S 635 Z9 323 opy 1 P Interna international Copyrighted (in England, her Colonies, and lited States) Edition of the Works of the Best Authors ij No. 314 AT THE WINDOW A Comedy in One Act BV LILIAN F. CHANDLER C .I'VKirjuT, 1915. BY SAMUEL FRENCH PERMISSION NOT REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THIS COMEDY PRICE 25 CENTS New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 28-30 WEST 38th STREET London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street STRAND AT THE WINDOW A Comedy in One Act BY LILIAN F. CHANDLER Copyright, 1915, by SAMUEL FKEXCH PERMISSION NOT REQUIRED TO PRODUCE THIS COMEDY New York SAMUEL FRENCH PUBLISHER 28-30 WEST 38th Street London SAMUEL FRENCH, Ltd. 26 Southampton Street, STRAND AT THE WINDOW. CAST. Mrs. Enid Huntington A young zvidow Miss Julia Duncan Her aunt Blanche Compton Her friend Mrs. Maitland Another friend Marie Her maid The Swami Nashikak. The Man. 2 S)CI,D 42663 JAN '6 1916 TMPS2-008815 AT THE WINDOW. Scene: — A living room. Open. Windozv at back centre. As the curtain rises, Marie is dis- covered at the zvindozv, ivaving her handker- chief, and flirting zvith someone not seen. Then Mrs. Huntington passes the zvindow, on her zvay to the house, and zvhen Marie sees her, she is embarrassed, and runs from the room. (Enter Mrs. Huntington in street costume. She hurriedly zvalks to the zvindozv, and looks up and dozen the street, then zvalks forzvard.) Mrs. Huntington. I wonder if I am in time? How I have hurried! (Goes and looks out again) HI am too late, it will break my heart ! (Begins to take off gloves) Of course, calling or writing is out of the question — and yet — I wonder — (Rings bell. Enter Marie) Marie, has anyone called? Marie. But, yes, Madame, there are many. Mrs. Huntington. Bring the cards. (Marie goes out and returns zvith the cards, Mrs. Hunt- ington looking out of zvindozv meanzvhile. Takes cards and looks them over) Mrs. Brown, Mrs. Hunter, Mr. West. If that man would stay away one day — just for the novelty of.it ! If I could only have a chance to miss him ! Mrs. Bradley, Mr. Hastings — There's another swain, as regular as the milk boy. Why don't they realize that absence makes the heart grow fond! Mr. Nash — (Sorts 3 4 AT THE WINDOW. cards hurriedly) Oh, the same old lot! No one new. Where are the letters, jNIarie? Marie. {Takes letters from table) Here, Madame ! Mrs. Huntington. Bills, bills, bills, Maud, Edith, Tom Crowell — proposing again, I'll be bound. — Every Monday, Wednesday and Friday, without fail. Ah ! Here is a strange hand. {Opens and reads) " Beautiful Lady ! " Oh ! *' Pardon the liberty I take in expressing my un- bounded admiration. I have seen you so often ! I have watched you on the street — ^your dainty head erect — your little feet spanning the pavements ! " Oh it cannot be ! Em furious — I think ! ''I have seen you sitting pensively in your window." It is ; it is ! " In all moods, under all circumstanoss, you are beautiful — divine!" Ah! ''Would you, oh, would you help — a poor — man — by — letting him — exhibit — your — pictures — in his — photograph — gal- lery ! " {She throzvs letter on floor, and stamps on it) An advertisement ! Well, for sheer imperti- nence, this will certainly take a prize ! Marie, what have you been doing in my absence? Marie. I sat here in the window, mending the lace of Madame's dress. Mrs. Huntington. {Hesitatingly) Did any- one — go — by — Marie ? Marie. Go by, Madame? Mrs. Huntington. Yes, go by — pass the win- dow, I mean. Marie. But, yes, Madame ; many persons. Mrs. Huntington. Any — man — Marie? Marie. {Hesitating) Yes — one, Madame; and {bashfully) he — stop^if Madame please. Mrs. Huntington. Stop? Oh, what did he look like ? Marie. {Ecstatically) Beautiful, Madame! Si tall ! AT THE WINDOW. 5 Mrs. Huntington. (Excited) Yes! ]\Iarie. Si strong! Mrs. Huntinton. (More excited) Yes ! ! AIarie. Of a grandeur unspeakable ! Mrs. Huntington. Yes ! Yes ! ! What did he do? Marie. (Bashful) Oh, IMadame! Mrs. Huntington. I am waiting ! ]\Iarie. Pardon, Madame ! He do hke zis ! (Thro7vs kiss in manly fashion) Mrs. Huntington. IVhat? (Aside) I shall choke! Well, what did you do? ]\Iarie. Oh, Madame! He was si beautiful — ! ]\Irs. Huntington. Well? Marie. Madame, I do like zis, also. (Throzvs kiss daintily) Mrs. Huntington. (Sivallozving hard) Did he speak? Marie. Yes, Madame — he say — (Bashfully) He come to ze window and he say — " Oh, kiddo, you certainly look good to me!" (Turns aside) ]\Irs. Huntington. (Aside) I shall die! I shall die ! My maid's young man — and I love him ! he, Marie? — Oh, the disgrace! (Turns to Marie) JVho was ]\Iarie. I fear Madame is angry, but I thought' no harm. He is ze — ze — gendame — how you call — ze policeinan, Madame. ^Irs. Huntington. (Greatly relieved) The policeman, Marie ! That's very nice. I'm sure. Why didn't you say so? Tell him to drop in any time. Ask him to come here and spend his Sun- days in, or his Thursdays out — or whatever he has. Tell him I approve. I'll buy your trousseau. He can come and live with us ! I — I — There ! Go ! I shall not need you. (Exit Marie) I think I am going mad. (Goes to ivindozv again) I must be too late to-day. Why didn't I hurry ! 6 AT THE WINDOW. (Enter Aunt Julia. A very prim person, work in hand.) Aunt Julia. So you have returned at last! Mrs. Huntington. Oh, yes! I wouldn't be late for anything! Aunt Julia. Late for what? Mrs. Huntington. Why — why — late for any- thing, I said. Aunt Julia. Pah! {Seats herself at zvindozv) Mrs. Huntington. {Hurriedly) Oh, don't sit there. Auntie ! Aunt Julia. {Severely) Why not? Do you wish to sit here? Mrs. Huntington. No — oh, no — that is — I Aunt Julia. Well, if you do not, I do! The light in this room is not enough for an owl; and I wish to work. Mrs. Huntington. {Resigned) Very well ! I will draw aside the curtains, and give you as much light as possible. Aunt Julia. Do not! No lady allows the whole v/orld to look into her home. Mrs. Huntington. Not the whole world, Auntie ; only — Ah ! (The Man appears and zvalks sloivly past the win- dozv. He looks in. Mrs. Huntington stands perfectly still, and zvatches him ecstatically.) Aunt Julia. {All the time zvatching Mrs. Huntington. Does not see Man) Another of those strange spells ! What is the matter vv^ith you ? Did you see anything? Mrs. Huntington. {Recovering herself) Nothing ! Aunt Julia. Just as I thought! You can't be well ! Your behavior is extraordinary ! You are not normal ! AT THE WINDOW. 7 Mrs. Huntington. No, Aimtie, you are right. I — am — not — normal! (Exit Mrs. Huntington) Aunt Julia. (Looking up and dozvn street) I wonder if she saw anything. But no ! She must be ill ! I'll attend to her case at once. Already I have put it off too long! (Works zcith determina- tion) (Enter Blanche in street attire.) Blanche. Good-afternoon, Miss Duncan. They said Enid was here. Aunt Julia. (Grimly) That doesn't prove anything. Blanche. Prove anything! Aunt Julia. Exactly ! Her movements are, to say the least — erratic. She is here one moment and gone the next. She is nervous — restless. She v.-atches the clock. Spends a great deal of time at this window. Talks rationally, as a general thing, I admit ; and yet, at times, she stops suddenly — petrified for a moment or two — and then — By the way; those spells occur always in this room, just about where you are standing. Blanche. (Hastily jumping off spot) ]\Iercy ! I hope it isn't catching ! You alarm me ! Aunt Julia. (Solemnly) Blanche, something is the matter with Enid. She is possessed, and I am going to cure her ! I have been attending those Swami lectures. You know those men can cast out devils ; and I have made an appointment with one — a Swami, I mean — to cast the devil out of Enid. He is coming here to-day. Blanche. Ha ! Ha ! Ha ! Have you broken the news to Enid ? How pleased she will be ! Aunt Julia. Hush ! No ! Not a word ! It would break the charm ! You must stay and see the Swami work. Perhaps you can help ! Blanche. Delighted ! I wouldn't miss it for 8 AT THE WINDOW. worlds ! Are there red fire and incense and — • (Tragically) ghosts with streaming hair and palhd faces — thunder and hghtning — and, and Aunt Julia. Mercy ! No ! You make my flesh creep ! Wait and see ! I am going to my room now, to put my soul in harmony with the All-Good. Enid will be here in a moment. Blanche. Don't mind me ! I will compose my soul also. (Exit Aunt Julia. Blanche sits laughing, and Mrs. Huntington enters.) Mrs. Huntington. Why, you dear thing! Hope you haven't been waiting long. Blanche. Just a few moments ; visiting w^th Aunt Julia. She is worried about you, by the way ; thinks you are ill — or out of your mind. Mrs. Huntington. (Solemnly) I think I am myself — if ever I had a mind, or common sense — or — Oh, r don't know what has happened to me! Blanche. My dear ! You — the blithe — the joy- ous — the care free — What can have happened? Mrs. Huntington. I don't know, Blanche; I don't know. I can't sleep ! I prefer to sit up and look at the moon. I don't care one bit about fruit salad any more. I hate the theatre ; the love-mak- ing seems to me so unreal — so unnatural ! And only yesterday, I found myself trying to write poetry; poetry — me! Think of it! What can be the matter? Blanche. Ha! Ha! Ha! (Continues to laugh) Mrs. Huntington. (Indignant) What are you laughing about? I thought I could count on your friendship. Blanche. So you can, dearest ; so you can. To the death! (Dramatically) But you don't mean to say that you — a widow — cannot diagnose such AT THF. WINDOW. 9 symptoms as those! Why, if I^a maiden — an un- appropriated blessing — should develop such a case as that, I should know right away that I was in love; and I'd get over it. Mrs. Huntington. I suppose you will say I am an idiot ! Blanche. My dear — the backbone of civiliza- tion is our reticence about telling our friends z^'Jiat we think of them. ]\Irs. Huntington. Oh, well, I don't care! Yes, I am in love — for the first time. Jim was dear, but he was more like my elder brother than a husband. But this is different. I am really in love — head over heels — five fathoms deep — desperately — wildly — hopelessly. Blanche. Cheer up, honey ! A good looking girl, and a v/idow, need never love " hopelessly." Who's the man? jMrs. Huntington. I don't know ! Blanche. Don't know? Well, Aunt Julia is right. It is a case for the Swami. Mrs. Huntington. Please, please don't laugh at me ! I want friendly advice so badly. Blanche. (Solemnly) I'll never smile. again; but hurry up ! I am simply dying of curiosity. ^Irs. Huntington. Well, then ; I was sitting here in the window one morning, when a man passed. Blanche. Wonderful ! ! Mrs. Huntington. There you go again ! Of all the heartless ! But you are not to blame, I should have said " The " Man. There is only one man in all the world ! Blanche. Horrors ! I knew there was an ap- palling scarcity of them in Massachusetts, but I didn't think it was as bad as that ! I'll hang my harp on the nearest willow tree. ]\Irs. Huntington. Blanche ! IVill you stop joking! This man — The Man — was, as JNIarie says, lo AT THE WINDOW. " Si beautiful — si tall — si strong — of a gradeur un- speakable ! " He looked at me, and I looked at him, and Blanche. And — Yes ! Went on cutting bread and butter. Oh, you didn't smile — oh, don't say you smiled — nervously, of course? Mrs. Huntington. Miss Compton, I trust I shall always be a lady, however trying the circum- stances. Every day since then, he has passed the house at the same time. He looks at me and I look at him, and — that's all. Blanche. How stupid ! Hasn't he spoken one poor word ? Mrs. Huntington. Certainly not! No gentle- man would address a lady whom he does not know. Blanche. Pardon ! But Romeo spoke to Juliet. Or no ! she spoke to him. Didn't she ? Mrs. Huntington. You know, I've been think- ing of that ! If I couldn't address him somehow. But how? I can't say "Art thou not Romeo, and a Montague?" for of course he isn't. And if I said — ** Speak, speak, thou fearful guest, who in rude armor dressed, cometh to haunt me " he would be angry ; for that's not polite. I have thought I would go out and accidentally fall off the doorsteps into his arms ; but if I should miss ! and the pave- ments are so hard ! Besides — they only do those things successfully in books. Oh, do advise me, Blanche. I'm worn to a frazzle ! Blanche. As I said before — cheer up ! Auntie is going to cure you. Mrs. Huntington. Auntie going to cure me? But, Blanche, I don't want to be cured. Blanche. You wait ! Aunt Julia's doctor can cast out devils. He is coming this afternoon to cast yours out. Now dont be angry. Let him come ! It w411 be more fun than a box of monkeys ! Mrs Huntington. Very funny for the rest of you, but how about me? I refuse to AT THF. WINDOW. ii (Enter Aunt Julia ivilJi Swami. He is dressed in a long flozving zvhite robe and turban. He enters solemnly, holding up both liands in greeting.) Aunt Julia. This is the Swami Nashikak, Enid. He has come to cure you of your strange illness. Mrs. Huntington. I am not ill, Auntie ; I will not Blanche. (Softly) Oh, go on, Enid! Be a sport ! I haven't had a good laugh in a wxek. .Mrs. Huntington. Very well: do your worst! .^^^WAMi. .You must all sit. in a circle and do as I do. (They each take a sofa cushion and sit on the floor. The Swami at side, Enid near, afid Blanche and Aunt Julia zvith backs to zvindozv) In the silence! In the silence! (He breathes deeply several times, then raises arms and lozvers tJirn once or tzvice; then rocks back and forth, silently at first. All imitate his motions. Aunt Julia, earnestly; Blanche zvith difficulty restrain- ing her laughter, and Enid disgusted. Chanting) Out on thee. Vile One ! Leave this Lady fair ! Thy fetters loosen, and thy deadly snare Remove at once ! Begone, and come no more ! Thy power is vanquished, and thy work is o'er. Say " O-o-o-m, O-o-o-m, O-o-o-m. All. O-o-o-m, O-o-o-m, O-o-o-m, (All rock solemnly) Swami. So shalt thou, Lady, live in earthly bliss Free from all bondage ; and no fiend like this Shall trouble thee henceforward. Joyous now and free. Calm and contented may you ever be. Say " O-o-o-m, O-o-o-m, O-o-o-m. All. O-o-o-m, O-o-o-m, O-o-o-m, 12 AT THE WINDOW. SwAMi. (Suddenly grozviug excited) Ah ! He moves! He is going! The Devil is gone! See! (Points frantically to the windozv, and as he says "See!'' the Man appears, looks in for a moment, and is gone. Mrs. Huntington and the Swami see him, but Aunt Julia and Blanche do not turn in time) Mrs. Huntington. (Rises to feet) But I don't want him to go ! I want him here — now — all the time ! Aunt Julia. (Sternly) Enid, I am surprised! Mrs. Huntington. Don't speak to me, Aunt Julia ! I can't bear it ! Take that horrid man away this moment! (She rushes from room) Blanche. Good-bye, Swami, it has been most enjoyable; most instructive; most exciting! Swami. Farewell! (Raises hands solemnly, and goes out with Aunt Julia) Blanche. Well! Now what did Enid see? Mrs. Huntington. (Entering cautiously) Have they gone? Blanche. They have. Come and explain your extraordinary conduct. Whom did you see that you wanted " now — all the time ? " Mrs. Huntington. (Laughing) Well, it was just too funny! At the exact moment when the Swamxi said — " The Devil is gone ! See ! " The Man appeared at the window. Ha! Ha! (Gr Giv- ing dejected) what will he think of me for sitting in that idiotic fashion, with that hideous old fakir? Blanche. He will think that is a very mild freak — when he knows you. But I am just dying for a cup of tea, to steady my nerves. Let us hope your Man won't mind being called a " devil." Ha ! Ha! Mrs. Huntington. (Rings hell and Marie en- ters) Tea, Marie. AT THE WINDOW. 13 (Enter Mrs. Maitland, follozved by INIarie icilli tea tray.) Aunt Julia. Well, Enid, my poor child, do you feel better now? You can never after this dispute the power of the Swami. I\Irs. Huntington. Auntie, let us never speak of that disgusting creature again. (Enter Mrs. Maitland.) i\lRS. Huntington. Oh, Mrs. IMaitland, how good of you to come this afternoon ! Find a com- fortable chair, and let me give you some tea. Mrs. Maitland. Thank you. I am fortunate to find you at home. Yes, I will have a cup of tea, I think. I haven't had but eight cups to-day, and ten's my limit. Blanche. Isn't it wonderful how you do it — with your complexion ! Aunt Julia. Humph ! Anyone can have a complexion now-a-days — as long as the money lasts. Mrs. Maitland. (Uncertainly) Yes? You were saying ? Mrs. Huntington. She was saying that you did indeed have a wonderful skin. Mrs. Maitland. Thanks, dear ]\Iiss Duncan ! So good of you ! But have you heard the news, girls ? Blanche. News ? No ! What ever happens in tJiis town? ]\Irs. AIaitland. Oh, my dears ! I do assure you ! The most ro m ant ic ! Aunt Julia. I should think you women were all long past the " romantic " stage. ]\1rs. Maitland. Ah, dear lady ! It mostly de- pends upon vvdiether one is married or not. But my news! Of course, you are all dining at the Humphrey's to-night. Do you know why? 14 AT THE WINDOW. Aunt Julia. Certainly ! Just because that wo- man is never happy unless she is showing off that house of hers ! Mrs. Huntington. Yes, we are all going; and I have a new blue chiffon dinner gown that is sim- ply a dream ! Mrs. Maitland. So glad ! You will need it ! er — I don't mean that, but I want you to look your best to-night, for you may be the lucky one you know. Mrs. Huntington. The lucky one? Please ex- plain. Mrs. Maitland. Well, isn't that what I am try- ing to do? Aunt Julia. Young woman, I have a book on the art of conversation, which I will lend you. It will teach you to come to the point — if there is one in your ramblings. Mrs. Maitland. {Vaguely) You were saying — I fear I am a little deaf. Well, girls, as I began to tell you — There is a Man. Blanche. Wonderful! Marvelous, Mrs. Sher- lock Holmes ! This is the second time to-day I have heard that There is a Man. I wonder if it is the same man. Mrs. Huntington. (Ecstatically) Oh, if it only might be ! Mrs. Maitland. I am sorry, my dear, but I fear not. There is only one Man. Blanche. Then it is the same, for there is no other man than the man I heard about. (As she speaks the Man comes to the window, and lays a rose on the sill, zvith a note attached. He goes azvay zvithout being seen.) Mrs. Huntington. Hurry up and tell us the rest, Mrs. Maitland. We are crazy to hear. Mrs. Maitland. It seems that Mrs. Humph- AT TFII' WINDOW. 15 rey's English cousin is visiting them ; and he's an Earl, my dears — the Earl of Hartford. Think of it! Aunt Julia. And of course he has come over for some American girl's money. All of them do. Mrs. Maitland. No, he's a bachelor, and fabu- lously rich. And, oh, my dears ! It's the most ro- mantic ! The Humphreys haven't been able to per- suade him to meet anyone since he came. He has just walked about town by himself. They supposed it was his haughty, exclusive English ivay; but it seems he has formed the most romantic attachment for a charming creature, whom he happened to see the day he arrived. He finally confessed his infat- uation to the Humphreys, and told them where the girl lived. Fortunately, she is in our set, so they know her, and they have invited her to dinner to- night, with the rest of us — to meet him. Of course, she doesn't know a thing about his visiting there, or loving her, or being an Earl, or anything. Aunt Julia. Humph ! Don't you believe it ! No doubt the hussy has been flirting with him from her window. Mrs. Maitland. No! Really! IMrs. Hum- phrey just told me! He swears he nez'er did any- thing but look at her. But they will be regularly introduced to-night ; and Mrs. Humphrey has fixed up the most romantic place in the conservatory — near the fountain, you know, and of course he will propose, and, she — Oh, girls ! Isn't it the most ro- mantic! I'm almost sorry I'm married! Aunt Julia. And no doubt your husband is. Mrs. Maitland. I'm so curious to know who she is, I can't n^ait till the time comes ! Isn't she lucky! But I must run. Good-bye! Good-bye! So sorry for your — your toothache. Miss Duncan ! It makes people so ill-natured, doesn't it ! (]\Irs. Maitland goes out.) i6 AT THE WINDOW. INIrs. Huntington. Oh, Blanche, if it only might be he, and I the girl! Blanche. I believe it is ! Good luck, dearest ! I must go too. I want to be in time for the denoue- ment. Cheer up, Enid. You do look ravishing in that blue . chiffon ! Au revoir. Aunt Julia. Wait a minute, Blanche. I want to show you my new fern. {They go out) (Mrs. Huntington alone, sees rose on sill. Takes it up, pulls off note, Opens and reads.) Mrs. Huntington. (Reading) " At last, I dare approach you ; and to-night, I shall have the happiness of speaking with you in my cousin's home. If you are glad, wear my rose, and stand in your accustomed place, when I pass. All yours, as you know. Hartford." Hartford ! The Earl of Hartford ! (Presses note to her lips) Oh, I hope I shan't die before ei^ht o'clock ! (She fastens rose in her gozvn, and stands zvaiting. The Man passes slozvly, lifting his hat.) CURTAIN. LIBRARY OF CONGRF