635 62 y 1 NO PJUAY:» £XCHi\NO£;]>. DnHnR'3 Edition or PLAY3 The Truth About Jane Price, 15 Cents COPYRIGHT, laaa. rv Walter h bakcr & co. a. W. ^imro's Paps THE AMAZONS -^a^celnTlireeActs. Seven males, five feifaales. Costumes, modem ; scenery, not difficult. Plays a full eyening. THE CABINET HINISTER ^arcem pout Acts. TenmaleS,nine females. Costiunes, modern society ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. DANDT DICK ■^*'^*'® ^ Three Acts. Seven males, four females. Costuihes, modern ; scenery, two interiors. Plays two hours and a half. THE CAY LORD ODEX comedy in Four Acts. Four males, ten y females. Costumes, modern ; Scenery, two interiors and an exterior. Plays a full evening. HIS HOUSE IN Order comedy in Fout Acts. Nine males, four : females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. THE HOBBY HORSE ^'^^^^^ ™ Ihr^e Acts. Ten males, five females. Costumes, modern; scenery easy. Plays two hours and a half. IRIS ^''*°^* "^ ^i\Q Acts. Seven males, seven females. Costumes, modern ; scenery, three interiors. Plays a full evening. tADY BOUNTIFUL ^^^^ ^ Four Acts. Eight males, seven fe"- males.i. Costumes, modern ; scenery, four in- teriors, not easy. Plays a full evening. LFTTY ^""^^^ ^^ Four Acts and an Epilogue. Ten males, five fe- males. Costumes, modern ; scenery complicated. Plays a full evening. Sent prepaid ©n receipt of price by No, s Hamilton Place, Boston, Massachusetts The Truth About Jane A Comedy in One Act By ALICE C. THOMPSON Author of '■'•Just Like Percy ^^ '•'■Romantic Mary^" '•'■Oysters" '•'•An Auction at Meadowvale^^ etc. BOSTON WALTER H. BAKER & CO. 1909 (J? 1? The Truth About Jane CHARACTERS Mrs. Wilming. Isabel, ^ Cornelia, , , ,, Agnes, ^ ^'''' ^^''Shters. Jane, Mrs. Jane Wilming. Bridget. PROPERTIES Sewing materials, a letter, shawl-strap with rug, a traveling bag, tray, teapot, two cups and saucers, golf stick, bottle of smelling salts. Copyright, 1909, by Walter H. Baker & Co. LiBRARY of CONGRESS Two GoDies Received MAY H 1^09 CLASS j\ XXc Mo. The Truth About Jane SCENE. — Sitting-room at Mrs. Wilming's. A sofa and two chairs at R. ; table and armchair at l. Entrances at c. and down L. (At rise of curtain, Isabel, Agnes and Cornelia are dis- covered sitting in a semicircle, all engaged i7i sewitig.^ Agnes. I wonder why mother is so worried. Cornelia. Oh, don't you know? She's just had a letter. Agnes. A letter ! From whom ? Cor. {mysteriously). I don't know, but I think it's about Jane. Isabel. About Jane ! Why, what's she been doing now ? Cor. Who can tell? Oh, here is mother. We'll ask her. Enter at L., Mrs. W. She carries a letter. Mrs. Wilming. Oh, girls, what do you think? {All jump up.') Agnes. Something exciting is going to happen. I know it. {She dances about.) Mrs. W. I'm so worried. I've had a letter from your Aunt Jane. She's coming to-day. {Sits at l.) ISA. Is that all? {All sit down.) Mrs. W. All ! You don't understand. She may be here at any moment. What am I to do ? Cor. Why are you so frightened of Aunt Jane ? Mrs. W. Not exactly frightened, dear. But I forget, you don't know your Aunt Jane. Cor. Yes, I remember her. She stayed with us once when I was very little. Mrs. W. You could not have been more than six years of 3 4 THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE age. It was before your sister Jane was born. And all my trouble is about Jane — our little Jane. Agnes. Why, what do you mean, mother? Mrs. W. At Jane's birth I wrote to your aunt, telling her I was calling my youngest child after her. She seemed to be very pleased about it, but though that was seventeen years ago, she has never seen her namesake ; for you know she has lived abroad a great deal. To-day I came across the letter she wrote in reply to my news. Here it is. ISA. And you have kept it all these years. Do let me see it. Mrs. W. I will read it to you, and then, perhaps, you will understand. Of course, I don't want to be mercenary, but you know your Aunt Jane is very wealthy and has no children. Naturally 1 wish her to have a favorable impression of Jane. Cor. Certainly. But read us the letter, mother. Mrs. W. 1 will at once. [Reads.) "My dear Isabel: I am pleased to hear you have another daughter although, as you already have three, it might better have been a boy." Your Aunt Jane is rather peculiar. " However, we must make the best of it, I suppose, and as you have done me the honor to call her Jane, I will tiy to take an interest in her career. Let me suggest that you bring her up in the good old-fashioned way. Teach her to sew, to mend, to cook, to bake as you and I were taught, and please omit from her education all those new-fangled accomplishments that make the modern girl so useless and so pert. I promise you that if my niece Jane meets with my approval, I shall make her my sole heir, and will give her a two years' visit in Europe when she is seventeen years of age. My love to Jane's sisters. Affectionately, Jane Wilming." Cor. Jane's sisters, indeed ! So even then we were noth- ing more. Agnes. Oh, no, we can sew and cook. ISA. And darn stockings. Mother, you have spoiled Jane. Cor. We have all spoiled her. Who could help it ? Mrs. W. But what am I to do ? Tell me what I must do. Cor. There's only one thing to do as far as I can see. ISA. And that is Cor. To tell the truth about Jane. Mrs. W. Yes, you're right, Cornelia. We must be honest. But she won't go to Europe. And poor child, she will be so disappointed. IsA. But if we could only warn her. THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE 5 Mrs. W. It would make no difference. Agnes. How I wish you had called me Jane ! I was born domesticated. I would rather stay at home and sew than • (^A loud knock at c.) Mrs. W. There, I believe that is Aunt Jane. {All rise. Agnes opens door. Enter Aunt Jane. She is a large, rather severe looking woman and carries a rug in a shawl- strap and a small bag?) Jane ! Cor. Aunt Jane ! Aunt Jane. How do you do, my dear Isabel ? (^They kiss.^ Mrs. AV. I'm so glad to see you again, Jane, after all thsee years. Do you remember my girls ? Aunt Jane. Are all these yours? {Takes Agnes' hand.') What's your name, my dear ? Agnes. I'm Agnes. ISA. And I'm Isabel. Cor. And I'm Cornelia. Aunt Jane. Cornelia. Then you're the eldest. But where is my namesake? Where is Jane? She's not dead? Mrs. W. Oh, no, no. Cor. She will be in soon. Aunt Jane. Did she not know I was coming ? Mrs. W. No, she did not, or I am sure she would have remained at home. Take off your things, Jane; then you will be more comfortable. (Aunt Jane removes her coat. Agnes places it on chair.') Girls, do you know I see a resemblance, quite a marked resemblance, between your aunt and our Jane. The nose, the eyes Aunt Jane. Is your Jane considered good-looking ? Mrs. W. Oh, I would rather you form your own opinion when you see her. But I will say you have the same smile. Aunt Jane. Did I smile ? {She seats herself.) Why did you not tell Jane I was coming? I am naturally very curious to see her. {All sit down.) Mrs. W. I couldn't very well. You see, the fact is Jane went out right after breakfast this morning and has not been back since. Aunt Jane. Is she at school ? Mrs. W. No, she has left school. I don't know just where she is. Do you, Cornelia ? 6 THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE Cor. No, mama. Mrs. W. Do you know, Agnes ? Agnes. I haven't any idea. Aunt Jane. Humph ! She ought to be in school. Mrs. W. Jane is seventeen. She wishes to go to college. Aunt Jane. What nonsense 1 I don't believe in this col- lege education. It's nothing but a fad. As long as a girl can sew, do household accounts, cook a dinner and jingle a little on the piano, to keep her out of mischief, she has all the education a woman needs. Oh, I am thoroughly old- fashioned. Agnes {to Cor.). She'll never get on with our Jane. Cor. Oh, hush ! Aunt Jane. Well, I see you are all very busy. Mrs. W. Yes, they are always busy. Aunt Jane. I'm glad to hear it. And what is Jane's specialty ? Cor. Jane's specialty ! ISA. Jane? Jane does lots of things. Aunt Jane. Yes, but what kind of things ? Embroidery, dressmaking, knitting? Isa. {giggling). Imagine Jane knitting ! Mrs. W. You must let Jane tell you herself what she does. Isa. She is not a bit like us. Mrs. W. Jane has had — I have been obliged to give Jane a little more liberty. I think she takes after my dear husband. Aunt Jane. I hope above all things that she is not modern. (Cor. gives a start.) I prefer the old-fashioned girl. (Jane is heard at c, whistling.') What's that ? (Mrs. W. rises and looks anxiously at c.) ISA. That's Jane. {The door at c. Is flung open and Jane rims hi. She Is taller than her sisters, wears a woolen sweater with a worked emblem In front, and a short skirt. She carries a golf stick.) Jane. Oh, mother, I've had such a perfectly splendid time. {Kisses her.) Jack and I have been all over the golf course, and I beat him by two up. Agnes. Good for you, Jane ! (Aunt Jane picks up her lorgnette and gazes through it at Jane.) THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE 7 Jane. There was an awful crowd around the green when I was pulling at the last hole and I really believe Jack was rattled ; but it didn't bother me. I like to be looked at. The more they stare the cooler I get. I just played like this. (JMotioii of pictting ball in hole with a very confident, jaunty air.') Mrs. W. Jane, dear, this is your aunt. Jane. My aunt ! (^Turns.) Mrs. W. Your Aunt Jane, after whom you are called. Jane. Oh, my wealthy Aunt Jane, who is going to take me abroad for two years. Aunt Jane {icily'). I'm not so sure of that. Jane {holding out both hands). I'm so glad you've come at last. Do you know I've looked forward to this trip for years and years. I hope you'll like me. {IVinningly.) Everybody does. The girls all spoil me. But I'm sure I'll make a good traveling companion. It's the dream of my life to go to Europe. Oh, what a dandy time we'll have ! Mrs. W. (distracted). Jane I Jane! Jane. Oh, that's slang ! I'm always forgetting. Aunt Jane. I abhor slang. Jane. Well, if you hear me make any more mistakes, please correct me. I'll — appreciate it. Aunt Jane. It's not my place to correct you. Jane. Do you play golf. Aunt Jane? Aune Jane. Do I look as if I played golf? Jane. Oh, but plenty of elderly people do. You needn't hesitate on that account. Aunt Jane. I hope I make a better use of my time. Jane. But you'd like it. It's such fun. Now just try a drive. {Fulls Aunt Jane to her feet and puts the golf club in her hands.) Swing it like this. (Aunt Jane swings club and hits table.) Mrs. W. Oh ! Aunt Jane. Bless the child ! What am I doing ? Here, take your stick. {Sits.) Now don't do that again. Jane. I knew I'd make you enthusiastic. ' Aunt Jane. You're easily encouraged. And what other accomplishments have you acquired, may I ask? Jane. Oh, I can ride, drive, swim, fence, play tennis and baseball and hit the bull's-eye at sixty yards. 8 THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE Aunt Jane. Why, you're not a girl, you're a boy ! Jane. Don't I wish I were a boy. {Smiles very sweetly.^ Call me Tommy ; all my friends do. Aunt Jane. I call you a disappointment, a total disap- pointment. Mrs. W. {to Cor.). There, I told you so. {Buries her face in her handkerchief .') Jane {opeiiitig her eyes'). lam? Why? Aunt Jane. I looked for a modest young lady Mrs. W. Oh, Jane, please ! Cor. You see. Aunt Jane, we always wanted a brother. Aunt Jane. So you made a boy out of your youngest sis- ter. Can she darn stockings ? Agnes {eagerly). No, 1 do them. I love to darn. Aunt Jane. And 1 suppose she knows nothing whatever about cooking ? Jane. Oh, yes, I do. I can make Welsh rabbit in a chafing- dish. And I graduated from a class in First Aid to the Injured. Mrs. W. Oh, yes, indeed; Jane can set a broken bone like a doctor. ISA. And she knows what to do if you take a fit. Aunt Jane. Who told you I took fits? Nothing but a little affection of the heart. Mrs. W. Oh, it was never mentioned, I assure you. Aunt Jane {to Jane). Have you no ladylike accomplish- ments? Jane {shaking her head). I'm afraid I haven't. {Brightly.) But I can make toast. Toast goes with tea. Won't you have a cup of tea, Aunt Jane? I'm sure it would make you feel better. Aunt Jane. I believe I would like a cup. Jane. I'll get Bridget to make the tea, and I'll make the toast. {Exit Jane at l., flourishing the golf stick in one hand. The three girls draw up together and chatter excitedly.) Mrs. W. I'm sorry I didn't think about the tea, Jane. It was thoughtless of me. You must be tired after your journey. Aunt Jane. I am. Jane seems to have some sense. But she is a disappointment. THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE 9 Mrs. W. She always had so much spirit, our dear Jane. Aunt Jane. Spirit ! She is hke a wild pony. Mrs. VV. But such a good heart ! IsA. {loudly). I say I ought to go. I'm next to Jane. Cor. And I say I should go. I'm the eldest. Agnes. And 1 can talk French the best, so I should go. Aunt Jane. If you're planning to go abroad with me, you may as well give it up. I'm not likely to take any one. It was to be Jane in the first place, and there will be no sub- stitute. Mrs. W. {clasping her hands). Oh, you surely don't mean that. Aunt Jane. Yes, I do. I told you I detested the modern girl, and Jane is about the most advanced specimen I have ever seen, fit for nothing but pleasure and excitement. Mrs. W. You are really unjust to her. You don't know her. Aunt Jane. I think I do. {Rises.) Well, I'll go now. Agnes. Oh, wait for your tea. Aunt Jane. Mrs. W. {going to her). Oh, indeed, you must wait for your tea. Enter Jane with tea and two cups on tray. Aunt Jane sits down. Jane. I can make toast if I can't make pie. We used to make it at school in the big stove, when the teachers weren't around. Aunt Jane. I can well believe that. (jANE/z/Zi- tray on table.) Jane. It was such jolly fun. Forbidden things always are. {Pours tea.) Sugar and cream, aunty? Aunt Jane. Cream. Jane. No sugar ? Aunt Jane. No sugar. Jane. I like five lumps. {Brings her the tea.) Mother, you'll have a cup, won't you, dear? Mrs. W. Please, Jane. (Aunt Jane sips her tea.) Jane {anxiously). How is it, aunty ? Aunt Jane {softened). Very nice, and the toast is de- licious. Do you like traveling? 10 THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE Jane. I just adore it, though I've never been any farther than Philadelphia. {Pours tea for Mrs. W. Kg^-es, passes it.') Aunt Jane. I'm afraid you'd be rather helpless as a trav- eling companion. Jane. Helpless, I ! Not much. I've never seen anything that could down me yet. Mrs. W. Jane, dear ! Jane. Oh, Aunt Jane may just as well know me as I am. {Going to her.) If we were wrecked, I could swim with you on my back to the nearest island. Aunt Jane. Mercy ! Don't talk about wrecks. Isa. And there might not be an island. Jane. There always is — in books. {Kneels beside Aunt Jane.) Then I would build you a little hut, hke Robinson Crusoe, and if any of the natives attacked us, I'd put a bullet into him, quick as pop. {Snaps fingers.) Aunt Jane. You boast like a child, but wait until your courage is put to the test. I dare say you'd fly from an angry man like any other timid woman. Jane. I might be a little frightened. {Rises and takes Aunt Jane's ci/p.) Some more tea. Aunt Jane? Aunt Jane. No more, thank you. {Suddenly ath., are heard shrill screams, and a man' s rough, threatening voice. All jump 7p.) What's that ? Mrs. W. {clasping her hands). Mercy, what shall we do ? It's that dreadful man who comes after poor Bridget and de- mands her wages. She says he's her cousin. (Agnes goes behind sofa. Isa. rutis to Cor. , and clings to her. The noise increases.) Isa. Oh, send for a policeman ! Help, help ! (Bridget screams loudly and rushes in at l., holding her head in her hands. Her hair has come dowti, and her apron is on back to front.) Bridget. Oh, murdher, murdher ! He'll kill me. {She backs up against the door, holding it shut. The man outside raps on the door with his fist and threatens her loudly. Mrs. W. wrings her hands. Agnes wails.) THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE II Aunt Jane {t-unning to wiiidoini). Police, police ! Don't you dare come in iiere. Go way, go way ! Jane {picking up golf stick). I'll settle him. (^Goes to l.) Brid. No, no, miss, he'll kill you, sure. Mrs. W. Come back, Jane, come back. Jane. Some one must go and put him out. {Pushes Brid. aside and goes out at L.) Brid. The saints pertect her ! She's the brave one, brave as a lion. {All listen for a moment, hut nothing is heard.) Agnes. Perhaps he's killed her already. Mrs. W. Agnes ! Cor. rd better go and see. {Hesitates.) Brid. Begorry, but I hear her tellin' him good-bye ! Enter Jane, looking very pleased. Jane. He's gone. He won't come back any more. (Aunt Jane at window.) Aunt Jane. There he is. And a horrid- looking man, too ! Brid. He's me own cousin. Aunt Jane. Nothing to be proud of. Mrs. W. However did you manage him, Jane ? Jane. I — I just persuaded him. Agnes. Oh, that's easy. I could have done it myself. I wasn't really frightened. Aunt Jane {alarmed). I believe he's coming back. (Agnes utters a loud scream ajid gets under table.) Jane. He won't come back. He gave me his word. Aunt Jane. No, he has changed his mind. He's going on again. {Xg^'ES comes out, looking rather ashamed. All smile at her, Isa. pointing at her.) Weren't you frightened, Jane ? Jane. Yes, I was a little, at first. But I just nerved myself to go on. Aunt Jane. Ah, that is true courage. (Brid. begins to cry.) Mrs. W. What's the matter now, Bridget? 12 THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE Brid. He's me own cousin, me mother's own sister's son. (Brid. sobs loudly.') Jane. You'd better go to bed. Your own cousin has been too much for you. Go on, Bridget ; I'll get dinner, and I'll bring you some supper up-stairs. Brid. Bless you, miss, for a koind young ledy. (^Goes to L.) But he — was — me own cousin. \_Exit, sobbing. Cor, I'll get the dinner, Jane, as you've done so much. (Aunt Jane gives a gasp and holds her ha?ids to her heart.) Aunt Jane. Oh, I'm ill! This excitement — my heart! Quick, Jane. (Jane assists her to sofa.) I'm subject to these attacks. ( Closes eyes.) Mrs. W. (f'unning about). What shall I do? Oh, dear! Oh, dear I I'm going to faint. (^Sinks into a chair.) Agnes. I believe I am, too. Jane (decidedly). No, you're not. Open the window and look after mother. I'll attend to Aunt Jane. (Agnes, Cor. and Is a. busy themselves nervously about Mrs. W., fa?ining her and putting a cushion at her back. Jane removes Aunt Jane's bojinet and applies sjuelling salts. She revives.) Aunt Jane. I feel a little better. Who's this? Oh, it's you, Jane. This is the first time I've done without a doctor. {Sits up.) Jane, I believe I could go round the world with you. Jane {delighted). Oh, how dand — how lovely that would be! {A telephone bell rings without at -L. £x it Agt>!ES.) 1 think you had better go to bed now. You'll be all right in the morning. Aunt Jane. Do you think so ? Jane. Certainly. I'll help you undress, and at seven o'clock I'll bring you up some supper. It's six now. (Mrs. W. opens her eyes and sits up.) Mrs. W. How's Aunt Jane? Aunt Jane. You too, Isabel ! Well, Jane has her hands full. Jane {pleasantly). 1 like to be busy. THE TRUTH ABOUT JANE I3 Aunt Jane. Ah, my dear, your cheerfulness is a great blessing. (She rises and fakes Jane's arm.') Reenter Agnes. Agnes. Jane, they want to know at the golf club if they can enter your name in the tournament ? Jane. Are they waiting? Agnes. Yes, and they're very anxious to have you. (Jane looks at Aunt Jane.) Aunt Jane. Agnes, you tell them that Jane has a previous engagement, made seventeen years ago. Now that I know the truth about Jane, I'll have no one else as a traveling companion. I'm going to take Jane abroad. Jane. Hooray ! IsA. Hooray ! - \_Exit Agnes. Aunt Jane. Come and pack your trunk. {They go to l.) After all the modern girl has her good points. CURTAIN A NEW SOCIETY DRAMA. THE PENALTY OF PRIDE. c/1 Society Drama in Four diets* By ARTHUR LEWIS TUBES. Seven male, four female characters. Scene, an elegant interior, the same for all four acts; costumes modern and elegant. An admirable piece, of strong emotional and dramatic interest, suited for professional production, or for an experienced amateur club. Its story offers a clever combination of human passion with the more artificial but equally absorbing stress of social and financial life, essentially modern in spirit and effect. The characters are well diversified, Eastwicli, Kirlie, Tom, Mrs. Enstwick and Sallie, being admirable parts, and Elizabeth Ann Cripps, a " tough girl," and Tim, her best fellow, orfering a decided novelty in comedy characters, amusingly developed and con- trasted. Plays two and one-half hours. PRICE 25 CENTS. CHARACTERS? Frank East-wick, a trusted bank cleric Lead. Vivian Kieke, a society poet Heavy. Robert Chalmers, a bank president— Mrs. Eastwick's uncle . . . Old Man. Tom Gresham, devoted to Sallie Juvenile. Tim Travebs, not so bad after all Cliaracter Comedy. Barker, a detective . . '. Responsible Utility. Officer Utility. Emily Bastwick, Frank's loife Lead. Sallie Clegg, her sister Juvenile. Mrs. Dalsimee, whose hobby is "reform" .... Character Old Woman. Elizabeth Ann Cripps, " saved from tJie slums" . . . Character Comedy. SYNOPSIS s Act I. — Home of Frank Eastwick, New York City ; an afternoon in December. Suspicion. Act n. — The same night, 12:30 o'clock. The desertion. Act III. — One week later. The ruined home. Act IV. — At Mr. Chalmers's residence. Four months have elapsed. The return. NO ADMITTANCE. A Farce in One Act. FOB FEMALE CHARACTERS ONLY. By EVELYN GRAY WKITING. Seven female characters. Scene an easy interior ; costumes modern and pretty. A humorous picture of amateur house-koeping in a " flat " — a case of sweets to the suite, in fact. A "bachelor girl" with a taste for modelling is E resented, with a few of her fiiends, as the victim of Maria Kelley, " a general ouseworker," with amusing results. Brightly writteii. Plays half an hour. PRICE J5 CENTS. NEW PLAYS. MATED BY JURY. cMn Extrd'vaga.nza. in T<^uo