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قراءة كتاب Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The Moth and the Flame
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Representative Plays by American Dramatists: 1856-1911: The Moth and the Flame
Guests, Bridesmaids, Choristers, Servants and others.
ACT I.
Scene. The First Act takes place in the Wolton's house during a large fancy ball. All the guests are in children's costumes—that being insisted upon in the invitations. The stage represents a reception-room; the end of a conservatory, or ball-room, being seen through a large archway. In the upper right hand corner of the stage is a small stage built with curtains and foot-lights, for an amateur vaudeville performance, which is taking place.
At rise of curtain the room is filled with guests in costume, on chairs before improvised stage, and the curtain of stage is just falling, as one of the Lady Guests—who, dressed (and blacked) as a small Darky Girl, has been singing a popular negro ballad ("Warmest Baby.") The mimic curtain rises again, owing to the applause of the mimic audience. The chorus of song is repeated and the curtain again falls to applause. There is a general movement among guests—with laughter and conversation.
Discovered. Marion Wolton, dressed in Empire Child's gown, is sitting in one of the third row of chairs next the foot-lights. Up to now her back is partly turned toward the audience. Kitty Rand, dressed in short skirts, is just behind her.
Fanshaw. [Leaning over to Marion.] I think, Marion, this was really a most amusing idea of yours, having us all come as children.
Enter Douglas Rhodes, in white sailor costume. He meets Mrs. Wolton who enters. They talk.
Marion. [To Kitty.] Your costume, Kitty, is charming.
Kitty. [With a ball on rubber cord.] My dear, I'm sure I look a sight. I feel as if it were bathing hour at Narragansett.
Marion. Here's Bessie. How splendid she was. [Rises.] [Enter Bessie. She laughs as she is greeted by shouts of laughter and applause by guests. She joins Marion, who shakes her hand.] You were too funny, Bessie. [A guest rises and offers seat to Bessie. She accepts it and sits.
Johnstone. [Monkey; white kilt suit.] [To Bessie as she sits.] Yes. Isn't this an awfully lovely party? [To Fanshaw.] Here, Fanshaw, it's your turn.
Guests and All. Yes, come on Fanshaw, etc. [Fanshaw exits.
Rhodes comes from Mrs. Wolton, nodding pleasantly to guests as he passes round behind them, to Marion. He shakes her hand.
Marion. Why so late, Douglas?
Douglas. I was dining with Mrs. Lorrimer; but I hope you've saved me a seat by you. [Blanche exits, ready for stage.
Marion. I'm sorry, but I haven't. There's the curtain.
She sits and Douglas takes a place back of guests, shaking hands with Trimmins as he does so. Mimic curtain rises, music begins, all interrupt with "Sh-h." Fanshaw enters on mimic stage, dressed as Little Lord Fauntleroy, and sings. Mimic curtain falls to applause. Curtain is raised. Black rag-baby thrown to him during song. Fanshaw enters, bows, and, as he does so, Blanche throws a small bouquet of flowers to him. This he catches and makes entrance upon stage by jumping over mimic foot-lights. He is congratulated and thanked by Marion and resumes his seat.
Music begins. All interrupt again with "Sh-h." Curtain is raised, and enter Ethel, dressed as a child of 1840, in white and green. She comes forward and sings ("Henrietta"), with orchestral accompaniment, a flute obligato being a feature of the latter, which, every little while, indulges in loud variations, entirely drowning the singer's voice, much to her annoyance, and the only half-suppressed amusement of the guests. As she reaches the chorus all (at Marion's suggestion) join in with her and finish the song. Marion rises, giving the signal that the entertainment is over. Servants come in and take away most of the chairs, leaving one in centre of stage and three up toward the left centre. All rise and form groups; those of guests near the door move into ball-room and off. Ethel enters, and Marion at once greets her, Kitty and Johnstone joining them.
Marion. Thank you ever so much.
Johnstone. Yes, indeed. Isn't this an awfully lovely party.
Ethel. [With large hoople and stick; quickly, much put out.] My dear Marion, I could choke that flute player.
Marion. Don't be selfish, Ethel; the man wanted to be heard. [Goes up to Douglas.
Ethel. If I were a witch, I'd curse him with asthma. Mr. Johnstone, go and curse him for me.
Johnstone. With pleasure.
Ethel. Just give him a piece of my mind. [Enter Girl.
Johnstone. [Flatteringly.] He doesn't deserve such a gift. But isn't this a lovely party? Will you excuse me? [He goes up stage to Blanche, offers his arm, which she takes, and they exit. Kitty and Ethel watch Blanche and Johnstone, amused.
Kitty. [To Ethel.] Just look at Blanche. Do you suppose she's going to—
Ethel. She's going to with all her might and main, if he will only ask her.
Kitty. A large if— [Laughing. Fanshaw and Gertrude join Ethel and Kitty down stage.
Fanshaw. Looks as if Johnny were getting pretty stuck on Blanche, doesn't it? [Goes to Kitty. Trimmins moves up centre.
Ethel. Yes, or just the other way round. [All laugh.
Gertrude. Who are you dancing the cotillon with, Ethel?
Ethel. Don't know. I've promised two men, but I haven't made up my mind who I'll dance with yet.
Fanshaw. A nice person to engage for a partner. [Calling.] Trimmins!