The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1888-09-10
IN THE HAMMOCK.
A Little Comedy on the Lawn in the
Dark of the Moon.
From Puck


A Little Comedy on the Lawn in the
Dark of the Moon.
From Puck.
Dramatis Persona. -Harry-Sibyl.
Dramatis Res-The Hammock The
scarlet garden chairs. A paper-bound
novel The moon. A dense and opaque
cloud.
(Sibyl's lawn, a little after sunset. Slbyl,
occupying the hammock, hstlessly turns
over paper-bound novel.)
Sibyl alternately reading and soliloquiz-
ing)-"Lady Annerly prays no more, but
strikes, and mingling with the awful rattle
and tattoo of the crashing reports, come
groans and oaths and shrieks of agony"
(Yawns) Oh, what a stupid storyl It's
nearly now. He'll certainly come this
evening "'No,' she mutters dismally; Pm
not used to killing people," l don't see
what keeps him. runs over various pages
of the novel) Lady Annerly desperately
throws out the burning lamp-setting him
on fire-jabbering cries-exploding shells
corpses-ner beautiful face black with pow
der-bang, crack,-Errol falls bleeding"
Oh, pshaw! This book is too tame for any
thing! It's his usual evening to call, but if
he doesn't choose to come, don't care
singse-oh goodness, there he is becomes
absorbed in reading.)
Enter Harry, rose in his button hole, a
smile on his lip, anxiety and perspiration on
his brow.)
Harry (out of BREATH was saunter-
ing by, | thought I'd drop in.
Sibyl docking up rather sarcastically)-
That's very kind of you.
Harry (perceiving his mistake)-I mean,
| know I'm late;' but hurried all could,
you know.
Sibvl defended by the assumption that
she was expecting him)-Late4 Hurried?
I'm sure l know of no reason why you
should hurry, or why you could possibly be
late Do youl
Harry covers his confusion by attempt
ing to swing the hammock)
Sibyl-Please don't do that. | hate to be
swung.
Fooled in this attempt, Harry looks
yearningly at the hammock. but is forced
to take one of the two scarlet garden chairsl
Harry for the sake OF saying something
You seemed much interested in your book
when came
Sibyl-Oh indeed l was The most fas
cinatingly dreadful thingl I'm perfectly
enthraled by it
Harry-rm afraid interrupted you
Sibyi-Oh, mol All the Arabs had just
been killed off, and they were waiting for
fresh supply.
given various evidences of uLeasiness.
Whereupon-)
Sibyl-What troubles you!
Harry-This chair.
Sibyl-Isn't it comfortable?
Harry-(mendacious
Sibyl-Perhaps, then, you might pre-
fer
Harry-full of joyous anticipation)-oh,
| should, indeed.
SibyI very sweetly)-The other one.
First complete failure. Harry changes
chairs, but soon appears more restless than
before).
Harry-haarding a bold stroke)--I
really don't think this chair is so easy as
the first one.
Sibyl-Oh, if that is the case, I think you
Harry-rising eagerly)-You're very
Sibyl-(still very sweetIy)-Change back!
Second complete failure. Harry edges
up to the hammock)
Sibyl-jwith much decision)-Won't you
please sit little farther away! l haven't
room to swing
Harry thought you said you hated
swinging.
Sibyl-I said hated to be swung. Swing
ing myself is quite different thing.
7Harry sinks into sulky silence. 1t is
now nearly dark, whereupon--)
Sibyl lin a radically different tone of
voice)-Oh, by the way
Harry (sourly)--Well?
SibyI-Is lido you feel-didn't you say
lust now that-that-Your chair isn't COM
Portable, is itl
Harry (sullenly)-Yes, very. I'm per-
fectly suited With it.
Sibyl (piqued)-Oh, excuse me! didn't
know but that what you might like
Harry compromising too late-On sec
81 "A .-,.1 al, H.
Sbyl with lofty scorn)-There are
great many things that aren't so nice as
they might DO.
while Harry ponders upon this remark,
enter above, the moon which proceeds to
'.silver all the landscape DER" and to do
everything else generally expected of sum-
mer evening moons)
Harry-Isn't that a magnificent moons
Sibyl (calmly)-Yes; but very much like
the last one, don't you think!
Renewed and intensified s1llks on Harry's
part, which bring about the following re-
sutD
Sibyl lin a cooling, deprecatory voice.
Oh, dear mel
Harry (grufly)-What is tl
hammock has folded over so that I've moth
ing TO lean against Would you mind
strengthening it outg
performing this operation brings Harry's
face very near Sibyrs. They look at each
other.)
Sibyl (replying to nothing, apparently
Yes There is plenty Of room.
another silence, but of very different
quality from preceding ones.)
sSibyl again answering without
auestion)-You might rest it on tho back
tney must be dreadfully cramped, folded as
you have them
Persiste t hush, broken at last by a rus
tie and soft scream.)
Sibyl Dangling nervously) really
was nothing to support it up there lMorc
ouiet)