Drawing Room. Looking to the North. (7.15 p.m.) In the Absence of the Family.

ACT II.—Same. Looking to the South. In the Presence of the Family.

ACT III.—Same. Looking to West. Afternoon of the Same Day.

Time.—Present. Location.—London.

NIOBE, ALL SMILES

ACT I.

Scene.—Dunn’s drawing-room. At the L. of front corner, a large bay window on to the street; L. C. an arched opening with portiere to stairs and entrance hall; R. door to dining-room. On the R. of entrance a four-fold screen like a box case, surrounding Statue of Niobe, in which is a Vampire opening at back. An opening also in Flat behind screen. One fold of screen opens to L. of stage towards centre opening. Two folds open to R. Small castors on the bottom of opening folds. Piano R. below door; couch in front of it; table L. C.; chairs R. and L. of it; piano stool, foot stool, chairs, etc.

At rise of curtain, Hattie R. at piano; Helen standing C., beating time to Hattie’s playing “The Maiden’s Prayer” for opening of act; Carrie seated L. of table L. C.; Beatrice seated R. of table, discovered examining album, sketches, etc.; after curtain is up, Mary enters from R. with three small cups and saucers on tray; Helen up C., takes one, drinks, Mary offers other cups to Carrie and Beatrice; Carrie offers one to Beatrice.

Bea. (with album) Who in the name of goodness is that dreadful looking guy?

Car. That is Mr. Dunn when he was a boy.

Bea. Your husband! oh!

Mary after offering coffee to Beatrice passes front of table to L., giving coffee to Carrie.

Car. Are you quite sure you won’t take coffee?

Bea. Quite sure!

After this Mary going up L. to exit C.

Hel. (up C., sternly) Mary, the fire!

Mary goes to fireplace L., puts tray on chair; Mary poking the fire—Helen eyes Mary severely.

Hat. (at piano R., finishes playing) Oh, Helen! That’s twice this evening I’ve played the “Maiden’s Prayer.”

Hel. (up C.; turning to Hattie fiercely) You will play the “Maiden’s Prayer” twice morning and evening until you are perfect.

Helen turns from Hattie and drinks coffee.

Hat. (impertinently) Ugh! I’d like to catch you saying your maiden prayers twice morning and evening.

Hattie turns—resumes playing.

Mary. (advancing C. to Helen, tray in hand) What time shall I order the carriage round?

Hel. Seven fifty.

Helen returns cup to Mary—Mary exits C. and R. at back.

We shall be at the Theatre then before the Curtain goes up.

Helen advances R. C., severely watches Hattie play—with glasses on.

Hat. Well, you oughtn’t to do it. You’ll lose caste if you get to your seats without disturbing the performance.

Hattie playing softly while she talks.

Hel. (advancing to Beatrice, L. C.) Beatrice, you are well posted on Theatrical matters; is the play we are going to see to-night strictly proper?

Bea. I know nothing to the contrary. (closing album.)

Hattie plays ff.

Hel. (very angrily) Hattie! Take your foot off the loud pedal; we can’t hear ourselves speaking.

Hattie shuts up piano petulantly; pouting as sits on couch, back to audience.

Car. (rising) I was sorry Mr. Sillocks couldn’t come to dinner.

Carrie goes to window down L., looks out.

Bea. Papa regretted it very much, but he is sure to be here to escort us. (crosses R. to couch and sits.)

Car. I’m glad of that, because Corney is never satisfactory as a Chaperon.

Bea. Oh, Carrie, I’m sure Corney is most attentive.

Hel. (L. C.) If you were his sister, you would not think so. He neglects us shamefully.

Hat. (R.) Quite right, too! It’s a pity if a fellow can’t stick to the girl he’s spooning. (sitting R. and laughingly hugging Bea.)

Hel. Hattie! You are a very slangy child. Such terms are most improper.

Hat. Corney uses them, and I don’t know any better way of saying it. (crosses to C.)

Hel. Could you not say adhere to the lady he’s engaged to?

Hattie crosses back to sofa.

Bea. We can hardly consider ourselves engaged, while Corney is, so to speak, on trial. If Papa approves of him, of course we shall be married.

Bus.; Hattie and Beatrice quietly congratulate each other.

Hel. I’m sorry I cannot live with you and manage the household, but Carrie could not get along without me. She has no talent for management and Peter is too engrossed with outside business.

Hat. (laughingly) If