LIBRETTO of The Maid and the Middy “An Operetta in Two Acts By DAVID STEVENS Music by GEORGE LOWELL TRACY PRICE $1.00 BOSTON ¢C. C. BIRCHARD AND COMPANY D9ob' 8 Copyright 1918 by C. C. BIRCHARD AND COMPANY International Copyright Secured NOTICE The copying, either of separate parts or the whole of this work by any process whatsoever, is forbidden by law and subject to the penalties pre- scribed by Sec. 28, of the Copyright Law, in force July 1, 1909. License to perform this work must be secured from the publishers, sole owners of all rights. Orchestral parts may be rented from the publishers. en 58 Nlawu WMA f 1SR.% ‘wont at (oT yw \ { - ; THE STORY AG Lil HE occasion is the annual regatta of the Lakeville Boat Club, made unusually gay by the presence, as guests, of CAPTAIN DasHER of the U.S.S.‘‘Dreadnaught” and a number of his Mid- dies. Among the latter is BILLy, a, vivacious youth who very soon gets into the good graces of VALERIE VANE and seems to be in a fair way to become ® generally popular, when the appearance of the Count somewhat clouds his prospects. The Count disturbs Mrs. Gatty and Dawson, influ- ential members of the Club, by making charges against BiLiy involving what appears to be a case of abduction of a certain mysterious ANITa, evidently of Spanish origin. Circumstances prevent the Counr from immediately confronting Bitty, who, it must be confessed, lends some color to the accusation by studiously avoiding the Count. But -event- ually the latter arouses the suspicions of Evans and Fitz, two officials of the Club, who undertake to look into the matter. Meanwhile the regatta has taken place, and a general assembly of all the party to con- gratulate VALERIE, the unexpected winner of the race, affords at last an opportunity for the Count to denounce Bitty, which he is not slow to embrace. Bitty tries to defend himself and promises an explana- tion, but sentiment is against him and the scene closes with a display of bravado from Bitty and a feeling of distrust on the part of his new ac- quaintances, not to mention the downright sorrow freely expressed by VALERIE. ve | ACT II Ne Bitty’s affairs, however, are not permitted to disturb the plans that have been made for entertaining Caprain Dasuer and the other v> guests. A Vaudeville has been arranged for the evening and under the Bes direction of Evans, is carried through with success. Mean- while, VALERIE, who has apparently reflected on Briiuy’s predicament ~ ead decided that the matter cannot be so serious as it has been rep- “. resented, shows a tendency to put more faith in him than the others do © and even goes so far as tc disguise herself as a Spanish senorita with ": the idea of having some harmless amusement with Bitty. She deceives 2 her friends by the disguise, but Bitty detects her at once and they come “to an understanding by which he is to be fully restored to favorif he ©-will explain the mystery of Anita. This he promises to do and after various encounters with Mrs. Gaity, Dawson and others, all curious . Yto know his secret which, to tell the truth, he has somewhat maliciously Swithheld, he finally produces Anita, who immediately explains herself Sand i is turned over to the Count in order to insure cordial feeling by all concerned. Bi.ty is forgiven and all ends well, as usual. M 5384 THE MAID AND THE MIDDY CHARACTERS BILLY The Middy; Attached to The ‘‘DREapNAUGHT.”’ DAWSON A Retired Farmer. THE COUNT A Spanish Gentleman. EVANS Master of Ceremonies; Lakeville Boat Club. FT TZ, Of the House Committee; Lakeville Boat Club. CAPTAIN DASHER In Command of The ““DREADNAUGHT.’’ BOUNDER Of the Lakeville Boat Club; Champion Oarsman. ~-YOUNG SLIMSON Also of the L. B. C. ‘“The Great Unknown.”’ ATTENDANT OPlmBe | VALERIE VANE The Maid. MRS. GAILY An Attractive Widow. ALICE MAUD Friends of VALERIE. PHILLIS ANITA The Mysterious Cause of the Trouble. Maids; Middies; Young Men; Children of the Snow; Liberty Battalion, etc. SCENES : 7. On hee B Grounds of the Lakeville Boat Club. ACT IL. Interior of the Club House. Time of Performance, one hour and a half. THE MAID AND THE MIDDY ACT al ScENE: Grounds of the Lakeville Boat Club. A wooded exterior, show- ing an entrance to a Club house at Right. At Rise oF CurTAIN, a group of Gurls are seen, headed by Auice, Maup and Puituts. During the opening chorus, Young Men enter as 1ndicated in the vocal score. No. 1. ENSEMBLE: Ofan Afternoon in the Month of June. (GirRLS AND Younc Men.) GIRLS. Of an afternoon In the month of June, *Tis agreeable to engage In aquatic sport At a club resort Under suitable patronage. For the atmosphere And surroundings here, Though properly orthodox, Give us just the chance Our charms to enhance With our very becomingest frocks. ALICE. But an afternoon In the month of June, No matter how fair it be, Is a wasted day When our frocks are gay If there’s nobody here to see! | (The Young Men enter.) MEN. "Tis a pleasure rare, As we all declare, Leaving ev’rydayjcares behind, In the sylvan grove, As we idly rove, Such agreeable girls to find. 3 This is just the place © For a beating race, ~ And the sky above is blue; We’re on pleasure bent, So, with your consent, We will spend the day with you. (They join the girls.) ALL. Of an afternoon In the month of June, "Tis agreeable to engage In aquatic sport At a club resort Under suitable patronage. For the atmosphere And surroundings here, Though properly orthodox, Give us (you) just the chance Our (your) charms to enhance With our (your) very becomingest frocks. (A dance follows, at the conclusion of which the chorus 1s grouped at the centre for the purpose of concealing BoUNDER, who has entered unseen toward the close of the dance.) : Auice. What a beautiful day for the regatta! I wonder who is going to row? ) (The crowd separates, disclosing BouNpDER. He 1s attired in boating costume, jersey, etc., and should be made up to represent an exaggerated type of oarsman, enormous chest and biceps, the front of his jersey covered with medals.) Bounper. J am! (Sensation.) Autce. Of course, Mr. Bounder, we know you are going to row, and — ah — naturally, win. BounpER (taking a pose). 'That’s the idea! Maup. But who rows against you? BounDER (scornfully, taking another pose). I don’t know. What difference does that make? Puiturs. Of course; you’ll win anyway. BounpER (complacently). 'That’s the idea! Auice (to the others). Isn’t he great! 4 Omnes. Great! Bounver. That’s the idea! (He 1s delighted and takes a series of poses caluclated to display muscular development. The Girls crowd round him, while he preserves a haughty reserve. The Young Men, left to themselves, show signs of annoyance and group themselves up stage at R.) Autcr. They call your competitor “The Great THO BounpbER (loftily). Very likely. Mavup. And you’re not afraid? Bounpver. Afraid! Hah! Puituis. Isn’t he grand! Omnes. Grand! Bounver. That’s the i— (Furious barking of a dog is heard, off stage. All start.) Voice (of). Here! Stop that! Stop that! (The barking is renewed; YOUNG SLIMSON appears at entrance R., back- ing on to the stage. He has an oar in his hands with which he 1s apparently defending himself against attack of a dog off stage. Hes a thin young man, dressed 1n a boating costume designed to accentuate his thinness. He wears large horn-rimmed spectacles and 1s a com- plete contrast, physically,to BOUNDER. As he gets on to the scene the dog 1s heard GEN SLIMSON takes a tragic pose supported by the oar.) Stimson (despondently). The dogs bark at me! Autce. Why, it’s young Mr. Slimson. Stimson (posing). Otherwise known as “The Great Unknown!’ BounpEr. Hah! (The Young Men crowd round Summson and take him up stage at R. The Girls surround BounDER at L. Enter Firz followed by Evans.) Fitz (expostulating). Don’t hurry me so! Evans. You’ve got to hustle. Those naval officers are coming to lunch — Grrus (in unison). Naval officers! (They abruptly leave BOUNDER and surround Evans at L.) Younc Men. Lunch! (They leave Stimson and come down to Fitz at R. BouNnpER and SLIM- son deserted, stand posing at R. and L. AMA da very much SUT— prised.) 5 Evans. The Captain and Middies of the “Dreadnaught” are coming to lunch today. I invited them. ‘Giris. How lovely! Fitz. And I’ve got to feed them! Grrts. Of course! BounDER (impressively from his position at L.) I hope it is under- stood that I am champion sculler of the Lakeville Boat Club. (The girls glance indifferently in his direction, then turn to Evans). Autce. How many officers did you say? SLIMSON (Zrying to attract attention). And I am “The Great Unknown.” MEN (disregarding Suimson). What was that you said about lunch? (The Girls and Men crowd round Evans and Fitz, one group at each side of stage, leaving the centre clear. BouNDER and SLIMSON start as though insulted, look at each other and then advance down the stage at centre.) BounpDER (to Suimson). They’ve shaken us! Stimson. We’re shook! Bounper. Shake! (They clasp hands and exeunt, arm in arm. The others watch their de- parture with amusement.) Auce (imitating BouNDER). That’s the idea! (All laugh.) Evans. It’s a great day! Besides the naval’ men, there’ll be Mr. Dawson— Maup. The rich farmer! Evans. And Valerie Vane. Maup. The rich heiress! Firz. And Mrs. Gaily! Girts. Oh! Yes! Fritz (with emotion). The charming widow! Omness (all shaking fingers at him). Ah, Fitzie! (He affects confusion. The report of a cannon 1s heard.) Evans (excited). The Captain is coming! That’s his salute. AutceE. One gun? I thought a Captain was entitled to a Jot of guns. Evans. He is; but we’ve got only one. (Introduction to next song begins, during which the Mippiks enter, fol- lowed by DasHER.) 6 No. 2. SONG AND CHORUS: A Gay Sea Dog. (DasHER AND CHORUS.) DASHER. I’m a sailor free As ycu plainly see, And I plough the raging main; I am bluff and gruff ' And inclined to be rough, And perhaps I give you pain. But I’m harmless, quite, For my heart is right, And I never would hurt a fly, But when [I’m on land, I’m in great demand, Observe and, I’ll tell you why: Refrain DasHER. I’m a gay sea dog! CHORUS. He’s a gay sea dog! DasHER. Wherever I go I raise a breeze, Whatever I do, I’m sure to please; I’m a gay sea dog! CHORUs. He’s a gay sea dog! DasHER. And when he’s ashore, They all adore A sailor! CHORUS. He’s a gay sea dog! DasHER. I’m a gay sea dog! CHORUS. Wherever he goes, he’ll raise a breeze, Whatever he does, he’s sure to please; He’s a gay sea dog! 7 DASHER. Such a gay sea dog! CHORUS. When he’s ashore We all adore A sailor! Lie DasHER. On the foreign shore Where I’ve been before, There’s a welcome waits for me; For whate’er the name, They are ever the same To the lads that sail the sea. Tho’ I may be bluff, And my manner gruff, I can never be caught asleep, I’m down in the log As a gay sea dog, And the title I mean to keep! (The refrain is repeated as before, followed by a dance. DasHER is a languid gentleman, in notable contrast to the character he ascribes to himself in his song, and as soon as the dance is over he assumes a bored demeanor.) Evans. Delighted to see you, Captain. (The Middies pair off with the Girls, who leave the Young Men without ceremony in favor of the uniform.) DasHer. Aw—thanks. (He looks about as though 1n search of someone.) I understood—aw—that Miss Vane was to be here. ALICE (coming forward). She’ll be here presently. Meanwhile, can’t we amuse you! We know lots of games. DasHER (languidly). Aw—thanks; I don’t play games. Fitz. We’ve arranged a boat-race for you, Captain; and a vaudeville for this evening. DasHerR. Aw—capital. (To Attics.) Shall we—aw—stroll? (He and Auitce move up stage together.) Fitz (anxiously, looking at his watch). Mrs. Gaily hasn’t come yeu Maup. She’s driving over in her car. . Auto horn (of). Toot! Toot! Maup. That’s Mrs. Gaily! Auto horn (off). Toot! Toot! Mrs. Gatty (off). All right, James. Put up the car and get your lunch. Auto horn (off). Toot! Toot! (Mrs. Gaity enters very breezily. She is a vivacious lady, youthful, with a smile and pleasant word for everybody, and talks easily.) Mrs. Gatty (to Evans). Howdy, Commodore! Came over in seven minutes. (Sees DasHEer.) Dearme, Captain Dasuer! (She shakes her finger at him.). Naughty man! To leave me at the garden party yesterday—stuck with Mr. Fitz— (She sees Frrz for the first time)— Ah, Mr. Firz! I didn’t see you. I was just saying how struck | was with you at the garden party. (Fans herself.) Dear me! Isn’t it warm! DasHER. Aw—seasonable—seasonable. Mrs. Gaity. Exactly; seasonable. And the nicest season of all— summer, what? DasHER. Well, I don’t know— Mrs. Gaity. Oh, yes you do. Summer—beautiful summer! I wish it were summer the whole year round! DasHER. But why? Mrs. Gaity (confidentially). Well, to tell the honest truth, Captain, I can’t do a thing with my hair in the winter! No. 3. SONG: Summer. (Mrs. GaiLy AND CHORUS.) Mrs. GaILy. There are seasons four that make the total of the year, And ev’ry season seems the best of seasons while it’s here; The poets sing of springtime and of winter and of fall, But the sweetest songs are those about the summer, best of all! Refrain. Mrs. GaILy. Life is fair in the May-time And lovely is the June; And that is true Of the autumn, too, When shines the harvest-moon. Old winter is a play-time, With sleigh-bell’s merry din, But hearts are light When summer bright Comes gaily tripping in! (The Chorus repeat refrain.) 9 Il. Mrs. Galty. April show’rs are very nice, but also very wet; The autumn chestnut in its burr, is difficult to get; A sleigh-ride, when it’s ten below, is rather doubtful bliss, But what could be completer than a summer day like this? (The refrain is repeated by Mrs. Gatty and chorus and all exeunt. Then follows the “Dance of the Summer Hours,” at the conclusion of which the dancers exeunt. Laughter and chattering are heard and the girls re-enter, escorting VALERIE. The latter 1s in boating-costume, sailor collar, etc.) VALERIE. Am I late? Avice. Not too late—the Middies are still here. VALERIE. The Middies? Maup. Middies—in uniform—lovely! VALERIE. A uniform has no charms for me. Mavup. But you haven’t seen these uniforms. Puituis. There’s a Captain, too. VateriE. Oh, I know him. (Imitates DasuEer.) Aw—really—yes, indeed. Where are these Middies? | | Autce. They’re looking for Billy. VALERIE. Whois Billy? Auice. He’s one of the Middies—and he’s lost. VaLEriE. Lost! Dear me, I didn’t suppose you could lose a Middie. Maup. We didn’t lose him—they lost him. | Vaterte. Well, let them find him, then; J’m not going to. ALIcE (pointing off). See! They’re starting the races! ALL THE Giris.