The Connecticut labor press., 1920-06-26
CHAPTER V.
Alice.

wanted to be alone and struck of for wood that lay on the northern end of the estate. This was the most picturesque spot on the property, 8 wild confusion of trees and boulders On summit in the midst of 1t Uncle
 Bash had built platform round a
 majestic pine from which to view the Sound. mounted the ladder and was brushing the dead leaves from the bench when, somewhere below me and farther on, heard voices. !, "Try 1t from that boulder there. Alice," said Mrs. Farnsworth. "It's
 an ideal place, created for the very purpose"
 could see them moving about and
 hear the swish of shrubbery and the
 scraping of their feet on the rough slope.
 How will that do?" asked Alice. Beautifully" replied Mrs. Farms worth. "Now go ahead from the be ginning of the scene
 Cautiously drawing back the branches, I espied Alice striking a pose on asmammoth a. rock. She bent forward, clasping her knees. and with an occasional glance at what appeared to be an open book beside her. she began:
 You ask me who I am, my lord It matters not at all who or what I am; let it suffice that berries are my food and the brook that sings behind me gives me drink To be one thing or another is weariness. Would you ask yonder oak for name, or trouble the wind with like foolish questions? No; it is enough that a tree is strong and fine to look upon and that a wind has healing in its wings"
 With her head to one side and an arresting gesture, and throwing into her voice all it's charm and a new compelling innocence and sweetness. she continued:
 "But you would have name? Then, you: Yesterday was Helen, who launched a thousand ships and shook the topless towers of Hum. Today I am Rosalind in the forest of Arden, and tomorrow may be Antigone, or Ariel or Viola. or what you will I am what I make myself or choose TO be. I pray you. let that suffice
 My face was wet with precipitation, and my heart thumped wildly. For either T. was stark, staring mad, or these were lines from Searles' Lady Larkspur," the manuscript of which was carefully locked in my trunk.
 .aThat should be spoken trifle more slowly, and with the best air of unpremeditatedness you can put into it, Mrs. Farnsworth was saying. You can work it out better when you've mcmorlzed the lines. It's im- mensely effective having the last scene come back to the big boulder on the mountainside Let me look at that minute"
 She took up the manuscript-there my copy of Lady Larkspur''-and turned to the passage she sought
 'Let me read this over." Mrs. Farnsworth continued: "T have played. my lord, at hide-and-seek with the stars, and have rsln races with the brooks. You alone of all that have sought me are equally fleet of foot and heart! If you but touch my hand, I am lost forever. And this hand I beg you look at it-is as brown as a berry and as rough as hickory bark. A wild little hand and not lightly to be yielded at any mans behest. Look at me carefully, my lord.' She rises to full height quickly. Let me see you do that. Alice"
 Alice's golden head became more distinctively visible as she stood erect upon the boulder.
 "Oh, no! You can improve on that; it must be done lightly and quickly. just touching the tips of your fingers to the rock. An, splendid! Now stand with one hand dropped upon the hip-let me see how that looks. Very good; now repeat these lines after me. This other world. of which you speakY Shake your head slowly, frowning; every hint of sincere doubt and questioning you can throw into look and gesture. Is 1t kind world, a place of honest hearts? You have spoken of cities, and crowded avenues, of music and theaters and many things have read of but never seen. You promise me much, but what should do in so vast company? I am very happy here. Spring and summer fill my hands with flowers and in winter lay my face to the wind that carries sleet and snow. All this is mine' Arms stretched out. You mustn't make that stiff-very good. Earth