshopper, and now the winter has come. Fred. Yes ! — winter has come ! Everything gone — and now — (srnites his hands sharply; atti^ tude of despair) THE BUTTERFLIES 71 Green. T know it's hard. Fred. I deserve it — It isn't for myself I care ! But — Green. Don't worry about licr. I've divided the estate, as it should have been divided long ago, and she has somethin' left that ain't eat up by loans. Not much, but — somethin'. Your mother let you go on and on, and never had the heart to say no when you wanted money — I suppose that she was always hopin' that you would come to your senses and go to work. But you didn't. Then I took you in hand — and I've brought you to book. Fred. To book — yes. Green, {sits off c. r. of Fred) To book. I sent for Bilser to come down here — and I got your other creditors to crowd you. I knew it would shame you — I knew it was bitter medicine — but I wanted you to know that idleness is a mean partner, and that credit is a blessing you mustn't fool with. Fred, (same attitude and despairingly) And so . . . I have — nothing. Green. (taJces check from his pocket) Oh yes, you have. I sold the Westchester farm, and after payin' the mortgages and interest, there's some little left over — here's the check for it. (gives it to him) Fred, (without looking) Thank you. (takes it mechanically) Green, (aside) And now I reckon I'll let him suffer a bit — I'll let him realize, (exit r. u. e.) Fred, (wearily passes his hand over his forehead; then slowly trying to realize) Gone! Everything. Of all I had — nothing left me, but — (reads check) "Mechanics and Traders' Bank; pay to the order of Frederick Ossian forty-two hundred and seventy-one dollars. Hiram Green, Trustee." (sloivly) Forty-two hundred — (his face brightens) That's more than enough to pay them all, and I can start square with the world. Yes! (with sudden determination; rises) If other men can carve their 72 THE BUTTERFLIES way from nothing, so can I, and I will. {Re-enter Coddle r. c. with salver. Going toward r. 2) I — Well? Coddle. I beg pardon, sir, but Mrs. Stuart- Dodge — Mr. Bilser has called. Fred. Bilser? He has come to see me. Coddle. He said Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, sir. Fred, {taking the card; reads) "Nathaniel Bilser.^' Show him in. Coddle. Yes, sir. {exit r. c.) Fred. How dare he follow me here? But I un- derstand now. Hiram Green told him to do it — and he was right. Never mind, I have the money. I will endorse this, and — {goes rapidly r. ; looJcing off R. ; stops. Stands a moment struggling with his feelings; controls himself hy a mighty effort; goes to table in room r. ; sits, and endorses check) {Re-enter Coddle and Bilser. r. c.) Bilser. (l. c.) But I do not wish to see Mr. Ossian — it is Mrs. Stuart-Dodge. Please give her my card — most important business. (Coddle hoius; he is going r. and Fred 7ises; re- enters.) CoDDiE. (r. c.) Mr. Bilser wishes to see — Fred. A moment. I have some business with him. (Coddle hoivs and exit L. c. ; then Fred calm hut decided tone; — scene crescendo from here to end) You have come to collect your money. Bilser. (l. 3.) I beg pardon, Mr. Ossian — Fred. (r. c. With difficulty controlling his an- ger) You have had three other claims assigned to you. Bilser. I have sir, but — Fred. Give them to me. Bilser. {taking papers from his pocket) But, really, sir, — I must insist — I do not want your money, sir, — I refuse to take it — Here are the three assignments, sir, sent me, but I decline, sir, to have anything to do with them, and I so told Mr. Green. THE BUTTERFLIES 73 (Fred takes papers) You must let me explain, Mr. Ossian. Fred. I wish no explanation, {examining the three papers) BiLSER. I — dear me — this is very unfortunate. {aside) Freo. {rapidly looTcitig at the papers) Four hundred and sixt}^ — three hundred — four hundred and eighty — a paltry twelve hundred dollars — and I have spent thousands with these men. {then turns -fiercely upon Bilser) How much is your account? BiLSER. I — you must let me explain, sir — It is only about a thousand — but I decline to take your money, sir, — at least, not now. I came here, sir, to collect from Mrs. Stuart-Dodge — (Fred starts) Madame Cretonne's bill — nearly three thousand dol- lars, and — Fred. {amazed) Mrs. Stuart-Dodge ! — You came to collect from her ! — Bilser. (l. c.) Yes, sir, — Madame Cretonne — er — my promised wife — giving long credit has al- most ruined her — this account is nearly three thou- sand dollars, and over two years' standing — (Fred breaks into exultant laughter) Fred. You came to collect from her? {pointing Bilser. Y es, sir — and I promised to either col- lect or sue at once. I — I saw a lawyer to-day and I have the summons here. Fred. (c. as before) A summons! {laughs) Not for me, then, but for her! {looking r.) And she — she who insulted me, — insulted my mother ! She has debts, too ! — and — three thousand dollars ! — It is for that she is selling her daughter ! — By Heaven, we shall see! Come! {taking him by the hand and dragging him r.) There is Mrs. Stuart- Dodge {indicating r.), there! (starts, then in a hoarse whisper) No ! I forgot Miriam. Stand back ! — Don't let her see you ! . . . They are 74 THE BUTTERFLIES coming this way. {forcing him up l. Re-enter Green r. u. e. Go, go — you must ! I myself will — (sees Green; stops) BiLSER. I am sorry — but — (Fred lays his hand upon Bilser's arm) Green, {down r. c. Cheerfully) Well, been havin' a business talk, eh ? Now, I — {Re-enter Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, quickly, r. 2 e.) Mrs. S. D. (r.) Mr. Green — my daughter has just broken her engagement with your son — on ac- count of this — person's interference — Green. My dear madam — Fred is — Mrs. S. D. Dependent on his mother — Green. No ma'am — he has money — {up a hit as Mrs. 8. D. X's then down r.) Mrs. S. D. ■ Money ! Then why has this dun fol- lowed him to Florida? (x. to r. c.) Bilser. (l.) You are wrong, ma'am. I came • — {going to her with the summons) Fred. (l. c.) Stop! . . . {then calmly) Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, you have chosen to insult me — insult my mother — in this house — why? Mrs. S. D. Why? {then, ivith intense scorn) Because you have tried to win my daughter. You — with not a dollar in the world — how dare you come into a young girl's life — come between {chok- ing with anger) her and her future ! — What home coukl you offer her ! — What money have you to — Fred, {losing his control) Enough! I had in- tended sparing you, but you have — {re-enter Miriam, R. 2 e. He stops short, seeing her) Mrs. S. D. (r. c.) Go on! Say it! Say it — before her, and show her the kind of a man for whom — Miriam, (x. c.) No! — I will speak! I have been silent too long ! — Mr. Ossian . . . I — I wish to say to you that — {he checks her; re-enter Barry r. u. e.) THE BUTTERFLIES 75 Fred. '(l. c.) T understand, Miss Stuart-Dodge, without your speaking. Barry (r. c. hetiveen Green" and Mrs. S. D.) And I understand — Green. Barry ! Mrs. S. D. Why is this man here ? — if you have money — unless you cannot pay, or are dishonorable — (x. to L. of Miriam. Re-enter Mrs. Ossian r. u. E. go to L. c.) BiLSER. I came to — Fred. (cJiecMng him) He came to collect — some debts — and — Mrs. S. D. (sneeringly) And you — are going to — Fred, (quietly and ivith dignity) To pay them — yes. (then to Bilser) Give me all those ac- counts ! — Give me that summons ! Mrs. S. D. (with a sneering smile) A sum- mons ! — Even that disgrace ! Mrs. 0. (coming down, l. of Fred and r. of Bilser) Disgrace! My son — (Fred checks her; then to Mrs. S. D. quietly) Fred. No! . . . (then toMn^. S.B.) This summons is not a disgrace to either me or my mother. (then to Bilser) Is this the amount due you for all these claims? Bilser. More than enough, Mr. Ossian. There is a balance for you. Fred. (r. c. Tears the summons and the papers to fragments, and lets the hits slowly fall from his fingers as he speaks) Madame — the debts . . . are paid. (Mrs. S. D. turns to Miriam, who waves her hand as though not wishing to speak to her; turns and sinks on the sofa with a soh; face in hands.) CURTAIN. ACT III Scene. — Greenes house near Lenox, Mass. a. — the house, with veranda, and steps (s.) Rustic table L. c, u'itJi two roching chairs; large tree, with seat. Up r., a Venetian bridge, over the brook li'hich runs tlience to the lake (Stockbridge Bowl), about lialf a mile away. The place is near the Lenox end of the lake, and looking towards Eagle Lake and Stockbridge; Field Hill showing just to tlie right; Stockbridge c, and the hills about Eagle Lake l. A photograph taken from the old Ilaw'thorne place and looking straight down the lake, ivill shoiv the scene exactly.^ (Enter Grkkn r., over the bridge; wears a loose fit- ting fall suit and the same straiu hat seen in Act I. Carries a number of letters, and sorts them as he comes on.) Green, (entering quickly. Brisk scene) Cod- dle! Coddle! — (enter Coddle from house l.) — That bo/11 miss his train! — Coddle! — (sees him) Is Barry's trunk ready? Coddle, (l. c.) Yes, sir. Chawles started with it for the stytion, ten minutes ago, sir, hand then 'e's goink for Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, sir. Green, (r. c.) All right. Tell Ban-y he's only got twenty minutes — (Coddle going back into the house) — no, — go out and tell James to hitch up the buckboard, — (watch) — train leaves at four-forty. Tell him to hurry. Coddle. Yes, sir. (going r., Green comes down to c.) 76 THE BUTTEE FLIES 77 Green, (l. c.) And — let's see — hold on, Cod- dle! — (looks at time-table hurriedly) ^YouT-tortj, — no, that's the down train, — four-forty-two, — that's it! (beclcons to Coddle to come closer; aside) Mustn't let her know! — (with a glance towards the house) — tell James, (loiver voice) to wait for the four-forty-two from New York. Mr. Frederick Os- sian is coming up. {malces a gesture of silence, glancing toiuards the house) Understand? Hurry! Coddle. Four-forty-two, — yes, sir. {going lei- surely to bridge) Green. Step out ! — just like they was openin' beer in the barn ! Coddle. Yes, sir! (quiclcens his pace; exit over bridge) Green. I'll pour a quart of oil down him some day, and limber him up! — (looks after him. Calls,, looking up to second story window) Barry! — only ten minutes, my boy ! Barry, (within,, sullenly) Very well. Green, (sigh) I hate to send him over the sea. (shakes his head sadly) — But it'll make a man of him — if anythin' will. Ah me ! (sits r., of table, looks over the letter he was reading when he came on) — Derned if Frederick isn't doin' wonderful! — (reads) " And I am free to confess that the in- crease in our bond and mortgage business has been almost entirely due to his industry and good judg- ment. Besides he has induced many of his personal friends — some of them large operators, to transfer their accounts to us. Very truly, David Van Brunt, Cashier." Good! I didn't think he had it in him. (glancing at letter again) Only seven months in the bank, and already earning a promotion. Dern me ! . . . How glad it'll make his mother! (cheer- fully rubbing his hands) . . . Yes ! . . . (then becomes suddenly grave) — But his good for- tune'll take her out of my life, (sigh) Yes, she'll be goin' soon, (lapses into reverie) 78 THE BUTTERFLIES Suzanne. (in house) Papa! — papa! — Papa-a/ {staccato) Green. {same tone) Ye-es. . . . {then again in reverie) . . . Yes, — Susan'll be all I have left, to keep a little sunshine in the house. All the rest is goin' fast, {reverie) Suzanne, {enters from the house; gloves and parasol in one hand; hat in the other) Papa ! — are you there ? Green, {seated r., of table l. c.) No, chickie, — I'm here {pulls himself together), and I'm busy. (opening second letter) Suzanne. (c. Chin up, and severely) You are? (goes to steps and comes down during the following) Green, (reading the letter) " The new Board of Directors " — m-m — Is Barry ready ? Suzanne. Oh, 3^es, — hold these — (putting gloves in his hand) and this — (parasol, x. to hack of table) — but he's cross as a tomcat because you made him enlist in the navy, (starts to put her hat on the table, hesitates, tries the tahle for dust) 0, dear! It's all dust! Here! — (puts hat on him) Green. Am I a hat rack? Suzanne, (x. c. Nods) You are anything I want you to be. (feels her dress) What is the mat- ter? (turning around) Green, (examining tvith a puzzled air) Blest if I know. Perhaps the — the — what — chemay callem oughter be cut more biaser — You dressed in a hurry. Suzanne, (still fussing with the dress) Mr. Strong telephoned over from Lenox that he was going to ride over, and — 0, dear ! Eat too much luncheon! (giving it a tug) — he ought to be here now. Green. Yes. He's going away to-morrow, to be gone some time, and there's lots of business — THE BUTTERFLIES 79 Suzanne, (severely) You won't see him a min- ute, till I've finished with him. — That's better ! — I've got business for you, too. (during the follow- ing, puts on gloves, and then hat) Green, (still at table) About Barry? Well, he'll have to grin and bear it. I've tried every other way, and now I'll see what salt water'll do to season him up. Suzanne. It isn't about Barry, (talcing one glove and putting it on) Why is Mrs. Ossian going away? Green, (aside; dismally) I knew it! . . . (then to her) 'Tain't my fault! If she's goin'. She told me yesterday that though she hated to part with you — (slight pause) Suzanne. With me, and (goes to hack of table get hat or gloves. Slight pause) — with me, AN"D — Green. (Shalces his head) There wasn't any and, chickie, — just you. (Suzanne smiles super- ciliously) Suzanne. Well — ? Green. Well — then she said as how Frederick — now that he's given up all his clubs but one, and never goes to that — he's kinder lonesome . , . too. . . . Suzanne. (moving towards Green. Eyeing him) I'd miss Mrs. Ossian aiv fully, if she went away, (he nods, sighs, face averted) I couldn't be lonesome, if she was around, (peeping around slyly to see his face) Green, (sigh) No, — nobody could be lonesome with . . . her. Suzanne. (l. c. Lofty sarcasm) Oh! you found out that, did you?, . . all by yourself? Why didn't you take me into your confidence long ago? Now you're in trouble, and I'm glad of it, for trying to keep a secret from the only daughter you've got in the whole world, (he sighs) But I 80 THE BUTTERFLIES Icnow, just the same! You love Mrs. Ossian — (Jie starts) — now dont deny it! — you love her — {slightly raising her voice) — and — Green, (alarmed) Sh ! (looking towards the house) Suzanne, (takes second glove, puts it on) Don't worry ! — she knows it. Green, (rises) Kno — (gulp; she nods) — who told her? (she indicates herself, makes him a how) You? Suzanne, (gravely) You've been dillydallying over it for six months, and never had pluck to speak up, — so I took a hand in it myself. Green, (near table L. c. Nearly paralyzed with amazement) You. WHA Tiff Suzanne. Wel-1, — I told her you loved her, — (Green in collapse) — and that you told me to tell her, — there goes a button"! — I'll never get another pair at — there goes another ! 0, pickles ! And then I told her that 3'ou hoped that she would con- sider the matter favorably, and arrange the other de- tails at her earliest convenience. (Green helplessly staring at her) And now, ... all you have to do is to back up what I said. I've broken the ice for you. (takes her hat, is putting it on during the folloiving) Green. What — what did she say? Suzanne. I won't tell yon. I want you to have some fun. Go up and ask her. (takes his hand, pidling him up) Come ! Green, (l. c. Gets up with reluctance) Wha — what could I say to her ? Suzanne, (l. c.) 0, — don't say anything. Just sort of look at her, — and then — she'll sort of look at you, — and then — it'll come out all right, somehow. Hurry! (urging him towards stairs) Green. You've got your father in a nice mess, haven't you? THE BUTTERFLIES 81 Suzanne. (nods) You're clean compromised. But now you'll have company when I'm away, (look- ing off R.) Green, (up to 'stairs) When you're away? — Where are you going ? Suzanne, (going r., shades her eyes with her hand; looking off) Wherever he goes. Green. He? — who? . . . Suzanne, (calmly) Mr. Strong. Green, (comes down l. c.) Strong? Is he in love with you? Suzanne. M — hm ! Green, (increased amazement) Has he told you so? Suzanne, (comes down r. c. Comes hack to him) ISTo-o, but he's been trying to for the last six months, but just as he's got to sort of stuttering around the point — he's just as big a goose about such things as you are — why, I'd sort of look as though I didn't know what he was driving at, and then he'd get sort of scared, and put it off till next time, (sigh) I've had lots of fun with Andrew. Green. But you're not engaged to him yet ? Suzanne. (x. down r. Coolly) No-o! But that's a mere formality. I will be to-day. Green, (amazed) To-day? Suzanne. He telephoned over to know if I wouldn't go to walk with him, and that means he's going to have another try, and I guess I'll just gently let matters drift to a focus.^ Green. (c. Amazed) Well, I'm jiggered! Strong in love with YOU ! Suzanne, (going to him) M — hm! — you see, papa, — (patting his cheeks with both hands) you are one of these dear old reliables — the best, sweetest, old reliable in the world — (standing on tiptoe, bend- ing his face down, and kissing him) — but — (giving him a little cuff) Youre not up-to-date. (Green 6 82 THE BUTTERFLIES up L. c. loolcs off R. Turns, starts) — Oh! — here comes Mrs. Stuart-Dodge and Miriam in the Vic- toria — hurry ! — (pushing him L.) Green, {hewildered) But what can I say — {sound of wheels R., then a voice. '' Whoa," ivheels stop) Suzanne. Say anything — only hurry, or Mrs. Stuart-Dodge'll see you — {looks r.) — too late! — she saw you ! 0, dear ! (stamps, then waves her hand r., in greeting) — How do! — {then, hurriedly to Green) You'll have to stay now, but I'll get you away in a minute! {then speaking r., and rais' ing her voice. You're just in time ! {runs R., and over the bridge. Green glances helplessly towards the house; then goes r.) Green. Mrs. Stuart-Dodge, ma'am, — delighted I (enter Mrs. Stuart-Dodge driving costume and parasol, over bridge; he goes forward to help her. Go L. c. Green l., of her) And Miriam, (enter Miriam over bridge, holding Suzanne's hand; Miriam carries a notecase of fine leather; with her name " Miriam " upon it in silver scnpt) prettier'n ever ! Suzanne ma'am won't have a broad bridge. So we can drive up to the house, — says it's more romanticer to live on an island. Miriam, (down r. c.) So it is, — like Venice. Have you ever seen Venice ? Suzanne, (r., well down by tree) N-n ! — Guess I'll go there on my wedding trip. Miriam. Your — (Suzanne nods) — then you've settled it? (Delighted; Green and Mrs. S. D., go L. c, chatting) Suzanne, (nods) I have, — (they come down r. c.) — and he'll fall in line to-day. (cross to r. c.) Miriam. And — (ivith a cautious glance towards Mrs. S. D.) did you — (ivhispers her; Suzanne nods; whispers Miriam, who starts delightedly) To-day? (Suzanne nods) Oh! (embraces her) How did THE BUTTERFLIES 83 you arrange it? {hoth in front of tree. Green and Mrs. S. D. up l.) Suzanne, (glibly) Well, when you wrote that you were coming over this afternoon, I just tele- phoned down to the office that papa wanted to see Frederick at once, on most important business, and for him to take the twelve-thirty, without fail. (Miriam gives her another hug) And then Fred- erick telephoned back to say that he hadn't better come up till after three, because the market was very unsteady, and the office was awfully busy, — so I told him to hold the wire, and then I called out " Papa " — just as if papa was in the room — then I waited a moment, and then I walked over so — (heavy stride up and down) and then I jerked the phone open and said — (imitating Green's gruff tone) "Young man ! you come up on that twelve-thirty train, and let the office go to the devil ! " (BOTH laugh) And I didn't tell papa till after Fred's train had left (then forgetting and raising her voice) He'll be here! (Mrs. S. D. hears and turns) Miriam, (hugging her) You darling! Mrs. S. D. (l. c. up stage. Green c, up stage. Suspiciously) Who is coming, dear? (loth girls start) Suzanne, (x. to r. c. Miriam r. QuicHy) Mr. .Strong. He's coming over from Lenox, and we're going walking after Barry's train goes. (Mrs. S. D. nods, satisfied, then turns to Green; hoth gwls draw long breaths) Mrs. S. D. (l. c.) So you have decided to send Barrington to sea? He'll look very handsome in his midshipman's uniform, (enter Barry from the house; uniform of U. S. sailor; on his cap is '' TJ. S. 8. New Yorlt," upon the usual ribbon, in letters of gold. ' About his nech is the white cord lanyard. He starts upon seeing Mrs. S. D. and is about to go back into the house; when Green speaks) Why is 84 THE BUTTERFLIES he in uniform now! (x. l. Both girls on settee tree) Green, {rising, going c.) Yes. You see I was afraid if he had any other clothes, he might change his mind. Xo, no, my boy — come on ! — Nothing to be ashamed of. (brings Barry dowii c.) Mrs. S. D. (down l.) 'No, indeed, — how very charming it is ! — but that is not a midshipman's uniform ! Barry. (c. Sullenly) Midshipman! (turns away to hide tears) Fourteen dollars a month, and I've got to wear this pie. Green, (r. c.) Yes, and it'll make a man of you. Brace up! — (patting him on the shoulder) You're goin^ to se6 the world, and get paid for doin' it. Avast there! (hitches up his trousers) Leggo the'r'yle top stunsels! — take a reef in the stabbord doldrums ! There are blows ! — slam bang ! you son of a sea cook ! what ARE you doin' on the britch of that GUN ! Cheer up, my hearty ! ( claps him on the shoulder) There's Miriam, my boy ! — Say good- bye — (ivatch) You've only got five minutes, and if you overstay your pass, they'll sock you for ten days on bread and water in Davy Jones's locker. Barey. (half crying) I don't care how soon I go to — you'll be sorry some day! (goes r. c. Miriam rises to greet hhn. Suzanne up and to his L., doivn step) Miriam. Barrington (giving him her hand) — I am sorry you are going away, (both girls chat with him, admiring his uniform. Miriam takes off her hat and puts on his cap during the following; Suzanne puts on the lanyard) Mrs. S. D. (l.) Mr. Green! — surely! — Green, (c.) Yes, — (sigh) — I've made up my mind that three years at sea will do him good. Mrs. S. D. (amazed) But you don't tell me that Barrington is actually going before the mast? Green, {half sadly) No, — he and the mast are THE BUTTERFLIES 85 going about the same time, (re-enter Coddle from house, with pea-jacket and small handbag) And he^ll have nothing to drink for three years. Mrs. S. D. (l.) Nothing to drink? Green". Nothin' but soft hydraulics. Coddle. Jymes is here with the buckboard, sir. (up stage c.) Green, (l. c. BrisMy) 11 right. Barry! — (ivatch) — just time to catch your train, my boy. (Coddle exit over bridge, tvith hag) Suzanne. Be a good boy, Barry! I hope you won't be very seasick! (puts lanyard on him; kisses him; then comes L. c, wipes a tear from her eye; while he and Miriam have a word) — and write us whenever you can ! I hate to have him go ! (puts her face on Green's shoulder) Green, (l. c. well over l.) So do I, Chickie, — so do I. But his ship'll be back and forth all the time. We'll see him again in a couple of months. Cheer up. Miriam, (r. Aside to Barry; low voice)^ It is better so. Forget that it ever happened. Green. (Xes c.) Come, my son! Barry. Yes! (then to Miriam) All right. I'll try to forget, but — I — (pulls himself together) — all right, father. I'm ready. Green", (c. Takes him in his arms) That's right] — go with a brave heart. Three years will soon pass and then — good-bye, my son. The New York's the pride of the whole navy, and she's a flyer, ■ — but you can't go so fast on her, nor so far, but my heart will follow you. God bless you. (turns aside to hide his emotion. Up c. then down R. c) Mrs. S. D. (l. c. Barry Xes to her) Good- bye, (he takes her hand silently, then turns to Green who has come up r. c.) Barry. (c.) Father, you — you are right. I haven't been a good son, but — I'll try to be a man, now, and when I come back — (a glance towards §6 THE BUTTERFLIES Miriam, x. r. c. Green gives way for him up at bridge) Green. (l. c. Takes his hand) When you come back, I'll give you the MOON if you want it! (then cheerily) Now, Miriam and Susan'll see you to the buckboard. Off with you! (clapping him on the shoulder, and giving him a good-humored push) Go earn your plum horse and salt-duff. Mrs. S. D. Good-bye. Barry. {cheerfully) Good-bye! (ivaves his hand to them; then to Miriam) Let's race to the buckboard ! Mit^iam. All right ! (runs off; exit) Barry. I'll catch you ! (runs after her; exit) Suzanne. .Run ! — Miriam — run ! (Exit R., laughter off n., getting fainter. Green and Mrs. S. D. watching.) Green, (up stage c.) He can't catch her! — She runs like an antelope ! — by gum ! — she got there first ! Green. God bless you, my boy. Oh, Barry, don't be too familiar with the Admiral. Don't dine with him more than once or twice a week. Discipline'll do him good, (then raising his voice) Good-bye! (they come doivn a little) Barry. I won't Mrs. S. D. (goes r. Sigh) I was so anxious to have that engagement renewed for his sake. You see, with prospects such as his, — there are so many mercenary persons in the world — (sigh. Sit) Green. Better as it is. (x. l. c. Looks toward house; sigh; then aside) I wish she'd come out. (Mrs. S. D. glances R., then starts to speak, then hesitates) But I'll ask her. (sudden hurst of cour- age) Yes! — I'll — (tveakens) . . . no — the late lamented — Mrs. S. D. (c. Hesitatingly) Mr. Green, I — Green, (still looking l.) If Susan told her that, I- \ THE BUTTERFLIES 87 Mrs. S. D. There is something which has — Green, (still musing) — Made me feel like per- fect dern fool — I — (then sees Mrs. S. D.) I heg your pardon, ma^am, — you were saying — Mrs. S. D. (hesitating) Yes, — I — I have only just discovered, Mr. Green, — the — the — great kindness you did me the day we arrived at San Augustine — (he looks puzzled) — and — Green. Great kindness — ? Mrs. S. D. It was not until last week, when I wrote to — to Madame Cretonne, and sent her some- thing on account — that — that I knew the bill had already been paid, (opens her note-case) Green. (more puzzled) Bill? — paid? — (she gives him a cheque, folded; he opens it; reads) " Garfield Bank, pay to order of Hiram Green twenty-eight hundred and thirty-four dollars'^ — (she nods and presses it into his hand) Mrs. S. D. It was very thoughtful — very deli- cate of you — but — Green, (shakes his head) You don't owe me anything — somebody else. Mrs. S. D. (Suzanne and Miriam sing outside) Please ! — I know that it Was you, — Madame Cre- tonne said that it was paid on March 16th, and that was the day we got to Sa?i Augustine — it was that night that Miriam's engagement was broken. You knew why that Mr. Bilser had come to Florida, and you paid it — to save Miriam and me mortification. Green. Bilser ? I paid him nothing. I thought he came to bother Fred. — Why, — Fred gave him a cheque — (looks at her; the thought groivs in her face) Mrs. S. D. (agitated) No! — (pause ; horrified) — you . . . you don't think . . . it . . . it was — (he nods) — he! — (he nods; she turns, overcome, and buries her face in her hands) Green, (after a brief pause) I reckon that'e iust what he did, — and it's just like him. 88 THE BUTTERFLIES Mrs. S. D. But after the cruel way I treated him — I could die of shame ! Green, {genthj) That's all right, — donH worry — I reckon he did it, but — can't you guess why ? Mrs. S. D. I suppose because — because — {looh' ing R.) Green, {nodding r.) That's just it — and she's worth doin' it for. (Miriam and Suzanne laugli off r., then come on the bridge.) Miriam, {aside to Suzanne, as they come on, arms about each other) Now that he is coming, and I know that I shall see him, — I am the happiest girl in the whole world! Suzanne. Me too! {^Iiriam looks at her) An- drew! {they come down a little) Mrs. S. D. {giving Green both hands) I will trust you. Explain to him, and — {giving him the cheque) give him this, the moment he arrives. Green, {glancing at Miriam, and drily) No, — not the moment he arrives. He has business far more important. Come in and meet his mother. (x. L. c.) You'll like her. {they go up L. c, a little, conferring) Miriam, {at bench tree r. c.) Do I mind Fred- erick's being poor? {fervently) I could live with him on nothing a year ! — j^es, even in Jersey. Suzanne. {ruefully) Andrew is richer than papa. I wish he was as poor as a bullfrog. Green. I am sure she knows nothing of it. Miriam, {looks suddenly r., and starts) Oh! he's coming! That's Frederick in the top buggy. {gets up; leave her card-case on the bench) Suzanne. So it is ! — hide ! — get behind the tree! Miriam. Get mama away ! {goes quickly l., of the tree, peeping r., makes a sign to Suzanne to get Mrs. S. T). away) THE BUTTERFLIES SQ Suzanne, (round r. of tree and up c. Inno^ cently) Papa ! — '■ you've business in the house. Green, {starts) Eh? (Mrs. S. D., in deep thought, facing l., Suzanne calls his attention to Frederick's coming, and both girls make furious gestures for him to take Mrs. S. D. away) Oh, yes! (then to Mrs. S. D.) Come, ma'am, — let us go and see her. (up steps) Mrs. S. D. J^sigh) Yes. {they go up the steps. On steps) Miriam, dear. I — I have some business to talk over. You don't mind staying here, do you? Miriam. No, mama, — not if you must go. (Suzanne claps her hand over her mouth to keep from laughting.) Green, {on veranda) You'll love Mrs. Ossian. She wouldn^t mortify you for the world. Mrs. S. D. (sigh) I have done wrong — very wrong. {Xes Green. Exit into house) Suzanne, (c. Lower voice, just as Green is about to enter the house) — Papa ! — {he turns) don't forget what I told her. Green, {at the house. Staggers) Oh, Lord! I forgot that. Suzanne, {demurely) You're already compro- mised, remember. Green. I'll have to talk to Mrs. Ossian first, alone. I'll put Mrs. Stuart-Dodge in the conserva- tory. {Exit, sound of wheels off r.) Miriam, {who has been cautiously looking around the tree, draivs her head back) He's come. Don't tell him I'm here ! {a voice off r.) Voice. Whoa ! Miriam. Tell him — {whispers her) Suzanne, {delighted) Ooh! Yes! Such fun! Frederick, {off r., scene very brisk from here to exit of Strong and Suzanne) Keep the change. you needn't come back for me. All right. 90 THE BUTTERFLIES Miriam, (rapturously) Now I have him. (goes to R., of tree as Fred goes c.) Fred, (enters over bridge, coming in front of tree; quickly. He is in a business suit; carries a small satchel; Miriam nudges Suzanne to go out and meet him) Not a very exciting welcome! (Sees Suzanne, comes r. c. from behind tree, as she goes out in front of the tree) — but — hello! — how do! — (shakes hands with her a^he comes down; speaking rapidly) — where's 3^our father? — in the house — (she catches his arm) Suzanne. N-n! You mustn't go in! (gets in front of him, and Miriam to avoid being seen dodges half around the tree) Fred. But I must ! He sent for me. Important business. Can't fool away time with you now — (She draws herself up. l. c.) — don't pout! — he sent for me, I tell you, and I must go in. (going l., of the tree, and thereby chasing Miriam to r., of it; business also for Suzanne) I'll see you later. Suzanne, (c. r. Warning tone) Very well! — only don't blame me if he gets mad. That's all. I tell you he's engaged — (Frederick starts l., again, she stops him and Xes r. c) — , or getting himself engaged. You hadn't better go in. I'll tell him you're here. I — I — (glances around tree, ner- vously X. L.) Fred. Why are you so nervous? What — (c. Glancing up stage and about to go up, when she quickly interrupts) Suzanne, (x. l. c, up towards house) Nothing, I — I'll go and tell papa. Fred, (as she crosses him to steps) All right. Thanks. You're real good, if you are little. Suzanne, (bridling) Ami? (aside) I'll pay him for that ! — (stops two steps up) By the way — (indifferently) have you heard the news? — Miriam Stuart-Dodge is going to be married, (he gives a tremendous start; drops bag) THE BUTTERFLIES 91 Fred, (a little l. of c.) Mir — going to — to whom ? . . . Your brother ? — Suzanne, (calmly, continuing on her way up) Nah ! — that was broken off long ago. She's going to marry somebody she's been in love with for a long time. Fred. (aghast) Somebody she — hold on ! — wait a minute ! Suzanne, (chin up, business air) No, — can't fool away time now. Must see what papa's doing. (Exit L. 3 to house.) Fred. (c. Crushed) Going to marry — been in love a long time ! . . . After all my endeavor and cruel waiting, — this ! Miriam, (peeping around the tree, r., of tree) I cannot see him suffer ! — I — Strong, (off r.) Steady, old girl! — (Miriam starts) — steady! Miriam, (looks r.) Old girl ! (indignant, then looks R.) — Oh, Mr. Strong was speaking to his horse. (relieved) Oh, dear ! He'll spoil every- thing ! (glances nervously r., till Frederick speaks) Fred. Marry the man she loves ! — Well ! . . . (pulls himself together-) Good-bye, rainbows ! Fll fall in love ! (desperately) Miriam, (bridling) Will you? Fred, (savagely) I'll break some girl's heart first, and then marry her ! Miriam, (furious) We shall see ! Fred, (tragic bitterness) Women are all the same. Some of them seem different — that's all ! (Enter Strong over the bridge; he is in riding cos- tume, with hunting crop.) Miriam. Do they! I shall — (Strong sees her) Strong, (on bridge) Ah, Miss — (she makes him a quick gesture of silence) — I — (she indicates Frederick) — ah, dear boy! (she makes signs for him not to betray her presence) 92 THE BUTTERFLIES Feed, (heavily) Ah. Strong! Well^, — the blow has fallen, — all is over with me. Strong, (to Miriam, who has lohispered him) Eh ? — quite so ! — ha, ha ! — devilish good ! — cap- ital! (she lays her finger on her lip; Frederick amazed at him) — quite so! . . . (nods to Miriam, crosses to Frederick) Capital! (chuck- ling) Fred, (to Strong, reproachfully) I don't see anything so devilish funny in it! I've lost her, — forever ! She's going to marry I Strong, (front of tree r. c.) Is she?- — marry whom, dear boy? (Enter Suzanne, stands on steps of house l. 3. Miriam behind tree r.) Fred. (l. c.) I don't know, — some infernal idiot! (Strong laughs in spite of himself) I'll bet she don't love him, — I'll bet somebody picked him out for her. Don't laugh! (lashes himself into a temper) I'll bet he's a fool! (goes up stage) I'll bet any set of people on earth could make a monkey out of him. (turns) DON'T LAUGH! I tell you, after all I've suffered, — I — (then coming down, furious) I want to see him ! — that's all — He's an ASS — (Suzanne laughs) a gibbering, be- wildering, blatant, Bloomingdale ass! — I want to look him in the eye ! I'll bet he hasn't human intel- ligence — (Suzanne comes down l. Sees Suzanne, checks himself, mops his face) And some people don't believe in Darwin! (Suzanne sees Strong, catches her breath; then comes doivn, demurely) Well? Suzanne. He's awful busy. — (Shyly greets Strong, who is confused at seeing her) — How do? Fred. Are you sure he's busy? (Xes L.) Suzanne. — I — I am sorry papa can't see you for a little while, (go to Strong) Oh, yes. He's — he's — (fishing for an excuse) — he's going to take in a partner — THE BUTTERFLIES 93 Fred. A partner? SuzANN'E. That's it ! — And they're discussing it now. (Xes Strong, going to the tree; peeps around; both she and Miriam laugh silently) Fred. A partner? (puzzled) — then I know he wants me. (coming up again) Suzanne, (runs quickly after him) No, no ! — Fred. But he'll want me to draw up the articles of partnership — Suzanne. N-n ! — the preacher'll do that — I mean — (hursts out laughing, so does Strong. Strong goes r. c.) Fred, What is the matter ? . . . Am I crazy or WHAT ! — let me laugh, too, will you ? Suzanne, (checks herself, goes to him) Poor Fred ! — never mind ! — I'm sorry you cannot go in the house, but really, papa and — and his future partner are in the drawing room, and there is some- body in the music room you wouldn't care to see just now, — and — if you'll wait out here — why — I think you'll hear something to your advantage. (with difficulty repressing a laugh and* going c, again) Strong, (r. c.) Yes, old chap — cheer up! (going c.) Suzanne. N-n! (lowered eyes) Mr. Strong and I are — we — he — Oh, you won't be lonely ! Strong. No, dear boy, — you won't. Fred, (gloomily) All right. Go ! — never mind me! . . . Go! (lapses into gloomy reverie; looking L.) Suzanne. (Xes r. c. r. of Strong. Demurely to Strong) Shall we go for that — that walk? Strong. (hesitates) Yes! (going r. Looks hack at Fred. Stay) Poor chap — he's hard hit! Suzanne, (airily) It is his own fault! (then, as they get to the bridge) Strong. Extraordinary ! — how ? Suzanne, (looks at him, then d-^-ops her eyelids) 94 THE BUTTERFLIES When a man is in love, he should never despair. (holes at him; lowers her eyes, exit r.) Strong. (delighted, heivildered) By Jove! — I wonder — no, she didn't mean it ! (Exit gloomily r. Fred., stands in the same posi- tion for a moment.) Miriam, (half frightened) He is in such a — passion now, that — (Frederick dashes his hand down, with an unspoken " damn " ; she starts hack affrighted) Fred. (pulls himself together) Talk of the tribulations and lamentations of Jeremiah ! — I could give Jerry cards and spades. It isn't her fault, — no — dear heart! — she loved me once! — (com- ing slowly to tree; Miriam going gradually behind again) I know that she knows I loved her. And that's the finish. I — (sees the note-case, picks it up) Ah, — Suzanne has left her pocket-book. (sees the name) Miriam! (starts, looks around) How came that here ! — can she be — yes ! — Su- zanne said there was some one in the music room whom I -shouldn't care to see. (sinks slowly into the bench, staring l.) Miriam ! — here — and I — (then talking to the note-case) So you are here, are you? — her pocket-book. You look thin — like mine has been of late, (sigh) Miriam, (r., of and hack of tree) He needn't be so brutally frank ! Fred. You caused all the trouble between us. No — I retract that — it was the lack of something you ought to hold, and which I ought to hold — but I don't, and you don't. Money ! . . . money ! — I tell you, — it is a God ! — we men and women effect to despise it, but we don't. — We grovel to the golden calf to-day, just as low as. they did four thou- sand years ago, and the man that hasn't the blessing of it, is best out of the world. You know that, don't you ? — and I know it ! — and the poorest of the God-forsaken poor^ is the swell who is bagged at THE BUTTERFLIES 95 the knees, (sighs) Yes, I love Miriam — your mistress — ami she — she loved me once — and love is in the market, like the beeves in Chicago and the pigs in Cincinnati, — and we go to the highest bid- der. . . . Well! ... it is over! — But were you filled, and filled again, a thousand times and yet a thousand — I would give it all for that which you have had without the asking, — the touch of her fingers, (rise. Miriam much moved) I am going to keep you.' Yes,— it may be petty larceny, — I'll send back the vile money you have,_ if you have any, — but you are to be mine — (kisses it, rises) mine — forever. Last time I tried to steal a souvenir of her, I got caught, but this time I'd like to see — (about to put it in his breast pochet) Miriam, (r. Breaking from her self-control) Mr. Ossian! — (he starts, drops the note-case; turns; lows; she stands confused, face averted; an awkward Tjausc) Fred. (r. C. Starts to speak; hesitates; again tries; then stoops and picks up the note-case, and then, blunderingly) Miss — Miss Stuart-Dodge, I — I found this — this bit of — of your property, and no doubt it is of great value to you, but — Miriam, (dismally) It only has in it two ele- vated railroad tickets, and — and — and a glove but- toner,— and — a sample of some trimming, but — (another pause) Pj^ed. I — I ought to return it, and — here it is — (extending it reluctantly) Miriam. Oh, no — you may keep it, — that is all but the trimming, and the glove buttoner, and a poem cut out of a newspaper — and even that too, if — that is — I heard you say just now that you would like me — as a sort of — relic — Fred. Yes . . . I — I will keep the — the whole collection, (puts it in his pocket; another brief pause; he essays to speak again, then suddenly) Good-bye! (go l. c.) 96 THE BUTTERFLIES Miriam. Good . . . bye ! — you are — why do you — Fred, {slowly. Despairingly) Don't you . . . know . . . why ... I say . . . good- Miriam, (half timidly; half reproacJi) No, I do not see — just because you have my — my — ele- vated road tickets and — and that trimming and things, that — that you should say good-bye. Fred. (c. Passionately) I have heard of your coming marriage, — and — and your mother — Miriam, (crosses up l.) My mother — Oh! — (sudden start; looking L., alarmed) Fred. Is she there? (x. r. c.) Miriam. I — I am afraid she is somewhere there. But I don't care ! Fred, (bitterly) Surely, she cannot object to my saying good-bye to you, forever. Miriam, (l. c.) No, — and I'm not in the least afraid. Fred. (r. c. Edging a little toivards the tree) Not — nor am I. (assumed bravado) Miriam, (edging also toward the tree, but look- ing L.) No, but — but if you are going to say good- bye forever, — don't you think we — that is you — if you went to the other side of the tree, you . . . might take longer to say it? Fred, (r.) As you wish it, I — (goes to the other side of the tree, r., of tree) — I will — will do as you wish, (she moves slowly to the .bench, and siiiks into it; L., of tree. Another awkward pause) Miriam. Well — ? Fred, (apologetically) I — I cannot leave j^ou at once, — because Mr. Green — sent for me — and he is — he is busy. Miriam, (also apologetic) And mama told me to stay out here till — till she came back, so — I can't leave either, (another pause) Fred, (nerved up to it) I — I suppose I should THE BUTTERFLIES 97 congratulate you upon your coming marriage, but — I will not play the hypocrite. I — I don't know who he is, but I hate him. {Scene a^escendo from here. And Fred, can take stage as soon as lie ivishes so he is c, tuhen Green comes on.) Miriam, {catches her hreath) You hate him? Feed, {arms folded, prepared for the worst) Yes ! I do ! Miriam, {downcast eyes) Well, I — I am afraid he deserves it. {he starts, then, fidl of apprehen- sion) Fred. What has he done? Miriam. He — he — I — I thought I was going to marry him, but — Fred. {hreathless) Yes — yes — go on ! — are you not ? — Miriam. He — it seems to me now that — that he is trying to — to find an excuse for saying good- bye. Fred. The villain! Miriam. I thought he loved me, — Fred. And you — you loved him? — {she hows her head; he recoils) 3^ou — ]\IiRiAM. {timidly yet fervently) With all my heart. Fred. You . . . love . . . him ! — {JjrealvS into hysterical laughter) the way of the Avorld! — {flings out his arms despairitigly, looking upwards) what one man throws away, — the other would give his life for ! — the way of the world ! . . . {she looks at him, hardly ahle to conceal her delight) The scoundrel's name — tell me his name, {fiercely) Miriam, {frigh tened) No — no ! — {shrinking) Fred, {tragically) Yes! — Miriam, {nervous haste) But I — he isn't to blame — I — I never told him I loved him — {he starts hack) 7 98 THE BUTTERFLIES Fred, (aghast) Never told him ! — Miriam. (quicJily) But he might have guessed it — Fred, (amazed) But you said you were en- gaged to him ! — Miriam. No, — I said I — I hoped to be, but — but mama quarrelled with him — and you know how mama could quarrel. Fred. (ivith enthusiasm) Mama? — I should say I do know mummer can quarrel ! Miriam. Well—? Fred. Go on ! — Miriam. I thought you were going to say some- thing. Fred, (hitterhj) I? — what should I say? — what right have I to say anything? Miriam. I — I don't know, but — please say it ! Fred, (rapidly in a hurst of passion during which she leans forward tvith clasped hands, delightedly echoing his ivords under her breath) Yes! — I will speak ! / love you, — I loved you the instant you came into my life, — I worshipped you — there was nothing else — past, present — future — but you — you ! — Before the sun dropped on that dear day I first saw you, I knew that I loved — and yet only once had I looked into your eyes, — only once had the music of your voice thrilled me — only once — but no! — (passionate despair) — no — I will not tell you ! — Miriam, (eagerly) Yes — please go on — don't stop! Fred. Next day — when you went into the surf with that — that emaciated chimpanzee with the polo cap and the brindle jersey — Miriam. That was my cousin — Fred. Then he ivasnt a chimpanzee — but — that day — when you sank, and I — I brought you out — Miriam. Upside down — ■ THE BUTTERFLIES 99 Fred. (recldessly) Yes! — UPSIDE DOWN! — but I couldn't lieli^ it! If I had known before- hand, I would have put on evening clothes and pearl kids, and brought vou out in a brougham, — but it was an IMPEOMPTU ! Miriam. Yes — go on ! — Fred. That's all, — good-bye ! — {starts up stage) Miriam. {quicldy, stretching out her hand) No,— Fred. ( turns) Why ? Miriam. Why, — because — because — Fred, {breathless with sudden hope) — because — Miriam! — I mean — {smites his hand sharply in despair) — pardon me — Miss Stuart-Dodge — I — {averts his face) Miriam. But I don't mind it ! — you may, if — if you choose — call me by my first name, — F — Frederick, {he nearly faints) Fred, {gasp) Fuf — Frederick! — {lool's at her, hands outstretched; scarcely daring to believe his ears) — Miriam, you — you — {pause, her face averted and bowed) — tell me — ! you — (Green suddenly bursts out of the door, hair on end, ivild with delight) Green. Hooray ! — I've got her ! — she's mine ! — {coming doivn L. c.) — Fred, — she says yes if you will — • Fred, {wild) Go away ! — Green. But — Fred, {going to c.) I won't hear it! — go back ! — Green. But I want to tell you and Miriam — Fred, {urging him back) We don't want to hear it — Miriam. No ! — Green. But if you'll only let me — Fred, {frenziedly) Go BACK ! — If you don't, I'll resign ! — Can't you give me ten minutes vaca- tion ! 100 THE BUTTERFLIES Miriam. And keep mother away — Feed, {urging him hacl:) Yes — go talk to MOTHER! Green, {going up stairs again) I will. I'll go back and ask my dear Sophia, {turns) but I just — Fred, {fiercely) GO ! . . . Green. I — I will but — HOOEAY ! {exit into house) Fred, {coming rapidly had' to her) Is he crazy, too ? What is the matter to-day ? — Suzanne is crazy — Strong is imbecile, and I am not very sure of myself. — {re-enter Green at door) Green. Say, Fred, — she — Fred, {with a crescendo of fury) Will you GO! . . . {exit Green) — I know what Til do! {runs up the stairs, opens the door, talces the key from hehind, locks the door tcith vicious force, takes out the key, comes dotun brandishing it) Now I don't think that anybody will come out — for five minutes — There! — What were you going to say? Tell me — don't stop for details but just tell me — you were saying — {coming doivn L., of tree, rapidly) — call — call me Frederick again — just once — please ! — ]\[triam. {front of tree. Half frightened, and glancing around him at the house) I — I will — but — {breathless) I — I know you love me, and — but — Fred. Yes! {dash of the hand) I know! — I am poor! — poor and — {face averted) Miriam, {quickly slipping hack heside him) I — I didn't mean tliat ! T — meant if — if you are that poor — seventy-five dollars a month or so — Fred, {groans) No — but I only have a hun- dred and fifty — same thing — ^Miriam. {face averted from him) Then of course — we shall . . . we shall have to econo- mize at first . . . but — (Fred., rises; looks at her in amazement, and hacks a little away during the THE BUTTERFLIES 101 following) — perhaps only a little flat in Harlem, or — don't say Hoboken or Brooklyn — but — yes, even that — Fred, {slow to realize) Economize! — flat in Harlem ! — we — see here ! You've been fooling me ! You are XOT engaged ! Miriam, (feehly) N-no ! Fred. And — the orang-outang has no existence — you are NOT going to marry — Miriam. Not unless I — I — Fred. (r. of tree. Suddenly looks at his hands, takes a ring off his little finger, reaches over cj_mchly, takes her left hand, jams ring on engagement finger) When is it to be? {calm tone of auihoriiy, Mrs. S. D., seen opening a ivindoiv on the veranda; comes out at her cue) Name the day! Miriam, {front of tree) Name the day ! — I — • how dare you. — {very gentle indignation) ask me so — so suddenl}^ when — Fred. (x. r.) Suddenly NOTHING! You know how I've loved you — you knew it that day at Narragansett ! — You may fool other men, but you can't fool me ! This thing has been going on a whole 3^ear, and you KNOW it! {then lending over her, taking her hand; rapidly, passionately) Ah, darling — darling! There is nothing can divide us now ! — Let all the troubles of the world come, nothing can come between us but — Mrs. S. D. {pleasantly) Miriam! Ah, there you are. {he drops her hand, straightens up against the tree; Miriam nearly faints) I have been v^^aiting in the conservatory for Mr. Green. Something evi- dently has detained him — {coming down) and just as I thought, 3^ou are alone, {as she comes l., a?id near the foot of the tree, Fred, glides behind it) And I have something to tell you. {affably) You remember Frederick Ossian? Miriam. Y-yes ! Mrs. S. D. Why, child — what is the matter ? 102 THE BUTTERFLIES Have 3^ou a chill? {talces her hand) No — your hand is warm, and your cheeks are blazing, (touches them) Malaria, my dear ! You have a slight touch of Lenox malaria. Miriam. But Fr — Mr. Ossian? Mrs. S. D. Yes. (goes r. of her; Fred, glides around r. of the tree) I have a surprise for you. I will not tell you why, hut — I have made up my mind to allow you to meet him. {saunters up to bridge; loo'ks off i\. ivith lorgnon) Miriam. But, mama — (Fred, makes her a sign to come near him; site shifts to l. side of hencti) Mrs. S. D. (calmly) Mr. Green expects him any moment. I feel almost certain he will improve on acquaintance. (Fred, takes Miriam's face between Jiis hands and kisses her; the kiss lasting several seconds) In fact, I feel quite confident you will like him. (Fred, lifts liis head; still holding Miriam's face; then quickly kisses tier again; the door-knob rattles again) and I would not be surprised if — Miriam, (smothered voice) Ouch! You'll muss my hair. (x. c.) Mrs. S. D. What did you say? (Fred., bold upright as before. Re-enter Green from the house.) Green, (l. c.) Who the devil — Did you lock that door? (^o Fred. Mrs. S. J), astonished, think- ing he is speaking to her) I will give you the Gi{EAT AMERICAN it— (front of tree. Fred. makes him a frantic gesture of .silence; jerking his thumb towards Mrs. S. D.) ^Irs. S. D. (comes down r. to front of tree. Outraged dignity, but trying to be calm) Pardon me, Mr. Green — I did not lock the door, — I came til rough the window, myself, (coming across in front of the tree; Fred, dodges behind it) I waited for you quite half an hour ! Green, (l. Sotto voce) Blest if I didn't forget her. THE BUTTERFLIES 103 Mrs. S. D. Why should I lock the cloor? {cross- ing to Miriam; Fred. r. of the tree) Green, (l. c. Confused) I didn't thmk you did. I was speaking to — (x. up c, down r. Miriam makes a frantic gesture of silence) Mrs. S. D. {astonished, turning) Did you lock the door, Miriam? Miriam, (c. Astonished and nervous) Why — no, mama — Green. {hastily) No — she didn't — somebody — I — he — Here comes Fred. now. (Miriam makes a quick dissenting gesture to stop Green; then catches her mothers eye; Green goes R. of the tree; Fred, almost collapses; Miriam goes to Mrs. S. D. who starts at Fred- erick's name and goes down l. c. a little.) Mrs. S. D. Frederick ! How very embarrassing ■ — {c 071 fused) Green, (l. of Fred, tuho has been expostulating ivith Fred.) It's all right. Fred. (r. of tree. Groan) All right! Mrs. S. D. (l. c. to Miriam) Let me speak a word to him — alone — Miriam, (c.) If you are going to be unkind to him again — (Miriam sits at tree) Mrs. S. D. No, my dear — not unkind. — He is coming. {Motions Miriam to leave her; half averts her face towards l., emhari^assed; Miriam turns to Fred., makes a slight despairing gesture; goes to the tree and sits, broken-hearted.) Green, {holding him up; and urging him) Brace up ! I will stand by you ! She's all right ! Come along! Fred, {holding back) But — Green. Nonsense, {pulling him L. c.) Mrs. Dodge, ma'am, Stuart-Dodge, I mean — I always forget that — May I — Frederick — but you have both met before. Shake hands ! .04 THE BUTTERFLIES Fred, (emharrassed and afraid) I — I — Mrs. S. D. (most cordially extending her hand, nit nervously) We have seen each other, but — but wing to a little misunderstanding — (Green goes to Jiriam) Fred, (nervously extending his hand towards her; Waivs it hack a little, and then takes Iters, much with he manner of one touching a hear-trap) A misun- [erstanding ? Is that what you call it — I mean — lelighted. (gives her hand another shake) I do emember. Mrs. S. D. (giving his hand an extra grip) I i^as sure you would. Green, (r. c. Aside to Miriam x. r.) It's all ight, now. Whoop ! (shakes her hand) Mrs. S. D. I have a secret to tell you. Fred. (c. to Mrs. S. D. mystified) A secret tell me? Mrs. S. D. (l. c. Averting her face, em- arrassed) Not exactly a secret — but you must now — or Mr. Green can explain — Fred. Mr. Green explain? (looks at Green) )h yes! Green. You know — (laying finger on lip, and odding towards Miriam) Yes, you know. Fred. Oh, yes, certainly, and I congratulate you. going to him and shaking him hy the hand. Mrs. >. D. starts and looks at him) Green. Congratulate ? Fred. Certainly, (then imitates Green's speech :hen he entered) I've got her ! She's mine ! Hoo- ay ! (then nods towards Mrs. S. D.) Fine woman, — I congratulate you. Green. I — I — Fred, (to Mrs. S. D.) And I congratulate you 00. Madam. Mrs. S. D. Upon what? Green, (almost collapses) Oh, Lord! How'll I ell him? THE BUTTERFLIES 105 Mrs. S. D. I do not understand. Green, (going towards l. Miserably) I'll go in and ask her what's the fash'nable thing to do. Mrs. S. D. There is some mistake, — certainly I — {Re-enter Suzanne over 'bridge, quicMy.) Suzanne. Papa ! Come along, Andrew, papa ! (then sees Miriam; then speaking off r. Come c.) Papa! (up c.) Green, (turns, misei-ably) What? Suzanne, (importantly) Andrew and I took that walk. Green. Go take another, (up to veranda) (Enter Strong over bridge.) Strong. I beg pardon, but your respected father — shall I tell him that you proposed to me — I mean that you accepted me ? Suzanne. No need to — I told him half an hour ago. (x. doivn r. to m.) Strong, (sotto voce) Most extraordinary peo- ple, but she is delicious. Miriam. (clasping Suzanne) You darling! (Strong joins in the group; Miriam congratidates him in dumb show) Green, (on veranda; trying the door; then knocks) Sophia! (softly) 0, Sophy, unlock the door. Well, who did lock it, then? 0, I forgot. (Exit into house through tvindow.) Mrs. S. D. (l. c. to Fred) Cannot you pos- sibly guess what I mean ? — The great service you rendered me and my daughter — Fred, (c.) I do. But there was a bathing mas- ter hired for that purpose. Mrs. S. D. I do not mean that little episode at ISTarragansett, but — but another — which — (clasp- ing her hands) I cannot say. — It is too mortifying ■ — (turns aside) If Miriam knew it, I should die, Fred. Do not think of it again. 106 THE BUTTERFLIES Mrs. S. D. But the obligation you have placed me Lincler — Fred. A man is under no obligation when he has lone something for his mother — I mean^ her mother — I mean — that is — I hope — but we are friends. Mrs. S. D. (giving both her hands) We are. ^ou are the noblest fellow in the world. Fred, (aside) Ami? (I'e-enter Green through 'he ivindow leading Mrs. Ossian) The noblest? Green. (very much scared) Now don't be ifraid, — It^ll be all over in a minute, — and we night just as well take Fred by the horns, — I mean )reak the news to the bull — Mrs. S. D. (to Fred.) I gave Mr. Green a check 'or the whole amount. Ah, here he is now. Mr. jrreen, I have explained to Mr. Ossian. Greex. (Fred. x. to r. c. Draws Mrs. Ossian's irm through his, as they come down) Yes, ma'am, — but first of all let me explain — I — Fred — m'm — I — When you heard me hurraying a minute ago, hat she was mine, I meant — if you will allow me — 'Fred, starts back in surprise) Mrs. S. D. (to Mrs. Ossian) My dear .Sophia, LS your old school-mate, let me congratulate you. takes both her hands) Fred, (amazedly) You — (then in a tone of in- nred reproach) You are going to make me an irphan — you — (then sternly) Before this goes my further, may I ask what are your prospects? Green. The immediate prospect is that you will lave your salary raised — Fred. Well, how much? I'm doing the work of hree men. Green. I'll raise you ten per cent. That's nough for a single man. Fred. No. Green. And be junior partner in the firm. Mrs. S. D. (delightedly) Junior partner. Fred, (importantly) All right. I will not be THE BUTTERFLIES 107 unkind to your young hearts ; — take her and be happy. (And up stage for Miriam) Suzanne (down r., hi front of tree. Strong l of s.) Andrew and I have taken that walk Green, (x. to r. c, Mrs. Ossian following) Do you mean to say that —(then to Strong) Is that so? ^ Strong, (in front of tree. l. of Suzanne. Al- most R.) Quite extraordinary, but it is. Mrs. S. D. (to Fred., who has come doivn l. c. Miriam c.) But let me do something to show mv gratitude to you. ^ Fred. Pray do not speak of gratitude. It was a — I could have done nothing else. Mrs. S. D. But, something — please. Fred, (smilinghj glancing toivards Miriam, who with clasped hands, face averted over them, has leen eagerly listening to every word) Might I have the honor then, madam, of being presented to your daugh- ter ? 'Z & Mrs. S. D. The honor and pleasure are ours. Miriam, dear — (x. between Fred, and Miriam. Miriam starts) Miriam— (s/?e comes a few paces towards them, ivith downcast eyes) I wish to pre- sent to you a very dear friend of mine — one, dear, who saved your life at Narragansett — and to whom' -—I am under special obligations, (then to Fred.) Mr. Ossian, my daughter. Miriam, (advancing shyly and smilingly towards Fred, c.) I am very glad to meet you, Mr. Ossian — (giving him her hand) Fred. AT LAST! (draws her quickly to him; head on his shoulder, and hisses her. Mrs. S. D , surprised. Strong lisses Suzanne; Green holding Mrs. Ossian's hand, and looUng down the staqe) Green. HOORAY I CURTAIlSr. e^- SEND FO<^ A. NEW DESCRIPTIVE CATALOGUE. 321 3'.'i! 323 324 325 326 327 328 32y 330 331 332 333 334 335 336 337 338 339 340 341 342 343 344 VOL. XLI The Pirate's Legacy The Charcoal burner Adelgitha Seller Valiente Forest Rose Duke's Daughter Camilla's Husband Pure <:;old VOL. XLII. Ticket of Leave Man fool's Revenge O'lNeil the Great Handy Andy I'ira'.e ol' the Isles hanoiuiii Little Barefoot Wild Irish Girl VOL. XLIII. Pe.arl of Savoy Dead Heart Ten Nights in a Bar-room Dumb Boy of Manchester Be) phegor the Moun teb'k Cricket on the Hearth Printer's Devil Meg's Diversion (French's Standard Drama Contiimed from 2d paf!;f ofCovfr.') VOL. XLIV. 345 Drunkiird's Doom 346 Chimney Corner 347 Fifteen Years of a Drunk 34S No Thoroughfare f ard's 349 Peep O' Day L Lite 350 Everybody's Friend 351 Gen. Grant 352 Kathleen Mavourneen VOL. XLV. 353 Nick Whiffles 354 Fruits of the Wine Cup 355 Drunkard's Warning 356 Temperance Doctor 357 Aunt Dinah 368 Widow Freeheart 359 Frou Frou 360 Long Strike VOL. XLVI. 861 Larcers 362 Lu' ille 363 Randall's Thumb 364 Wicked World 365 Two Orphans S66 Colleen Bawn 367 'Tvvixt Axe and Crown 363 Lady Claucarthy VOL. XLVIL- 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. XLVIIL 377 Enoch Arden 375 Under the Gas Light 379 Daniel Rochat 380 Caste 381 School 382 Home 383 David Garrick 384 Ours VOL. XLIX. 385 Social Glass 386 Daniel Druce 387 Two Roses 388 Adrienne 389 The Bells 390 Uncle 391 Courtship 392 Not Such a Fool VOL. L. 393 Fine Feathers 394 Prompter's Box 395 Iron Master 396 Engaged 97 Pygiiiaiiou & Galatea 398 Leah 399 Scrap of Paper 400 Lost in London VOL. LI. 401 Octoroon 402 Confederate Spy 403 "Vl.ariner's Return 404 Ruined by Drink 405 Dreams 406 M. P. 407 War 408 Birth VOL. LIL '409 Nightingale 4)0 Progress 411 Play 412 Midnight Charge 413 Confidential Clerk 414 Snowball 415 Our Regimeiiv 416 Married for Money Hamlet in Three Acts Guttle & 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 PAIS. OF SPECTACLES. Comedy In 3 Acts by Sydnkv Guundy, author of " Sowing the Wind," &c. 8 male, 3 female characters. A FOOL'S PAE.ADIS"E:. An original play in 3 Acts bv Sydnkv Gkcm y, author of " Sowing the Wind,'^ Ac. 5 male, 4 female characters. THE SILVER SHIELD. An original comedy in 3 Acts by Sydney Gbundy, author of "Sowing the Wind," &c. 5 male, 3 female characters. THE GLASS OF FASHION. An original com- edy in 4 Acts by Svim-v i.rundv, author of " Sowing the Wind," &c. 5 male. 5 female characters. THE BALLOON. Farcical comedy in 8 Acts by J. H. DijRNi.KY and Manvillk Fknn. 6 male, 4 female characters. MISS CLEOPATRA. Farce in 3 Acts by Arthub Shielky. 7 male, 3 female characters. SIX PERSONS. Comedy Act by I. Zangwill. 1 male, 1 female character. FASHIONABLE INTELLIGENCE. Comedi- etta in 1 Act by Percy Fknd*ll. 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 Amateurs Art of Scene Painting Baker's Readinpr Club Beards, Whiskers, Mustaches, etc. Bound Sets of Plavs Bulwer Lytton's f'laya Burlesque Dramas Burnt Cork Cabman's Story Carnival of Authori Charade Plays Children's Plays Comic Dramas for Male Charact-ers only Costume Books Crape Hair Cumberland Edition Darkey Dramas Dramas for Boys Drawinjf-room MonoTogiies Elocution, Reciters and Speakers Ethiopian Dramas Evening's Entertainment Fairy and Home Plays French's Costumes French's Editions French's Italian Operas French's Parlor Comediae French's Standard and Minor Drama French's Standard and Minor Drama, bound French's Scenes for Amateurs Frobisher's i opular Recitals Grand Army Dramas Guide Books for Amideurs Guide to Selecting Plays Hints on Costunif-s Home Plays for Ladies Irish Plays Irving's Plays .Tuvenile Plays Make-Up Book Make-Up Box Mock Trial Mrs. Jarley's Wax Works New PIible Prince h The Gol.Ieii Fanner VOL. II. 9 f ride of the Market 10 Used Up 1 1 The Irish Tutor 1 2 The Barrack Room 13 Liike the La orer 14 Beauty and the Beast 15 St. Patri.-k's live 16 Captain of the Watch VOL. IIL n The Se. ret [pers 18 White Horse of the Pep- 19 The .laoobite io The Bottle 21 Box and Cox 22 Bainhoozli.ig 23 Widow's Victim 24 Robert Maoaire VOL. IV. 25 Secret Service 26 Oinnitius 27 Irish Lion 28 Maid of Croissy 29 The Old Guard 30 Raising the Wind 31 Slasher and Cr,isher 32 Naval Eng igeinents VOL. V'. .33 Cocknies in California 34 Wlio Speaks First 35 Boinbastes (""urioso 36 Macbeth Travestie 37 Irish Ambassidor 38 Delicate Ground 39 The Weathercock [Gold 40 All that Glitters " VOL. VI. 41 QriiTisliaw, Bagshaw and . Bradshaw 42 Rough Diamond 43 Bloomer Costume 44 Two Bonnycft-tles 15 Bi)rn to Gur)d Luck lb Kiss in the Dark [jurer 47 'Twould Puzzle a Con- 48 Kill or Cure VOL. VII. 49 Box and Cox Married and 50 St. Cupid [Settled 51 Go-fo-hed Tom 52 Tlie Lawyers ,53 .lack .?heppard .54 The Toodles 55 The Mobcap 56 Ladies Bew.Hre VOL. VI r I. 57 Morning Call ,58 Popping the Question. ,59 Deaf ;>s a Post 6ll Nc v Footman * 61 Ple:isnnt Neighbor 62 Paddy the Piper 63 Brian O'Linn 64 Irish Assurance VOL. IX. 65 Temptation 66 Paddv Carey 67 Two (iregories 68 King Charming 69 P.i-ca-hoii-tas 70 Clockmaker's Hat 71 Married Rake 72 Love and Murder VOL. X. 73 Ireland and America 74 Pretty Piece of Business 75 Irish Broom-maker 76 To Paris and Back for Five Pounds 77 That Blessed Baby 78 Our Gal 79 Sxviss Cottage 80 Young Widow VOL. XL 81 O'Flaniiig m and the Fai- S2 Irish Post [ries 83 My Neigiibor's Wife 84 Irish Tiger 85 P. P., or Man .and Tiger h6 To Oblige Benson 87 State Secrets BS Irish Yankee VOL. XII. 89 A Good Fellow 90 Cherry and Fair Star 91 Gale Breezely 92 Our Jemiuiv 93 Miller's Alaid , 94 Awkward Arrival 95 Crossing the Line 96 Conjugal Lesson VOL. XIII. 97 My Wife's Mirror 98 Liie in New York 99 Middy Ashore 100 Crown Prince 101 Two Que-ns 102 Thumping Legacy 103 Unftnislied Gentleman 1U4 House Uog VOL. xrv. 105 Tlie Demon Lover 106 Matriiiiony 107 In aud Out of Pl.ace 108 I Dine with My Mother 1(19 Hi-a-w.a-tha 110 Andy Blake 111 Love in '76 [ties 112 Romance under Difflcul- V-JL. XV. 113 One Coat for i Suits 114 A Decided Case 115 Daughter [noritv 116 -Vo; or, the Glorious Mi- ll* ("oroner's Inquisition 118 Love in Humble Life 119 Family .lars Not] 120 rersonation VOL. XVL 121 Childr.-n in the Wood 122 Winning a Husband 123 Day After the Fair 124 .Vla'ki Your Wills 125 Rendezvous 126 Mv Wife's Husband 127 Monsieur Tonson 128 Illustrious Stranger VOL. XVII. 129 Mischief-Making [Mi nes 130 A Live Woman in the 131 The Corsair 132 Shylock 133 Spoiled Child 134 Kvil Eye 135 Vothing to Vurse 136 Wanted a Widow VOL. XVIIL 137 Lottery Ticket 138 Fortune's Frolic 139 Is he .Jealous! 140 Married Bachelor 141 Husband at .Sight 142 Irishman in London 143 Ani nal M.agnetism 144 Highways and By-Ways VOL. XIX. 145 Columbus 146 Harlequin Bluebeard 147 Ladie* at Home 14ft I'henomenon in a Smock Frock 149 Comedy and Tragedy 1.50 Opposite ^'eighbors 151 Dutchm.an's Ghost 152 Persecuted Dutchman VOL. XX. 1.53 Musard Ball 1.54 Great Tragic Revival ■ 155 High Low Jack & Game 156 A Gentleman from Ire- 157 Tom and Jerry [land 1.58 Villige Lawyer 159 Captain's not A-miss 160 Amateurs and Actors VOL. XXI. 161 Promotion [ual 162 \ Fascinating IndiviJ- 163 Mrs. Caddie 164 Shakespeare's Dream 165 N> ptuiie s Defeat 166 Lady of Bedchamber ".67 Take Care of Little 168 Irish Widow [Charley VOL. XXII. 169 Yankee Peddler 170 Hiram Hireout 171 Double-Bedded Room 172 The Dr.ama Defended 1 73 Vermont Wool Dealer 174 Ebenezer Venture [ter 175 Principles from Ch.arac- 176 Lady of the Lake (Trav) <'0L. XXIII, 177 Mad Does 178 B.irney Uie Baron 179 Swiss Swains < 180 Bachelor's Bedroom 181 A Roland for an Oliver Wl .More Blunders than One 183 Dumb Belle Lvl Liun-rick bov VOL. XXlV. 185 Vature and Philosophy 186 Teddy the Tiler 187 Spectre Bridegroom ls8 M.atteo Falcone 1m9 Jenny Lind 190 Two 'Buzzartls 191 Happy Man 192 Betsy Baker Vol. XXV. 193 No. 1 Round the Comer 194 Teddy Roe 195 Object of Interest 196 My Fellow Clerk 197 Bengal Tiger 198 Laughing Hyena 199 The Victor "Vanquished 200 Our Wife VOL. XXVL 201 Mv Husband's Mirror 202 Yankee Land UK) Norah Creina 204 Good for Nothing 205 The First N ight 206 The Eton Boy 207 Wandering Minstrel 208 Wanted, ludO Milliners VOL. XXVIL 209 Poor Pikoddy 10 The .Mummy [Glasses 211 Don't Forget your Opera 212 Love in Livery 213 Anthony and Cleopatra 214 Trying It On 215 Stage Struck Yankee 216 Young Wife & Old Um- brella VOL. XXVIII. 217 Crinoline 218 A F.ai/iily Failing 219 Adopted'Child 220 Turned Heads 221 A Match in the D.ark 222 .Advice to Husbands 223 Siamese Twins 224 Sent to the Tower VOL. XXIX. 225 Somebody Rise 2 6 Ladies' Battle 227 Art of Acting 228 The Ladv of the Lions 929 The Rights of Man 230 Mv Husband's Ghost 231 Two Can Play at that Game 232 FightinK bv Proxy VOL. XXX. 233 Unprotected Female 2;i4 Pet of the Petticoats 235 Forty and Fifty [book 236 Who Stole the Pocket- 37 My Son Diana [sion 2.38 Unwarrantable I n t r u - 239 Mr. and Mrs. White 240 A Quiet F.amily (French's Minor Drama Continued on ^d page of Cover.) -_ VOL. XXXL 241 Cool as encumber 242 Sudden Thoughts 243 Jumbo Jnm 244 A Blighted Being 245 Little Toddlekins 24b A Lovt-r by Proxy 247 Maid with the M 248 Perplexing Predic VOL. XXXil. 249 Dr. Dil worth 250 Out to .N urstf 251 A Lucky Hit 252 The Dowager 25;H Metaiiiora (Hurles 254 Dreams of Delusio 255 The Shaker Lover 256 Ticklish Times VOL. XXX HI. ■57 20 Minutes with a 258 Miralda; or, the . of Tacon 259 A Soldier's Courts 260 Servants by Legat 261 Dying for Love 262 Alariiiing Sacrifici 263 Valet de Sham 264 Nicholas Nickleb' VOL. XXXIV" 265 The L.ast of the P 266 King Rene's Dauf 267 Th^ (irotto Nymj 268 A Deyili.sh Good . 2h9 A Twice Toid la 270 Pas de Fascinatio 71 Revolution.ary So 272 A Man With. U a VOL. XX>. V. 273 The Olio, Part 1 274 Tne Olio, I'.art 2 275 The Olio, Part 3 276 The Trumpeter's 277 Seeing Warren 278 Green Mountain 279 That Nose 2ftO Tom Noddy's Se. VOL. XXXVl 281 Shocking Events 282 A Regular Fix 283 Dick Turpin 284 Young Sciinp 285 Young Actress 286 Call at No. 1—7 287 One Touch of Ni 2«8 Two B'hoys VOL. XXXVI 289 All the World's 290 Quash, or Niggt 291 Turn Him Out 292 Pretty Girls of S 293 Angel of the Att 294 Circumstancesal 295 Katty O'Sheal 296 A Supper in Dij VOL. XXXVI 297 I,i on Parle Frai 298 Who Killed Coc 299 Declaration of It 300 Heads or Tails 301 Obstinate Faniil 302 Mv A unt 303 That Rascal Pat 304 Don Paddy de B VOL. X.XXIX 305 Too Mucli forG. 306 Cure for the Fidf 307 Jack's the Lad 308 Much Ado About; .309 Artful Dodser 310 Winnir.); Hazard 311 Day's Fishing 312 Did vou ev' r sen VOL. XL. 313 An Irishman's M. 314 Cousin Fannie 315 'Ti5 the Darkest! 316 Masquerade [for 317 Crowding the Se: W}* Good Nicht'sRes 119 Man with the Cai 320 Terrible Tinker SAMUEL FRENCH 26 West 22d Street. New York City. New and Explicit Descriptive Catalogfue Mailed Free on Request- LIBRARY OF CONGRESS 015 785 527 A