II.

Dr. Hardhack ready to give his last directions. Mamma Proudie, Aunt Flighty, Aunt Highty-Tighty, Emily and Dr. Hardhack are all seated; E. reclining languidly in easy chair.

Mamma P. Well, Doctor, we have decided to let Emily go and stay in the country as you have directed. I have arranged everything and found a pleasant place for her with a companion of her own age who is called Pussy Willow.

Dr. H. H'm. Pussy Willow. Well, that begins to sound right. Wouldn't have found any girl named Pussy Willow at Newport, I'll warrant you.

Aunt Highty-Tighty. Do, pray, dear Dr. Hardhack, tell us just how she must be dressed for that cold mountain region.

Aunt F. It makes me shiver to think of it.

Aunt H.-T. Must she have high-necked, long-sleeved flannels?

Aunt F. I will go right down and buy her half-a-dozen at once. [Starts to go, but is waved back by Dr. H., and resumes seat]

Dr. H. Not so fast. Let's see about this young lady. [Endeavors to introduce his forefinger under the belt of E's dress. Belt snaps. Dr. H. draws out his finger with a jerk] I thought so. I supposed that there wasn't much breathing allowed behind there.

Mamma P. Oh, I do assure you, Doctor, Emily never dresses tightly.

Emily. No, indeed! I despise tight lacing. I never wear my clothes any more than just comfortable.

Dr. H. Never saw a woman that did! The courage and constancy of the female sex in bearing inconveniences is so great, however, that that will be no test at all. Give me that thing. [Motions for E.'s belt] [E. hands him same] You wouldn't catch a man saying he felt comfortable under such circumstances. [Holds up the tiny circle] But only persuade a girl that she looks stylish and pretty with her waist drawn in, and you may lace her up till the very life leaves her, and with her dying breath she will tell you she is nothing more than "comfortable". So, my young lady, you don't catch me in that way! You must leave off belts and tight waists of all sorts for six months at least, and wear only loose sacques so that your lungs may have some chance to play and fill with the vital air that I am going to send you to breathe up in the hills.

E. But, Doctor, I don't believe I could hold myself up. [Droops as without any strength] When I sit up in a loose dress I feel so weak I hardly know what to do. I need the support of something stiff around me.

Dr. H. That is because all those nice, strong muscles around your waist [Slapping his sides and holding himself very erect with his hands on his ribs] which Nature gave you to hold you up, have been bound down and bandaged and flattened [Emphasizes the words by each time striking his right fist in palm of left hand] until they have no strength in them.

E. Do you suppose, Doctor, if I should dress as you tell me for six months, that I would get my health again?

Dr. H. It would go a long way towards it. You fashionable girls are not good for much, to be sure, but if a doctor gets a chance to save one of you in the way of business, he can't help wishing to do it. So I just give you your choice.

E. Of course I would like to be well, and in the country up there nobody will see me, so it's no matter how I look.

Mamma P. [Comes forward and puts arm about E.] To be sure it's no matter. [Kisses her] Only get your health, my dear, and then we'll see.

CURTAIN.

ACT III.

Mamma Proudie, fearing Emily is exerting herself too much up in the country, calls in Dr. Hardhack to have him send her some word of caution. In room are Grandma P. [Knitting] Mamma P., Aunt Flighty and Dr. H.

Mamma P. I wish you would caution Emily, Doctor. I'm sure she's over-exerting herself, for she has sent home seven pats of butter of her own churning!

Dr. H. Never fear, my dear madam. It's only that there is more iron getting into her blood, that's all. Let her alone, or tell her to do it more yet!

Mamma P. But, Doctor, may not the thing be carried too far?

Dr. H. For gentility, you mean? Don't you remember Marie Antoinette made butter and King Louis was a miller at Marly?

Aunt F. But just read the Doctor from Emily's last letter.

Mamma P. Yes, just hear what she has written, Doctor. [Finds letter and reads] "You have no idea how different life looks to me now that I live a little for somebody besides myself. Why have I been so foolish as to suppose I was happy in living such a lazy, useless life as I have lived?" [Looks at Dr. H. as she folds letter and shakes head]

Dr. H. Iron in her blood, my dear madam, iron in her blood! [Pounds table] She'll come home a strong, bouncing girl.

Aunt F. Oh, shocking!

Dr. H. [Turns to Aunt F.] Yes, bouncing! Why shouldn't she bounce? I shall give you back a live niece in the fall instead of a half dead one, and you [Turns to Mamma P.] a live daughter, madam, and I expect you will all scream and stop your ears and run under beds because you never saw a live girl before.

Mamma P. But, Doctor, I can't see as we shall ever get her home again. I keep writing and writing, and still she says she isn't ready. There is always something ahead.

Dr. H. Let her alone, madam, let her alone. Give Nature a good chance. You will all undo all the good she's getting as soon as you get her home. I insist upon it [Pounds table] that she shall keep away from you all as long as she likes.

Exit Dr. Hardhack.

Mamma P. [To Grandma P.] Did you ever see such a queer old dear as Dr. Hardhack? He does say the oddest things! Isn't he so original?

Grandma P. I haven't heard such good sense talked by any doctor in a long time.

Aunt F. And then you know, he's all the fashion now.

CURTAIN.

ACT IV.

Six months later than when Emily went away. She has returned home, bringing her friend, Pussy Willow. In the room are gathered Grandma P., Mamma P., the two aunts, also Emily and Pussy and Dr. Hardhack.