c^ '60 3 UC-NRLF $B 5TT EE7 American Dramatists Series Ctierpcljitti Peatrix Eepnoltrg .^. Digitized by the Internet Archive in 2008 with funding from IVIicrosoft Corporation http://www.archive.org/details/everychildfairymOOreynrich EVERYCHILD American Dramatists Series EVERYCHILD Fairy Music Play in One Act BEATRIX REYNOLDS £ VABTIet\6Rn>TIl ft BOSTON: THE GORHAM PRESS TORONTO: THE COPP CLARK CO.. LIMITED Copyright 19H., by Beatrix Reynolds All rights reserved The Qorham Press, Boston, U, S. A. EVERYCHILD Fairy Music Play in one Act 372213 CAST OF CHARACTERS Every child, a little girl wears pink Mother Do, an old lady " lavender Father Do, an old gentleman. . " purple Re " indigo Mi " blue Fa " green Sol " yellow La " orange Si " red Mrs. Minor, an unhappy woman " lilac Rhythm, watchman " scout uniform Ragtime, watchman " torn cape Melody, beautiful woman " white Error, witch " hideous green Dissonances, slaves " brown Fairy Sharp " rose color Fairy Flat " hunter's green SYNOPSIS OF SCENERY. Prologue. Music Room in Everychild's Home, Act I. Scene I — Garden of the Major Mode. Scene II — Valley of Patience. Scene III — Mountain of Struggle. Scene IV — Land of Discord. Scene V — Same as Scene I. SYNOPSIS OF MUSIC. Selections from Schumann's Scenes from Childhood. A Curious Story. Child Falling Asleep. Dreaming. Strange Lands and People. Almost Too Serious. The Poet Speaks. Catch me if you can. Entreating Child. The Knight of the Hobby Horse. Frightening. Important Event. Contentment. EVERYCHILD Music. " Curious Story.'' PROLOGUE Music room in modern dwelling. Piano at R. Couch at L. Two long French windows in rear, with white curtains. EVERYCHILD sits at piano, practising. Each time she reaches a certain point she stumbles and stops; then repeats from be- ginning just as fast as before. Finally she gives it up in despair and rises and walks up and down, pouting and tearful. EvERYCHiLD — Oh, why did I ever begin taking music lessons? I didn't know it would be so hard to play — No matter how much I try, there is al- ways something wrong. I've practised an hour already, and played my new piece a hundred times yet I always make the same mistake. {Flings herself upon the couch petulantly) I'm 9 EVERYCHILD never going to practise again. I don't care what my teacher says. No. Nor my father, nor my mother — ^nor — nor — {Buries face in pillows and sobs. Music begins Schumann's ''Child Falling Asleep*' and Everychild relaxes gradually and sleeps. The room grows darker and a strange light glows at the window L. rear. This slowly becomes brighter, showing a curious ladder of 8 rungs {the third and fourth; and seventh and eighth rungs are twice as near together as the other rungs.) Schumann's ''Dreaming" is heard faintly. Everychild lifts head and rubs her eyes gazing at this strange thing. She at last goes over to it with hestitation, and finally gains courage to climb the ladder. As she steps on each rung a tone of the major scale is sounded, and as she reaches the top which is enveloped in clouds, the curtain falls. 10 SCENE /. The Garden of the Major Mode, Birds are singing in a garden surrounded by a hedge three feet high, in which is an iron gate. Through the gate, a little distance in the rear, the two uprights of a ladder are seen extending above a well-like hole. Far in the distance is a mountain, blue-gray through the haze, its summit touched by sunlight. At the foot of the mountain is a dark forest, between which and the garden is low country. Mother Do sits quietly knitting L. and Father Do smokes his pipe in contentment opposite her, garden benches stretch in a semi-circle between them. Six children. Re, Mi, Fa, Sol, La, Si; are playing a circle game, laughing and singing. The sound of EverychihTs practising reaches them from a distance. Sol gradually releases herself and leaves the game, looking towards the scale ladder outside the gate. When Every child again makes the same mistake in her piece as when Sol stopped to listen, Sol runs out 11 EVERYCHILD of the gate and leans far over the well-like hole, holding out her arms imploringly. The children have withdrawn to one side L, but their voices are plainly heard in joyful clatter. Rhythm in scout uniform carries a drum and marches across stage on his patrol L. to R. Father and Mother Do are absorbed in meditation. Error, the witch, in a long cloak of black, dragging a net, creeps up softly behind Sol, and throws the net over her head, then hurries her off L. as Sol gives one long cry of distress, and the children and their parents rush to the gate, looJcing in both directions. Children — (Calling) Sol! Dear Sol! Mother Do — (Wringing her hands) It is Error ! (calls wildly) Rhythm! (Enter Rhythm, running.) Error has stolen my little daughter. Children, how could you let her go out of the garden alone? (Presses hands to her eyes but makes no moan. Father Do looks very serious. Rhythm runs out L, quietly.) Father Do — We can't do anything but wait EVERYCHILD until the one who has done this thing grows peni- tent. Re — ^Yes. We can only wait. Mi — Perhaps it won't be for long. Fa — Let us go on with our games. La — ^Yes. Come on. {They join hands and begin circle game once more, hut lack enthusiasm. Mother Do watches them. Suddenly the game stops.) Mother Do — ^Why, what is the matter? Si — We can't play anything without Sol. Re — Yes, we miss her terribly. (A moan is heard from outside R.) Mi — (Laughing) Oh, hear old lady Minor! There she is at it again. Father Do — Don't be disrespectful Mi. You can't understand sorrow only because you have never had any, and as long as you stay in the Garden of the Major Mode you never will have any. But who knows how long that will be. Just think of poor little Sol! She is learning to suffer! Ml — Yes, Father you are right. 13 EVERYCHILD {The Major scale ascending is heard, and all look towards the scale ladder end, where soon Every- child appears, and walks into their gzrden, looking bewildered.) Fa — Oh, who are you and how did you get here? Ev — Where am I? La — She doesn't know where she is. {All laugh.) Ev — I was practising my new piece — but it wouldn't come right, I kept playing one note too low — Si — {Interrupting y and pointing at Everychild) So you are to blame! She is to blame. Mother, she is to blame! {Runs to Mother Do and throws herself at her feet. Mother Do strokes Si^s hair and turns to Everychild. Ev — {Curiously) To blame for what? Re — For sending poor Sol to the Land of Dis- cord. Ev — {Astonished) I sent Sol to the Land of Discord! Why, I never even saw Sol! Mother Do — She didn't mean to, children. 14 EVERYCHILD Don't scold. There should never be any ill- feeling in the land of Harmony. Ev — Is this the Land of Harmony? Mi — Yes, and this is the Garden of the Major Mode. Didn't you know? Ev — ^No. Is it really? How wonderful! I shall always understand it better now I've seen it. Tell me more about yourselves, won't you? (Children arrange themselves on the garden benches in the order of the scale. Mi and Fa sit closer to- gether than the others y and Si sits on the arm of her Mother's chair. A vacant place is left for SoL Everychild still stands.) Father Do — ^How did you get here, my dear? Ev — {Puzded) I don't exactly know, sir. I lay down on the couch in our music room. Then I saw a ladder — right in the room, and it had never been there before — and I heard music — so I climbed up the ladder — and here I am. Fa — {Importantly) You climbed the scale lad- der. Mother Do — Only people who love music very, very much are allowed to come up here 15 EVERYCHILD Once the little Mozart came. A darling boy. I shall never forget him. Do you remember. Father, how we wanted to keep him here with us? How glad we were to see him! {Father Do nods.) La — We are very glad to see you, too. Si — ^What's your name? Ev — ^My name is Everychild. What are your names? Fa — Since we live in the Garden of the Major Mode, can't you guess? Ev — ^No. Isn't it a lovely place? So green and fresh and sweet. You allseem so happy too. Mother Do — Sit here, my dear. {Points to empty seat next Fa. Ev seats herself in SoVs place. Mother Do points to her husband) That is Father Do. Re — ^And I'm Re. Mi— I'm Mi. Fa— And I'm Fa. La — I'm La. Si — And I'm Si. Father Do — {Pointing to his wife) And she's Mother Do who takes care of us all ! 16 EVERYCHILD (Everychild gazes at each one as they speak.) Ev — Oh, I didn't know you were a real, live family. I thought you were just notes. Dull, stupid notes ! (All laugh gleefully.) Ev — (Rising) But where is Sol? (Enter Rhythm, head down, disconsolate. Every- child points to him.) Is that Sol? La — (Turning) No. That is our watchman, Rhythm. He can play the drum beautifully. Ev — Then where is Sol? There are six of you besides the Dos, and you are all here excepting Sol. (Counts on fingers and sings) Do, Re, Mi, Fa, Sol Si — (Looking at Rhythm) Too late? Rhythm — (Dolefully) Too late? Re — (Sadly) Error has captured Sol! (Rhythm begins his patrol, once more, outside the gate.) Mi — Error is an old, wicked witch, who lives in the Land of Discord. Fa — Where everything is ugly. 17 EVERYCHILD La — (Sighs) We don't know what will be- come of poor Sol! [A moan is heard from outside R.) Ey— (Startled) What was that? Si — (Rising) That's only Mrs. Minor. She lives in the next garden. Ev — Mrs. Minor? Why does she make that noise? Re — She's imhappy. They all are over there. (Points R.) Ev — ^How very sad. What's the matter? Mother Do — Plenty of reason. They are always trying to find Happiness, and everyone knows that Happiness lives within us and cannot be sought and found. Ev — ^Does she live alone? Mi — ^No, she has a husband and six children, like Mother. (Enter Mrs. Minor R. dressed in dull lilac. She has a sweety hut very sad face.) Mother Do — (Rising^ and going to meet her at the gate) Good morning. Neighbor. Mrs. Minor — (Gloomily) May I borrow some 18 EVERYCHILD herbs of you? My little Me is not so well as she should be. Ev AND THE Children (together) (Rising and making courtesies) Good morning, Mrs. Minor. Isn't it a beautiful day ! (^Father Do rises and bows) Mrs. Minor — ^What pretty manners you have, children. Ah, Mother Do, with all the work you have to do, how can you find time to teach them deportment? Mother Do — I always seem to have plenty of time for the graceful things of life as well as the necessary ones. Mrs. Minor — The scarcest thing in life seems to be time. I seem to have nothing but trouble. Mother Do — Some of the blessings must come to you, too. We have so many lovely things here. Mrs. Minor — Yes, you are always happy. And though perhaps we ought to be, we never are ! (Exit Mother Do L.) Fa — But your children are beautiful, doesn't that give you pleasure ? La — ^And Mr. Minor is so kind and gentle. Doesn't that make you happy? 19 EVERYCHILD Mbs. Minor — You say truly. But none of us are ever happy! {Whispers) Me told me she thought she saw Error pass this way today. Be on your guard! Father Do — She was here. She stole our little Sol! Mrs. Minor — Caught Sol! Alas — ^And you all are smiling as though nothing had happened. I cannot imderstand you at all! Mother Do — {Enters L. with herbs) Yet you don't dislike us, I am sure, for you so often help us, and let us help you. Here are your herbs. I hope Me will soon be well. {Gives herbs to her) Mrs. Minor — I thank you — But I do not un- derstand you. I trust Sol will soon be restored to you. {Wipes away tears.) It grieves me very much to think of her, poor child! {Exit Mrs. Minor R. weeping.) Ev — {In distress) What will happen to Sol now the witch has caught her? How did the witch catch her? Si — ^You were to blame yourself. You said you kept making a mistake in your piece. EVERYCHILD Re — ^It was always the fifth note in the key that you played wrong. That's what hurt Sol. She went to the scale ladder to help you. Mi — ^And Error is always waiting for a chance like that, and she saw her — Fa — ^And threw a net over Sol's head, and dragged her off on her big, black, raven horse — ^To the Land of Discord. La— Poor Sol! Mother Do — She will be most imhappy there , and she'll lose her beauty, and be cruelly treated by Error and Old Ragtime. Ev — How awful! And it was all my fault. (weeps) What shall I do? What shall I do? Si — (Hastily) Don't cry or you will have to go into the Garden of the Minor Mode. Nobody cries here! Re — There is only one way we can get her back again. Ask the Fairy Sharp to help us. Ev — (Hopefully) Let me do it. Where is he? Mi — He is a wonderful being who lives on the mountain there. Do you see it? (Points rear) 21 EVERYCHILD He is always willing to help any of us when we get into trouble, if you can only reach him. Ev — Is he so hard to reach? Fa — ^The mountain is very hard to climb, yes, but Ev — (Frightened) But what? L — (Sneeringly) If she is afraid, we had better not trust her ! Ev — Oh, please tell me. Si — Well, the truth is this. The one who goes must want to go with all her heart. Ev — I do. I do. Si — And the journey is long. So long ! Ev — ^No matter. Re — One must cross the Valley of Patience, which is very lonesome, where the Fairy Flat lives ; who will not let you go to the Fairy Sharp if he thinks you want to, because he is jealous. Mi — ^The Fairies Sharp and Flat are both good fairies, but they are jealous of each other, unless one is very tactful with them. Ev — I see. 22 EVERYCHILD Fa — Oh, do you? Ha, Ha, Mother, she says she sees! Mother Do — Fa, you are rude to our guest. {Fa hangs her head.) Father Do — ^The way is long and tiresome, but in passing through the valley, try not to let the Fairy Flat see you, and when you have climbed the mountain, don't let the Fairy Sharp know whether or not you have seen the Fairy Flat. La — For sometimes Sharp gets peevish and then he won't do anything for you. Ev — If the Fairy Flat sees me what shall I say? Mother Do — ^You will have to think of that for yourself. {Ev looks beseechingly from one to the other.) Ev — Won't one of you go with me? Father Do — It is best for you to go alone, my child. Ev — Can't Rhythm go with me? Rhythm — {stops suddenly and looks at Every- child. He has just entered the garden R.) It would be most irregular. Perhaps old Ragtime will go. 23 EVERYCHILD ' Si — ^Rhythm, how unfeeling. Ev— Who's old Ragtime? La — The watchman in the land of Discord. He makes me very nervous, (whispers) Rhythm is not very friendly with him. Rhythm — I heard you, La, he's a very grasping, selfish man who cares for nothing but popularity. Mother Do — {reaching down into her deep pocket.) There, there! Ah, here it is. (pulls out a package and gives it to Ev.) Take this with you on your journey, dear, and when you are tired it will help you. Ev — Oh, thank you. Mother Do. (Exit Everychild slowly, looking back.) All — Good-bye, Everychild, and good luck. (All wave hands to her, even Rhythm.) CURTAIN Music. Schumann's *' Almost too Serious.'* U Music. ** The Poet Speaks, " SCENE IL Valley of Patience. The chromatic scale descends as the curtain rises on a dark forest scene. The trees are so tall and the underbrush so dense that there is no view of the dis- tance. Two rocks stand in center rear about six feet apart. They are covered with moss and ferns. {Enter Everychild L limping. Gazes about her.) Ev — ^What a strange place — This must be the Valley of Patience. I've been walking in circles, for three times I've come to these two rocks. {Points to rocks in rear.) That is just like what you read about in stories. It's terribly lonesome. I almost wish I would meet the Fairy Flat. I wonder where he is. {Glances about in terror.) Oh, no, no. He must not see me! — The trees are so tall and their shadows are so deep and dark, they frighten me. 25 EVERYCHILD {Shivers and sits down on rock R.) I am very tired. — Oh, the parcel Mother Do gave me! I was to open it when I was tired. {Opens parcel.) {Enter Melody L. unobserved. A beautiful woman in white, with shining hair and bright eyes. She carries a basket of flmvers; and watches Every child open her parcel and take out a wooden whole-rest.) Ah, it's a rest! How kind of her! Melody — {Echoes) How kind of her! Ev — {Looking up astonished.) I didn't know anyone was here. Melody — I only just came, child, and I'm going right away again. Ev — I wish you would stay. You are so beautiful. Melody — You and I are quite old friends. Don't you know that? Ev — ^I'm sure I never saw you, nor anyone half so beautiful before. Do you live in the world too? Melody — No. I live here in the land of Harmony. I'm quite a necessary person here. I'm needed everywhere. It's true you've never seen me before, but how many, many times you EVERYCHILD have heard me! Nearly everybody knows me a Httle and some people know me very well. Have you never been so happy that your heart has sung in tune with all the Universe? I was with you then. Can't you guess who I am? {The descend- ing chromatic scale is heard. Everychild is fright- ened and cries out.) Ev— What was that? Melody — ^Here comes the Fairy Flat. {Everychild starts to run out R. Melody runs after her, laughing, and drags her back by the arm; as Flat enters wearing, hunter's green, a crown ornamented by a Flat in the front, carrying a wand; peering about suspiciously. He sees Melody and Every- child.) {Frowns.) Flat — Why are you so terrified? Am I so frightful, then? Melody — Don't scold her, Flat. Any stranger would be afraid in this great, dark forest of yours. We don't all love it as you do. Some of us need the sunshine at times. Flat — {Mollified) Then it's not my looks that frightened her? 27 EVERYCHILD Ev — (Aside) He must be a vain creature. (Aloud) It was not your looks. You see I'm a stranger here — and — well — I fancy I'm nervous. Flat — Been with Ragtime, eh? (Exit Melody R. quietly, unobserved.) Ev — No. (Looks around for Melody) Why, where did she go? Flat— Who? Ev — That beautiful woman who was here a moment ago? Flat — Oh, Melody ! She comes and goes when- ever and wherever she likes. One can't keep track of her nowadays. (Sits on rock L. rear.) Ev — So that was Melody! I love her! Flat — Some people don't. There are even those who would like to make way with her. Ev — Terrible ! There can never be such wicked people as that. (Sits on rock R.) Flat — But there are. Where do you come from? By your looks I should judge you have come from some very distant place. Ev — You are right. I live in the world. EVERYCHILD Flat — ^You don't say. How did you get way up here? Ev — I saw a ladder — so I climbed up, of course — anyone would — and well — ^here I am! Flat — Then you must love music. Ev — I do — But it's awfully hard work, isn't it? Flat — That's what they all say. The success- ful ones and the unsuccessful ones. And you find it hard even though you love it? {Walks up and down. Clasps hands behind him.) Well, I've been in the music business several himdreds of years Ev — {Incredulously) Several hundred? Flat — Oh, yes. Didn't you know that music is as old as Time? Yes, several himdreds of years — and though I don't say there aren't difficulties, oh, yes, there are difficulties and dangers — still — • on the whole, I wouldn't call it hard work because it's so beautiful! Ev — ^Yes, it is very beautiful, but Flat — ^Now take other kinds of business — I'd call them hard because they have no beauty. EVERYCHILD Beauty makes everything easier, don't you think 80? Ev— Oh, yes. Flat — In the Land of Harmony we are all beautiful. Ev — {Aside) Now, I know he's vain. Flat — We eat beauty, and we drink it, and we never lose our beauty sleep. For just as soon as any of us gets ugly, we are wisked off to the Land of Discord. Ev — ^The Land of Discord. Tell me about that. Flat — If you wouldn't interrupt I'd get on faster. Everything is ugly there. Everything. {Shakes head gloomily.) Ev — It must be terrible to have to be there then. Flat — ^Awful indeed. Quite terrible. Ev — Where is this place? Flat (Pointing) Way off there. You will have to take the air route. Vibration. Ev — (Aside) Now if I say I'm going the other way he'll never know I'm going to see the Fairy Sharp. (Aloud.) Then I'll go the other way. (Turns R.) Goodbye. I don't want to land in 30 EVERYCHILD Discord. I'm glad you told me about beauty making things easier. I'll remember that. {Exit Everychild R. As she leaves Flat, she be- gins to run.) {Music begins " Catch me if you can. ' ' Flat gazes after her in surprise. Scratches his head .) Flat — I'll wager she's gone to Sharp. She intended to all the time. But I'll catch her. {Runs out after her. Soon he brings her back, drag- ging her against her will.) So you would go off to Sharp and leave me! Ho, ho. That was why you were so frightened. But now I've got you, you'll stay and dance with me. {Begins to dance with her, 'pulling her about mercilessly. He shouts and capers and she follows him, perforce, with un- willing feet. Everychild gasps in fright. The scene grows darker, and Jirejlies glimmer here and there. Flat still goes on with the dance, exulting in Every- child* s misery.) So you would try to deceive me! {Laughs wildly) You would, you would! {Enter Melody running.) Melody — Stop, stop! Would you kill her, Flat? Have you no mercy? {Flat stops dancing 31 EVERYCHILD and hangs his head. Melody hastens to Every child and catches her in her arms as she falls back fainting , Melody points commandinglyy L. Flat obeys and goes out L. Melody lays Everychild gently on the ground, and takes out a flower from her basket and holds it to Everychild' s nose. Ev opens her eyes.) It's all right. Smell this again and you will forget all the unpleasantness. Ev — {Smelling the flower) Ah, how very sweet. {Rises and stretches out her arms in comfort and re- lief.) I feel so well! So well and happy now. I must be on my way. On my way. {Exit Everychild and Melody, arms entwined in a loving embrace R.) CURTAIN Music. ''Entreating Child.'' 32 SCENE III. The Mountain of Struggle. The chromatic scale ascending is heard as the cur- tain rises. It is very light. A green field stretches before us in calm dignity. The sky is blue and cloudless. There are flowers growing everywhere. On the right are tall and stately trees with white birches scattered among the more sturdy trees. Mossy mound L. {Enter Everychild L. Breathless and exhausted.) Ev — What a beautiful, sunny spot. I love these green fields. I must have reached the top of the Mountain of Struggle. IVe climbed until I'm dead tired. How bright and fresh every- thing looks. This is the most beautiful spot of all. (Sinks down on mound L. in comfort.) I'm so glad to be here at last. I only wish Melody hadn't left me so soon. But she said I wouldn't need her any more and went off. The chromatic scale ascending is heard.) (Enter 33 EVERYCHILD Sharp R. laughing. He wears a rose colored suit and a crown in the shape of a sharp. He carries a wand.) Sharp — Hello, Everychild. Ev — (Astonished) How did you know my name? Sharp — Because I know Everychild loves music and no one can come up here who doesn't love music. What can I do for you, little one? Ev — Oh, I do like you so much, and I love your beautiful mountain and your green fields and splendid trees. Sharp — It is nice on the top of the Mountain of Struggle, but it's a hard climb isn't it? Ev — (Rising) But I knew it would be hard when I started. You see I'm only a little girl. I live in the world and I climbed up the scale ladder to Harmony Land — and I found (hangs head) that because I'd been careless in my practising poor little Sol had been captured by the witch Error and taken to the Land of Dis- cord — and now — she will lose her beauty. So I 34 EVERYCHILD have travelled all this way to ask you to help me rescue her. Sharp — (Sympathetically) If Everychild works as hard; as that she deserves what she asks for. Ev — Oh, will you help me? Sharp — We'll go at once and rescue little Sol. Arejyou'afraid to ride Vibration with me? Ev — ^I don't know, IVe never seen him. Sharp — (Laughing) You can't see him but he will carry us as swiftly as the wind, and before you know it, we'll be in the Land of Discord. Ev — ^Yes, yes. Let us go. Sharp — ^And on the way, I'll explain the Magic sign to you. (Calling) Vibration! (There is a sound of rushing wind and Every- childjand Sharp are caught up by some unseen thingland seem to fly out R. The ascending chro- matic scale is heard.) CURTAIN Music. "The Knight of the Hobby Horse** S5 Music, " Frightening. " SCENE IV. Land of Discord. It is rather dark. Black crags and half dead trees form the background. No sky is visible. Error y dressed in a hideous green sits on throne in center, rear. She wears a silver crown and carries a silver scepter. Dissonances surround her, ever restlessly moving. A cage stands L. center, in which Sol is seen wearing an ugly mask. Ragtime, dressed in brown, ragged clothes, carries clappers, and limps up and down with unsteady steps. The air is jUled with the hoots of owls, and the croaking of frogs and ravens, 1st Dissonance — Oh, let me decide! Error — ^You shall come to no resolution here. 2nd Dissonance — I must form a resolution. What has happened to my will? Error — It is no longer your will, but mine. Slaves — {On knees before Error) We beg, we implore you to give us back our wills. 86 EVERYCHILD Error — Back, back — ^what do you mean by- such actions? Must my slaves be my masters? Away with you! {Slaves rise and stand conquered but not subdued, beside her throne.) Ragtime — {From wings R.) I see no enemy about. If only I might have one good battle with Rhythm, there would be one less misery for us here. Error — I would that could be. Ragtime — Can you think of no way to bring it about? Error — ^Perhaps, someday. Perhaps. {Bows head in thought. Ravens croak.) {To slaves.) Bring me some ugliness. I am hungry. {Exit slaves L. and R. rear.) {Sol moans.) Error — Silence, hussy! Or I'll send you to the garden of the Minor Mode. Isn't your cage comfortable? Sol — Oh, dear, I hate this ugly place. What good does it do you to make us all so miserable? 37 EVERYCHILD Error — ^Are you so miserable? I am glad. {Laughs hoarsely.) Sol — I hate your dark crags, and dreary, half- dead trees. I hate those awful noises and the darkness. Error — {Sarcastically) Go right on. Go right on. Sol — If Everychild would only be sorry and try to correct her fault, then I might be free again, and happy, and beautiful! {Enter slaves carrying trays of dark, unwhole- some looking food. They are offered to Error^ who takes somey then to Sol, who turns away, shuddering.) Oh, take that awful stuff away. I cannot bear ugliness! {The ascending chromatic scale is heard, Sol listens, tensely holding the bars of her cage. Error looks up frightened.) Error — {Under her breath) The Fairy Sharp! {To slaves) The net! quickly the net! {Slaves hasten out L. but stumble over each other in bringing in the net. So Everychild enters, then Sharp. 38 EVERYCHILD Ragtime rushes towards them clapping his clappers. Error rises. Her dishes clatter to the ground, Everychild holds out her arms, and Sharp crosses them with his, making the sign of the sharp.) Ragtime — ^The magic sign! Error — {Gasping) The sign of the sharp! {Totters backwards, helpless. Ragtime limps off L. Door of cage comes open and mask falls from SoVs face. She steps out towards Everychild.) Sol — {Happily) Oh, Everychild, you have made me beautiful again!) {Everychild runs to Sol, and takes her in her arms.) Ev — I'm so sorry for you. It was all my fault, I know. You have been in great trouble, but now you are free again. Come! Sharp — Quick, children. {Calls) Vibration. {To Sol and Everychild.) Make haste. {Sol, Everychild and Sharp hasten R. There is the sound of rushing wind, and exeunt, flying. Error faints. Ragtime claps and rages.) Slaves — {call out) We have formed our reso- 39 EVERYCHILD lution! We will go to the garden of the Minor Mode. {Slaves exeunt R. laughing shrilly.) CURTAIN Music. ''Important Event.*' 40 Music. " Contentment . ' ' SCENE V. Same as Scene I. The Major family are seated in the scale form, as in scene /, vrith a vacant place left for Sol. Re — It's a long time since Everychild left us, I hope she passed through the Valley safely, after that she will be all right. Father Do — She is a dear child. Mother Do — Almost like one of our own. Mi — I am glad Everychild loves music or we should never have known her. Fa — Yet if it hadn't been for her, Sol would never have been captured by the Witch. It must be terrible to be ugly ! La — You seem to forget that Everychild is truly sorry. She has travelled through the Valley and over the Mountain to show her penitence. {Mother Do nods her approval.) {Enter Melody , passing by the gates.) 41 EVERYCHILD Si — {Catching sight of her.) Oh, Melody! {All rise and rush towards her as she turns and en- ters the gate.) Melody — {Laughing) What a hubbub! Re — ^Have you seen Every child? Melody — ^A little girl? Mi— Yes. Melody — ^Yes, I saw her in the Valley, and she tried to run away from the Fairy Flat. Which was foolish. Fa — ^Yes, for he could easily catch her. Melody — So I took her back to him, and told him his forest was dark enough to frighten any- body, and as long as it wasn't his looks that frightened her he didn't care. I saw that she got safely away too. Mother Do — ^How good of you. Melody. We all do love to run away from things that we don't know about, when if we'd only stay and get ac- quainted, we'd perhaps find we liked them. {The ascending chromatic scale is heard.) All — ^Ah, Sharp is coming! La — ^Will Every child be with him? ^ 42 EVERYCHILD Si — ^And Sol — ^Have they brought her home, I wonder. {AU stand and gaze upwards.) R.E — ^Yes, I see them There are three. Mi — Oh, Everyehild I'm so glad you*re back again! Mother Do — ^Dear little Sol! {Enter Sol L, and runs to Mother Do who em- braces her, {Enter Everyehild and Sharp.) Fa — So you were successful. Sharp — I should say so. You ought to be grateful to Everyehild. She has worked hard. Father Do — {Embracing Sol) My little daugh- ter. {Exit Melody quietly, unobserved except by Every- ehild.) Ev — Was that Melody who just went out? La — Yes. She told us that she met you in the Valley. Ev — I wish she hadn't gone away. I wanted to see her again. Si — ^You'll meet her often again. 43 EVERYCHILD Father Do — ^Everychild, we thank you Ev — Oh, Father and Mother Do, I am beginning to understand many things that I didn't even care about before. I should really thank you. I never knew how much beauty there is in life xmtil I saw the ugliness in Discord. Mother Do — I hope your experience has helped you as much as you have helped us. Ev — ^And now I suppose my own Mother will be glad to have me home again, so I had better go. Sharp — And leave us ? Why Every child should live in the land of Harmony. Stay with us ! Ev — I cannot stay. I must go back to the world, but I will carry as much of Harmony away with me as my heart will hold, (wistfully) be- cause I, too, want to be beautiful! (All embrace her^ and walk to gate.) Father Do — ^There, can you find your way down the scale ladder? Ev— Yes. Good-bye all! Sharp — You won't forget old Sharp will you? Ev — No, nor any of you! 44 EVERYCHILD (The major scale descending is heard as Every- child descends the scale ladder.) CURTAIN 45 UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY BERKELEY THIS BOOK IS DUT^ THE LAST DATE STAMPED BELOW Books not -turned on Wa^^^^ -SV'in-L^nl 50c per volume after the tmraaay ^^^ ^^^ '^jrd°rar.r«S/«d inp^;^*ation^ is made Woxe expiration of loan period. — Ci^ 6 '^ \VJH ^"^ a4A9i^ 50m-7.'16 YB 31973 I UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA LIBRARY