News and citizen. [volume] (Morrisville, Vt. ;) 1881-current, 1906-01-31
A Tecrapirl
Stew
BY Lynn Roby MeekinS
Copyright, 1908, by Lynn Roby Meekins
gN - John Passmore,
a young husband; Lydia Pass
a more, his wife; Margaret Har-
@D rod, Archibald Lonsdale.

Costumes-Now.
(Mr. Passmore sits at front of din
ing table at front center of stage read
ing the evening paper. In smoking
jacket and slippers he is settling down
Tor the evening. An unlighted cigar
and box of matches are upon the ia
bic. lie turns up the wick for better
light and takes the cigar, cuts off the
end and strikes a match. Mrs. Pass
more enters furriedly)
Mrs. Passmore-Ive a fine surprise
FOR you, and really you must enjoy it
whether you want to or not Now
please let the cigar and paper go for
one little minute. You are so selfish
about such things! | honestly believe
you think more of them than you do of
your wife. Just one little minute!
Passmores match burns down, and he
throws it into the ash receiver.) I'm
glad it's gone out If you smoke so
much you will ruin your nerves. The
doctor said so. (She removes the smok-
ing set to the sideboard, and he looks
around uncomfortablyD And | express
ly do not want the room filed with
smoke tonight. Anyhow, don't smoke
until tell you. (She removes the lamp)
And don't read. That old paper always
makes you sleepy. Gle sinks in the
chair and holds the paper so as to
catch the light from the lamp on the
sideboard) Now, if you will be good
and not interrupt me l will be gener-
Gus and let you into the secret. Oh, of
course you are dying to know! You
Ironically look SO interested. Well, in
the first place, the servants have all
gone out to a dance or a party or
something or another, and we are
alone. And Uncle William today sent
us some terrapin all ready for the chat
$ng dish. Isn't he a dear old man? (She
pushes the small table to one side)
And you know Margaret Harrod goes
aome tomorrow, and | have invited her
to help enjoy our little feast and of
course we had to have another man,
and so l asked Archie Lonsdale. And
If you hear the bell you must answer it
and make yourself useful and-if you
can-agreeable Now I'm going out to
get the things ready, and you roll the
mig table right here in the center Of the
room and receive the visitors. Show
archie in the parlor and send Margaret
upstairs. (EXit)
Passmore yawns, stretches himself
and arises. He pushes the table as
directed and then goes to the side
Board where he takes another match
aud is about to light the cigar when
MRS. PassmOre rushes in. The burn
ing match falls from his fingers.)
Mrs. Passmore Throwing a cloth
aver the table)-Make yourself useful
now, dear. Pull it even on that side
Gle gets it crooked) Oh, that won't
dc at all. Oh, can't you do it right?
Well anyhow, it's not my fault. These
men! These men! Order may have
Been heavens first law, but it was
not enforced until Eve arrived CExit.) !
Passmore moves again to the side
BOARD and lights another match. He is
Ghout to apply it to the end Of the
esgar when the bell rings. He throws
It down and slowly leaves the room
by the rear @oOr.)
Mrs. Passmore (entering)-Oh, dear,
IF all the evenings that they should
come! Those Westons always drop in
wien they're not wanted. And some
Body must entertain them. (She opens
che rear door and listens) And the
Eazletons What in the world do they
KANT? Dell rings.) There it goes
again. Oh, that is Margaret pass
more enters.) John, dear. go right !
hack and see those people, and if |
Archie comes send him right out here. |
Smuggle him through the hall without |
BETTING them see him. Passmore EXIT |
Miss Harrod enters at right door, |
Margaret-Good evening. lydia. Mr.. !
nassmore told me to come in, and / |
same.
Mrs. Passmore-So glad to see you. |
GThey embrace) l wanted a nice quiet |
evening all to ourselves, and I've sac
rdced John to the people we did not |
expect.
Margaret - What lovely chatting !
Ifshesl
asrs. PaSsmore-Bridal presents, and |
ne first time they've been used and /
nj course you know everything, and you
2here it goes again. | wonder who it |
q this time? Make yourself at home, |
Scar, and I'll go out and listen. EXIT !
: Margaret smooths a wrinkle out Of |
hhe tablecloth and examines the dishes.
As she does so Archibald Lonsdale !
barsts in from rear)
Archibald-GOod evening. Passmore
told me to come right up and not to
lsOS in the parlor under penalty of
aeath. What's it all about? What's the
game?
Margaret turning and facing Archi-
Aald)-GOod evening, Mr.. Lonsdale.
4rchibald-Good evening, Miss Har-
rOi. Doth bow frigidly and turn and
szamine the pictures on opposite walls.)
Passmore comes in very gently and
reaehes for the matchbox, but the bell
again rings, and he sOlemnly retreats)
Mrs. Passmore (entering)-Oh, you're
nere, are you? CTo Archie.) Well,
hope you're trying to be pleasant. We
want one pleasant man in the house to-