PS 2677 
 .C5 
 Copy 1 
 

 Classes and Masses 
 
 OR 
 
 Ned and Nell 
 
 A Play in 
 Five Acts 
 
CLASSES AND MASSES 
 
 OR 
 
 NED AND NELL. 
 
 A PLAY IN FIVE ACTS. 
 
 Act I. Open Space in front of a Factory. 
 
 Act II. Sitting-Room in the House of Mr. Upson. 
 
 Act III. Scene I, A City Street by Night: Scene 
 II, A Bar-Room. 
 
 Act IV. Scene I, Same as Scene First, Act Third: 
 Scene II, Same as Act Second. 
 
 Act V. A Restaurant and Concert Garden. 
 
 Place and Time. An American City of To-Day. 
 
 Incidentally showing the possibility of writing 
 English Comedy in a style both natural and metri- 
 cal. In order to be better adapted to a more 
 rapid movement of thought, the lines contain one 
 measure less than is common in English blank 
 verse; in other words, the verse in tetrameter 
 instead of pentameter. 
 
 Printed not Published. 
 
 Copyright, 190 1, 
 
 by 
 
 George L,. Raymond, 
 
 1810 N St., Washington, D. C. 
 
Lifi/^.RY of CtftfSRtSS 
 Two Copies Received 
 
 JUN 6 1904 
 
 AT) Cooyrlght Entry 
 CL*SS ^> XXo. N6- 
 
 " /oPY B 
 
 
 PRES8 OF BYRON 8. ADAM8. 
 
Characters. 
 
 Ned.— A young- street-boy, brought up by Reddy 
 whom he calls Unky. 
 
 Nell.— Daughter of Mr. Upson, Niece of The 
 Doctor. 
 
 Mr. Upson.— Proprietor of a large Factory, a 
 man of wealth and position, father of Nell. 
 
 The Doctor.— A Teacher, Uncle of Nell, on a 
 visit to Mr. Upson. 
 
 Reddy. — A leader of the Strikers. 
 
 Jake. — A rival leader of the Strikers. 
 
 Ives. — A Policeman. 
 
 Other Policemen, Workingmen, Strikers, 
 Thieves, etc 
 
'Dress and Properties. 
 
 Ned. — In Act I, a working-boy's suit. In Act 
 
 II, a newsboy's suit, with cap, etc., also a young 
 lady's out-door dress and hat. In Act III, the 
 young lady's out-door dress and hat, and in Act 
 
 IV, the same and also the newsboy's suit and cap. 
 In Act V, a singing girl's dress and false wig. 
 In Act I, he introduces a piece of iron pipe repre- 
 senting a dynamite bomb, also a manuscript poem. 
 In Act II newspapers, a jack-knife from his 
 pocket and a razor from a drawer, and various 
 parts of a newsboy's clothing flung from the wing. 
 In Acts III and IV, jewelry received from Nell in 
 Act II. 
 
 Nell. — In Act I, a lady's out-door walking suit. 
 In Act II, an evening dress and also a suit ht for 
 a newsboy like that worn by Ned with cap, etc. 
 In Act III, the same. In Act IV, a lady's house- 
 dress. In Act V, water-proof overcoat, rubber 
 boots, slouch hat, like a boy's. In Act I she in- 
 troduces a book; in Act II a pistol, lady's cloth- 
 ing, including underwear, a dress and hat like 
 that subsequently worn by Ned, and also jew- 
 elry, including a brooch, a bundle of boy's cloth- 
 ing like that worn by Ned, and a key. In Act 
 
 III, she introduces part of this jewelry but not 
 the brooch, and in Act IV, a bundle of boy's 
 clothing resembling the newsboy's suit worn by 
 Ned, and a key. 
 
 Mr. Upson and The Doctor. — Ordinary gentle- 
 men's suits. In Acts I, II and V, they have hats 
 or caps. In Act IV, Mr. Upson has also a dress- 
 ing-gown and slippers; and the Doctor, in Act 
 
 V, has colored spectacles, a long overcoat and a 
 slouch hat. Mr. Upson introduces a bunch of 
 keys in Act IV, and the Doctor a newspaper in 
 Act I, and papers in a desk in Act II. 
 
 Reddy and Jake. — Workingmen's dresses with 
 caps or hats. In Act V, Reddy wears a waiter's 
 apron, and has on a wig. In Act II he introduces 
 a pistol, and in Act IV a piece of pipe represent- 
 ing a dynamite bomb, the same as introduced by 
 Ned in Act I. He may speak in an English cock- 
 ney accent dropping the "h," etc. 
 
 Ives. — Policeman's uniform, except in Act V,. 
 when he is in citizen's dress. 
 
 First Policeman in Act III introduced hand- 
 cuffs. 
 
CLASSES AND MASSES 
 
 OR 
 
 NED AND NELL 
 
 ACT FIRST. 
 
 Scene: An Open Space in front of a Factory. 
 Backing, the Factory, in front of which is a 
 wall with an open Gateivay at the Right Center. 
 On the Left is an Office, its door opening upon 
 a Porch, in front of which are Pillars. Two 
 chairs are on the Porch. Entrances by streets 
 at Right Upper and Left Upper, the latter be- 
 hind the Office; also by a street at Right Sec- 
 ond and at Left First. At Left Second is a 
 Door from the Office onto the Porch. 
 The Curtain rising discloses the Doctor sitting 
 on the Office Porch reading a newspaper. 
 
 Enter — Right Second — Reddy and Jake, the lat- 
 ter wheeling a cart. 
 
 Jake. (Gesturing toward Factory.) 
 
 We ought to get them out to-night. 
 Reddy. If out once they will burn it down. 
 
 (Pointing toward Factory.) 
 Jake. Then let them burn it. 
 
 Reddy. Burn it man? 
 
 We started on the strike to get 
 
 More wages. Burn the factory down, 
 
 Where would your wages come from? 
 Jake. Well, 
 
 We should get even with the boss. 
 Reddy. What good would that do, man? 
 Doctor. (Who has been watching and hearing 
 
 them.) 
 
 Well put! 
 
 The master's property is all 
 
 The workman's principle. 
 
6 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Jake. It is? — 
 
 And who wants principle? 
 Doctor. Yourselves — 
 
 Enough at least to have some care 
 
 For your own interest. 
 Jake. You make 
 
 The boss then have some care for us. 
 Doctor. No best friend ever seems a friend 
 
 To one not friendly to himself. 
 
 Blind Sampsons that you are, the day 
 
 You make the walls you work in, fall, 
 
 They fall on you. 
 Jake. (Pointing toward Reddy.) 
 
 He started it. 
 Reddy. But only peaceful means I started. 
 
 I never talked of mob and tire. 
 Doctor. Yes — dangerous to play with fire! 
 
 All easy enough beginning it; 
 
 But when it gets to burning, — well, 
 
 Is like a crack there in the dam. 
 
 Your little finger, when it starts, 
 
 Can check the flood and stop the leak; 
 
 Let go a time, the. strongest man 
 
 Who tried to stem it would be drowned. 
 Exit — Left Second — Doctor. 
 Jake. (To Reddy J Who was that old cove? 
 Reddy. I don't know. 
 
 Jake. Detective ? 
 Reddy. No; you bet your life — 
 
 Is no detective — spoke the truth. 
 Exit — Left Upper — Jake wheeling the cart. 
 Enter — Right Second — Ned. 
 
 Ned. Hello here, Unky ! Here's a lark! 
 
 Reddy. A lark? 
 
 Ned. Oh, yes ; — a fly. 
 
 Reddy. What fly? 
 
 Ned. Why, from the cops, of course! To-night 
 
 You're going to see some fireworks, Hy ! 
 
 (Waving a small piece of iron pipe.) 
 
 Reddy. What is that? 
 Ned. Why, — a cracker. 
 
 Reddy. What? 
 
 Ned. It cracks the thing it hits. 
 Reddy. Take care! 
 
 Here — let me look at it. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and NelL J 
 
 Ned. Is not 
 
 So much to look at, Unky, but 
 
 When on a strike once, — then oh cracky! 
 Reddy. (Trying to snatch it from NedJ 
 
 Give me it. Where was it you got it? 
 Ned. (Dodging away.) 
 
 At old Von Stein's — has lots of them. 
 
 To-night, too, we are going out, 
 
 We boys, hy hy ! 
 Reddy. Well, well, what then? 
 
 Ned. (Waving the the pipe above his head.) 
 
 Why, they are going out, too. 
 Reddy. What for? 
 
 Ned. What for? — The factories. 
 
 Reddy. And they? — 
 
 Ned. Are not going out until next morning. 
 
 Reddy. So, so, — what next? 
 Ned. What next? — You know 
 
 Old Upson's house? 
 Reddy. You're going there? 
 
 Ned. Well, I should smile — if I went there. 
 Reddy. (Pointing to the iron pipe.) 
 
 You mean — to sling them traps about? 
 Ned. (Looking around suspiciously, and speaking 
 
 lower.) 
 
 Not I, but they. Up there, you know, 
 
 Are mighty pretty things. 
 Reddy. And you? 
 
 Ned. Am going to have some fun, I am. 
 Reddy. (Snatching the pipe from Ned.) 
 
 You are, eh? — I shall keep this. 
 Ned. (Trying to get the pipe back.) 
 
 No! 
 Reddy. You think you know what you are do- 
 ing?— 
 
 If you was found with this thing on you, 
 
 You might be hung, and ought to be. 
 Ned. And ought? 
 Reddy. And ought! It's dynamite — 
 
 Enough to kill a dozen men. 
 Ned. All's fair, you know, in war. 
 Reddy. In war; — 
 
 But all like this is mighty foul 
 
 In peace. 
 Ned. But it was you begun it. 
 
 Reddy. Not' breaking into houses, Ned. 
 
S Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. No more did I. The truth is, Unky, 
 
 They sneaked that in my pocket here. 
 Just snaked it out; but if it were 
 A key, and one could turn it so — 
 (Making a movement like turning a key.) 
 Ah, Unky, they may smash the doors, 
 I'll stay behind and dodge the splinters, 
 And walk in afterwards. 
 
 Reddy. You lay 
 
 One little ringer on a thing 
 In Upson's house, you go to jail, — 
 Or ought to go. It's not for theft 
 We strike that want an honest wage 
 For honest work; and if it be for theft 
 You talk of going out to-night, 
 I swear, Ned, I shall keep you in, 
 If I break both your legs to do it. 
 And when I find that man Von Stein, 
 That put this fire here in your pocket, 
 For you to burn yourself with Ned, — 
 You just keep out the way. I mean 
 To give that old whelp such a licking, 
 His hind legs will be swollen up 
 Too big except to roll on, Curse him! 
 What other boys did he give these to? 
 
 Enter — Right Center — Policeman Ives, looks at 
 them and then disappears, exiting at Left 
 Upper. 
 
 Ned. Oh, two or three. 
 
 Reddy. (Still holding bomb in his hand.) 
 
 What two or three? 
 Ned. Jake Sears, Tom Ford, Jim Blake, Jo Jones. 
 Reddy. That all? 
 
 Ned. All / know. 
 
 Reddy. (Putting bomb in his pocket.) 
 
 I must go 
 
 And see to them. — No more of this ! — 
 
 You understand me? 
 
 (Ned nods.) 
 Exit — Right Second — Reddy. 
 Ned. (Looking after Reddy.) 
 
 Yes— but I 
 
 Should like to see you keep me in, 
 
 When you, yourself will not be in. 
 
 Humph! Where such fun is going on, 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. , g 
 
 I think I see that I shall see it. 
 
 It's pretty rough though, on a fellow, 
 
 To have to dodge the old man, too, 
 
 Enter — Left Upper — Policeman Ives, and softly 
 comes up behind Ned. 
 
 As well as cops. By hokey-dorey, 
 
 If I don't swop off rigs to-night, 
 
 With Jimmy Blake, and sell his papers! — 
 
 Would like to see them catch me then. 
 Ives. (Putting his hand on Ned's shoulder.) 
 
 Here youngster, what's your name? 
 Ned. It's Ned. 
 
 Ives. Ned what? 
 Ned. Ned Brown. 
 
 Ives. And where's your home? 
 
 Ives. It's where I find a place to sleep in. 
 Ives. Come, don't be impudent. 
 
 (Collaring Ned.) 
 Ned. See here, 
 
 I ain't no thief. 
 Ives. (Examining Ned's pockets.) 
 
 Who said you was? 
 Ned. I ain't been doing nothing. 
 
 Ives. Sha'n't 
 
 If I can stop it. — Who was that 
 
 Just left you here? 
 Ned. Which one you mean? 
 
 Ives. The only one. Talk up, talk up; 
 
 And tell me what you gave him. 
 Ned. Nothing. 
 
 Ives. You did. 
 
 Ned. I didn't. He took it from me. 
 
 Ives. What was it? 
 Ned. I don't know. 
 
 Ives. You do. 
 
 Ned. I don't. He said himself, I didn't. 
 
 That's why he took it. 
 Ives. Is it? 
 
 Ned. ' Yes. 
 
 He said I'd hurt somebody. 
 Ives. Who ? 
 
 Ned. The strikers. 
 Ives. Strikers ? 
 
 Ned. Yes, he said 
 
 They wan't no thieves, nor murderers. 
 
io Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ives. (Letting go of Ned, who gradually draws 
 
 away from him to Left.) 
 
 I see; and so the men themselves 
 
 Are quarreling; and he — 
 Ned. Why he, 
 
 Don't want no quarreling, you know. 
 Ives. And took this from you? 
 Ned. Yes. 
 
 Ives. And what's 
 
 He going to do with it? 
 Ned. The same,, 
 
 I guess, that I was. 
 Ives. What ? 
 
 Ned. Why, throw it. 
 
 Ives. Throw it? — where? 
 
 Ned. Where I was going — 
 
 Ives. (Anxiously.) And where is that? 
 Ned. (With fingers up and thumb against nose.} 
 
 Away — ha, ha f 
 Exit — Left First — Ned, running. 
 
 Ives. (Starting to run toward Ned, then stopping.) 
 There may be more of smoke than fire 
 In these reports. Yet one must watch 
 
 Enter — Right Center — Upson. 
 
 Upson. (To IvesJ Good morning. 
 
 Ives. (To UpsonJ Oh, good morning, sir. 
 
 Upson. You may not know me? — Mr. Upson. 
 
 Ives. Oh, yes, sir, — owner of these works. 
 
 Upson. I am — is nothing new, to-day? 
 
 Enter — Left Second — the Doctor. 
 
 Ives. (To UpsonJ 
 Oh, no, sir ; nothing of importance. 
 
 Exit, after a little — Left First — Ives. 
 
 Upson. (To DoctorJ 
 
 You make a good detective. Doctor. 
 Yon like your occupation, do you? 
 
 Doctor. Quite late — your asking that of me ! — 
 When I have taught for twenty years. 
 
 Upson. Is that detective work? 
 
 Doctor. Much like it. 
 
 A teacher must detect, at least, 
 A place inside the brain where thought, 
 When planted, will be apt to grow. 
 He usually finds the place just where 
 Some mischief has been weeded out. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell, n 
 
 Upson. I hope your lack of change in work 
 
 Will not be such as to prevent 
 
 Your having some vacation. 
 Doctor. No ; 
 
 Am glad to be of use to you. 
 Upson. A hundred new hands just come in — 
 
 Enough, I think, to break the strike. 
 Doctor. At times a calm may come before 
 
 A crash of thunder. 
 Upson. Oh, no fear, 
 
 Of violence for us ! You know 
 
 I never deal with men like these, 
 
 But that I think of little Ned, 
 
 My boy, they kidnapped. He might be 
 
 Among them. 
 Doctor. Yes. 
 
 Upson. Besides before 
 
 This last strike we have always yielded. 
 Doctor. Some think that those who once have 
 yielded 
 
 Will yield again. 
 Upson. And men of peace, 
 
 Like you, advise one's never yielding? 
 Enter— Right Second— Nell. 
 Doctor. Oh, no ; but merely to be cautious. 
 
 You know the danger for a man 
 
 Who trains wild beasts, if accident 
 
 Give them a chance to taste his blood. 
 
 So sometimes with the man who trains, 
 
 Tn school, or camp, or factory, 
 
 Those animals that we term men. 
 
 It is his will directs this training, 
 
 And when what fills the heart flows forth, 
 
 They note the absence of his will-power 
 
 Far more than presence of his love. 
 
 A wise man will not let his fellows drain 
 
 His veins of life-strength, to augment 
 
 Their own strength, till assured that this 
 
 Will not be turned against himself. 
 Upson. (To NellJ 
 
 What, you here, Nellie? 
 Nell. Going home? 
 
 Upson. Not right away. 
 Nell. Then soon, I hope. 
 
 You know the party — 
 
 I «f /* 
 
12 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Upson. Yes, I do,— 
 
 The party I care most to please. 
 
 But I shall soon be back. If not, 
 
 And find the buggy ready for us, 
 
 Will find a boy to fetch you round. 
 Exit — Left Upper — Upson. 
 
 Nell. (Taking a book from her pocket, and begin- 
 ning to talk to the Doctor, who, however, 
 soon leaves.) 
 
 I hope that he will be back soon, 
 
 How I should hate to be a man ! — 
 
 Men measure all a day is worth 
 
 By work that they can do in it. 
 
 Just think ! — One might as well say skies 
 
 Were made for clouds, and not for suns, 
 
 Or years for winter, not for summer; 
 
 Or plants for thorns, and not for roses ; 
 
 Or life for men, and not for women: 
 Exit — Left Second — Doctor. 
 
 Or lips for drinking; not — tut, tut! — 
 
 A day's worth measured by its work! — 
 
 As if a man's day were a donkey's. 
 
 Our donkey takes his pleasure on the farm 
 
 Exactly once a year ; so papa. 
 Enter — Left Upper — Ned. 
 Ned. (Aside, as he looks back toward Left Upper 
 
 Entrance.) 
 
 I dodged him pretty well, I did. 
 
 I wasn't going to run away 
 
 And not warn Reddy of his danger. 
 
 (Looking tozvard Right Second Entrance.) 
 
 He'll be here in a minute more. 
 
 (Looking back toward Left Upper Entrance.) 
 
 Hello! the cop again! — I'll cheese it. 
 
 (Dodges behind a pillar on the porch.) 
 Nell. (Jumping up startled.) 
 
 Dear me! — And what do you want? 
 Ned. Reddy. 
 
 Nell. (To herself.) 
 
 So this time papa has been prompt. 
 
 (To Ned.; 
 
 It's Ready? 
 Ned. Yes. 
 
 Nell. I'll go with you. 
 
 Ned. With me. Miss? 
 
Classes a?id Masses or Ned and Nell. 13 
 
 Nell. Yes ; you want me, don't you ? 
 
 Ned. That might be, Miss; but yet you know — 
 
 Nell. Well, I'll go with you. 
 
 (Moving, as if to go toward Left Upper En- 
 trance.) 
 Ned. (Moving in perplexity to the front and left.} 
 
 Would he want it? 
 Nell. Of course. 
 
 Ned. But why? 
 
 Nell. (Laughing, and moving toward him.) 
 
 Because he's ready. 
 Ned. (Hesitating.) 
 
 Because? — 
 Nell. Why, he's my father, boy. 
 
 Ned. (To himself.) 
 
 Now wouldn't Unky have to scratch 
 
 For dust for her to flower in, eh? — 
 
 I see — she's crazy ! 
 Nell. Don't I look it? — 
 
 (Gesturing toward Left Upper Entrance.) 
 
 Go on. I'm ready. 
 Ned. She is Reddy! — 
 
 I wonder what 'twas turned her head. 
 Nell. Go on I'll follow. Go along. 
 
 Ned. (To himself, as he moves back onto (he 
 
 porch at the Left.) 
 
 I can't have her a-tagging me. 
 
 Just think how all the boys would guy me ! 
 
 Now if she only was a boy — 
 
 (Making motions as if preparing to fight.) 
 Nell. (Out of patience.) 
 
 Come, come, now ! Can't you see this, boy, 
 
 That I'm not in a mood for fooling? 
 Ned. (To himself, as he dodges away again.) 
 
 They say all fools think others fools. 
 
 She must be one. If I had bait 
 
 To throw her, I could slip away 
 
 While she was looking at it. — Oh ! 
 
 I'll give her that new song of mine. 
 
 No loss ! — I know it all by heart. 
 
 (Taking a paper from his pocket and approach- 
 ing her.) 
 
 See here, Miss, don't you? — 
 Nell. If he's ready,. 
 
 Why don't we go to him? 
 
14. Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. Why, Miss, 
 
 Because he's here? 
 Enter — Right Second — Reddy. 
 Nell. Who's here? 
 
 Ned. Who?— Reddy. 
 
 Nell. The boy's insane ! — 
 /Ned approaches her, holding out the manuscript.) 
 
 No; go away. 
 Reddy. Here Ned, you rascal ! — Keep away. 
 
 You musn't frighten her. 
 Ned. She's mad. 
 
 Reddy. You made her so. 
 Ned. I think 'twas you. 
 
 She told me she was Reddy. 
 Nell. Well, 
 
 I am. 
 Ned. There, there, now — don't you see? — 
 Reddy. A mere mistake. (To Nell) It's me, Miss, 
 me, 
 
 It's / am Reddy; and the boy 
 
 Was looking after me. 
 Nell. (Bewildered.) It's you 
 
 Are ready? 
 Rfddy. That's my name. 
 
 Nell. (Laughing.) Oh, yes ! — 
 
 I thought the boy had come from papa, 
 
 And meant to say that he was ready 
 
 To take me home — That is a joke! 
 Reddy (To Ned, who passes across the stage, and 
 
 stands at his side.) 
 
 Was frightened, — don't you see it ; Ned ? — 
 
 And she's the master's daughter, too. 
 Ned. I didn't mean her any harm. 
 
 I dodged behind that pillar there 
 
 (Pointing to porch.) 
 
 To cheese it from the cop. That's all. 
 
 He searched me, Reddy, for that bomb. 
 
 Here, let me have it. He'll search you. 
 (Ned tries to take bomb from Reddy. Reddy pre- 
 vents him, and pushes him off.) 
 Reddy. I'll tend to that, myself, my lad. 
 
 What was it you were doing? 
 Enter — Left Second — Doctor. 
 Ned. (Showing the manuscript.) Why — 
 
 I hope you will excuse me, Miss — 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 15 
 
 (To ReddyJ 
 
 She seemed to want to tag on so; 
 
 And I ain't nothing for a tug-boat. — 
 
 .• guessed she must be crazy — so 
 
 I thought that I would give her this; 
 
 And, while she looked at it, vamose. 
 Reddy. What is it? 
 Ned. Why, a song, — a ringer ! 
 
 Will call the crowds out like a fire-bell! — 
 
 A new song, too ! 
 Doctor. Where did you get it? 
 
 Ned. (With assumption.) 
 
 'Twas written by a friend of mine. 
 Nell. (Interested.) 
 
 You've poets for your friends? 
 Ned. Oh, yes !— 
 
 They're friends of everybody. 
 Doctor. (Taking the song from him.) Are they?— 
 
 You say he wrote this for you? 
 Ned. Yes. 
 
 I saw it come. 
 Doctor. You saw it come? 
 
 Ned. I did. 
 
 Doctor. How so? 
 
 Ned. (Running his fingers through his hair.) 
 
 Why, firstly so : 
 Doctor. (To NellJ 
 
 That was the plowing of the soil. 
 Nell. (Laughing.) Much soil there? 
 Ned. You may bet your life ! 
 
 Doctor. And is that all you saw? 
 Ned. Oh no ; 
 
 Then this : (Scratching his head.) 
 Doctor. (To Nell J The planting of the seed. 
 Ned. Then so : (Rubbing his head.) 
 
 Doctor. (To NellJ The covering of the seed. 
 Ned. Then so : (Walking up and down whistling.) 
 Doctor. (To NellJ The spring wind blowing 
 
 on it. 
 Ned. Then so : (Shaking his fist, and striking 
 
 dozvn.) 
 Doctor. (To NellJ The storm that came to 
 
 strike. 
 Ned. Then so -.(Humming, while beating time with 
 his fingers.) 
 Humph, humph, humph, humph, humph, humph ! 
 
i6 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Doctor. (To Nell.,) The breezes and the bees of 
 
 summer. 
 Ned. And last : (Flourishing his hand, as if writ- 
 ing.) 
 Doctor. (To NellJ The swinging of the sythe 
 
 To clip the grain full grown and ripe. 
 Nell. (Laughing.) And what, pray, is it all about? 
 Doctor. (Looking at the song carelessly.) 
 
 Not hard to guess, I think, — most likely 
 
 What people all think most about? 
 Nell. What's that? 
 Doctor. Themselves. 
 
 Ned. He said true poets,. 
 
 They always think what most men think. 
 Doctor. Yes, poets of his kind ! He meant, 
 
 They write it out, perhaps. 
 Ned. Oh, yes. 
 
 They right it out when wrong. That's what 
 
 He meant. 
 Doctor. Humph! — Revolutionary? — 
 
 Is meant to turn things round? 
 Ned. (Beginning to dance.) Oh, yes — 
 
 Turns me. 
 Nell. (Holding out her hand toward the Doctor 
 
 for the manuscript.) 
 
 Let's read it. 
 Doctor. (Handing the paper, which he has not 
 
 read, to Nell.,) 
 
 Oh, I think 
 
 Most folks will not take in the sense. 
 Ned. No ; I'll take in the cents myself. 
 Nell. You sing for money then? 
 Reddy. You see 
 
 The factory closed, and closed his work — 
 Nell. But papa says their doors are open. 
 Reddy. But not for work from such as we. 
 Nell. Why not? 
 
 Reddy. We're working with our mates. 
 
 They thought we shouldn't. That's enough. 
 Doctor. I thought this country was a free one. 
 Enter — Left First — a Messenger, and speaks aside 
 
 to the Doctor. 
 Reddy. (To Doctor.,) 
 
 Oh now, you wouldn't have a man 
 
 As free as that from others, would you? 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 17 
 
 I wouldn't then. — The boy, I say, 
 
 (Turning to Nell, as he sees the Doctor about 
 
 to leave.) 
 
 He lost his work, so took to this, — 
 
 Sings every night now in a hall. 
 Exeunt— Left First— The Doctor and Messenger. 
 Nell. (To Reddy.; Oh, singing is his work 
 
 then !— 
 
 It must be easy work — mere singing! 
 Ned. It's harder work that you might think. 
 
 Some couldn't do it. I 
 
 Reddy. (Patting Ned on shoulder.) 
 
 That's the truth. 
 Nell. You sing for me. I'll pay you too. 
 
 (Taking silver coin from her pocket, and hold- 
 ing toward Ned.,) 
 Ned. (Looking at her hand.) 
 
 You will? — Well it's the job I want. 
 Nell sits on the porch. Reddy and Ned are in 
 
 front of the Right Center. Music starts and 
 
 Ned sings. Just as he begins, 
 Enter — Right Second — a Workingman. He beck- 
 ons to others behind him. 
 Enter — Right Second — Other Workingmen. 
 Ned. (Singing.) 
 
 The time will come when money 
 Will pay what work is worth; 
 Will buy your task, and none will ask 
 
 Your station or your birth. 
 The right to earnings will be won 
 By what a man himself has done. 
 
 Oh!— 
 The time will come, the time will come, 
 The time will come when money 
 Will pay what work is worth. 
 
 (Ned dances.) ', 
 
 (Workingmen wave hats and clap hands.) 
 
 First Workingman. That's good. 
 
 Second Workingman. And true! 
 
 Third Workingman. Go on. 
 
 Fourth Workingman. Go on. 
 
 First Workingman. (Beckoning to others un- 
 seen beyond Right Second Entrance.) 
 Come here, come here, Ned Brown's a-singin' ! 
 
18 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. (Continuing.) 
 
 The time will come when money- 
 Will not buy one a crown — 
 To lift a snob above the mob 
 And keep all others down. 
 For men, to inward worth alert, 
 Will only bow to true desert. 
 
 Oh!— 
 The time will come, the time will come, etc. 
 
 ^Ned dances, and the workingmen sing over the 
 
 chorus.) 
 
 The time will come, the time will come, etc. 
 First Workingman. It will that! 
 
 Second Workingman. Give it to 'em again ! 
 
 Third Workingman. Ah, you're the boy for us ! 
 Fourth Workingman. Another! 
 
 Ned. (Continuing.) 
 
 The time will come when money 
 Will not seem more than man; 
 
 But hearts will yearn with all they earn 
 To help all men they can. 
 
 In rolls of honor in that state, 
 
 Great love alone will make men great. 
 Oh!— 
 
 The time will come, the time will come, etc. 
 
 Enter — Left First — before Ned has ended this 
 stanza, Upson and Ives. Nell goes to join 
 them. They stand on the porch. 
 
 Workingmen sing the chorus: 
 
 The time will come, the time will come, etc. 
 (Ned moves to the back of the stage so as to lead 
 
 the chorus.) 
 Ives. (To Upson. ) 
 
 I've known a slighter cause than that 
 
 To be the starter of a mob. 
 Upson. (Pointing tozvard the left, where are 
 
 heard the sounds of an approaching horse and 
 
 carriage.) 
 
 And I have known a slighter cause 
 
 Than that to end it. 
 Ives. Might not be 
 
 A bad idea ! 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell, ip 
 
 (The sound of the carriage stops. Ives waves his 
 hand to the left, zvhich he faces, as if giving 
 directions.) 
 
 Drive around; 
 Then through them and disperse them. 
 
 Nell. Oh! 
 
 (She shrieks, runs toward Ned, and drags him 
 ' away from the rear of the stage, where he is 
 singing and dancing, just as 
 
 Enter — Left Upper — Horse and Carriage. 
 
 Exit — Right Upper — Horse and Carriage. 
 
 Exeunt— Right Center, Right Upper, Right Sec- 
 ond — Workingmen. 
 
 Ned. (To Nell.,) Oh, Miss, you saved me! 
 
 Nell. Then I hope 
 
 You'll prove a boy that's worth the saving. 
 
 Ned. You think I can? 
 
 Nell. I know you can. 
 
 Ned. And what you say, Miss, must be true. 
 
 Curtain. 
 
20 Classes and Masses or Ned a?id NelL 
 
 ACT SECOND. 
 
 Scene. — Sitting room in house of Mr. Upson, 
 Backing at Center a fireplace; at Right Center 
 a window, at one side of which is a desk or 
 writing table, covered with papers, and over 
 which is a mirror. In the drawer of this desk 
 is a razor, and, to the left of the desk, a chair. 
 Backing at the Left Center is a door, in or over 
 which is a ventilator, closed by a small lid 
 which, when open, is large enough to reveal a 
 face behind it. This ventilator is used only in 
 Act IV. At right of stage, near the place of 
 Right First Entrance, is a full length mirror. 
 Between the mirror and the Right Third En- 
 trance, is a sofa. In the center of the stage is 
 a table; on it a lighted lamp and a bell. Chairs 
 are on both sides of this table. Another chair 
 is between the Left Third and Left First En- 
 trances. Entrances are by doors at the Right 
 First, Right Third, Left Center (used only in 
 Act IV), Left First and Left Third. At the Left 
 First and Left Third are doors that can be 
 bolted, and at the Left Third and Left Center 
 are doors that have keys that can be removed. 
 
 The curtain rising discloses Mr. Upson sitting at 
 the left of the table in the center of the stage , 
 reading a book bound in calf. 
 
 Enter — Right Third — Nell, in evening dress. 
 Upson. (Looking up.) 
 
 Well, Nellie, is that you ? 
 Nell. Yes, papa. 
 
 Do I disturb your reading? 
 Upson. No; 
 
 No; no disturbance! — the reverse. 
 (Motioning with his hand to have her sit in chair 
 
 at right of table. She does so, at the same time 
 
 drawing the chair behind table nearer his. He 
 
 leans forward, looking at her.) 
 
 I will continue reading. 
 Nell. What? 
 
 Upson. My poem. 
 
 Nell. Poem ? 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 21 
 
 Upson. Yes, I never 
 
 Can see, or hear, or think of it, 
 But that there seems to come from it, 
 The subtle beatings of a rhythm 
 That charms my heart, and makes it start 
 New throbbings to keep time to them. 
 If I were reading then out loud, 
 I should begin, I know, to hum. 
 Nell. (Affectionately.) 
 
 Oh, you old humbug ! 
 Upson. (Gesturing with his book.) 
 
 Here's my prose. — 
 It's bound in calf. My poem's bound — 
 Nell. To be shelved — not so? 
 Upson. Not so. — In cloth, 
 
 And — say — in blue and gold, blue eyes 
 And golden hair! 
 
 (Placing his hand on the ribbon binding her 
 hair.) 
 Nell. (Drawing back coquettishly.) 
 
 You old boy-beau! — 
 You like the book because you like 
 It's binding. That's behind its back. 
 Why don't you like its leaves? — I'm sure 
 You do. 
 
 (Rising and bowing.) 
 You like its — taking leaves. 
 Upson. (Motioning her to sit down.) 
 
 Oh no. 
 Nell. (Sitting down, and crossing her hands.) 
 
 Shut up, at least, then? 
 Upson. No; 
 
 I like it by my side and open. 
 Nell. Then always when it's by your side. 
 
 For then, you know, it's always open. 
 Upson. I know you mean to have it so. 
 
 But' let me tell you, child, two things 
 A wise man never boasts about, — 
 His probing fully to their depth 
 A poet's meaning, or a maid's, — 
 The sweeter poem of the two. 
 Nell. But, papa, I've no single thought, 
 
 But I could tell you all of it. 
 Upson. I know it, darling. Let me see. 
 
 You're just sixteen, not so? 
 Nell. Next month. 
 
22 Classes and Masses or Ned a?id Nell. 
 
 Upson. And some have had then just how many — 
 
 (Counting on fingers.) 
 
 Say — six times sixty times sixteen 
 
 Sweet nights in which to dream about you. 
 Nell. (Playfully.) 
 
 That's very complimentary ! — 
 
 They like me better when their eyes 
 
 Are shut, you think? 
 Upson. Not that ; but when 
 
 Their eyes are open, then they see 
 
 So much besides that they don't care for. 
 
 It's only when the eyes are shut 
 
 The soul can wholly live with those 
 
 It wholly likes to live with. 
 Nell. Oh !— 
 
 I wish that you would keep your own shut, 
 
 When thinking about me. 
 Upson. (Smiling.) 
 
 You do? 
 
 I hardly think I could, my dear. 
 
 Or— well— I think I'll put it, should. 
 
 In such a party as we'll find 
 
 To-night, for instance, do you think 
 
 I ought to keep my eye shut, eh? 
 
 You know that you are not "out" yet. 
 Enter — Left Third — Doctor. He goes to the desk 
 
 at Right Center, and seems searching for a 
 
 paper. 
 Nell. You mean not out, yet, of your sight. 
 Upson. At least, ought not to be — too young! 
 
 If I were not a widower, 
 
 I hardly should be justified 
 
 In taking you so much with me. 
 
 Yet that need make no difference, Nellie, 
 
 If you but have a little caution, 
 
 And not seem too much pleased to meet — 
 Nell. I never could seem pleased to meet 
 
 With disagreeable people, papa. 
 
 Now there are all that Snubbins crowd, 
 
 And then the Crowels — just like crows: — 
 
 Are always dressed in black and croaking. 
 Upson. Why, Nellie, they are at the top, 
 
 The very tip-top, of society. 
 Nell. Should think so! — like the tip-top house 
 
 Upon Mount Washington. You know 
 
 'Tis it because, just when you see it, 
 
 You feel like freezing. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 23 
 
 Upson. You don't like them. 
 
 Nell. No: I like people like the Smiths. 
 Upson. A very common family! — our's 
 
 The very commonest of the common. 
 Nell. What? 
 
 You really want to have me like 
 
 The Crowds and the Snubbinses? 
 Upson. Why, yes. You must remember, dear, 
 
 What's due to our position. 
 Nell. (Half impertinently.) What? 
 
 Upson. (Noticing the presence of the Doctor.,) 
 
 I think your uncle here could tell you, — 
 
 To keep from slipping down from it, 
 
 To pay it the respect we owe it; 
 
 And not let people none respect 
 
 Stand here besides us. 
 Nell. None respect? 
 
 Upson. None in society, I mean — 
 
 The kind we go in. So, for it, 
 
 We must be careful. 
 Nell. Yes, I see: 
 
 Doctor. We always must be full of care, — 
 
 When poor, for fear the rich will harm us; 
 
 When rich, for fear 'twill be the poor. 
 Upson. (To Nell.,) My care's for your sake, not 
 for mine ; 
 
 For, ever since your mother died, 
 
 And our poor boy, your twin, poor Ned, 
 
 Was stolen from us, it's been you 
 
 For whom I've chiefly thought in all 
 
 I've planned or done. 
 Nell. (Evidently touched.) 
 
 I know it, papa. 
 Upson. And so it's natural I should want 
 
 To see you fill the place in life 
 
 That I have gained for you. 
 
 Nell. Yes, but 
 
 Doctor. Don't butt at sheep. Your father means 
 
 To say society are sheep 
 
 That always follow leaders. 
 Nell. Yes. 
 
 Doctor. And so, if you keep near the leaders, 
 
 Society will follow you. 
 Nell. The Smiths are just as good as we are. 
 Doctor. Yes, that is true; but are they better? 
 Nell. We ought to go then with our betters? — 
 
 What if all others did the same? 
 
24. Classes arid Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Doctor. Well, fortunately for the few, 
 
 The others usually are fools. 
 
 The truth is, others look at you 
 
 In just the way you look at them. 
 
 Look up and they look up to you. 
 Nell. Come, come, now uncle ! — You believe 
 
 All that? 
 Doctor. Can't come. I must be off. 
 Exit — Left First — Doctor. 
 
 Nell. (To Mr. Upson.,) If I look very sweet at 
 folks, 
 
 Will they look very sweet at me? 
 Upson. I think they will, my dear. 
 Nell. And if 
 
 They talk, too, sweetly as they look, 
 
 What shall I take them for? 
 Upson. For those 
 
 Your papa also ought to look at. 
 Nell. (Playfully.) 
 
 Not shut his eyes to? 
 Upson. No; too often 
 
 'Tis those who bring us honied words 
 
 Leave stings behind them when they leave us. 
 Enter — Left Third Entrance — Ned, wearing a 
 
 newsboy's cap, with newspapers in his hand. 
 Ned. An extra, sir? 
 
 ('Upson and Nell are both startled, and rise.) 
 Upson. (To NedJ Should think you were! — 
 
 How came you here? 
 Ned. Along the street. 
 
 Upson. But how did you get in? 
 Ned. I walked. 
 
 Upson. I mean who let you in? 
 Ned. Don't know. 
 
 Upson. The servant let you come up here? 
 Ned. Didn't ask her. 
 
 Upson. No? — She should have stopped you. 
 
 Ned. She tried to. 
 
 Upson. You came by her, then? 
 
 Ned. No; by myself. — An extra, sir? 
 
 I thought as how you — you might like it. 
 Upson. We send for extras when we want them. 
 Ned. (Walking behind Upson, tozvard fireplace.) 
 
 Just what the servant said. 
 Upson. She did? 
 
 You've had one warning then. Now go. 
 Ned. You didn't know how you wanted this. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 25 
 
 Upson Your impudence would teach me, eh? 
 
 Ned. (Aside to Nell who like him is now at right, 
 and who is looking at him sharply.) 
 Yes, I am Ned. I came to help you. 
 
 ("Upson looks at Ned sternly.) 
 
 Nell. Say, papa 
 
 Ned. (To UpsonJ 
 
 I thought that she might like 
 
 Upson. (To NedJ 
 Stand back there. 
 
 ("Nell draws back from NedJ 
 
 Ned. (Looking at Nell, then at UpsonJ 
 
 She is standing back. 
 
 Upson. (To NedJ 
 Stand back yourself. 
 
 Ned. No use now, Mister. 
 
 She's far enough away. 
 
 Upson. Look here. 
 
 Ned. (Looking at UpsonJ 
 Yes, I'm a looking. 
 
 Upson. (Pointing to Nell J 
 
 Don't you see 
 Your dirty hands would soil her dress? 
 
 Ned. No, not by looking that way. 
 
 Upson. Look 
 
 Around you then, and always do it. 
 
 Nell. (To UpsonJ 
 He wouldn't touch me ! 
 
 Ned. (Slyly gesturing with his papers.) 
 
 No? — Some things 
 Look better for an extra touch. 
 
 Upson. (To NedJ 
 You little imp ! 
 
 Ned. (To Upson.) See her now, Mister, 
 
 You think I would have come in here, 
 Except with something that you wanted? 
 
 Upson. (Taking five cents from his pocket and 
 handing them to Ned.) 
 All right, boy, let me have it then. 
 
 Ned. Five cents ! — I guess ! — Humph ! — give me 
 fifty. 
 
 Upson. (Pointing to door, at Left Third En- 
 trance.) 
 Clear out, you little scamp, clear out. 
 
 Ned. (Moving tozvard door, at Left Third En- 
 trance.) 
 
26 Classes and Masses or Ned a?id Nell. 
 
 All right! but you can't say, you know, 
 
 You wasn't warned. Good bye. 
 Upson. (Moving toward him as does Nell.,) 
 
 Come back. 
 Ned. Why, I had almost gone clean out ! 
 
 (Looking at his extra.) 
 
 It's worth a good deal more to you. 
 Upson. Let's have it. 
 
 (Takes money from his pocket and hands it to 
 Ned, who pockets it, and hands him the extra. 
 
 Upson opens the paper and reads.) 
 
 Upson's factory 
 
 Surrounded by a mob ! — in flames ! 
 
 ("Upson and Nell both look alarmed.) 
 
 Ned. I thought that you would like 
 
 Upson. Don't like it 
 
 Why didn't you tell me this at once? 
 Ned. A boy as knows no more than I, 
 
 Just to get even with the world, 
 
 Has got to charge for what he does know. 
 Upson. (Advancing and shaking fist at NedJ 
 
 You little swindler! 
 Ned. (Dodging to right, and passing behind to 
 
 right of stage.) Business, Mister. 
 
 'Twas worth as much as fifty cents 
 
 To leave the others fellows' fun 
 
 And come and tell you of it. 
 Upson. (To Nell.) Strange. 
 
 They hadn't sent me word of this ! 
 Ned. You think it strange, eh, Mister. 
 Upson. (Angrily and pointing toward door.) 
 
 I do. 
 
 And stranger still that you don't leave. 
 Ned. (Sitting on chair near window backing at 
 
 the Right Center, at the same time placing his 
 
 newspapers on the small table near same win- 
 dow.) 
 
 Well, haven't I done you one good turn? 
 Upson. (Advancing rapidly toward Ned, then 
 
 aside, as he checks himself.) 
 
 There's meaning in this impudence. 
 
 (To Ned.; 
 
 You have, my little man. — What else? 
 Ned. You're talking now! If I was big, 
 
 You would have asked before. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 27 
 
 Upson. I see. 
 
 And as you are a little man, 
 
 You're making up in style your lack 
 
 In substance. Humph! You ought to be 
 
 That paper's editor, not seller. 
 
 You think a fool in cap and bells 
 
 Is not so big a fool as he 
 
 That never wears the cap and bells, 
 
 Yet wants to get the world's attention. 
 
 Go on, boy, I will listen. 
 Ned. (Looking significantly toward Nell.,) 
 
 But— 
 Upson. (To Nell.,) 
 
 Suppose 
 
 You leave us, Nellie, for a little. 
 Exit— Right Third— Nell. 
 
 Well, boy. 
 Ned. Now, you'll not give me 'way. 
 
 Upson. Not I. 
 Ned. Because, you see this, Mister, 
 
 A little fellow must hang on 
 
 To someone. I've been tailing them. 
 
 But when that beastly crowd was coming 
 
 Where you and she lived all alone, 
 
 I vowed to make that tail a switch 
 
 To lick them back with. 
 Upson. What? — You say 
 
 They're coming? 
 Ned. Coming here to-night. 
 
 Upson. The crowd? — What for? 
 Ned. To break in here. 
 
 Upson. My house? — What for? 
 
 Ned. Well, chiefly, Mister, 
 
 Because they're drunk; and when they're drunk 
 
 Men always stumble into something. 
 
 Besides they're strikers. 
 Upson. So must strike 
 
 At something, eh ? — at my poor girl ! 
 
 'Tis true I'm in the company. 
 
 But I've been absent all the year, 
 
 And half the men who've struck don't know me. 
 
 The others know I've been their friend. 
 
 The fools ! — to seek for favors thus. 
 
 A man who's struck at will strike back. — 
 
 How long before the crowd will be here? 
 Ned. Oh, two hours yet. — I took the train. 
 
28 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Upson. We'll go for the police. Come with me. 
 
 There may be errands. 
 
 (He opens the door at Right Third and speaks 
 to Nell.,) 
 
 Nellie, I 
 
 Am going out. While I am gone 
 
 You change your party dress — no use 
 
 For that to-night — and wrap up, too, 
 
 Your night dress. We are going off. 
 Enter — Right Third — Nell. 
 
 Nell. Yes, papa, but 
 
 Upson. No time just now. — 
 
 Will tell you why when wey get back. 
 Exeunt — Left Third — Upson and Ned. 
 Nell. (Alone.) 
 
 What can it mean? — They left the extra! 
 (Takes extra from table, zvhere it has been left 
 
 by Upson, and reads it.) 
 
 Here — what ? — Yes — "Upson's factory 
 
 Surrounded by a mob — in flames— 
 
 The strikers organized — the streets 
 
 Controlled by anarchists." — I see — 
 
 Is danger of their coming here; 
 
 And Ned— he must have told him that. 
 
 Quite strange— how much I like that boy ! 
 
 But what is that?— 
 (Confused noises of men outside, calling for help.) 
 
 Is papa's voice. 
 (Rushes toward Left Third Entrance and stops.) 
 
 Are fighting ! They are in the hall. 
 
 (Runs to Right.) 
 Exit— Right Third — Nell, closing the door after 
 
 her. 
 Enter— Left Third— Ned. 
 Ned. I'll lock the door behind me — there! 
 
 (Locks the door and pockets the key.) 
 
 Them fellows must have followed me. 
 
 The boss is sure to think I trapped him. 
 
 What foul work! — tackling him behind. 
 
 Well, it will take the two to hold him— 
 
 Will not be back soon — give me time 
 
 To save the lady. 
 (Crossing stage to Right Third Entrance, then 
 
 whispering through key-hole.) 
 
 Say, Miss Upson, 
 Nell. (Whispering back through key-hole.) 
 
 Who is it? 
 Ned. Ned. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned a?id Nell. 2p> 
 
 Nell. Oh, go away f 
 
 Ned. I want to help you — on my life. 
 
 Nell. And where is papa? 
 
 Ned. Not come back. 
 
 Nell. Why not? 
 
 Ned. (Aside.) 
 
 Will make her come out now. 
 
 (To Nell.; 
 
 He cannot. 
 Nell. (Anxiously.) 
 
 Tell me — is he hurt? 
 Ned. (Aside.) 
 
 Now, I'll keep still. To girls, you know, 
 
 It's awful strange when one don't talk. 
 Nell. Why don't you answer me? — You must. 
 
 It's cruel of you, not to tell me. 
 Ned. (Aside.) 
 
 Girls take to talking naturally. 
 
 If she keeps this up, she'll forget 
 
 Her fright. She'll seem so natural. 
 Nell. Ned, Ned! 
 Ned. Yes, yes, I'm here. 
 
 Nell. Say, Ned;. 
 
 You must say papa isn't hurt. 
 Ned. He's living yet. 
 Nell. He is hurt then. 
 
 Oh, I must see him, yes I must. 
 Ned. To see him, you must go to him. 
 
 And I've come here to take you there. 
 
 Come out. I'll not come nigh you, Miss. 
 
 I'll stay this side the room, I will. 
 
 (Ned crosses to left of stage.) 
 Enter — Right Third — Nell, holding a pistol in 
 
 her hand, and pointing it. 
 Nell. You may be made to. 
 Ned. (Dodging behind chair at left of table.) 
 
 Not your made 
 
 Is what I'm most afraid of, no; 
 
 But of your Miss. 
 Nell. (Crossing stage in rear of Left Third En- 
 trance, and trying the door there, finds it 
 
 locked.) 
 
 Oh, dear! what's this? 
 
 Who locked the door? 
 ("Ned, still crouching behind the chair, takes the 
 
 key from his pocket, and holds it up. Nell, 
 
 evidently greatly frightened, says.) 
 
 Oh, don't you hurt meT 
 
jo Classes a?id Masses o?' Ned and Nell. 
 
 ("Nell springs toivard table to get the bell. Ned 
 
 jumps up, and snatches it first. Nell cries out 
 
 in alarm.) 
 
 Oh, help! help! help! 
 
 Ned. Sh sh keep still ! 
 
 Nell. You bad, bad boy ! — What shall I do ? 
 
 You locked me in on purpose, 
 Ned Yes 
 
 To save you. Listen ! 
 Nell. (Shrinking back.) 
 
 Keep away. 
 Ned. (Drazving back toward right, and changing 
 
 his manner.) 
 
 You're really then afraid of me. 
 
 Why, I've been so afraid of you! — 
 
 And hurt you? — I? — Not I, not I. 
 
 Why, there are some things one can't hurt, 
 
 Unless he wants to hurt himself. 
 Nell. No, no; don't talk in that way to me. 
 
 It isn't right. I know it isn't. 
 
 (Wiping her eyes with handkerchief.) 
 Oh where is papa? — Tell me that. 
 Ned. I'll tell you all I can, I will. 
 
 You see we went out doors, we two; 
 
 And just as we had left the steps, 
 
 Two men came up and took him off. 
 Nell. What? — took him off against his will? 
 
 ("Ned bows.) 
 
 If they could take him off, why then, 
 
 Why they could kill him — They will kill him! 
 
 ^Ned shrugs his shoulders.) 
 
 Oh, now, I see it; it was you, 
 
 Was you that came to get him for them. 
 
 (Lifts her pistol toward him.) 
 Ned. No ; you are mean to say that, Miss. 
 
 I came in here, because I knew 
 
 The crowd was on the way to mob you ; 
 
 And, living here so far from town 
 
 Nell. Oh, yes, you thought of us, you did ! 
 
 You brought those men to take off papa. 
 
 (Pointing her pistol at him.) 
 Ned. You lie! — Oh, Miss, forgive me — do. 
 
 But you must hear me — yes — or else 
 
 Why, I must make you — Oh, to think 
 
 That I dare talk this way to you ! 
 (Noises. Some one tries the door at Left Third 
 
 Entrance. Ned runs toward it.) 
 
 Sh.— What is that? 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 31 
 
 Nell. (Running toward Right Third Entrance.) 
 
 Don't let him in. 
 Ned. Not I. (Looks through key-hole of the door.) 
 There's only one of them. 
 
 (To Nell J 
 
 Give me your pistol. 
 
 ("Nell hesitates.) 
 
 Don't you dare? 
 
 (Looking toward the door, taking a jack-knife 
 
 from his pocket and opening it.) 
 
 He'll be here in a moment more. 
 ^Nell who is near the Right Third Entrance, 
 
 bends toward floor, as if to place the pistol 
 
 on it. 
 
 Yes, leave the pistol on the floor, 
 
 Then dodge behind the door, and lock it. 
 ("Nell leaves pistol on floor.) 
 Exit— Right Third— Nell, locking door after her. 
 
 Ah, now, at least, there's hope! 
 ("Ned rushes across stage, seises pistol and cocks 
 
 it, just as the door at Left First is opened.) 
 (Enter— Left Third— a Boy not much larger than 
 
 NedJ 
 ^Ned yells as loud as he can.) 
 
 Old Upson's folks have fled, you fool ! 
 
 Our party got here first. Now leave ! 
 (Ned fires at the Boy, who turns and flies. Ned 
 
 follows after, shouting.) 
 
 Come on ! Bob, Teddy, Jack, 
 
 Come on! and drive them out! Come on! 
 Exit— Left Third— Boy, followed by Ned. 
 Enter— Right Third— after looking through the 
 
 door slightly ajar, Nell. 
 Nell. Oh, God, protect us. This is fearful. 
 
 I never knew such dreadful things. 
 
 Oh, dear, I hope that no one's hurt. 
 (Steps heard outside Left Third Entrance.) 
 
 Who's that?— I'll lock the door again. 
 Exit— Right Third— -Nell. 
 Enter— Left Third— Ned. He hurries across to 
 
 Right Third Entrance and speaks through the 
 
 key-hole. 
 
 Ned. Don't be afraid now, Miss, he's gone. 
 Was not a striker, anyway. 
 T know him — sneak thief, yes; — 
 Have locked the door behind him now. 
 
32 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Your people must have left it open. 
 
 You wait a minute. I'll go down 
 
 And see the other doors are locked. 
 Exit — Left Third — Ned. 
 Enter— Right Third — Nell. 
 Nell. Oh dear! I wish he hadn't gone 
 
 And left me in here, all alone. 
 
 He might have known I wouldn't like it. 
 
 There may be others in the house, 
 
 And they may hurt him. Just to think 
 
 So small a boy and so much noise ! 
 
 'Twas he that shot that pistol, yes. 
 
 (Putting her hands to her ears.) 
 
 I'm glad I wasn't in the room. 
 
 He's got it yet. I only hope 
 
 If he meets others, he won't shoot it. 
 
 Oh there he comes ! I'll 
 
 {Going toward Left Third Entrance, then to- 
 ward Right Third Entrance.) 
 
 No, I guess — 
 Exit — Right Third Entrance — Nell. 
 Enter — Left Third Entrance — Ned, and turns to 
 
 lock the door. 
 Ned. Ah, here's a bolt. I hadn't seen it. 
 (Bolts door, crosses to Right Third Entrance, 
 
 and calls through key-hole.) 
 
 All right Miss Upson! All the house 
 
 Is safe now. All the doors is locked; 
 
 And here's your pistol on the floor. 
 
 (Putting pistol on floor near Right Third En- 
 trance.) 
 
 I want to talk to you. Come out. 
 
 I'll stay the other side the room. 
 
 Come quick, please. It's important — very. 
 
 (Goes to left of stage.) 
 Enter — Right Third — Nell, putting her head out 
 
 of the door. 
 Nell. I want to thank you — 
 Exit — Right Third — Nell. 
 Ned. No thanks, Miss, 
 
 I'm doing it half to please myself. 
 
 You see it isn't every day 
 
 I get a house like this to boss. 
 
 Your father's left, and all the servants; 
 
 And now I want it rid of you. 
 Nell. (Pushing door at Right Third Entrance 
 
 slightly open.) 
 
 The servants gone? — all gone, you say? 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell, jj 
 
 Nell. They've done just what you wanted me to. 
 
 But I'll not serve you that way, Miss. 
 Nell. You want, though, to get rid of me? 
 Ned. Come out. I'll tell you what I want. 
 
 (Waiting a moment then continuing.) 
 
 Why don't you come? — You ain't afraid — 
 
 Not now? — 
 Nell. My papa always said 
 
 I musn't trust in boys like you. 
 Ned. He didn't say in boys like me — 
 
 Though I don't blame you. — You're so young! 
 
 But when you're older, Miss, you'll find 
 
 It isn't honest folks that earn 
 
 Their living, cent by cent, that prove 
 
 Dishonest when they deal with you. 
 
 They're not the kind your father meant. 
 
 He meant the kind that never work 
 
 For what they get; but live by filching 
 
 What others work to get. Their hands 
 
 Are not like mine; not hard, but soft. 
 
 They slip around you like a snake, — 
 
 The sneaks ! I'm not a boy like that. 
 Enter — Right Third — Nell, and crosses stage in 
 
 direction of Ned. 
 Nell. I know it, Ned, forgive me. 
 Ned. (Dodging, and passing to right of stage, 
 
 while she passes to left of it.) 
 
 No; 
 
 I'll not forgive your following me. 
 
 Keep back. I'm here between that crowd 
 
 And you ; and I'll die game before 
 
 One finger in it touches you. 
 Nell. (Passing to right of stage, while he dodges 
 
 again and passes to left.) 
 
 But you 
 
 Ned. I'm one of them. Keep back ! 
 
 You know your father wouldn't like it. 
 
 Sit down there. — Sit just where you are. 
 
 (She sits in chair near Right Third Entrance. 
 He speaks aside, at left.) 
 
 I've got to ask her to swap clothes ; 
 
 And I know what she'll do. She'll think 
 
 That I'm a dirty little thief. 
 
 Or, if she don't, 'twill be because 
 
 She trusts me almost like a brother. — 
 
 By gosh! But just to think she might! 
 
j 4 Classes a?id M asses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 ^Nell, while he sits in chair to left of table.) 
 
 Now you sit there, and I'll set here 
 
 And play 
 
 Nell. Young gentleman? 
 
 Ned. You think 
 
 I could? — Thanks, Miss, I thought of playing— 
 
 Well, something else you may not like. 
 Nell. What's that? 
 Ned. Old gentleman. 
 
 Nell. (Shaking her head.) 
 
 Don't look it. 
 Ned. I'll act it. Don't you know my poet — 
 
 The one who writes my songs — he says 
 
 " 'Tis not the rolling of the years 
 
 That leaves men oldest; but their jar. 
 
 A few find places made for them; 
 
 But some are never placed, and all 
 
 The tally of their score is marked 
 
 By scratches kept upon themselves. 
 
 A boy that life has knocked about 
 
 Is older, sometimes, than a gray-beard." 
 Nell. How old are you? 
 
 Ned. Fifteen, and you? 
 
 Nell. I'm just the same. 
 Ned. No older, eh? 
 
 Why, then, I needn't mind you, need I? 
 Nell. I couldn't have guessed you were so old. 
 
 You're awfully small. 
 Ned. Well, you'd be small, 
 
 If you'd been starved and pinched as I have. 
 
 Now hark ! We've got three things to save, — 
 
 This house, your father, and yourself. 
 Nell. You think there's really danger then 
 
 For papa? — From the way you acted — 
 Ned. He'll not be safe if we stay here. 
 Nell. (Rising.) 
 
 Let's go. 
 Ned. Go now, and leave the house? 
 
 Nell. We'll have to. 
 Ned. (Rising.) 
 
 I'll not leave the house. 
 Nell. Why not? 
 Ned. Because it's yours. Besides 
 
 (Strutting around.) 
 
 I like the fun of playing boss ; 
 
 And I don't often get a chance. 
 Nell. We're going to stay? — Why, papa said 
 
 That I must go? 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 35 
 
 Ned. Why not? — I would, 
 
 If I was you. 
 Nell. And leave you here? 
 
 Ned. Say, Miss do you suppose I steal ? 
 Nell. Indeed I don't. But how am I 
 
 To go out in the dark alone, 
 
 When all the streets are full of men? — 
 
 You know I never could do that. 
 Ned. (Sitting on chair near Left Third Entrance.) 
 
 Oh yes you could. 
 Nell. (Sitting on sofa near Right Third En- 
 trance, and beginning to cry.) 
 
 No, no. How could I? 
 Ned. (Rising, and then sitting in a chair to the 
 
 left of the center table.) 
 
 By thinking of your father, Miss. 
 
 A man can do a deal of things 
 
 By thinking how much some one needs them. 
 Nell. But papa doesn't need this? 
 Ned. Yes. 
 
 He needs to have me save his house; 
 
 And save you too, and needs a message 
 
 Sent off to fetch the cops to help me. 
 Nell. But you can do this. 
 Ned. No; I can't; 
 
 And stay here, too; and I can't take 
 
 A Miss like you along the street 
 
 To-night. 
 Nell. You can't? 
 
 Ned. Not safely; no. 
 
 Nell. (Rising, wringing her hands, and crossing 
 
 toward the left.) 
 
 Dear me ! I want to go to papa. — 
 
 But if you couldn't keep me safe, 
 
 Why, what could / do, all alone? 
 Ned. (Rising.) 
 
 Miss Upson, I can't bear to say it, — 
 
 There's only one way out for you. 
 Nell. What's that? 
 Ned. (Aside, walking toivard the Right.) 
 
 I'd rather fight ten men. 
 Nell. (Overhearing him, and moving rapidly to- 
 ward him.) 
 
 Is it so dangerous as that? 
 Ned. Oh, no; not dangerous! 
 Nell. , You said 
 
 You'd rather fight ten men. 
 
j6 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. I would 
 
 Nell. Oh dear me! I shall never see 
 
 My papa, never, never, never ! 
 Ned. Yes, yes, you shall, you shall ! You see, 
 
 Miss Upson, you and I, you see, 
 
 Must — well — change places. 
 Nell. (Perplexed) 
 
 Places ? 
 Ned. Yes — 
 
 (Gesturing tozvard her, then toward himself.) 
 
 Must get myself in your place there, 
 
 And you in mine. 
 Nell. (Gesturing toward him, and herself in same 
 
 way.) 
 
 I there, you here? 
 Ned. No; that's not what I mean. 
 
 (Aside.) 
 
 By gum I 
 
 It must come out now I suppose. 
 
 (To her.) 
 
 I mean that I must get inside 
 
 Your — what-you-have — and you in mine. 
 Nell. My what-you-have? 
 
 Ned. I mean your rigging. 
 
 Nell. My rigging? — what? — 
 Ned. Oh, well, your clothes! 
 
 Nell. (Shrinking back a little.) 
 
 Oh dear! 
 Ned. I know. We've got to, though. 
 
 It makes you creep all over, Miss. 
 
 But then you'd feel more creepy still, 
 
 If you was killed. 
 
 Nell. Yes, yes, but I 
 
 Ned. (Hesitatingly, and looking down at his 
 
 clothes.) 
 
 We poor boys have to work. We can't 
 
 Be dudes ; and on the outside — yes — 
 
 But then, you know, it may be worse 
 
 Than on the inside. Water's cheap. 
 Nell. (Impulsively moving tozvard right of stage 
 
 where Ned is.) 
 
 I know it is. 
 Ned. (Motioning her off with hand, and moving 
 
 in rear of stage over to the left of it.) 
 
 No ; keep away. 
 
 Your father wouldn't like it. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 37 
 
 Nell. (Turning about and facing Ned who is at 
 
 left.) 
 
 Yes, 
 
 He would, if it were necessary. 
 Ned. And will you put my clothes on, Miss? 
 
 You know with these on, and at night, 
 
 There's none would take you for yourself. 
 
 Nell. But if 
 
 Ned. No if about it, Miss. 
 
 Nell. Some man might want to speak to me, 
 
 And what should I do then? 
 Ned. Why, run. 
 
 Then they would know you was a boy. 
 Nell. He might run after. 
 Ned. I should smile ! 
 
 There's none want boys as bad as that. 
 
 They don't run after them. We boys 
 
 Are thick as paving stones, and used 
 
 Like them to tramp on. There's no rush 
 
 For us, except to rush us off. 
 
 Ah, Miss, you'll have a lark in these. 
 
 The lark keeps flying and is safe. 
 Nell. And what will you do? 
 Ned. I ? — Stay here ; 
 
 And hold receptions for the roughs. 
 Nell. You arn't afraid of them? 
 Ned. Oh no; 
 
 You know, Miss, I'm a rough myself. 
 Nell. But they might hurt you. 
 Ned. Don't you fear ! 
 
 Men squeeze a lemon for its juice. 
 
 There's nothing one can ever have 
 
 That always keeps him quite so safe 
 
 As having nothing. 
 Nell. But you said 
 
 That you would save this house. 
 Ned. I'll try it. 
 
 Nell. But how? 
 Ned. The whole thing hangs, I say, 
 
 Upon your fetching of the cops. 
 Nell. (Moving impulsively toward Right Third 
 
 Entrance.) 
 
 I'll go right off then. 
 
 (Pausing, turning and looking at Ned J 
 
 Must I?— Oh!— 
 
j8 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. Yes, Miss, I think you must — You get 
 
 (Pointing toward Right Third Entrance. ) 
 
 A dress and hat. That's all I want. 
 
 And I'll go in, and put them on, 
 
 And throw these out to you. And say; 
 
 You get the shortest tail, you've got, 
 
 For if I have to cheese it, that 
 
 (Pointing tozvard her skirts.) 
 
 Might trip me up, and leave me bagged. 
 Nell. You wait a minute. 
 Exit — Right Third — Nell. 
 Ned. (To himself as he sits in chair to left of 
 
 table, and looks at his ozvn clothes.) 
 One thing's sure. 
 
 I'll get the better of the bargain. 
 
 Oh, I'll be elegant, I will! 
 
 (Standing up, and looking at his legs.) 
 
 Just think of these in pettycoats ! 
 
 (Glancing in the full length mirror.) 
 
 Ugh ! t'will be awfully rough on me 
 
 If I don't make a pretty girl, 
 
 And have to look there at myself 
 
 The whole night long, perhaps — Jehokey ! 
 Enter — Right Third — Nell, carrying hat and dress 
 
 in one hand, and in the other underclothes 
 
 which she first holds out toward Ned.,) 
 Nell. (Aside.) I've got my nicest things for him ! 
 
 Poor boy, he'll never have a chance 
 
 To see another lady's wardrobe. 
 
 I ought to make him think it nice. 
 
 (To NedJ 
 
 All ready! 
 Ned. (Taking the underclothes.) 
 
 These? — Why they're your doll-things. 
 Nell. (Rather disgusted.) 
 
 I don't use dolls. 
 Ned. (Holding up drazvers.) 
 
 These — pantaloons ? 
 Nell. (Hurriedly.) Of course, 
 
 You try them on. You'll see. 
 Ned. I guess 
 
 It's only them as tries them on, 
 
 That's meant to see them. They're so small ! 
 
 But say — I only need to make 
 
 The outside right. I'll do that, too, 
 
 In just a jiffy. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 39 
 
 Exit— Right Third— -Ned, carrying the clothes. 
 Nell. I suppose 
 
 His clothes are dreadfully coarse and heavy. 
 
 Arid think! — I'll have to run in them. 
 
 I'm glad, though, that I can run off; 
 
 And running will seem natural. 
 
 I wish that I could run away 
 
 Before he saw me in them. Oh ! 
 
 (Sitting in chair to left of table.) 
 
 I do hope papa's safe. The thing 
 
 That he'll fear most for, will be me.— 
 
 He doesn't know of Ned! 
 (Cap, coat, shirt, pants, drawers and boots are 
 
 flung onto stage out of door at Right Third. 
 
 Nell jumps up in great alarm.) 
 
 Oh, dear! 
 Oh dear!— an awful fright !— I thought 
 The mob was breaking in ; but no ; 
 It's Ned— the largest part of him. 
 (Leaning down to pick up clothes, then shrink- 
 ing back.) 
 I hate to touch them. 
 (Bending dozvn again.) 
 
 No I dont. 
 (Lifting the clothes slightly.) 
 How warm they are ! 
 (Letting them fall on floor.) 
 
 Ugh!— It's so queer. 
 
 (Sitting in chair or sofa nearest her.) 
 It makes me almost faint. — No, no; 
 
 (Rising and going toward the clothes.) 
 For papa's sake !— Ugh !— Yes, I must. 
 
 (Gathers up all the clothes and moves toward the 
 
 left.) , f 
 
 Exit— Left First— Nell, carrying the clothes. 
 After an interval in which the orchestra plays, 
 Enter— Right Third— -Ned, dressed in a short 
 gozvn, with lady's hat in his hand. He advances 
 on tip-toe, gazing around as if half ashamed to 
 be seen. When in view of the full length mir- 
 ror, he examines himself carefully, turning 
 himself around so as to see his back and sides. 
 Ned. No; I don't look so very bad. 
 
 (Courtesying to himself in the mirror.) 
 
 How do you do?— I'm pretty— well. 
 
 (Moving his shoulders about.) 
 
4o Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 To think I'm just where she has been! — 
 
 Humph, hump ! it doesn't make me creep. 
 
 I shouldn't call it that exactly. 
 (Sitting down on chair to left of table.) 
 
 I feel so awfully soft and sweet, 
 
 If I could always be in these, 
 
 Should like myself to be a girl, 
 
 And just sit still and hug myself, 
 (Twisting his shoulders, then suddenly thrust- 
 ing out his feet.) 
 
 And yet it makes your legs cold — Boo ! 
 (Suddenly drawing his feet back and crossing 
 
 them.) 
 
 No wonder that the girls sit so ! 
 
 No wonder, too, they like to dance ! 
 
 I guess I'll warm my own up, that way. 
 (Orchestra plays. Ned dances before the mirror.) 
 Nell. (Thrusting her head out of the door at Left 
 
 First Entrance.) 
 
 What are you doing? 
 Ned. (Pretending to hide behind chair to right of 
 
 table.) 
 
 Playing girl. 
 
 Come out. 
 Nell. You look the other way. 
 
 Ned. (Crossing tozvard Left Front Entrance.) 
 
 We aint got time for nonsense, Miss. 
 
 Come right along. We both are sights. 
 
 Let's have a free peep at each other. 
 (Enter Nell, bashfully. Ned goes all around, 
 
 looking at her carefully, and adjusts her cap 
 
 a little.) 
 
 This here's my property, you know. 
 
 If folks have got to think you me, 
 
 I want to see how well you do it. 
 
 All right, Miss! Now we'll hurry up. 
 (Ned goes to the Left Front Third Entrance, un- 
 bolts and unlocks the door, then turns, sud- 
 denly to Nell as he points tozvard the right.) 
 You got a back door? 
 Nell. Yes. 
 
 Ned. A door 
 
 That opens on the alley? 
 Nell. Yes. — 
 
 Ned. Humph ! — Better go out that way then. 
 
 In front you might run foul of some one. 
 
 And take the door-key with you. 
 Nell. Why? 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 4.1 
 
 Ned. When you come back, you know, you'll 
 
 want 
 
 To let the cops in, if the crowd 
 Is at the front. 
 Nell (Thrusting her hand, full of jewelry at 
 
 Ned.) 
 
 I've got my jewels. 
 Ned. And more than you can carry, eh? — 
 
 Give me some then. 
 (She holds out her hand. Ned takes jewels from 
 
 it, and places them on table.) 
 
 You leave them here. 
 
 I'll keep them for you. Now we'll go. 
 (Taking newspapers from table where they have 
 
 been, and handing them to her.) 
 
 Take these with you and try to sell them. 
 (Nell opens door at Right First Entrance.) 
 
 I'll see you safe outside the barn. 
 Exeunt — Right First Entrance — Nell and Ned. 
 Enter — Left Third — Thief, stealthily, first peep- 
 ing through the opening door. 
 Thief. Gone off? — and left the door unlocked! — 
 
 I thank you. I suppose you thought 
 
 I ran with Bill the time you shot him. 
 
 I never run in front of pistols. 
 
 I dodge one side, and flank my foe, 
 
 And so, at last, my party wins. — 
 
 Who are you anyway? — One boy, 
 
 And two or three women, I suppose. 
 
 I haven't heard a man's voice once. 
 (Catching sight of jewels on table, and handling 
 
 one of them, a breast-pin.) 
 
 Whew ! — I should think you all were women. 
 (Looking at breast-pin.) 
 
 Real diamonds ! — Humph ! — You are a beauty. 
 
 But hark. — Some one is coming. — Yes. 
 Exit — Left Third — Thief, hastily carrying breast- 
 pin. 
 Enter — Right First — Ned. 
 Ned. I saw her safe outside the alley. 
 
 I'll put the jewels in my pocket. 
 (Looking at jewels on table, then pocketing them.) 
 
 There's not as many as I thought. 
 
 She didn't leave them all here then. 
 
 And now I'm going to hold the fort, 
 
 And while I'm doing it, it's mine. 
 
 Oh, I'm a prince, and here's my palace ! 
 (Looking into the mirror.) 
 
42 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 And there's my bride there in the glass, 
 And I can hug her in my arms. 
 (Hugging himself.) 
 
 'Twas mighty nice, though, in Miss Upson; 
 And mighty nice, too, in her "papa" 
 (Wiggling himself in his clothes, and looking 
 ardund the room.) 
 To feather this nice nest for me ! 
 Humph, what a fool a fellow is 
 For being jealous of the rich! — 
 They want to seize this house and smash it. 
 One only owns the thing he keeps. 
 A man might think he owned the world, 
 If everything he saw he tried 
 To keep as safe as when he found it. 
 (Looks at himself in a mirror.) 
 With all these flashing lights around, 
 Jerushy! What a forky place 
 To practice my new song in ! Hy. 
 (He sings.) 
 
 The sun gives everything its light ; 
 
 The mind gives everything its thought; 
 And what we deem is dark or bright, 
 
 Reflects but what ourselves have brought. 
 That friend, the while his tribute clinks 
 
 In hands he holds to help the world; 
 That foe, from whom each neighbor shrinks 
 
 When not returning blows he hurled,— 
 Is just the thing he thinks. 
 
 A college student with a bang, 
 
 Who struts with open mouth about, 
 And thinks, by slinging slaps of slang, 
 
 His tongue can lick creation out; 
 Whose mouth, if busied not with drinks, 
 
 When asked what he has learned at school., 
 Is kept as closed as if a sphynx, 
 
 For fear to show himself a fool, — 
 Is just the thing he thinks. 
 
 A belle, made so by wiggling waist 
 
 And tongue that never ceases wagging, 
 Who wanted once to wed in haste 
 
 But long has found all lovers lagging, 
 And powders now, and paints and prinks, 
 
 And stuffs the thin and straps the stout, 
 For fear, through ways that ape a minx, 
 
 The world, alas, may find her out, — 
 Is just the thing she thinks. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Neil. 43 
 
 A man who lost a former bride 
 
 And mourns her memory on his hat, 
 A hat he gently waves aside 
 
 That he may gaze more ladies at, 
 The while for each he dives yet shrinks 
 
 For fear all love that he can vow 
 Behind that eye that winks and blinks 
 
 Is hardly worth the having now, — 
 Is just the thing he thinks. 
 
 The politician who has come 
 
 To know about the worth of votes, 
 
 And treats men with reform and rum 
 To soak their empty heads and throats; 
 
 But while he raves and orders drinks 
 Fears each policeman's fatal star 
 
 May rise where his commission clinks 
 
 And then demand it at the bar, — 
 
 Is just the thing he thinks. 
 
 The man who boasts a family tree, 
 
 And great grandpas that came and went 
 Which proves to all, the more they see, 
 
 How great has been his own descent; 
 And who from self-made people shrinks 
 
 That now do what his grandpas did, 
 Lest other men may see the links 
 
 That bind to what he wishes hid, — 
 Is just the thing he thinks. 
 
 The gallery-bird with flying sleeves 
 
 That tempt us here to shoot or shoo; 
 The balcony-belle who half believes 
 
 All music lures a beau to woo; 
 The dear bald head that nods and blinks ; 
 
 And each whose clapping bids us folks 
 Repeat our notes like bobolinks 
 
 Lest some may think he miss'd our jokes- 
 Is just the thing he thinks. 
 
 (After singing, Ned sits with his face to the 
 Right on the chair at the Left of the table 
 backing at Right Center. His shadow falls on 
 the curtain of the window which is at the back 
 of the stage behind the table.) 
 
 Ned. Well, well, and what shall I do now?— 
 I might, perhaps, be looking round. 
 
 (Opens a drawer of table, looks in it, and takes 
 from it a razor.) 
 
44 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Hello ! 
 
 (Feels the razor.) 
 
 Good steal! — 
 (Motions as if to put it in his pocket.) 
 
 Should say it was, 
 (Taking it from near his pocket and holding it 
 
 up.) 
 
 But I'm too little of a shaver. 
 (Looking in mirror that is on the table, then at 
 
 his own shadow on the window curtain.) 
 
 I'll show it this way at the window. 
 
 (Holds the razor in the position for shaving.) 
 
 They might be watching me outside; 
 
 Then I would seem so hairistocratic, 
 
 They wouldn't dare to come in here ; 
 
 No, no; would know how I could cut them ! 
 (Makes motions of shaving, at the same time 
 
 humming a tune.) 
 Enter — Left Third — softly. Two Ruffians. 
 First Ruffian. (To Second Ruffian, whisper- 
 ing.) 
 
 There's only one here. It's the girl. 
 Second R. Good luck! We'll kidnap her. 
 First R. Come on. 
 
 (Just as they leave the door at Left Third, Ned 
 
 sees them reflected in the mirror before him.) 
 Ned. (To himself.) 
 
 Ha! — What's that in the glass? 
 (He starts from his chair, snatches the pistol 
 that has been lying on the floor near Right Third 
 
 Entrance, wheels around to the Left, facing 
 
 the men, and cries to them.) 
 
 You're fooled! 
 
 Bob Gates, you're fooled! You don't want me. 
 First R. (Draiving back.) 
 
 Why, who are you? 
 Ned. Ned Brown, you fool. 
 
 Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ! 
 First R. (Shaking his fist at him.) 
 
 But where's old Upson's girl, you whelp? 
 
 What have you done with her? 
 Enter — Right First — Policeman. 
 Ned. (Pointing his pistol at the Ruffians, who 
 
 start back.) 
 
 I've saved her. 
 Curtain. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 45 
 
 ACT III. 
 
 Scene First: A City Street by night. Entrances 
 Right and Left. 
 
 Enter — Left — Nell, dressed as at the close of 
 Act Second, in Ned's newsboy's outfit. 
 
 Nell. They said they had just men enough 
 
 To send for Ned, and save the house; 
 
 And I must get my other men, 
 
 To search for papa, at the station — 
 
 Down that street somewhere ; but, oh dear ! 
 
 Just where it is, I can't find out. 
 Enter — Right — Ives. 
 
 Ah, this Policeman here will tell me. 
 Nell. (To Ives.,) 
 
 Say Mister. 
 Ives. (Roughly.) 
 
 Well, well? 
 Nell. (To herself.) 
 
 I'm afraid 
 
 The man will know I'm not a boy. 
 Ives. Speak up — say what you want. — See here,. 
 
 Don't come your monkey-shines on me. 
 
 (Taking hold of Nell.,) 
 
 Say what you want. 
 
 ("Nell bashfully turns away her head.) 
 
 Why don't you speak? 
 
 Humph ! — I have seen a sneak before ; 
 
 And I know what it means. 
 (Puts hand in her pocket, while Nell tries to 
 
 get azvay.) 
 Nell. Oh, don't! 
 
 Ives. No; I don't think I will.— Aha ! 
 
 (Pulling jezvelry from her pocket.) 
 
 Here's jewelry. 
 Nell. That's all my own. 
 
 Ives. Oh yes, I know it. It will pay 
 
 For board and lodging at the lock up. 
 Nell. (Beginning to cry.) 
 
 Oh, dear me! — I'm not what you think. 
 Ives. Keep still, you little thief, keep still 
 
 Or you'll get what will make you cry 
 
 In earnest. 
 
 (Lifting his club at her.) 
 Enter — Left — Ned, in girl's clothes as at the end. 
 
 of Act II. 
 
4.6 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. (To himself.) 
 
 Was that she who cried? — 
 
 By Jove it was. 
 
 {To Ives.) See, here, you cop, 
 
 You let that fellow there alone. 
 Enter — Left — behind Ned, a Second Policeman, 
 Ives. (Taking hold of Ned, but without letting 
 
 go of Nell J 
 
 Not that nor this — a pair of thieves ! — 
 
 I'll search you. 
 Ned. (Jerking azvay from him.) 
 
 No you won't. 
 
 ("Second Policeman seizes NedJ 
 Ives. Aha ! 
 
 (To Second PolicemanJ 
 
 Just see what's in her pocket. 
 ("Second Policeman takes jewelry from Ned's 
 
 pocket.) 
 Ives. There, 
 
 I thought so. Now then for the lock-up. 
 Ned. Wait, boss, a minute. Please just wait. 
 
 That boy you've got there's not a boy. 
 
 (Pointing to Nell.,) 
 
 It's me's the boy. She's got my traps on. 
 Ives. She has? Who's she? 
 Ned. Old Upson's daughter. 
 
 Second Policeman. Who's Upson? 
 Ned. Him they's going to mob. 
 
 They bagged her father at his house. 
 
 I saw it, swapped our leggings, skipped 
 
 Her off, and squatted till the cops came. 
 
 You go with us to find her dad. 
 
 I guess he'll know her soon enough. 
 Ives. One wouldn't guess it now. Your tale 
 
 Is too much like yourself. 
 Ned. How's that? 
 
 Ives. A dressed up fraud ! — Wise men don't trust 
 
 The words of those whose works are lies. 
 Exeunt — Right — Ives, Nell, Ned and Second 
 
 Policeman. 
 
 End of Scene First. 
 
 Scene Second : A Bar-Room with bar, tables, 
 chairs, prints on walls, etc.; meeting-place of 
 the strikers. Entrances by doors at Right Third 
 and Left Third. 
 
 The curtain, forming the back of Scene First, 
 rising, discloses Reddy and a rough-looking 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 4.7 
 
 companion sitting at a table with beer before 
 them. Jake stands at their left, with hat in 
 hand or on head as if he had just entered. 
 
 Reddy. You've made a pretty mess, I say. 
 
 You're stealing men is just as bad 
 
 As taking money. 
 Jake. Well, it's done; 
 
 And you can't block it now. They're coming. 
 Enter— Right Third— In charge of Strikers, Up- 
 son and the Doctor. Both have their hands tied 
 
 and are gagged. The gags are removed, and 
 
 they are seated. 
 Reddy. (To himself in reply to the remark of 
 
 Jake.,) 
 
 And with them comes, as well, the loss 
 
 Of all that we were fighting for. 
 
 I'll free them. 
 
 (To Jake, as he points toward the Doctor J 
 What has he been doing? 
 Jake. He would have gone and fetched the cops. 
 Reddy. (To the Doctor J 
 
 Be you a manufacturer? 
 Doctor. (Nodding in assent.) 
 
 A manufacturer of men, — 
 
 A teacher and a preacher. 
 Reddy. Oh ! 
 
 Upson. (To JakeJ 
 
 What do you hope for, keeping us? 
 Jake. For favors. 
 
 Upson. Then we're hostages? 
 
 Jake. Yes, while you live you be. 
 Upson. You threaten? 
 
 Jake. If they shoot down our people 
 
 Upson. Then? 
 
 Jake. To yield to wrong, is not to fight it. 
 Doctor. To double wrong, is not to right it. 
 Reddy. And what would right it? 
 Doctor. Doing right. 
 
 Jake. (Pointing tozvard Upson. ,) 
 
 Let him do right. 
 Doctor. Let both of you. 
 
 Jake. You're his man. 
 
 Doctor. Hardly! — I am one 
 
 Of those who look for times when all 
 
 Will take more joy in sharing profits 
 
 Than storing them. 
 Reddy. A long way off! 
 
48 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Doctor. I hope not. It would be so pleasant — 
 So much more pleasant in the world 
 To see around one everywhere 
 Employees, all well housed, well clothed, 
 Well fed, well educated ! When 
 Men learn how pleasant that would seem, 
 The labor-problem will be solved. 
 
 Reddy. Yes, when 
 
 Doctor. Oh, men will learn it yet ! — 
 
 But not until both your employers 
 And you yourselves have learned to think, — 
 And so to trust in brain instead 
 Of brawn. I tell you mind not muscle 
 Is that which has the strength to make 
 This old world better; and by mind 
 I mean the whole mind, — thought and love 
 And all that lifts above the brute, 
 And gives one soul and fellow-feeling. 
 
 Upson. And I have that — have worked beside 
 them. 
 
 Reddy. Yes, worked ! but when you come to rest, 
 Don't want us — even in your churches ! 
 
 (Looking at the Doctor as if he had made a 
 point.) 
 
 Doctor. Do you want him in yours, my man? 
 What most men want the most, I think, 
 Is being let alone ; and money 
 Enough to buy the privilege. 
 
 Jake. Then give us money. 
 
 Upson. Give you money? 
 
 A true man wants not alms but aid. 
 
 Reddy. Then give us aid. 
 
 Upson. I've given you all 
 
 I ever had myself. 
 
 Reddy. What's that? 
 
 Upson. A chance to rise. I had no more. 
 My savings made me what I am. 
 
 Jake. A bad job, too, boys; let's avoid it. 
 
 Upson. I made my money honestly. 
 
 Jake. Oh, yes ; but tell me how a man 
 As got his money honestly, 
 Should be ashamed to own up how 
 He got it, — outstrut, like a swindler, 
 And English lord, as if he, too, 
 Was hiding how some great grandfather 
 Had stolen what belonged to others. 
 
 Doctor. Oh now, my friends, you know a man 
 May have an air about him 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 49 
 
 Jake. Yes, 
 
 And that which puffs up, makes a swell, 
 
 Is bad air. — No good air in gas ! 
 Upson. (To the DoctorJ 
 
 They'll get the better of you, Doctor. 
 
 They don't need words from us, but work. 
 
 You can't train even a vine, unless 
 
 It's working all the time itself. 
 
 It's those whose work has earned them homes 
 
 Will prize, and work enough to keep them. 
 
 (Expressions of dissent on the part of the Strik- 
 ers.) 
 
 I'm saying what my life has proved. 
 
 I worked as you do once, exactly. 
 Jake. Did ?— Where ? 
 Upson. In Sheffield. 
 
 Reddy. England ? 
 
 Upson. Yes. 
 
 Reddy. What firm? 
 Upson. John Rogers. 
 
 Reddy. I worked there 
 
 I never heard of Upsons though. 
 Upson. My father died when I was young. 
 
 My mother's father brought me up ; 
 
 And all the folks that know him named 
 
 Me after him, — Ned Ford. 
 Reddy. (Aside.) 
 
 Ned Ford? 
 
 The father of my little Ned ?— 
 
 I promised Brown, who stole the boy, 
 
 That if I ever found Ned Ford, 
 
 The man should have his boy again. 
 
 I must — but I forget myself. — 
 
 They half suspect me now. 
 Jake. (Who, while Reddy has been speaking, has 
 
 been impudently looking at UpsonJ 
 
 You sent 
 
 Bill Jones to jail. 
 Upson. He broke the laws. 
 
 Jake. And what of that? 
 Doctor. Why, man, the laws 
 
 Are rails that keep the world's great train 
 
 Of civilization on the track. 
 
 You break them, and you ditch the train, 
 
 Check progress, baffle enterprise, 
 
 And maim or kill the passengers. 
 Reddy. It is the laws is maiming us. 
 
50 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Upson. Then change them. You've the right. 
 That's why 
 I like this land. 
 
 Doctor. If you're fair men, 
 
 To win your race, you only want 
 Fair play, hands off, and elbow room, — 
 A clear track, and the right of way. 
 That's what the law gives. 
 
 Jake. Now you're preaching! 
 
 Doctor. I am. You need it. While you're right 
 In part, you're not in whole. On earth, 
 Our souls are fastened where we find them. 
 Our bodies, families, lands and laws 
 Are frames in which we squeeze or slip 
 To failure or success. What then? 
 One thing, at least, is true. If heaven 
 Have shaped the grooves we move in here. 
 They move the best who move through them. 
 
 (Enter — Right Third — a comrade of the Strikers.) 
 
 Comrade. The blue coats on their way here ! run ! 
 (All rise.) 
 
 Reddy. (Aside.) 
 
 I'll have a chance to free him now. 
 
 (To the other roughs, as he pulls out a pistol 
 and approaches UpsonJ 
 Go on, boys, I'll take care of them. 
 
 Exeunt — Left Third — Jake, and all except Reddy, 
 the Doctor and Upson. 
 
 Enter — Right Third — Ives and two other Police- 
 men. They unbind the hands of Upson and 
 the Doctor, and one Policeman is stationed 
 at each door. Right and Left. After Ned and 
 Nell enter, these Policemen go outside of the 
 doors, evidently keeping guard still, but too 
 far azvay to hear the conversation on the in- 
 side of the room. 
 
 Ives. (To UpsonJ Your name? 
 
 Upson. Upson. 
 
 Ives. (Holding his hand to Reddy who hands him 
 
 the pistol that he has.) 
 
 Yes, — and who is this? 
 Upson. Their ringleader. 
 Reddy. Don't say that, man. 
 
 Upson. (To Reddy.,) 
 
 I've always been a man of truth. 
 Exit — Right Third — after exchanging words with 
 
 Ives, the Doctor. 
 
Classes a?id Masses or Ned and Nell. 51 
 
 Reddy. (Aside to Upson, anxiously.) 
 
 I've something that I want to tell you. 
 Upson. Then tell it to the officers. 
 
 (Gesturing toward the policemen.) 
 Reddy. I want to tell it you alone. 
 Upson. Humph ! You'll not tell it so to-night. 
 Reddy. It may be your last chance. 
 Upson. And yours. 
 
 Enter — Right Third — Ned and Nell, dressed as 
 
 in the Scene First of this Act. 
 Nell. (Hurrying to Upson. ,) 
 
 Oh, papa, then you're safe ! you're safe ! 
 Upson. (Embracing her, then drawing back, and 
 
 looking at her clothes.) 
 
 My daughter! What does all this mean? 
 Nell. (Looking at her clothes.) 
 
 They're Ned's. He saved me. 
 Upson. You've been saved! — 
 
 You look as if you had been lost. 
 Ned. And Ned saved you too, and the house. 
 Upson. He brought the police here? 
 Ned. Oh, now, Mister, 
 
 You think I'm strong! 
 (Aside to Nell, as he looks significantly toward 
 
 Reddy J 
 
 Don't give me 'way. 
 Upson. (To NellJ 
 
 Did they arrest you ? 
 Nell. Yes. 
 
 Upson. I'm glad. 
 
 Why didn't you stay at home? 
 Nell. Why I, 
 
 I left to call the police ; and he, 
 
 He saved 
 
 Upson. (Smiling.) 
 
 Your clothes? 
 Ned. (Disgustedly turning on his heel, as he moves 
 
 toward ReddyJ 
 
 No, no ; — the house ! 
 
 I think that something. 
 
 ("Nell makes a motion as if to follow NedJ 
 Upson. (To NellJ 
 
 Stay here, Nell, 
 
 And tell me everything about it. 
 (Nell, Upson, and Ives apparently talk together 
 
 at Right. Ned approaches Reddy.) 
 
§2 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Reddy. (Aside to Ned J 
 
 What you, Ned, you a traitor to us? — 
 
 You fetched them here? — My blood may be 
 
 Upon your head ! — may swing for this ! 
 
 I've got that bomb here in my pocket. 
 
 And if they find it on me 
 
 Ned. (Making a movement toward Reddy's 
 
 pocket.) 
 
 Here, 
 
 I'll take it.— Quick! 
 (Ives looks around.) 
 Reddy. Not yet. 
 
 Upson. (To Ned.,) 
 
 My boy ? 
 Ned. (Aside to himself.) 
 
 Before they search him, I must get it. 
 Upson. (To NedJ 
 
 We're going now. Come on, my boy, 
 
 And get some supper with us. 
 Ned. (Aside to himself.) 
 
 Her father talking that way to me ! 
 
 (Looking at Reddy.,) 
 
 But no ; I've other work to do. 
 Upson. (To Ned, who moves toward him though 
 still watching Reddy.,) 
 
 See here, boy, Nell's been telling me 
 
 How well you treated her, and shrewdly. 
 
 Look at me, boy. 
 ('Ned comes near him. He lays his hand on Ned's 
 
 head.) 
 
 I like your looks. — 
 
 And what's your name? 
 Ned. Ned Brown. 
 
 Upson. Ned, Ned?' 
 
 Your father living? 
 Ned. No. 
 
 Upson. Your mother? 
 
 Ned. No. 
 
 Upson. Brothers or sisters? 
 
 Ned. No. 
 
 Upson. Why then you're quite alone in life. 
 
 You make me think of — well, no matter — 
 
 (Apparently overcome by some emotion.) 
 
 You mustn't think I have no heart. 
 
 I've been a little rough with you. 
 
 But you were rough with me, at first. 
 
 You know we cant trust strangers always. 
 
 And have to give back what we get. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 5j 
 
 This life's an ocean wild with waves ; 
 
 And every soul that sails upon them 
 
 Must beat and keep them down and off; 
 
 Or else be swamped and sink in them. 
 
 You know that, boy. You've seen hard times. 
 
 (Looking steadily at Ned.; 
 Ned. (Looking up at him.) 
 
 You see that in my eyes ? 
 Upson. Yes, Ned. 
 
 The eyes are skylights of the soul. 
 
 And I see better things for you, 
 
 If you will but be true to that 
 
 Which dwells within — your better self — 
 
 And what it wishes, let it do. 
 Ned. It's hard to do that, Mister. 
 Upson. Yes ; 
 
 Both hard and brave. 
 Nell. He's awfully brave ! 
 
 Upson. The bravest thing he's done to-night 
 
 Has been to let his spirit rule him. 
 
 (To NedJ 
 
 You know that half the boys you go with, 
 
 Will think you've been a fool, not so? 
 Ned. She saved me from the horse. 
 
 (Pointing to Nell.; 
 Upson. But what 
 
 Made you recall it? It was this. 
 
 (Pointing to Ned's heart.) 
 
 Ned, you're worth turning inside out. 
 
 I was a poor boy once myself. 
 
 I'm not so now. You come with me. 
 
 I'll show you how I managed. 
 Ned. (Looking furtively toward ReddyJ 
 
 But 
 
 I can't come with you now. 
 Enter — Right Third — Policeman. Ives evidently 
 
 orders him to prepare to take Reddy azvay. 
 
 ('Ned looks at them furtively.) 
 Upson. Why not? 
 
 Ned. I've friends. 
 Upson. What friends? 
 
 Ned. Old friends. 
 
 Upson. You said 
 
 You were an orphan. 
 Ned. So I am. 
 
 Upson. Who are your friends then? 
 
 (He sees Ned looking toward Reddy.; 
 
 Not these roughs ? 
 
34 Classes and Masses or Ned arid Nell. 
 
 Ned. So you might call them. 
 
 Upson. Do you mean 
 
 That you would rather go with them 
 
 Than me, and get my help, and rise? 
 Ned. I wouldn't like to leave them out. 
 Upson. I can't drag all the world up with you. 
 Ned. And if I wish to go with you ? — 
 Upson. Why, you must go with those we go with. 
 
 I want to treat you like a son. 
 Exeunt — Left Third — Policeman and Reddy. 
 
 Ned moves tozvard the Left to follow them. 
 
 Nell follows Ned. Ives holds open the door at 
 
 the Right, motioning Upson to follozv him. 
 Upson. (To Nell.,) 
 
 Come this way, Nell, We're going now. 
 Nell. (Looking toward NedJ 
 
 But Ned. 
 Ned. (Aside to Nell J 
 
 No, no ; don't call me, don't. 
 Upson. (To NedJ 
 
 You're coming with us? 
 Ned. (To Upson. ,) 
 
 Not to-night. 
 Upson. If you prefer the roughs, you're not 
 
 The boy I thought you were. 
 
 (TJpson talks aside with Ives J 
 Nell. Say, Ned. 
 
 Ned. (To Nell while he moves tozvard the Left.) 
 
 Don't, don't. 
 Upson. (To Nell J You coming? 
 Exit — Right Third — Ives. Upson stands in the 
 
 doorzvay at Right Third talking to Ives, and 
 
 his back to Nell for whom he is waiting. 
 Nell. (To Upson J Yes, yes ; right away. 
 Ned. (Beckoning to Nell, who crosses tozvard the 
 
 Left.) 
 
 I've other work to do to-night. 
 
 I wanted you to know it, Miss. 
 
 I can't go with you. 
 Nell. But you must 
 
 (Pointing toward her father at the Right.) 
 
 He's awfully stubborn when he's fixed. 
 Ned. No, no ; I can't. Good-bye. 
 Nell. Good-bye. 
 
 But you — you'll come soon — Why you must — 
 
 And get your clothes? 
 Ned. Perhaps I may 
 
 But I may not. Good-bye to you. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 55 
 
 Nell. Why, what are you so solemn for? — 
 
 You must not leave us that way. 
 
 (Moving tozvard him.) 
 Ned. (Waving her off and pointing toward the 
 
 Right.) 
 
 No; 
 
 Keep back. Your father's waiting for you 
 
 To lead you home. Good-bye. Oh yours 
 
 Is such a pleasant home ! 
 
 Nell. And you? 
 
 Ned. (With a body-gesture tozvard the Left while 
 
 he holds open the door at the Left.) 
 
 I have a guardian too that's waiting 
 
 To lead me 
 
 Nell. He? — and where? 
 
 Ned. To jail. 
 
 Exit — Left — Ned. 
 
 Exeunt — Right Third — Upson followed by Nell. 
 
56 Classes arid Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 ACT IV. 
 
 Scene First : A City Street at Night. Entrances 
 
 Right and Left. 
 Enter — Left — Policeman and Reddy who wears 
 
 handcuffs. 
 Policeman. (To Reddy who seems to hold back.) 
 
 Come on here, man. 
 Reddy. Well, ain't I coming? 
 
 (Aside.) 
 
 I'm going to hold back some for Ned. 
 
 Perhaps he'll find a way to help me. 
 Enter — Left — Ned dressed as in the last scene, 
 
 in woman's clothes. 
 Ned. Oh father! father! father! father! 
 Reddy. Why, that's my child! 
 
 (Looking at Ned, and speaking to ReddyJ 
 Policeman. Your daughter, eh? 
 
 (To NedJ 
 
 Well, what d'you want? 
 Ned. (Throwing his arms around Reddy's neck, 
 
 and pretending to cry, zvhile whispering to 
 
 ReddyJ 
 
 Which pocket? 
 Reddy. Left. 
 
 (Seeing Policeman looking at Ned who is pre- 
 tending to whine.) 
 
 Yes, left alone in this wide world ! 
 
 (To Policeman who takes hold of NedJ 
 
 You can't deny my child, her kiss? 
 ('Ned, unseen by the Policeman, takes the bomb 
 
 from Reddy's pocket and puts it into his own 
 
 pocket.) 
 Policeman. (To Reddy, while he pulls at Ned.,) 
 
 It's all agin the rules. Keep back ! 
 Ned. (To Reddy, whispering.) 
 
 You run the other way. 
 
 (Deceiving Policeman by pretending to cry.) 
 
 Oh, oh ! 
 Reddy. (To PolicemanJ 
 
 For shame ! Be gentle with her. 
 Policeman. (Pushing Ned aside.) 
 
 No; 
 
 Keep back ! It's all agin the rules. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 57 
 
 Ned. (Running to Left, and turning around, zvhile 
 Policeman and Reddy are near extreme Right.) 
 It is! eh, eh? — Well, you look out, 
 Or you'll go where there ain't no rules. 
 
 /Ned pulls out the bomb from his pocket, and 
 aims at the Policeman, who looks at Ned in as- 
 tonishment. Reddy pulls away, and exists sud- 
 denly at the Left. Policeman is starting to 
 follow him, when Ned calls out.) 
 If you run after him, I'll throw it. 
 
 /Policeman dodges from Ned, then rufls toward 
 him.) 
 
 Exit — Left — Ned. 
 
 Enter — Left — Another Policeman and Ned, whom 
 the Policeman holds by the collar. 
 
 Other P. (To First P.) 
 What did she do ? 
 
 First P. (Snatching the bomb from Ned's hand.) 
 She threw this bomb. 
 
 Ned. No, no; I didn't throw that bomb. 
 Or else you wouldn't be here to tell it. 
 
 Other P. What were you doing with it then? 
 
 Ned. (Pointing to First PJ 
 
 Was trying to lay pipes for him. 
 
 (Aside.) 
 
 The longer I can keep him here 
 
 The further off they'll be from Reddy. 
 
 First P. (Pointing to pipe.) 
 Where did it come from? 
 
 Ned. From my pocket. 
 
 First P. And are there more there 
 
 Second P. (Searching Ned's pocket.) 
 
 No ; not them ; 
 But something else, I guess. Aha! 
 (Taking jezvelry from Ned's pocket.) 
 
 First Policeman. (To Second PJ 
 You keep it. I must catch the other. 
 
 Exit— Right — hastily, First Policeman. 
 
 Second Policeman. (To Ned, as he pockets the 
 jezvelry.) 
 Now what's your name? 
 
 Ned. What's that to you? 
 
 Second P. You'll have to give it to the court. 
 
 Ned. Oh, now you're talking ! — going to court ! — 
 I thought, when you were going to court, 
 You wanted girls to change their names. 
 Well, I am willing. I will do it. 
 
 /Second Policeman takes Ned's arm, and moves 
 
 tozvard Right.) 
 
58 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 And going to take my arm? — How nice! — 
 Oh, yes, yes ; I'll go home with you. 
 (Second Policeman lifts club.) 
 You wouldn't strike a woman, would you? 
 See here ! — I have a friend at court. 
 You better be polite to me. 
 Exeunt — Right — Policeman and Ned. 
 
 END OF SCENE FIRST. 
 
 Scene Second: The same as in Act II, the room, 
 lighted in the same way. Curtain rising dis- 
 closes Mr. Upson sitting at desk at Right Cen- 
 ter, examining papers. 
 
 Enter— Left Third — Nell in lady's house-dress.. 
 
 Nell. Oh, papa, papa, Ned is here. 
 
 Upson. Has come to get his clothes back, eh? 
 
 Nell. Oh, no ; been brought by the police. 
 
 Upson. What for? 
 
 Nell. Because, they say, he asked it. 
 
 Enter — Left Third — Ives with Ned in girl's 
 clothes as in Scene First. Ives bows to Upson. 
 
 Ives. He asked for you. We brought him here. 
 
 Upson. Arrested? — Why? 
 
 Ives. (Showing the bomb.) He had this bomb 
 
 To throw at us. 
 
 (Ned shakes his head.) 
 Upson. If that be so, 
 
 You should have taken him to jail. 
 Ives. The jail is filled full by the mob; 
 
 The boy too begged so hard for you, 
 
 'Twas thought there might be something in it. 
 Ned. Beg pardon, Mister — thought that you 
 
 Might help 
 
 Ives. (Taking jewels from his pocket, and hand- 
 ing them to Upson.,) 
 
 These, too, we found on him. 
 Upson. (Looking at them, then at Nell.,) 
 
 They're Nell's — But where's that brooch ? — You 
 
 said 
 
 Ned. I never saw no brooch. 
 
 Nell. Why yes— 
 
 (Nell and Ned talk aside, she pointing to table. 
 
 Upson shrugs shoulders and looks at IvesJ 
 Ives. We'll take your word, sir, if you wish. 
 
 Upson. If he's been using dynamite 
 
 Ives. He's but a boy. We're pressed for room — 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 59 
 
 Nell. Oh, papa., do it. Let him go. 
 
 ("Nell and Upson talk aside at Right. Ives and 
 
 Ned seem to be talking at Left J 
 Upson. (To NellJ 
 
 He might run off and not come back. 
 Nell. And that's precisely what we want. 
 Upson. And lose the brooch? 
 Nell. He didn't take it. 
 
 Upson. And dynamite? 
 
 Nell. Oh, papa, now 
 
 Ives. As our police are here to-night, 
 
 They might 
 
 Upson. (To IvesJ 
 
 I see — Well, here's a place 
 
 (Crossing stage, he opens door at Left Center, 
 and motions to Ned to enter the closet there. 
 Ned looks up. Ives takes him by the collar, and 
 walks him into the closet. Upson shuts and 
 locks the door, and hands the key to IvesJ 
 
 You take the key too. 
 Nell. (Protesting.) 
 
 But 
 
 Upson. No matter! — 
 
 Can talk about that in the morning. 
 Nell. (To UpsonJ 
 
 But papa don't put him in there. 
 Upson. (To NellJ 
 
 It's just the place he needs now, Nell, 
 
 To change his clothes in. Don't you see? 
 
 Suppose you bring them back to him. 
 Nell! (Aside.) 
 
 This may be all a trick of papa's 
 
 To set Ned free ! 
 Exit— Right Third— Nell. 
 Upson. (To Ives.) You say he threw 
 
 That bomb of dynamite — the boy? 
 
 Where was it? — and what for? 
 Ives. To help 
 
 That man we found you with — the one 
 
 You called the ringleader. You see 
 
 The boy, he waved the bomb, and then 
 
 The policeman, why he dodged 
 
 Upson Oh, yes \ 
 
 The boy was his accomplice. Humph ! 
 Enter — Right Third — Nell zvith boy's clothes in 
 
 her hands, apparently the same as zvorn by Ned 
 
 in Act II. 
 
6o Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Nell. I've brought them. 
 
 ("Upson takes them and, while Ives unlocks and 
 
 opens door of closet at Left Centre, Upson 
 
 throws clothes into closet.) 
 Upson. Let him go to work then. (To Ned J 
 
 And see you put them on you, quick. 
 (Tves shuts and locks door of closet, putting key 
 
 into his pocket. Nell draws Upson to front of 
 
 stage and speaks to him anxiously pointing 
 
 tozvard Ives.) 
 Nell. And when he's gone, we'll let Ned out? 
 Upson. Would that be honorable, Nell? 
 
 Besides, he has the key, you know. 
 
 (Pointing to Ives.) 
 Exit — Left Third — Ives, after bowing to Upson. 
 Nell. But papa, they'll send Ned to jail. 
 Upson. He should be sent there. 
 Nell. He's not bad! 
 
 Upson. Arrested, carrying a bomb? — 
 
 To have it with him was a crime. 
 
 He threatened the police with it. 
 
 That shows intent and seals the crime. 
 Nell. But, papa, he had saved our house, 
 
 And me, and you. 
 Upson. Perhaps 'twas he 
 
 That had me seized. He led me out, 
 
 He knew the men that bore me off; 
 
 And used that bomb to free one with. 
 Nell. But why was he so kind to me? 
 Upson. Was it his kindness got the brooch ? 
 Nell. You mustn't think that way of Ned. 
 
 He didn't ask me for the jewels. 
 
 I gave them to him of myself. 
 
 Why couldn't he have lost the brooch? 
 Upson. We'll hope so ; but it's time, my child, 
 
 That you and I were in our beds. 
 
 At last, all's well. 
 Nell. Yes, thanks to Ned. 
 
 He told me, papa, that the man 
 
 He used the dynamite to save 
 
 Was his own guardian. 
 Upson. Proof against him. 
 
 It shows there was a plot between them. 
 Nell. Ned ought to have defended him. 
 
 Upson. Perhaps — but if he had such friends 
 
 Nell. He couldn't hope for better ones. 
 
 I see — was right to keep the old ones. 
 Upson. Now good night, dear, good night. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 61 
 
 Nell. „ Good night. 
 
 (Aside near Right Third Entrance.) 
 
 I'll not say dear. He's almost mean. 
 Exit — Right Third — Nell. 
 Upson. (To himself, hesitatingly.) 
 
 I'm sorry for the boy, — so young, 
 
 Attractive — even despite the brooch. 
 (Taking out his keys, and looking toward the 
 
 closet.) 
 
 Would not be just — but generous; 
 
 And I should have my reasons. 
 Enter — Left Third — Doctor. 
 ("Upson continues to the Doctor, pointing ta 
 
 closet.) 
 
 Locked 
 
 The boy in there. 
 Doctor. They told me; yes. 
 
 Upson. Poor Nell, I fear he's turned her head. 
 
 Why, in that grogery when they parted, 
 
 She almost fainted; and, just now 
 
 Doctor. 'Tis not so strange, that ! They were here,. 
 
 Alone, together, and in danger. 
 
 It brought him very near to her. 
 Upson. And when a boy comes near a maid 
 
 Just in her blushing bloom, she's like 
 
 A ripe red peach upon a branch. 
 
 One touch — she tumbles. Humph ! I see 
 
 'Twas well Ned didn't accept my offer 
 
 To take him in my house. They'll both 
 
 Be better off, when he's been placed 
 
 Where she'll forget him. 
 
 (Putting his keys in his pocket.) 
 Doctor. So you think,. 
 
 Where Providence is on our side, 
 
 It's never wise resisting it. 
 
 (Going toward desk at Right Center.) 
 
 But come : it's time you go to bed 
 
 As we arranged. I've got to write 
 
 This paper — and to-night. No use 
 
 For both to sit up ! — with policemen 
 
 Inside the house and outside too. 
 
 Will call you when I'm through. 
 Upson. You're right. 
 
 Good night. 
 Exit — Left First — Upson. 
 Doctor. (To himself as he looks out of the win- 
 
 dozv.) 
 
 It's almost morning now. 
 
 It's nearlv four o'clock. Well, well, 
 
62 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 The day'll come soon, and end the work 
 
 Of thieves and angels and policemen. 
 
 No, no, not of the latter, no ! — 
 
 When suns begin to rise in heaven, 
 
 The thieves fly down, the angels up, 
 
 But the policemen keep their places. 
 
 The watch of their blue forms below 
 
 Is constant as the blue above ; 
 
 And for the just, their stars are just 
 
 As bright as its are. 
 Enter — Right Third — Nell, looking toward the 
 
 closet, then, seeing the Doctor, her mein 
 
 changes. The Doctor notices her.) 
 
 Ah, returned ! 
 
 The angels haven't all flown up. 
 
 It's night and dreamland yet, I see. 
 Nell. I'm glad you're staying here. 
 Doctor. (Looking toward the closet.) 
 
 To watch 
 
 That boy? 
 Nell. Oh, that's why you are here ! 
 
 (Going to the closet, and trying the door.) 
 
 I thought the door was locked. It is. 
 
 He's very small. So small, you think 
 
 Could get out through the ventilator? 
 
 (Coming toward the Doctor and taking chair 
 at right of the center table, while the Doctor 
 takes chair at left of it.) 
 
 Say, tell me, is he very bad? 
 Doctor. Humph ! Don't you think it looks that 
 
 way? 
 Nell. But he was very good to me 
 
 You know he saved us from the mob. 
 Doctor. No boys like him are wholly bad. 
 
 Nell. But only not brought up well, eh? 
 
 Doctor. Are not brought up at all, Truth is 
 
 Are kept down badly. Trample on 
 
 A growing vine, it grows up crooked. 
 Nell. The court then will not punish him? 
 Doctor. Not punish him? 
 Nell. Why, if the fault's 
 
 His bringing up, it's not his own. 
 Doctor. Do you suppose men punish most 
 
 The ones that are the most at fault? 
 Nell. Why, yes, of course. 
 Doctor. Oh no. 
 
 Nell. What then? 
 
 Doctor. They punish crime. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 63 
 
 Nell. And what is crime? 
 
 Doctor. The fault that some one has found out. 
 
 It grows in low life usually. 
 
 The seed is dropped from sin in high life. 
 
 With God, the seed may count for something. 
 
 Man forms his judgment from the growth. 
 Nell. But if we go and tell the court 
 
 How good and kind Ned was to us 
 
 Doctor. (Shaking his head doubtfully.) 
 
 As well talk summer to the ears 
 
 That frosts are freezing. It is not 
 
 What has been but what is that moves 
 
 The senses, which, far more than sense, 
 
 Determine human judgments. This 
 
 Is why, I take, it, that so often 
 
 One careless wrong can overbalance 
 
 A life-long care in doing right. 
 Nell. But is that just? 
 Doctor. No ; true. It seems 
 
 As if our good deeds all are written 
 
 Against the light of heaven in light ; 
 
 And few, and often none, can see them. 
 
 Bad deeds are written there in black ; 
 
 And one dot makes a blotch of all things. 
 Nell. (Pointing tozvard Door Left Center.) 
 
 You think then there's no hope for him? 
 Doctor. He's young; and that may be considered. 
 
 Yet old enough to have known better. 
 
 And that must be considered too. 
 
 Nell. Poor boy ! 
 
 (She rises and suddenly ehanges her tone, the 
 
 Doctor also rises.) 
 
 You know why I came here? 
 Doctor. What for? 
 Nell. Before I go to bed 
 
 I think you said you had no supper — 
 
 The policeman said so too ; and so, 
 
 I mean to get some for you both. 
 
 I'm going down to set the table. 
 
 When ready, I will come and call you. 
 (Aside and showing a key, as she moves tozvard 
 
 the Left.) 
 
 If I can get him out the room, 
 
 I think that Ned will get out too. 
 
 Doctor. But Nell 
 
 Nell. (Gesturing tozvard the Left.) 
 
 You know our waiter's gone. 
 Doctor. Oh, don't you bring it here yourself. 
 
6 4 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Nell. (Bowing and imitating the manner of the 
 Doctor J 
 
 Besides I think 'twas Uncle Tom 
 Once said "Our human mouths are doors 
 That swing in front of souls as well 
 As palates, — where the fun comes out 
 As well as food goes in ; to balance 
 The lower use of them in eating. 
 'Tis nicer, when we eat, to talk. 
 
 Doctor. (Laughingly.) 
 Good memory. 
 
 Nell. Again — "Our teeth. 
 
 Are white keys of an instrument 
 On which the spirit plays — to sound 
 The music of the speaking voice. 
 'Tis better when they must move somehow, 
 To keep them at the spirit's work." 
 
 Doctor. For ladies, yes. But I'm a man. 
 
 Nell. It's men's ideals that keep us ladies. 
 I'm sure that men are better pleased 
 With other men that act like women, 
 Than women are. When we want women, 
 We take to our own mirrors — thus. 
 (Courtesying to the full length mirror.) 
 I'll call you when the table's ready. 
 Poor thing, with twice as many feet 
 As you have, it can't walk up stairs. 
 
 Doctor. It must be very full. 
 
 Nell. It will be. 
 
 You'll find it something like a pigeon, 
 A better carrier than a walker ; 
 And you can pluck it all you wish. 
 
 Exit — Left Third — Nell. 
 
 Doctor. A charming girl ! 
 
 (Looking tozvard the closet at Left Center.) 
 
 And yet, perhaps 
 
 Enter — Left First — Upson in dressing goivn and 
 slippers. 
 
 Upson. I thought I heard my daughter. 
 
 Doctor. Yes ; 
 
 She's offered me some supper. 
 
 Upson. Humph ! 
 
 Doctor. Have you objections? 
 
 Upson. I? — Oh no; 
 
 She's mistress here. I ought myself 
 To have thought of it ; but hurry up. 
 She shouldn't lose her sleep to-night. 
 
 Exit — Left First — Upson. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 65 
 
 Doctor. (Looking after Upson, then toward the 
 
 closet at Left Center.) 
 
 He's no objection. I'll have none. 
 Enter — Left Third — Nell. 
 Nell. (To Doctor.,) 
 
 Good news ! — The table has been set. 
 
 The servants left it that way. — Come ! 
 Exit — Left Third — The Doctor, for whom Nell 
 
 holds open the door.) 
 Nell. (Aside.) 
 
 There's not a fish that's caught by bait 
 
 As easily as a hungry man. 
 Exit — Left Third Entrance — Nell. 
 Ned. (Looking out of the ventilator over the door 
 
 in the closet at Left Center.) 
 
 Here comes the rubber of the game ! — 
 
 No rubber would be in their game, 
 
 If I myself was only rubber — 
 
 Would squeeze through this. But it's no go 
 
 No go for me. It's only stay. 
 
 The boys, — humph ! — talk of waiting on 
 
 A girl. I'm waiting on Miss Nell. 
 
 I rather guess, from what I heard, 
 
 She wants it — Coming through the door ! 
 
 And so am I, I guess ! — Good bye. 
 ("Ned's head disappears. ) 
 Enter — Left Third — Nell, crosses the room in 
 
 haste, pulls a key from her pocket and fits it 
 
 into door at Left Center. 
 Nell. Now if my key will only fit ! 
 
 It does. — 
 
 (To NedJ 
 
 Come out, Ned, Sh ! Come out. 
 
 The police are all down stairs at supper. 
 
 I left to get some coffee for them. 
 
 Now follow me. 
 Enter — Left Center — Ned dressed in the news- 
 boy's coat and cap as in Act II. 
 Ned. (Pointing toward Left Third.) 
 
 Wait, wait. — The door! 
 Nell. The doors ! — Oh yes, of course, we'll lock 
 them. 
 
 ("Ned bolts the door at Left Third.) 
 
 (Nell runs to lock door at Left First.) 
 Upson. (From inside.) 
 
 Is that you Nell? 
 
66 Classes and Masses or Ned a?id Nell. 
 
 Nell. Yes, father, yes. 
 
 (She looks at Ned zvho makes a gesture of dis- 
 sent, nevertheless she locks the door, and says 
 to Ned./ 
 
 I never could forgive him, never 
 If he kept you from getting off. 
 
 Ned. But this will make him very angry. 
 
 Nell. (Running to door at Right First and open- 
 ing it.) 
 Come, Ned, come, come. 
 
 Ned. All right, I'm coming. 
 
 Exit — Right First — Nell and Ned. Sound of the 
 lock as they turn the key of the door. 
 
 Enter — Left First — Upson, after violent efforts 
 to pull open the locked door. He is in dressing 
 gown and slippers. He looks about, then seeing 
 the closet door at Left Center open. 
 
 Upson. Is gone — and Uncle Tom away ! 
 Of course ! 
 
 (Moves toward door at Left Third, finds it locked, 
 then unbolts and opens it, and calls.) 
 
 Policemen here, come here ! 
 
 They must have gone the back way. 
 
 (Crosses the room to find the door at Right First 
 
 Entrance locked.) 
 
 Yes,— 
 Just what I thought. 
 
 Enter — Left Third — Ives and Second Policeman. 
 ('Upson points to the closet at Left Center.) 
 The boy has gone. 
 
 Ives. The back way? 
 
 Upson. Yes, and locked the door. 
 
 Ives. (To Second Policeman, pointing to Left.) 
 You rush down stairs, and through the house. 
 Perhaps you'll reach the back door first. 
 
 Exit— Left Third — Second Policeman. 
 
 Ives. (To UpsonJ Meantime, if they are headed 
 off, 
 Perhaps they'll come back here. 
 (Trying the door at Right First Entrance.) 
 
 Upson. No, no ; it's locked. 
 
 Enter — Left Third — the Doctor. 
 
 Doctor. (Looking toward the closet.) 
 
 Left the house? 
 
 Upson. Yes, yes; a precious set of mice! — 
 She's trapped you all with toast and cheese ! 
 (Looking toward IvesJ 
 No wonder that the slums break loose 
 From such as you ! j 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 67 
 
 Ives. I beg your pardon 
 
 Enter — Left Third — Second Policeman. 
 
 Upson. (To Second PolicemanJ 
 You found him? 
 
 Second Policeman. No. 
 
 Upson. But you found Nell, — 
 
 My daughter? 
 
 Second P. No; she's not down stairs. 
 
 She must have left the house, I think. 
 
 Upson. My Nell has gone with him ! Oh, God ! 
 (Pointing tozvard the Left.) 
 There — out the front and round the corner; 
 And head them off. A thousand dollars 
 To the one of you that catches him. 
 
 Second P. (To Upson. ) 
 
 You wouldn't have us fire at him? 
 
 Upson. Do anything to get the girl. 
 
 The more you frighten them the better. 
 
 Exeunt — Left Third — Second Policeman, Ives 
 and the Doctor. 
 
 Upson. (Continuing to himself.) ■ 
 With such a boy, in such a night ! — 
 Poor Nell ! I'll have to go myself. 
 
 (Moves toward Left First Entrance, pulling off 
 his dressing gown.) 
 
 Enter — Left Third — the Doctor, with a Messen- 
 ger. 
 
 Doctor. (Pointing tozvard UpsonJ 
 He's there. 
 
 Exit — Left Third — the Doctor. 
 
 Upson. (To Messenger.,) 
 
 What's that? 
 
 Mess. (Handing Upson a note. Upson takes it.) 
 
 A note for you. 
 
 Upson. For me? — Who from? 
 
 Mess. A man down town. — 
 
 He told me you would pay for it. 
 
 Upson. (Snatching the message from the Messen- 
 ger's hand and opening, reading the note, and 
 soliloquising about it.) 
 
 Queer hand ! — "You must not harm the boy." — 
 What boy? — "The boy called Ned" — a scamp. 
 Deserves it ! "It was Jerry Brown 
 Kidnapped your son." — Who? Jerry Brown? — 
 "He told me on his dying bed." — 
 Who, Jerry? Jerry? — Is he dead? — 
 "He told me on his dying bed 
 The story of that capture. Since 
 
68 Classes a?id Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 I've always tried to find you out, 
 
 But did not know your name was Upson, 
 
 And never found you till to-day/' 
 
 To-day? — Who have I seen to-day? 
 
 "You ought to have remembered me, 
 
 Your former playmate, Reddy Gates. 
 
 I'm off; but write to let you know 
 
 The boy who set me free, — the boy 
 
 The police have captured is your son." 
 
 (He drops letter on floor.) 
 
 My son? — That Ned my son, my son? — 
 
 Enter — Left Third — Second Policeman with 
 Nell. 
 
 Second P. We've brought her back. 
 
 Upson. But where's the boy? 
 
 Nell. (Wringing her hands.) 
 They shot him. 
 
 Upson. (Greatly agitated.) 
 
 What? — You shot that boy? 
 
 Second P. Why you yourself — you said we might. 
 
 Upson. I just have learned he was my son. 
 
 Second P. (In great astonishment.) 
 Your son? 
 
 Upson. Yes, yes. 
 
 Nell. Oh, papa, papa, 
 
 Why didn't you think, and think before 
 
 What I have always, always felt — 
 That he at least belonged to some one 
 Ah, papa, was the son of some one. 
 
 curtain. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 69 
 
 ACT V. 
 
 Scene: A suburban Restaurant and Concert Gar- 
 den. Backing, through windows or doors is a 
 view of the garden, with trees, walks, tables, 
 chairs, etc. At the Right, in the hall, are two 
 tables surrounded by, at least, four chairs. One 
 table has beer-mugs on it. At the Left, is a 
 slightly elevated stage, on which is also a table, 
 and on this table is a small mirror and a towel. 
 Entrances at Right First, Right Third, and Left 
 Second, the latter from the elevated stage. 
 
 Enter— Right First— Reddy disguised with a wig, 
 and dressed as a waiter. He holds a newspaper 
 in his hand. 
 Enter— Left Second— Ned, also disguised with 
 
 a wig and dressed as a girl. 
 Reddy. (To himself.) 
 
 Von Stein is caught, eh?— and the boys 
 
 Have told how he gave out them bombs. 
 (Handing the paper to Ned, zvho instantly begins 
 
 to read it.) 
 
 Here, Ned, read this. 
 
 (Reddy continues to himself.) 
 
 I haven't yet dared 
 
 To tell him of his dad— might think 
 
 His dad would free him. Like as not 
 
 He wouldn't— only think me lying. 
 Ned. (Waving the paper above his head.) 
 
 We're safe, eh? 
 Reddy. We'll not hang. 
 
 Ned. Not y° Ll! 
 
 But, unky, there are other ways 
 
 To choke a fellow than around 
 
 The throat. It's choking me down here. 
 
 (Putting his hands on his waist.) 
 
 Oh how it does choke down a boy 
 
 To try to make a girl of him ! 
 
 But now we're safe, I'll breath again, 
 
 And split things! 
 r eddy . No, no ; better keep 
 
 A little low just yet. It's ail 
 
 Agin the laws for you to squeeze 
 
 In rigs like that. 
 
jo Classes a?id Masses or Ned a?id Nell. 
 
 Ned. It ought to be. 
 
 It don't leave room to eat through, ugh ! 
 Wish I had known a fat girl, ugh ! 
 
 Reddy. It's well that you knew Sally Jones. 
 
 Ned. That's what my poet said — " 'Tis well 
 To sew the seeds of friendship when 
 The sun is shining on your summer, 
 Then, when your fall comes, they bear fruit.'*' 
 
 Reddy. (Laying his hand on Ned's shoulder.) 
 And how's your shoulder getting on? 
 
 Ned. All right ! 'Twas nothing but a scratch. 
 
 Reddy. But few could get the likes of that, 
 And keep their heads as you did, Ned. 
 
 Ned. You see I guessed if I played possum, 
 The Miss would shriek, and make the cops — 
 At least the front one — dart at her. 
 Besides I dropped just at the corner; 
 Then skited off before they spied me. 
 
 Reddy. 'Twas lucky that they missed you. 
 
 Ned. Yes, 
 
 (Looking down at his dress.) 
 They made a miss of me — in more 
 Than one way. 
 
 Reddy. Not so bad a miss. 
 
 We needn't fear the devil himself 
 At noon-day even. Back of wigs 
 And rigs like these, no one could know us. 
 (Taking his zvig off, then putting it on.) 
 
 Ned. I'm not so sure of that. It looked as if 
 The man that called me out last night 
 Had wind of something. So, to-day, 
 Let's get our pay in full, and leave. 
 
 Reddy. Leave? — when? 
 
 Ned. At night, when they're abed. 
 
 Reddy. But 
 
 Ned. Oh, I'll play your mother, unky, 
 
 You ought to see the old crone's rig 
 That Sally brought this morning for me. 
 
 Reddy. But if we leave in such a flurry 
 
 Ned. We'll leave a note to say our child 
 Was taken ill, and we've gone west. 
 Then we'll go east, of course. Three hours, 
 We'll reach New York; and there you know — 
 They have so many other jail-birds, 
 That they won't hunt for us. 
 
 Reddy. I see. 
 
 Ned. But I must practice now. 
 
 Reddy. Hard work? — 
 
 Not so? 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 71 
 
 Ned Oh yes— down here ; 
 
 (Putting his hand on his belt.) 
 1 and here, 
 
 (Gesturing toward the restaurant.) 
 But higher up, where one can breathe 
 Free air, and be a star, I guess 
 It's easy there as it is bright. 
 Reddy. (Taking some mugs of beer from the table 
 at Right and drinking.) 
 I've found a trade that isn't hard. 
 I learned it on me mother's knee. 
 (Smacking his lips.) 
 Exit— Right First— Reddy. 
 Ned. Now I must practice. Let me see. 
 
 I'll try this first : . . ± , 
 
 /Ned can here play on various instruments or 
 sing or dance, or both, saying as he passes from 
 one to the other.) 
 
 Now this . 
 
 Now this. — — 
 
 Now that new song. Hope folks will like it 
 (Taking a paper from his pocket, and reading 
 the song as he sings it.) 
 
 Oh you, who prate of freedom, 
 
 Say, are you fools or knaves?— 
 Of all the things men like the best, 
 
 The first is being slaves. 
 Who ever yet bought coat or hat, 
 
 Or wore a gown or bustle, 
 That dared defy the style in that 
 
 Which made the parlor rustle.'' , 
 
 Though it may clothe our dearest friend, 
 Outside our parlor, in the end, 
 
 The fashionless we hustle. 
 Oh, vou may call that being free, 
 But it does not seem free to me. 
 
 Oh vou who prate of freedom, 
 
 You send vour babes to schools, 
 And just when old enough to work, 
 
 You turn them all to tools; 
 And they, lest when, left free from strife, 
 
 Mere rest should bring them pleasure, 
 Are not content, till wedded life 
 Make slavery of their leisure; 
 Then, that more tyrants may be grown. 
 Each stocks a nursery of his own, 
 
 And calls each sprout a treasure :— 
 
J2 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Oh you may call that being free, 
 But it does not seem free to me. 
 
 Oh you who prate of freedom, 
 
 Work once was free for each. 
 But comes the boss — his voice is heard, 
 
 And work is passed your reach. 
 More cash you want. Your savings go 
 
 To pay another's bill. 
 And peace you want. Before you know 
 
 You vow, perchance, to kill. 
 You once had pay. On freedom bent, 
 You serve a chief, nor get a cent, 
 
 Who works you at his will : — 
 Oh you may call that being free, 
 But it does not seem free to me. 
 
 Oh you who prate of freedom, 
 
 In home, in state, in church, 
 If any realm could grant your wish, 
 
 It would not end your search. 
 The place where souls like most to be 
 
 Is where with most they mingle ; 
 Hearts filled with love feel never free, 
 
 So long as they are single ; 
 And those, in all they care about, 
 Who always leave their neighbors out, 
 
 Find life not worth this jingle: — 
 Oh, you may call that being free. 
 But it does not seem free to me. 
 
 ('Ned looks suddenly toward the Right.) 
 Hello ! — Some one is coming there. 
 (Looks into the small mirror on the table.) 
 How do I do? — I'll dodge in here, 
 And watch a while. 
 
 Exit — Left Second — Ned. 
 
 Enter — Right Third — Ives, the Doctor, Nell and 
 Upson. The latter, however, instantly exits. 
 Ives is in ordinary citizen s clothes, the Doctor 
 has an umbrella, green spectacles, water-proof 
 overcoat and slouch hat, and Nell has an um- 
 brella, waterproof overcoat, boy's slouch hat, 
 and rubber boots. 
 
 Doctor. Well, well at least. 
 
 We're sheltered from the rain here, Nell. 
 (Looking at her.) 
 
 We've kept our promise — kept you dry? — 
 But you do look so like a boy ! 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 73 
 
 Nell. Why can't you play I am one? 
 Doctor. Ah ? — 
 
 You think Ned may not know you then? 
 Nell. Why should he, if he don't know you ? 
 
 And with those goggles on — and coat — 
 
 You said, yourself, you were disguised. 
 
 Doctor. I know — but not on purpose 
 
 Ives. Yet, 
 
 It might not be a bad idea. 
 
 It might allay suspicions. 
 Doctor. What ? 
 
 Ives. I've left my buttons off for this. 
 
 Why shouldn't she leave off — 
 Doctor. No, no; 
 
 That isn't necessary, Ives. 
 Ives. They might away did they suspect us ; 
 
 And, for a little while, till we have told 
 
 Our errand 
 
 Nell. Let me have some fun. 
 
 Doctor. And did I ever spoil your fun? 
 
 (Making a motion as if to kiss her.) 
 
 What shall I call you, dove? 
 Nell. Why what 
 
 Doves mostly think the most of, — Bill. 
 Enter — Left Second — Ned. 
 Ives. (Calling to Ned as soon as he sees him.) 
 
 Come here, my girl. 
 Ned. (Advancing cautiously.) 
 
 Good day. 
 Ives. Good day. 
 
 Ned. We're open in the afternoon. 
 Ives. Ah, yes — are strangers here. — Large place ! 
 Ned. Quite large ; but every night is crowded. 
 
 Ives. You're 
 
 Ned. One of the performers. 
 
 Ives. Ah !— 
 
 Can we take seats here? — have some beer? 
 Ned. Of course. 
 Ives. Three glasses. Hurry up 
 
 (Gives a quick look at the Doctor, and adds.) 
 
 And bring one for yourself, too, girl. 
 Exit — Right First — Ned. 
 Ives. That's he. 
 Doctor. Are sure? 
 
 Ives. (To Nell.,) Don't you think so? 
 
 Nell. Oh, yes, yes, certainly. 
 Ives. (To Nell.) You know 
 
 That it's from us he is disguised. 
 
J4 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Nell. 'Twas what you meant just now. 
 
 Ives. Of course. 
 
 If he suspects us, he'll be off. 
 Nell. But if we told him all the truth ? 
 Doctor. But we're not sure it is the truth. 
 
 Your father, first, must talk with Reddy. 
 
 As soon as Reddy comes, we both will leave 
 
 You two together. 
 Nell. Then ? 
 
 Ives. Why you 
 
 Must keep Ned here till we return. 
 Doctor. Precisely. 
 
 Nell. If he grow suspicious? 
 
 Ives. He mustn't. 
 
 Nell. How can I prevent it? 
 
 Doctor. Will do no great harm if you don't — 
 
 Will not be frightened much by you. 
 Ives. And you can make him know, of course, 
 
 Your father's change of mind — how he 
 
 Would have Ned live with him. 
 Nell. Yes, yes. 
 
 Enter — Right First — Ned, with three glasses of 
 
 beer, which he places on the table. 
 Ives. (To Ned.; All right. 
 
 (To Doctor, motioning him tozvard a chair.) 
 
 Sit down here, Jones. 
 Doctor. (To Nell, doing the same.) 
 
 Here, Nell. 
 Ned. (Aside.) 
 
 Here, Nell ! — I thought I knew that crowd. 
 
 By hokey dorey, I'll vamose. 
 Ives. (Motioning to Nell, and ostentatiously cor- 
 recting the mistake.) 
 
 We want you, Bill • 
 
 (Doctor, Nell and Ives sit at one of the tables 
 
 at Right.) 
 
 ('Ned starts for Right First Entrance.) 
 
 (Calling to Ned J 
 
 And what has put you on the run? 
 Ned. (Turning around tozvard IvesJ 
 
 I want to get the bill of fare. 
 Ives. Oh, that was not the bill I meant. 
 
 I used the word Bill as a name. 
 
 (Pointing toward Nell J 
 Ned._ (Aside, while the Doctor and Nell also talk 
 
 aside.) 
 
 They wouldn't try to fool like that 
 
 Without a reason; but she's with them. 
 
 The reason can't be all a mean one. 
 
Classes a?id Masses or Ned and Nell. 75 
 
 Doctor. (To Ned as he pushes forward a chair.) 
 
 Sit down with us. Come — take this chair. 
 Ned. (Drawing back with assumed modesty.) 
 
 Oh no ; — agin the rules. 
 Doctor. So so? — 
 
 You've been here long? 
 Ned. (Aside, as he takes the towel from the table 
 
 at the left and wipes the top of it, keeping his 
 
 back to the others.) 
 
 A week or two. 
 Doctor. (Aside to Nell J 
 
 One never speaks the truth as well 
 
 As when he doesn't try to speak it. 
 
 (To NedJ 
 
 You've been here in the city though? 
 Ned. About a year. 
 
 Ives. What part of it? 
 
 Ned. (Aside.) 
 
 He thinks he's seen my face before. 
 
 I'll make him sure of it. 
 
 (To Ives.) 
 
 West side. 
 Doctor. (Aside to Nell J 
 
 That boy is bright. When one expects 
 
 A lie, the lips that tell him truth 
 
 Will lead him furthest from it. 
 
 (To NedJ 
 
 Humph ! 
 
 Near Upson's factory? 
 
 (Ives shows signs of disapproval of the Doc- 
 tor's question.) 
 Ned. Yes, close by. 
 
 (Ives whispers to the Doctor. Ned continues to 
 himself.) 
 
 Von Stein's yanked up. The boys will clear 
 me. 
 
 Or, if I have to, I can run. 
 Doctor. (Waving Ives aside, and speaking to 
 
 NedJ 
 
 You know him? 
 Ned. Everybody does. 
 
 Ives. Fine man. 
 
 Ned. No; not what I call fine. 
 
 Doctor. Because the man has risen in life? — 
 
 If one shake pebbles in a pail, 
 
 The fine ones fall, the coarse ones rise, 
 
 You think? 
 Enter — Right Third Entrance — Upson, and stands, 
 
 unseen by Ned, near the Entrance. 
 
y6 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. I haven't had to think. 
 
 Doctor. What then? 
 
 Ned. To see. 
 
 Doctor. See what? 
 
 Ned. See him. 
 
 Ives. Seen him, eh? — How then does he look? 
 
 Ned. Look? — with his eyes — would better ask 
 How he don't look — at limbs like us ! — 
 Has held his head up high so long 
 It has forgotten where it came from. 
 
 Ives. You can't judge people by their looks. 
 
 Ned. I don't judge him by looks. — I know 
 A boy who saved his girl from harm ; 
 And saved his house, too, when the mob 
 That burned his mill was after it. — 
 This boy — to keep from jail a man, 
 Not guilty, who had brought him up — 
 Just played with dynamite, no more — 
 Enough to let the man shy off, 
 And not be jugged up by a cop; 
 Yet when this boy was caught, and thought, 
 And those, too, who had caught him thought, 
 This Upson would remember, help him, — 
 This man, he made the very house 
 The boy had saved his — what? — his jail; 
 And locked him in a closet there. 
 And when Miss Upson, like a lady, 
 Had let him loose, her great big father 
 Set up a baby's bawl to fetch the cops, 
 And like a coward sent them out 
 To shoot the boy down like a dog, 
 And stop — no not his feet, but heart. 
 
 Exit — Right Third — Upson. 
 
 Ives. (Who has risen, advancing tozvard NedJ 
 You seem to know your story well. 
 
 Ned. (Putting his hand to his pocket as if to 
 draw out a pistol, then dodging away.) 
 Don't lay your hand on me, I say; 
 Or I may use a little toy 
 That sometimes keeps a woman safe. 
 (The Doctor and Nell both rise in alarm.) 
 
 Nell. (To Ned..) 
 
 Oh, Ned, don't use that! Don't, don't Ned. 
 
 Ned. Don't Ned! — Haha, haha, haha! 
 You can't tell Ned then from his twin? — 
 Do you suppose that I'm a fool ? 
 Do you suppose if I was Ned, 
 That I would tell the truth about it, 
 
Classes a?id Masses or Ned and Nell. Jj 
 
 When spies are on my track ? — Aha ! — 
 
 (To IvesJ 
 
 You can't judge people by their looks. 
 
 (Ives, the Doctor and Nell look, in a surprised 
 way, at one another.) 
 Enter — Right Third — Reddy. 
 
 Reddy. Why, what's the matter here? What is it? 
 Doctor. (To Reddy, and pointing tozvard NedJ 
 
 If you're the one they call her husband, 
 
 Stay here with us — We're friends, I say. 
 
 We want to see you. 
 Exit — Right First — Reddy followed by the Doctor 
 
 and Ives. 
 Ned. (Aside, looking anxiously toward Right First 
 
 Entrance.) 
 
 No hope in following them. — I can't 
 
 Do anything except with her. 
 
 (Looking toward NellJ 
 Nell. (Aside, looking at NedJ 
 
 To do what uncle wished, I've got 
 
 To play that I believe him now. 
 Ned. (Aside.) 
 
 I'll play I don't know who she is. 
 Nell. (To NedJ 
 
 I think you're very pretty. 
 
 (Aside.)' Boys, 
 
 They always start in that way. 
 Ned. (Twisting his shoulders and ivaist.) 
 
 Ah!— 
 
 (Aside.) 
 
 That's just the way a girl would act. 
 Nell. (Sitting in chair near table at Left Center.) 
 
 Are you so bashful as all that? 
 Ned. Why yes. 
 Nell. Why? 
 
 Ned. (Coming nearer her.) 
 
 Why 
 
 Nell. (Pointing to chair near her.) 
 
 Say, chipmunk here. 
 Ned. (Tzvisting himself at waist.) 
 
 He he ! There can't be any harm. 
 
 (Sitting in chair.) 
 Nell. No, no ; my honey, not with me. 
 Ned. My sonny? 
 Nell. Honey. 
 
 Ned. Oh, how sweet ! 
 
 Nell. (Putting her hand, on the tye at her neck 
 
 and pointing to his.) 
 
 You have a mighty jolly bow there! 
 
j 8 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. (Looking at her.) 
 
 Beau where? 
 Nell. (Stroking her own chin.) 
 
 About your chin. 
 Ned. Oh, yes! — 
 
 And so you thought that I was Ned? 
 Nell. You look just like him. 
 Ned. Oh, of course! — 
 
 You thought him pretty then ? 
 Nell. Oh, now, 
 
 We never talk that way of boys. 
 Ned. No, no! — I wouldn't do so either. 
 
 No matter how much I was tempted, 
 
 But where was it you knew him, eh? 
 Nell. We handled newspapers, we two. 
 Ned. Oh, you're a newsboy? 
 Nell. There's a time 
 
 I ran about the streets with them. 
 Ned. You did? — You never handled much 
 
 Besides I guess. 
 
 (Pointing to her hands.) 
 
 Your hands don't show it. 
 Nell. Yours do — Will you go home with me? 
 Ned. Why, what a question? 
 Nell. But I mean it. 
 
 We two could get along together. 
 Ned. I rather think we could, we two. 
 
 We need a boy there — 
 
 (Correcting herself.) 
 
 and a girl. 
 Ned. (Significantly.) 
 
 And you would have them both in me? 
 Nell. Oh no! — In you and me. Come, will you? 
 Ned. Keep on. I like to hear you talk. 
 Nell. It isn't boys do most the talking. 
 Ned. Oh no ! their lips do other things. 
 
 (Puckering up his lips, as if for a kiss.) 
 Nell. Come now. 
 Ned. (Moving his seat nearer her.) 
 
 I'm coming. 
 Nell. (Moving her seat further from his.) 
 
 Keep away! 
 Ned. My corsets ! — how you do switch off. 
 Nell. I'm no more apt to switch than you are. 
 Ned. Oh, but you ought to be. 
 Nell. Why so? 
 
 Ned. Your hands and feet are so much smaller — 
 
 Slip in and out things easier. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned a?id Nell. 79 
 
 Nell. (Looking down at her feet and hands.) 
 
 Yes, they are smaller ; that's a fact. 
 Ned. (Holding his hands out near hers.) 
 
 Yes, that's a fact there in our hands. 
 Nell. What fact? 
 
 Ned. (Drawing back and looking at her.) 
 The fact that's in your face. 
 Nell. (Looking dozvn modestly, then assuming 
 boldness.) 
 
 By gum ! but you're a bold girl, you. 
 Ned. Oh what a naughty, naughty, by-word ! — 
 
 Say, boy, look here. 
 Nell. (Bashfully turning her face azvay.) 
 
 No, no ; I can't. 
 Ned. I never met a boy before 
 
 That acted just like you. 
 Nell. Nor I 
 
 A girl as bold as you are. 
 Ned. Well. 
 
 Nell. Well. 
 
 Ned. Well. All's well that ends well. Tell me 
 How dare a sissy boy like you 
 Invite a Tom-girl like myself, 
 To live inside your father's house? 
 How long do you suppose before 
 It would be made too hot for me ; — 
 So hot that he would fire me out? 
 Nell. Oh, but I know my father wants you. 
 Ned. Well, he will want me a good while. 
 Nell. Oh no ; not that ; I mean he means — 
 
 Ned. I mean you mean he means by means 
 
 Nell. Come! Don't make fun of that 
 
 Ned. And what if Ned should come to see me? 
 
 Nell. At our house ! Papa would be tickled 
 
 Ned. (Roguishly.) 
 
 Your papa? 
 Nell. (A little annoyed.) 
 
 Yes, my father, yes. 
 Ned. I thought you meant to say your father. 
 
 You didn't mean though, the rest you said. 
 Nell. I did. There's no one in the world 
 
 My papa wants to help so much. 
 Ned. Who gave him that idea? — Did you? 
 Nell. No; Mister Upson. 
 Ned. Upson? 
 
 Nell. Yes. 
 
 Ned. You mean ? 
 
 Nell. I mean that Mister Upson 
 
 Has told me that himself. 
 
So Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Ned. Told what? 
 
 Nell. What he would give to find Ned Brown. 
 
 Ned. What would he? 
 
 Nell. Everything he owns. 
 
 Ned. Wait, wait ! If I'm not fooled, then you are. 
 
 If he could lay his hands on Ned, 
 
 Humph! — Ned would go to jail — so quick! 
 
 (Snapping his fingers, then suddenly rising.) 
 Nell. (Rising, alarmed to stop him.) 
 
 Don't go Ned. don't. 
 Ned. You call me Ned? 
 
 Nell. You saved our house. 
 Ned. You saved my legs. 
 
 Nell. And now, when you were lost, I've found 
 
 you. 
 Ned. You came to find me? 
 
 Nell. Yes, and Reddy. 
 
 Ned. (Looking toward Right in a threatening 
 
 way.) 
 
 I'll 
 
 Nell. Come, Ned. They're not going to harm him. 
 
 The man who gave that bomb to you 
 
 Was caught, and has confessed it all. 
 
 Besides, there is another reason. 
 
 I promised not to tell it ; but 
 
 You'll find that everything with you 
 
 Has changed. 
 Ned. Yes, I should think it had. 
 
 You're telling me the truth now, are you ? 
 
 Say — honor bright ; — it's all the truth ? 
 Nell. Ned, all I've said has been the truth. 
 
 But I've not told you all the truth ; 
 
 For all the truth is so much brighter 
 
 Than all I've said. 
 Enter — Right Third — behind Ned who has his 
 
 back to them, Upson, the Doctor, Ives and 
 
 Reddy. 
 Ned. It can't be, Miss. 
 
 You don't know all you've said to me. 
 
 You've told me Reddy has been proved 
 
 An honest man. It's all I want. 
 Upson. But it's not all that we want, Ned. 
 
 Though thank you, boy, for your kind heart. 
 Ned. (To Reddy, zvhile he looks at Upson in a 
 
 doubtful way.) 
 
 But is it true that you are free? 
 Reddy. It is. I am ; and so are you. 
 
 And here's the friend has done it for us. 
 
Classes and Masses or Ned a?id Nell. 8j 
 
 (Reddy points to Upson. Ned draws back from 
 him.) 
 
 No, Ned, don't, don't draw back from him, — 
 The best friend you could have on earth. 
 
 Upson. (To Ned J 
 
 I hope to prove myself so, Ned. 
 
 You seem to doubt if I can do it. 
 
 And I don't wonder. I've been wrong. 
 
 They're some, you think, I've overlooked. 
 
 Ned. I didn't mean, sir, all I said. 
 'Twas but a part that I was playing, 
 To make them think me not a part 
 Of that which was no play for Reddy. 
 
 Upson. A part one plays would never please 
 The fancy of himself or others, 
 Unless it seemed a part of truth. 
 But if one be not always kind, 
 He may have reasons, don't you know? — 
 The sea of life's a stormy one. 
 He sinks, who does not strive to swim, — 
 Ay, fight it both with hands and feet. 
 
 Reddy. (To Ned.,) 
 
 Yes, that's the way he's kept on top. 
 
 Doctor. And all that sea is filled with kickers; 
 And nothing makes a man kick worse 
 Than fear that he'll be kicked the first. 
 
 Upson. (Good nature dly.) 
 
 Tis such hard work to keep afloat, 
 
 I may have overdone the task. 
 
 But if I have, your voice, my boy, 
 
 Shall call me back to where I started. 
 
 There was a time when fortune seemed 
 
 Walled out from me, as now from you 
 
 And Reddy. Some I knew — and I 
 
 Was one — must scale those walls, but some 
 
 Had golden keys that could unlock 
 
 Their gates. Oh what would I have given, 
 
 But for the smallest of the keys 
 
 To fit the smallest gate before me ! — 
 
 My boy, you come and live with me, 
 
 You'll have no small key, but a large one. 
 
 Ned. But Reddy 
 
 Upson. Bless your loyalty! 
 
 You have my pledge to help you both — 
 Has Reddy ever told you, Ned, 
 About your father? 
 
 Ned. Certainly. 
 
 Upson. And did you ever hope to meet him? 
 
 Ned. I've always hoped it. 
 
82 Classes and Masses or Ned and Nell. 
 
 Upson. Do you think, 
 
 If you should meet him, he would think 
 His debt to Reddy less than yours? 
 
 (Upson and Nell exchange significant glances. 
 Ned notices them.) 
 
 Ned. You can't mean — no — what? — can it be? 
 Oh, say ! — I dare not think it true — 
 You know my father? 
 
 Upson. (Embracing Ned.,) 
 
 I owe more 
 To Reddy than you dream of yet. 
 
 Ned. It can't be you — that. you're my father? — 
 And she — Miss Upson — she — my sister? 
 (Embracing Upson and NellJ 
 
 Upson. I lost a boy. I find a man — 
 
 (Placing his hand on Reddy's shoulder.) 
 And here's the one he modelled after. 
 
 Reddy. Not wholly, sir. 
 
 Upson. But chiefly, man. 
 
 Reddy. At school, sir, he has mixed with others. 
 
 Upson. Yes, yes, and in a way not true 
 In our old land across the sea, 
 Been given a chance to go with those 
 Brought up in our most cultured homes, 
 And come to feel and act as they do. 
 Our schools are schools where every boy 
 Can learn to be a gentleman. 
 That's why I love this country, yes, 
 Despite the snob I've seemed to be 
 Who couldn't root out the old world's weeds. 
 (To Ned; 
 
 And I would stand up for its laws 
 Against my own son, Ned ; but that 
 I knew my son was free from crime — 
 
 Reddy. As free as 
 
 Upson. (To ReddyJ You yourself are, Reddy. 
 See here, — when we were boys together, 
 You were as bright as I. If fate 
 Has framed us different fortunes, let 
 This hand of mine once more reveal 
 (Giving to Reddy his hand.) 
 How human love redeems from fate. 
 My help may make my fortune yours 
 As well as Ned's. 
 
 Nell. As Ned's. 
 
 Ned. (Taking her hand.) And Nell's. 
 
 Positions on stage from Right to Left: 
 
 Reddy, Upson, Ned, Nell, the Doctor, Ives, 
 curtain, 
 end of play. 
 
i