Palisadian. [volume] (Cliffside Park, N.J.) 1906-current, 1918-12-28
Continued from last weeks Issue Of
the Palisadian.)
ACT THREE.
TlME-Late in November, 1918.

ACT THREE.
TiME-Late in November, 1918.
The scene is the same. At the win
dow is small wooden platform about
two or three feet high, with an incline
leading up to same.
Curtain RISES Marx is seen at the
Mother is in the wheel chair watching
him. There is an old picture on the
wall and some additional furniture,
much the worse for wear.
Marx driving in the last naiD--
There-one, two, three. The platform
is finished. Just in time. (Picks up
cane, hobbies to Mother, with hammer
in handy had hard time finding 4
hammer and nails, let me tell you. I
think it will be strong enough.
Mother-You dear, dear friend.
Marx-Tut-tut! l made up my mind
that / was going to have you see King
Albert return even if / had to tear
down that whole wall
Mother-That might have been easier
Marx-Is that all the thanks / get
for using my brains and thinking up
the idea of building that platform? =
Mother-All the thanks? (Takes mis-
hand; kisses it passionately.)
Marx-Here, here, none of that! Do
you want me to catch cold? (Rubs
hand on trOusers) / tried to get a
flag for you to wave, Marie, but there
aren't any to be had. The people that
have them want them for themselves.
They had the flags hidden during all
these years.
Mother-Marx!
Marx-Yes?
Mother-I, too.
Marx-What?
MOther-Take your hammer and pry
off the board under this chair. (AIarx
is puzzled.) Stupid Don't you under
stand?
Marx is in doubt, but finally gets on
his knees and prizes off board nailed
under seat of the wheel chair. A Bel
gian flag drops out, very dusty.)
Marx-(Picks it up reverently,
shakes it, holds it up to Mother)-Is it
the same-the one you-(His voice is
chOked)
Mother-Yes, the same one tried to
wave when the King left us four years
ago. Little Marie hid it under there
that same day.
Marx-The same dear flag. The
same-(Wipes his tears with it). Well,
are you ready?
Mother-Ready. MARX puts flag in
Mothers hands. Then grasps back of
chair and wheels it abOut.)
Marx (happily, childishly) = All
aboard--train is going. Toot-tOOt!
Initiates train and wheels Mother up
the platform with rush, Well, here
we are. What do you see?
(MOther is too filled with joy to
speak. She turns after long pause.)
Mother-There is a piece of paper
in the street.
Marx (disappointed)-G heavens
After all these years all you see is a
piece Of paper in the street.
MOther--That is because / see more
than you do.
Marx-Riddles Always riddles.
Look at the shops.
Mother-I saw them. All wide open.
The windows filled with empty boxes
and bottles.
Marx-Of course. empty. That is all
they had to put in.
MOther-Yes. / know.
Marx-When the last of the Ger
mans left yesterday morning they had
looted and pillaged everything lOOtable
and pillageable. All the food, all cat
tie. Even supplies sent to us by the
American relief
Mother-Yes. do not know what l
would have done these last few days
but for you. Where did you get the
food?
Marx-Eh? Don't ask questions
ut is plainly evident that he went
without food himself to feed herr
MOther-But where did you?
Marx-From the bottom of the WELL
Mother-You gave me what was
meant for you?
Marx--NOnsense Nonsense. / had
it hidden.
Mother-Marx! Marx!
Marx-Stop it. Do you want to
greet the King with tears? There will
soon be plenty of food again Why,
only last night big load of stuff came
in. Trucks and trucks of food--in ad-
vance of the King. They are prepar-
ing a big feast for him at the town
hail. Ducks, and geese and gravy, po-
tatoes, pastry, cake, wine, sugar,
candy
Nathan nnnsff nopstf