The Mason County journal. [volume] (Shelton, W.T.) 1886-1927, 1898-09-23
AGAIN.
BY BULKELEY CRESWELL.

Characters: Maj. Blower, aged eighty
seven, Blue Artillery; Miss De Trafforl
Mutton, aged thirty-two, thirteen sea-
sons out ("twenty-four last birthday');
Mamma, her mother; Philips, a parlor-
maid.
Scene: Drawing-rOom in important garri-
son town. Sofa at back, chain and tripod
work-basket with worked silken cover;
fire, with glass over-mantel. Tea-table
in front of sofa. Basket-chairs with
bows on them, photographs, draped film
sy on picture frames. PrOprietOrs: Scent
bottle, two Bladder Sleeves. one Yellow
French Novel with picture on back; tea
things with sugar, book, etc.
Miss De Il. Mutton and Bladder Sleeves
discovered reclining on sofa, reading
yellow French Novel with picture on
back. Philips entering with tea-things.)
Miss De T. Mutton-I am not at home
to anyone but Maj. Blower; you under
stand, Philips?
Philip-Yes, miss, I understand
(EXit.)
Miss De T. Mutton (puts down novel
on sofa and ruminates)-Yes, I'm sure
he will come. I've managed mamma
nicely. He asked so pointedly. He was
so very But why me instead of
mamma? Surely he can't think-no,
he cannot think that take care of my
self! It's years since went anywhere
without a chaperon. The Us not
quite satisfied; gets up and goes to
glass and preens and plumes herself,
fuses out skirt, plucks at bladder
sleeves; presses down fat curl in middle
of forehead; smooths over bodice;
notices she is looking anxious; looks
pretty into glass; frowns for contrast;
looks pretty again; says in dumb show:
Yes, isn't it? Then again little more:
Yes, isn't it? Notices one cheek has
wider surface of red than the other;
thinks: ut is my cheek towards the
fret does not matter" Realizes that
it is the cheek away from the fire; adj
iusts with handkerchief; begins to try
and see her back; fancies she hears
some one and stops; tries to see it again;
thinks she is looking dull; goes to table,
drops eau-de-Cologne from scent bot
tie on lump of sugar, eats it; prepares
another. Loud knocking below. Drops
sugar and runs to window; peeps eau
tiously round blind; runs back to sofa.
Notices yellow French novel with
picture on back, thrusts it under cover
of work-basket;runs for Waverley novel
from bookcase, gets back on sofa with
smart dress, bladder sleeves, slippers,
ankles, white flounce underskirt, etc.)
enter Philips.)
Philips-Maj. Blower. Enter Mai.
Blewzer.)
Maj. Blower (awkwardly)-Ah-
how-dy-do, Miss De Trafford? (They
shake hands.) hardly hoped to find
you at home on such a lovely afternoon.
Pm
Miss De T. Mutton-Yes, isn't it?
Maj. Blowzer-'Fraid I'm disturbing
your reading. Waverley, see. Wishes
he had never come begging)
Miss De T. Mutton-Yes, delight in
Waverly, don't you? 1t is my pet of all
Sir Walters. I'm never tired of read
ing it. (Sits sofa L.
Maj. Blowzer-Yes, very much. yes:
we used to do it at school. (Takes up
book and sits uneasily.) All, this, yes,
l see-Quentin Durward.
Miss De I. Mutton-That? o, yes:
yes, that. But won't you put down your
hat, Maj. Blower?
Maj. Blowzer-Thanks, yes. thanks.
Tries to seem as if the idea was new to
him. Decides he will never go begging
for bazars again.)
Miss De T. Mutton-Won't YOU have
some tea, Maj. Blower?
Maj. Blowzer-O, thanks very much,
yes, thanks.
Miss De I. Mutton-Sugar?
Maj. Blowzer-Please, yes, thanks,
yes, thank you. (Realizes he must be-
gin.) hope, Miss de Trafford, you
have recovered from the fatigues Of last
night; you look very fresh, if I may say
so.
Miss De T.. Mutton (fears she has
overdone ito! wasn't it delightful;
and that last waltz with you, Mai.
Blower! looks at him, accidentally
drops lump of sugar, reaches over sugar
basin for it, picks up lump charged
with eau-de-cologne, puts it into tea,
hands him cup.)
Maj. Blowzer-O, thanks! Yes. I re-
member; you were telling me all about
bazar you were helping with; awful
~ good of yon, don't you know, think.
(Smells tea; tries to sniff at it without
being noticed; tastes cautiously
Miss De t. Mutton remembers she
had on black satin and Philanthropy
the night before; does graceful laugh
of three syllables)-O, no! I'm quite in
love with bazars; have 1 given you
enough sugar, Maj. Blower?
Maj. Blower Quite, thanks. YES.
Coughs slightly; remembers to have
heard of scented tea," hopes he will
never meet with it again. Looks about
for exc'ls" = set down cup.) Now, well,
N an =