LOVE AND TEA Price, 30 Cents >f Californi Regional Facility WALTER H. BAKER COMPANY BOSTON NEW PLAYS AND BOOKS - Season 1925 - ONE ROOM. PLUS By Elizabeth Calder & Walter Ben Hare A dramatic comedy in three acts. Three males and three females. Scenery a single easy interior. Plays a full even- ing. This laughable play blends youthful spirits and intense modernity with the kindly wisdom of the previous generation. Frank Carmichael is trying to provide Julia, a pleasure loving wife, with city life and freedom from household care. Their home is a collection of mechanical conveniences, assembled in a combined living, dining, and sleeping room, plus bath and kitchenette. Into this "ONE ROOM PLUS' r of Fred and Julia, "Dad" Carmichael is warmly welcomed for a visit. He immediately makes himself at home finding the top of the bath tub a convenient place to sleep. John Carmichael, Fred's elder brother, and his wife, call on "Dad" and criticise Julia's extravagant tastes and aspirations and their influence on Fred. They flaunt their economies and exhibit, in con- trast to "ONE ROOM, PLUS," a real home of their own in the suburbs. "Dad's" kindly philosophy, whimsical wisdom, and ability to see both sides, brings about an unexpected harmony. Before he leaves "ONE ROOM, PLUS," the recently antagonistic young people have to some degree, the aspect of a mutual admiration party. The six characters have equally prominent parts. That of "Dad" Carmiehael with its shafts of homely wit will become classic. This is a play from the production of which actors and au- diences alike will derive keen enjoyment. Especially recom- mended to Little Theatres and schools. During the third act the characters enact their own story as it would appear in trie movies. In submitting the manuscript of this play to a mem- ber of the faculty of one of our representative schools, the reply came back: "This is the best naturalistic play that I have read for many a day. The play reading committee of our school simply went wild over it and I hope that you will allow us to give the premier performance in this part of the country." Royalty 810.00. Price, 50 cents. JON By Dorothy O. Savage This is one of the strongest and most touching short plays written in recent years. Laid in a fisherman's cottage on the bleak and stormy Scottish coast, it has in its very fibre a touch of the stress of the storm-tossed and wind-swept land. The types are fisher folk, primitive and vivid, and its tragic story marches relentlessly to its inevitable ending with 'that simplicity and truthfulness which marks real drama and real literature. Few plays of the day will be found more impres- sive by that public which wishes to find the theatre what a well-known critic has called "an adult art." Three males, three females. Time of playing, about fortv minutes. Royalty, each . performance, $5.00. Manuscript only 50 cents per copy. BAKER'S PLAYS, BOSTON, MASS. ]r^K-Kv^^]^L-Ti^^^i^^r)i'i^^^^^y^rv^y^^jryjrFy^y^ Love and Tea A Comedy-Drama of Colonial Times in Two Acts Written at the instance of the D. A. R. By ANNA PHILLIPS SEE Author of " When Women ^ote" etc. NOTE The professional and moving picture rights in this play are strictly reserved and application for the right to produce it should be made to the author in care of the publishers. Amateurs may produce it without payment of royalty on condition that the name of the author appears on all pro- grammes and advertising issued in connection with such performances. -FROM. THE DRAMATIC PUBLISHING COMPANY CHICAGO Descriptive catalogue of plays sent free on application Love and Tea CHARACTERS Miss LAVINIA BOLTWOOD, a despotic spinster. BETTY BOLTWOOD, her niece. MRS. COWLES, a neighbor. MRS. ADAMS, a neighbor. MRS. STRONG, the village gossip. MANDY, slave of Miss Boltwood. JUDGE INGRAM, a middle-aged bachelor of mild Tory sentiment WILLIAM DICKINSON, a fiery young Minn tern an. SYNOPSIS ACT I. Place, the living-room of a comfortable village home. Time, April 1775, a few days after the Battle of Lexington. ACT II. Place, the same. Time, June 1775, not long after the battle of Bunker Hill. THE STORY OF THE PLAY Miss Boltwood, a despotic spinster, is persuaded to join a band of ladies who have sworn to give up tea and all taxed articles till the Revolutionary War is over. The tea habit is too strong for Miss Boltwood and she drinks it secretly. Her niece, Betty, dis- covers this and uses the information to compel her aunt to consent to her (Betty's) engagement to the young minuteman, William Dickinson. Miss Boltwood also has a lover, the Tory, Judge Ingram, whom she has kept dangling for years. When he joins the Patriot cause and she hears the (false) report that he has been arrested as a spy, she champions him and finds that she loves him ; she becomes an ardent Patriot also all this just as he has decided that \h\r friend- ship is ideal ! Mandy, who is a privileged character, furnishes much fun. COPYRIGHT, 1915, BY ANNA PHILLIPS SEE As author and proprietor All rights reserved. Love and Tea ACT I SCENE. The living-room of Miss BOLTWOOD'S home. There are doors to L. and R., a closed window near R., a fireplace with fire near c. and over it a cupboard that locks ; a tea table, four straight chairs, a high winged chair or settle, a mirror, furnishings of a colonial tea table, a black cat (toy}, etc. (MANDV is discovered on stage. She pokes fire, looks into kettle, stumbles over cat by the hearth.} MANDY. Dere's dat cat agin ! Here you, Salem, git out from under Mandy's feet 'fore I break my neck or yours ! Black imp o' Satan ! (The cat is supposed to spit.) He spits ! I pray you, spit not at poor old Mandy, please, Mr. Cat ! Oh, you looks a very witch cat ! Good Salem ! Good pussy ! (Pets the cat.) Enter BETTY BOLTWOOD in afternoon dress but with an apron on. BETTY. Mandy, aunt bids you assist me with the porcelain against the tea-drinking this afternoon. Fetch the linen towel and the tray. MANDY. Yes, missy. Here dey is. (MANDY gets towel and tray and she and BETTY wipe the dishes and arrange them on the tea table. ) BETTY (holding up cream pitcher). I like well this tea set, Mandy. 'Twas a most pleasing gift that aunt's cousin fetched her from China. She surely hath a vast love for tea. 'Tis almost a carnal weakness ! 2072766 <J. LOVE AND TEA MANDY. True, missy. You' aunt do love tea most 'strava- gantly, an' cats too ! ( Looks scornfully at SALEM. ) A true sign she will never marry. But Missy Boltwood am so sperity de mens am 'fraid of her, mebbe. BETTY (as they set the table}. Aunt is too strong-willed and and managing to obey any man. Heard you not that when a girl she was betrothed to Judge Ingram, but could not abide the thought of marriage ? MANDY. Lawsy, Miss Betty 1 An' such friends as dey is, too ! De Judge am a Tory. Is dat de reason Missy Boltwood ain't no patriarch like mos' of de Hartfield ladies ? BETTY. Nay, Mandy, 'tis because aunt lived so many years in England. She thinks there need be no quarrel between the Colonies and the king. Could she but hear William Dickinson defend the cause of our independence (There is the sound of a wagon driven rapidly. MANDY runs to the window dish in hand.} MANDY. Why, dere's you' William Dickinson now, a-dashin' by in de wagon I BETTY (darting also to the window}. Where? I see only dust. Looked he not up at the window, Mandy ? MANDY. No, Miss Betty. He was racin' dose colts over de groun' ! BETTY (pouting). And we have not met in two long days ! MANDY (earnestly). Miss Betty, if you' aunt knew how lovery you is wid dat William Dickinson, she would prison you in you' chamber. You know well she can't 'bide de Dickin- sons 'count of de old quarrel 'tween de famblies. BETTY. True, but naught can be said against William. He is the bravest and handsomest minuteman in the company, and MANDY. Sh, missy ! I hears you' aunt on de stairs. Enter Miss LAVINIA BOLTWOOD, handsomely gowned. Miss B. Cease your chattering, Mandy. Fetch me the egg cakes and the macaroons from the great cupboard. [Exit MANDY. BETTY. With your permission, aunt, I will go abroad to take the air. 'Tis too beauteous a day to remain within. (Takes off her apron."} LOVE AND TEA 5 Miss B. Then I pray you go down to the Meadow Road and buy me some sage cheese from Mrs. Abiel Dickinson. Should you chance to see young William, chatter not with him. 'Tis not seemly for maidens to talk overmuch with men. Enter MANDY with a plate of cakes in each hand. She stands listening with the plates slanted so that the cakes are in danger of falling off. She now grins knowingly at BETTY behind Miss B.'s back. BETTY (demurely). I will heed your counsel, aunt. 'Twill be best to wear my new bonnet. The old one is sadly shabby. (Exit BETTY, who returns in a moment and puts her bonnet on before the mirror.) Miss B. Mandy, you stupid, lay down the plates and put the teapot to warm. MANDY (putting teapot on the hearth). Is you goin' to give old Mandy jess a leetle tea to-day, missy? I knows tea is powerful 'spensive. Why so, missy ? Miss B. Because the Parliament taxes tea. Have you no remembrance of the Boston Tea Party, more than a year agone, when the tea was thrown overboard in Boston Harbor? MANDY. Yes, missy, I recommembers, an' lots of lady patriarchs stopped drinkin' tea den. Missy Abiel Dickinson she drink "Liberty Tea," an 1 I helps her pick de raspberry leaves las' summer (Knocker sounds.*) Miss B. There is the knocker, Mandy. Do you attend the door. (Exit MANDY. She ushers in MRS. STRONG, MRS. COWLES and MRS. ADAMS.) Good-afternoon, Mrs. Strong; good-afternoon, Mrs. Cowles ; good-afternoon, Mrs. Adams. I hope I see you all well. MRS. S. I am in my usual state of good health, thank you, Miss Bolt wood. MRS. C. Save for a slight rheum, I am enjoying the bless- ing of health, thank you. MRS. A. Thank you kindly, Miss Boltwood, I am as well as can be expected. Miss B. Lay aside your cloaks, ladies. Mandy, assist the ladies. (They remove their wraps.) 6 LOVE AND TEA MRS. S. Did I not see your niece Betty flitting through the lane as I came by ? Miss B. It may be. I sent her on an errand to Mrs. Abiel Dickinson's. "Fis a safe walk to the Meadow Road. (She moves to the fireplace and makes the tea.} MRS. S. (looking meaningly at the others). Laws-a-massy ! Is she throwing the girl at William's head? MRS. A. Sh ! She does not know how enamored the young people are. When she learns it poor Betty ! Miss B. (turning from the fireplace]. I pray you, ladies,' draw up to the table ere the tea be cold. ( They seat them- selves. MANDY brings the teapot and places it before Miss B. MANDY looks longingly at the tea, sniffs it, and licks her lips behind their backs. The ladies pour the tea into their saucers and blow it noisily, crooking their little fingers as they raise the saucers to their lips. At a sign from Miss B., MANDY exits.} 'Tis a pity I have none of my rose conserve to give you. I sent it all to my friends in England by the Christmas packet. MRS. S. Your conserve is marvelous, Miss Bolt wood. The receipt is a secret, I presume. Miss B. A family heirloom, Mrs. Strong. Pray tell me, ladies, if the tea be sufficiently brewed. 1 can assure you 'tis prime Bohea and no " Liberty Tea " ! (She laughs a little scornfully. ) MRS. C. 'Tis of an elegant strength and 'tis an elegant tea. I feel certain no duty was paid on it. Was it honestly smug- gled, my dear Miss Boltwood ? (All laugh.} Miss B. Indeed it was, and through Judge Ingram too. A poor Tory he ! MRS. A. Mayhap the good man will become a patriot in time. {Helps herself to a cake.} MRS. S. We ought to scorn to use anything taxed, as the king hath used the Colonies so unjustly ! Still, 'twould be a hardship to give up the tea. Miss B. Well, I am neither Tory nor patriot ; so I drink smuggled tea, and shall drink it till I am under better advise- ment. Pray take of the candied cherries, Mrs. Strong. May I fill your cup, Mrs. Cowles? (The knocker sounds. MANDY LOVE AND TEA J passes through from L. to R. She ushers in JUDGE INGRAM, who carries a newspaper. All rise and curtsey.) Good- afternoon, Stephen Ingram. JUDGE. Good-afternoon, Miss Lavinia. Pray do not let me interrupt your tea-drinking, ladies. I but stopped in passing to leave Miss Boltwood's Boston Gazette. The news is recent- - but four days old and of great moment. {He opens the paper. ) The Provincial Congress at Lexington is adjourned. 'Tis said General Gage is resolved to crush the rebellion. (Ladies show excitement.) He has now in Boston four thousand disciplined men. I fear me there will be war, long and bloody, before our king is master once more. MRS. C. Master ! Never again in these colonies ! (The ladies rise in indignation.^) MRS. S. Our minutemen will match with any British soldiers ! MRS. A. We women can assist our men, if it comes to a war against injustice ! JUDGE (laughing'). Ladies, ladies ! Such ardent patriots, and yet drinking tea ! MRS. A. {firmly}. If war is coming and our men must fight, I, too, can make some sacrifice. I will give up tea and all taxed articles. MRS. S. And I ! MRS. C. I, too ! Come, Miss Boltwood, join our league. It shall be named from your house where 'twas born, "The Boltwood Band." Come, now. Miss B. Nay, I am no patriot. ALL. Come, come; no denial. (They join hands and place hers in theirs.") MRS. C. This shall be our oath : " We swear to give up tea and all taxed articles till the war be over." Now, in unison. ALL (including Miss B.). We swear to give up tea and all taxed articles till the war be over. (JUDGE looks on amused.) JUDGE (rising ). Well, ladies, now that you are all com- mitted to raspberry leaves and linsey-woolsey, 1 will go. (There is the sound of a galloping horse, then excited voices of men. All rise and go to the window.) 'Tis an express. Look you, 8 LOVE AND TEA his horse is smoking ! There must be news from Boston. I will go and learn it, then report to you. [Exit. MRS. A. Oh, I pray there has been no bloodshed ! MRS. S. If blood has been shed, let us hope 'twas British ! (MANDY rushes in from L., greatly excited. She looks over the shoulders of the ladies at the window.') Miss B. (sharply). Mandy ! Get you to the kitchen ! [Exit MANDY, at L. Enter JUDGE, at R. He looks very grave. JUDGE. 'Tis as I feared. The rash minutemen have fired on the king's troops and war has begun. Day before yesterday there was a fight at Lexington and Concord MRS. S. Tell us, man ! Who was victorious ? JUDGE. The rebels stood their ground, 'tis reported, and the king's troops retreated, but not because of defeat MRS. C. Did the Regulars retreat to Boston ? JUDGE. Yes, and I fear it was a rout at the last. Owing to the firing of the rebels from behind walls and trees, the Brit- ish became panic-stricken. MRS. S. (excitedly). Hurroo for our brave men ! 'Tis glorious that they routed the trained troops ! Miss B. But why did the fighting begin out at Lexington, Stephen? 'Tis a good ten miles from Boston. JUDGE. General Gage was hoping to destroy the ammuni- tion at Concord. In some way his plan was learned, and Paul Revere, the goldsmith, rode all night warning the countryside. When the Regulars came, the minutemen were ready. MRS. A. (compassionately). Did many men fall? JUDGE. 'Tis reported a hundred minutemen and nearly three hundred of the king's troops. MRS. S. Well, thanks for that ! Each minuteman, it seems, convoyed three Britishers with him out of existence ! MRS. A. My dear Mrs. Strong ! Feel you no pity ? JUDGE (listening). The Hartfield minutemen are sum- moned to assemble at orice at Clapp's Tavern. Methinks I hear the drums. MRS. C. I must needs return home with the news, Miss Boltwood. I thank you for a very elegant tea. Miss B. As 'tis your last for the present, I am glad it pleased your taste. LOVE AND TEA 9 MRS. S. (rising). Forget not your vow, ladies. 'Tis for our hostess to uphold the " Boltwood Band." Miss B. I have passed my word, and shall keep it. I never break a promise. (Ladies curtsey.) Farewell, ladies. (Exeunt MRS. C., MRS. A. and MRS. S.) I fear me, Stephen, troublous times are before us, and there is a matter I would discuss with you. Should the war prove serious I may return to England. I would Betty were well settled, for she is over-impulsive and filled with romance. You are a Tory and will fare well when the patriots are punished, as they doubtless will be. Why should you not marry the child? 'Twould be a most excellent arrangement. JUDGE. Marry Betty ! Impossible ! How can you suggest such a thing ? The girl would not abide one old enough to be her father. Besides, there is an obstacle. Miss B. An obstacle ! Pray what ? JUDGE. Yourself, Lavinia. My heart is still yours though you cruelly condemn me to single living. I am ever hoping that you may reconsider your decision. Miss B. Say no more, Stephen. I thought the old flame had died for lack of fuel. I like you well in friendship, but as I have declared, I will not be at the bidding of any man. i will not. JUDGE (sadly). As you will, Lavinia. But if you consent not to my happiness, at least do not mar Betty's. She and young William Dickinson are lovers. He is a fine, upright youth. Let her marry where she will. Miss B. (horrified). What? Betty philandering with William Dickinson ! The sly minx ! She shall never marry any Dickinson, however " upright" he be. Enter MANDY at L., much excited, carrying carpet-bag and bundles. MANDY. Oh, missy, missy ! De Britishers is comin' ! I'se all ready to run ! Miss B. Hush, stupid ! They will not come here. [ Exit MANDY, running from L. to R. JUDGE (moving toward door at R.). Good-night, Lavinia. Is there never to be hope for me ? (He takes her hand.) Miss B. {positively). Stephen Ingram, I have declared I will never marry, and I am not the sort to break my word. IO LOVE AND TEA (Listens.} List ! There are the drums. Let us go view the uiinutemen. [Exeunt. Enter MANDY excitedly from L., with bundles. She runs to window and looks out. Then sees tea table with remains of the tea-drinking. She peers about to see if the coast is clear, then drinks tea left in the cups and teapot, eats cakes. MANDY. Might as well eat dis 'fore de Britishers gets it. Enter BETTY. TsliA.yn>\ jumps guiltily away from the table. BETTY. Oh, Mandy ! The minutemen are summoned. William must go. What if he should be shot killed ! (She covers her face with her hands. The knocker sounds, MANDY answers it, R., and ushers in WILLIAM DICKINSON. BETTY runs to meet him. MANDY exits at L.) William ! William ! 1 feared I should not see you before your leaving. Never did 1 dream that matters would come to war. 'Tis dreadful ! (She weeps.) WILL. Nay, nay, Betty. 'Tis not dreadful, 'tis glorious to fight for our independence. Your tears are unseemly. Come, look up. I have brought you a keepsake. (Takes a string of gold beads from his pocket. BETTY smiles through her tears.) When last I was in Boston these confronted me in a goldsmith's window and straightway I had a vision of them about your fair neck. Let me see the reality. (He puts the beads around her neck and embraces her.) BETTY. I thank you, William. I will ever wear them hidden thus (tucking them under her kerchief) with thoughts of you when you are far away. Would that there were no need for you to go. WILL. But there is need, and I go gladly if I go with your promise to wed me some time. BETTY. But my aunt WILL. I know you have ever put me off because of your aunt's disrelish for my family. But now, dear Betty, give me this comfort as I leave. Do you not love me? BETTY. Indeed I love you with all my heart, William, yet I cannot promise without aunt's consent. She has been father and mother to me since I was an infant child. 'Twould not be right. LOVE AND TEA II WILL, (impatiently). You will not promise without her consent and you forbid me to ask it as she will of a surety say " No." Then it lies with you to obtain it by fair means or foul. BETTY {firmly}. William, I will do my best to obtain it even by craft. Enter Miss B. unobserved. She listens. WILL. Craft would be fair enough. She cannot appreciate true affection. A woman who has flouted one of the best men in the world and yet doth keep him dangling ! Bah ! If he were not a saint he would betake himself to another woman and be happy. Betty, I love you better than anything in life save honor, but I will not be put off like Judge Ingram. I swear that I will wed you e'en though a dozen frozen-hearted spinsters barred my way. Miss B. Highty-tighty, young man ! By what right do you embrace my niece ? (The lovers start apart.} WILL. By the right of the great affection between her and me, madam. I duly crave your permission to marry her. Miss B. (coldly). You are a Dickinson. That permission you will never have. WILL. If there is naught against me save my name, I beg of you to reconsider your decision. Miss B. {positively). Nay, my mind is made up on that point. (Sound of drums.) WILL. 'Tis the last call; I must go.. Farewell, Betty. (He gathers her in his arms before Miss B. can come between them.') Miss Boltwood, I am resolved to wed your niece with your permission or without it ! \_Exit. (BETTY runs to the window?) Miss B. Betty Boltwood, I am amazed that you should permit yourself to become interested in a Dickinson ! I forbid you to receive this presumptuous young man again. (BETTY begins to wave her handkerchief at the window. Her aunt snatches it from her hand. They both stand at the window watcliing the minutemen.} CURTAIN ACT II SCENE. The same. A fire is on the hearth, the cat by the fire. The window is open and the roses are seen climbing near the sill. Jt is an afternoon in June not long after the battle of Bunker Hill. (As the curtain rises, enter Miss B. She is in summer dress. She carries a reticule or bag. She goes to floor at L.) Miss B. Mandy ! MANDY (appearing in door). Yes, missy. Miss B. Fetch me the parcel of old linen. We roll band- ages this afternoon for those wounded at Bunker Hill. [Exit MANDY. (Miss B. sits down, takes the cat in her lap. She sighs.) MANDY (entering with a roll of linen in her hand). Here's de linen for de poor boys in Bos'on. Dis war am dreadful. All de mens gettin' killed and all de rest of us goin' vvidout tea ! Isn't you hankerin' for jus' a leetle tea, missy? Miss B. (looking embarrassed}. Why why Oh, stop your chattering, Mandy ! (The knocker sounds. MANDY exits and returns with a letter.) MANDY. De post left dis letter, missy. (Miss B. opens letter, reads, looks thoughtful. MANDY gazes, all curiosity.') Miss B. 'Tis from Judge Ingram at Boston. MANDY. Glory ! Glory ! De Judge am fighting de Britishers ! Miss B. Stupid ! You know the Judge is a Tory. I sent him to Boston to arrange my affairs in case I should return to England. He says (taking up the letter) that he is attending on young Dickinson who was badly wounded at Bunker Hill 12 LOVE AND TEA 13 while bearing the colors at the head of his company. Humph ! He doth not lack bravery, 'twould seem. The Judge requests me to send word to the young man's mother. Perchance neighbor Kellogg's boy would bear the message to Mrs. Dickin- son. I will go and see. {Exit Miss B., at K., leaving letter on the table. MANDY exits at L.) Enter BETTY with knitting. Sits by the window which is open. She takes the cat and lifts it to the sill. BETTY. Smell the roses, Salem. How sweet they be. You are a wise pussy ; tell me if William has the rose and the letter I sent him some days since. The post is so tardy these days. {Puts down cat; rises and goes to the mirror; pulls beads from their hiding-place under her kerchief ; arranges them around her neck.} 'Tis a pity I cannot wear William's keep- sake openly. The beads become me well. Enter MANDY and BETTY forgets to hide the beads. MANDY brings in the teakettle and hangs it on the crane. MANDY. Oh, missy, missy ! You' William Dickinson am shot ! (BETTY screams and falls back horror-struck, then seizes MANDY by the arm.) BETTY. Not killed ! Tell me instantly ! MANDY. He am mortally wounded but will recover. De Judge say so in dat letter. {Points to letter on table. BETTY ft"'zes letter and begins to read. MANDY is horrified that she should read her aunf s letter.} Oh, missy, missy! You 1 aunt \vould scalp you did she catch you readin' her letter. She mos' awful 'ticular 'bout her letters. BETTY {with a cry). This letter has been on the way ten days ! William may be dead for aught we know. MANDY {looking out the window). Lawsy, here's Missy Boltwood comin' now. She'll see you readin' her letter ! Guess Mandy better be in de kitchen ! (MANDY runs out at L. BETTY drops down behind the high chair.) Enter Miss B. ; takes up letter again ; reads it aloud thought- fully. !4 LOVE AND TEA Miss B. " The courage and patriotism of the men have so infected me that I am convinced at last. In fact I have already forsworn my allegiance to the king and have enlisted in the army of the patriots." (She meditates ; takes cat in her lap as she still holds the letter.} Stephen Ingram, you are a fool to change opinions at your time of life. And yet even I cannot but admire the devotion of the patriots to their cause; the cause, too, is a just one. I am minded to embrace it instead of being but an onlooker. (She leans back wearily.} Hum, hum. I feel the need of my tea. (She goes to door at L. and listens, then to door at R. She takes a key from a hiding-place and unlocks the chimney cupboard, brings out a little teapot, caddy, cup and saucer. She makes herself a cup of tea -with the water in the kettle and drinks the tea. BETTY watches her from her hiding-place, and MANDY also puts in her head and sees with amazement. Her eyes pop out. When Miss B. rises to put the things away, MANDY hastily withdraws and BETTY hides again.} There, Salem, I feel better for my Bohea, but what a scandal 'twould make did the " Boltwood Band " know of my daily deceit. But you are my only confidant, Salem, and I know I can trust your discretion. (She rises ; takes reticule preparing to go out. Steps toward L. MANDY can be heard falling backward and exclaiming "Oh, lawsy ! ") Mandy ! MANDY. Yes, missy. Miss B. Come now into the garden and pick all the roses that are overblown. To-morrow I make the rose conserve. I will show you the blossoms I have in mind. MANDY. Yes, Missy Boltwood. (They exeunt at R. As soon as they are gone BETTY comes from her hiding-place. She takes the key and unlocks the cupboard, smells of the teapot and says " Tea/" Then she locks the cupboard again and is about to steal out at R. when Miss B. reenters at R. She looks sharply at BETTY and perceives the beads.} Miss B. Betty, where got you those beads ? BETTY (confused and trying to conceal them}. What what beads, aunt? Miss B. Do not attempt deceit with me. You know well what I mean. The gold beads about your neck; who gave you them ? BETTY (with courage}. They are a keepsake from William Dickinson. I pray you, aunt, be not displeased. LOVE AND TEA 15 Miss B. (sharply). Give them to me. 'Tis not seemly for maidens to receive trinkets from young men. Come, undo them. BETTY. Nay, aunt, I will not. I promised to wear them always and I will not take them off, e'en at your command. Miss B. Well, then, I will take them off for you. (Miss B. unclasps the beads after some resistance on BETTY'S part. They fall to the floor. BETTY snatches them up and throws them out of the window. She and her aunt gaze at each other titfiantly. Miss B. goes to the window.') Mandy, quick, bring me the beads that Miss Betty threw from the window just now. MANDY (heard from outside). Yes, missy. Miss B. (angrily). Your conduct is disgraceful, miss. Know you not 'tis wicked to disobey and flout your elders? From this moment I forbid you to ever see or communicate with this Dickinson again. I shall restore him the beads, and when I journey to England, you will accompany me. Do you hear ? Now go to your chamber and meditate on your mis- conduct. BETTY. Nay, aunt, I will not give William up ; I love him. You may be cruel and dangle your lover for a lifetime, but I will marry mine, and you shall grant me your permission. Miss B. I grant my permission ! Never ! I do not break my word, miss. BETTY (scornfully). Ah, do you not? Who, pray, has been drinking tea daily while pretending to deny herself? I beheld you with my own eyes take your little teapot from the locked cupboard ! 'Twould make a pretty story did I tell it. And I warn you, if you do not grant your permission to Will- iam and me, I will publish the secret tea-drinking. The town shall ring with it ! Enter MANDY. MANDY. Can't fin' no gol' beads, missy, nowhere. Miss B. Stupid ! Did you search under the window ? MANDY. Poor ol' Mandy crawl all ober de groun'. No beads dere. Miss B. (suspiciously). Methinks you may admire those beads. Unroll your turban. MANDY. 'Fore de Lawd, missy, don' 'spicion Mandy o' dem beads. I isn't got dem. (Miss B. looks in MANDY'S turban. She takes out strange l6 LOVE AND TEA things including a clay pipe. She also searches MANDV'S pockets and her dress hem. No beads. Miss B. is angry.') Miss B. If you have thieved those beads, naught can save you from the whipping-post, hussy. I will search the garden myself. \Exit. BETTY (confidentially). Come, Mandy. Tell me where my beads tell me where my beads are. MANDY (excitedly'). May de debbil carry me off, Miss Betty, if I ain't tellin' you de trufe. I don' know where dose beads is. But I 'vises you to watch you' aunt in de garden. If she finds dem BETTY. True. I will be there to see. [Exit. (MANDY wanders about the room in some excitement. She does a song and dance ; anything appropriate to the period. Suddenly an idea strikes her. She goes to the hiding-place of the key, unlocks the cupboard, takes out the teapot and makes tea, drinks it with an exaggerated imitation of her mistress' manner, looking about nervously all the time.') MANDY. Dat am de stuff, sure. Missy drink tea, Mandy drink tea too. No one see me 'cept dat black witch-cat ! He can't tell. (Sound of the knocker.} Lawsy ! Some one's at de door ! (She grabs the tea things and slams them into the cup- board, locks it and hides the key. She then exits at R. She returns with Mus. S. and MRS. C.) Please seat you'selves, ladies, while I tells Missy Bolt wood you is here. \_Exit at R. MRS. C. 'Tis best that friends should break her the un- happy news, not any chance comer. Think you not so? MRS. S. Truly. A privilege of friendship is to report the disagreeable. I wonder how she will relish such tidings ? Stephen Ingram was always a near friend to her, though 'twould take a Solomon to tell whether she cared aught for him. Enter Miss B. Miss B. Good-afternoon, neighbors. A/TRC f" 1 M <' S \( to S fther )- Good-afternoon, Miss Boltwood. MRS. C. We trust we see you well and and of good for- titude. Mayhap you will need it. MRS. S. (eagerly). Prepare yourself for sad news ; very sad news, my dear Miss Boltwood. Judge Ingram you are aware that he but lately joined our army. LOVE AND TEA I 7 Miss B. I pray you go on ! MRS. C. The report has but now come that he has been discovered in communication with the British. MRS. S. And that he has been arrested and will be exe- cuted as a spy ! Miss B. (incredulously}. Stephen Ingram a spy ! Impos- sible ! It is not true. MRS. C. His conversion to patriotism was very sudden, my dear Miss Boltwood, and all know his Tory beliefs. MRS. S. You have our deepest sympathy in that an old, and, mayhap, a dear friend has proved unworthy. True, he was a kind, agreeable man, but he was far too easily influenced, as you well know yourself. Miss B. (rising in indignation}. Ladies, I will not hear Stephen Ingrain traduced. I care not what reports are rife ; I know the man. He would never do aught dishonorable. He may be of a yielding disposition, but his principles are ada- mant ! Enter BETTY. She looks in surprise at her aunt and guests. MRS. S. (inaliciously). Miss Betty, your aunt is deeply concerned over the downfall of Judge Ingram. The whole town is buzzing with the news. It seems the Judge joined the patriot army but to furnish information to the British. He has been discovered and is to be executed as a spy ! (BETTY springs to her aunt's side and puts her arms around her.) BETTY. Dear aunt, 'tis a false charge I know it. They would not execute an innocent man. (Miss B. sinks into a chair as if about to faint. BETTY runs and gets wine. MRS. C. rushes to the fireplace, seizes a turkey wing and burns it, then holds it under Miss B.'s nose. She waves aside wine and feathers.") MRS. C. Burnt feathers are so reviving ! Miss B. (recovering). I want no wine, or sympathy, so called. If my best friend is unjustly accused, I will journey to Boston and see him righted. Methinks I have some influence on both sides of this quarrel. (MRS. S. and MRS. C. look at one another.) 1 8 LOVE AND TEA MRS. C. (aside). 'Tis best to go now. Miss Boltwood, pray call on us if we can be of any assistance. MRS. S. (spitefully). Mayhap you would prefer solitude foi the recovery of your equanimity. [Exeunt MRS. S. and MRS. C. BETTY. Pray, aunt, let us go immediately to Boston. Every minute may be precious. Miss B. Betty, I am deeply grateful for your belief in Judge Ingram. Enter MANDY with Mus. A. MANDY carries a basket into which she has been picking the roses. She looks curiously at Miss B., as she observes her agitation. MRS. A. takes Miss B.'s hand affectionately. MRS. A. My dear friend, 1 have just heard the news con- cerning Judge Ingram. Surely there is some awful misappre- hension. No one who knows him could, for a minute, be- lieve him a spy for the British. Miss B. (still holding MRS. A. 's hand). I thank you for those words. There is some grave mistake. For fear that he may may be executed before others can clear him (Turns to MANDY, who stands with open mouth, and speaks sharply.) Mandy ! Run to Clapp's Tavern and reserve two seats on the Boston coach to-night. Here, pay for them with this guinea. (Gives MANDY gold from her side pocket. MANDY exits in haste.) MRS. A. Take my prayers and my good wishes with you, Miss Boltwood. If I can be of service in any way, pray let me know. [Exit. Miss B. Come, Betty, let us make haste to prepare for the journey. [Exeunt. (For a moment the stage is empty. There is the sound of a knocker. No one responds. The knocker sounds again. After a time JUDGE, /'// the uniform of a minuteman, en- ters supporting WILL., who has his arm in a sling.~) JUDGE. There seems to be no one at home, William, but you must rest before going on to your own house. Mayhap the ladies will return soon. WILL, (sinking back wearily in the great chair ; he is white and weak). 'Twas most kind of you, sir, to bring me home. LOVE AND TEA ig I do not think I could have journeyed so far unaided. Yet you are needed in the army. JUDGE. I shall return immediately. {Enter MANDY in haste.) Ah, here is the wench. How are your mistresses, Mandy ? (MANDY falls back amazed and gazes at JUDGE with rolling eyes. She slowly backs into a corner and does not take her eyes from him. ) MANDY. Is you a ghos', sir? I heard de ladies say you was executioned. Please, Mr. Ghos' JUDGE (laughing}. Nonsense, Mandy. 1 am true flesh and blood. How fares Miss Boltwood ? WILL. How is Miss Betty ? MANDY. Dey is all well, sir. Dat is, dey is feelin' awful bad dat you is executioned. On dat account dey is startin' on de coach to-night for Bos' on, sir. WILL. What does she mean ? JUDGE. Executed ! What tale is this ? MANDY. De tale dat you is executioned as a spy, sir, for de Britishers. Missy Boltwood she say dat am a lie, an' she goin' to save you, sir. JUDGE. Bless her for her faith in me. WILL. And does Miss Boltwood er er is she still disap- proving of me ? MANDY (cheerfully). Oh, yes, sir. She powerful mad when she see dem beads on Miss Betty's neck. And when she frowed dem out de window WILL. Who ? Not Miss Betty ? MANDY. Oh, yes, sir. She got mad, too, an' frowed de lovely beads out de window. We ain't never found dem, neider, sir. (WiLL. looks much cast down.) Enter Miss B. and BETTY with bandboxes and bags. They wear bonnets. They stare dumbfounded at the JUDGE and WILL. Miss B. (going to JUDGE at L.). Stephen Ingram, thank God! (They clasp hands.) BETTY (flying to the side of WILL.). Oh, William ! (He tries to rise, but sinks back.) Your wound, how fares it? 2O LOVE AND TEA (She hangs over him and MANDY brings pillows.} JUDGE (laughing'}. Do I look like a man about to be exe- cuted, Lavinia? Mandy has told us of the false report. Miss B. ' Twas false ! I knew it ! But how why JUDGE. Another Ingram, but not from Hartfield, was the spy. He has met his punishment ere this, poor fellow. BETTY. Aunt Lavinia, William craves the fresh air. May we go into the garden ? Miss B. (absently). Yes, child. [Exit WILL., leaning on BETTY, at R. JUDGE. Lavinia, I could not be a traitor to the patriot cause, for I am with it heart and soul. Your example did help te win me over. Miss B. Mine ? How so ? JUDGE. When you practiced such self-denial and gave up youy tea. (Playfully.} I knew you were wedded to it. . Miss B. (humbly}. Oh, Stephen, you shame me. I did liot keep my vow. I confess I have been drinking tea in secret. The habit was too strong for me. But now your patriotism has kindled mine. I, too, adop,t the patriot cause. To it I will give myself and all I have, even my tea ! Look ! I break the pot in token that I break the habit. (She takes the teapot from the cupboard and is about to shat- ter it on the hearth when MANDY springs forward.} MANDY. Oh, missy, don' smash de little teapot ! Give it to old Mandy. (She holds out her hands for it. Miss B. puts the pot into them. MANDY clasps it to her breast.} Miss B. Well, take it and get you to the kitchen. You can brew naught but "Liberty Tea" in it now. (MANDY starts to go but is loath to lose any of the conversa- tion, so lingers by the door at L.) JUDGE. Lavinia, it rejoices me that you so heartily embrace the glorious cause of independence. "f is noble Miss B. Say not so, Stephen. You must, in your heart, despise me for my weakness. JUDGE. Despise you ! I could not. Come, tell me. Were you about to journey to Boston in my behalf? LOVE AND TEA 21 Miss B. Yes, I had so purposed. I would have wrested you from prison and execution, if need be ! JUDGE. What a friend you are, Lavinia ! Miss B. (looking at him tenderly}. 1 have but now learned your worth to me, Stephen. JUDGE. And I yours. Our friendship shall endure while life lasts. 'Tis above passion. Miss B. {faintly}. Yes, Stephen. JUDGE. I see now how exalted is our relation. 'Tis an ideal. Miss B. (downcast}. True, 'tis an ideal but JUDGE (enthusiastically). Dear Lavinia, you have shown me how earthly are mere love and marriage compared to this mating of our souls. Never again will I annoy you with words of love. Such friendship is all 1 ask ! Miss B. (amazed, then indignant}. Stephen, I care not for your friendship ! JUDGE (surprised}. What mean you, Lavinia? Miss B. (embarrassed, yet courageous}. I mean that I know now that I I love you, Stephen. JUDGE (joyfully}. Can it be that you are willing to wed me ? (Ht con'.^s war'- and lock* tenderly at her.} Miss B. Yes, Stephen. (He takes her in his arms. MANDV looks interested, then glad. At this point she exclaims.} MANDY. Hurrroo ! Miss B. (sharply, turning about toward MANDY). Mandy, why are you still here ? Go into the garden and finish the rose gathering. MANDY. Yes, missy. (She takes basket and exits at L. , still clasping the teapot to her breast.} Enter BETTY and WILL, at R. JUDGE (looking at BETTY and WILL. ). Lavinia, I pr^y you permit the young people to be as happy as we are. Will you not? Miss B. I will, at your bidding, Stephen. (She goes toward them.} Betty ! BETTY. Yes, aunt. 22 LOVE AND TEA Enter MANDY excitedly, holding up the beads. She still clasps the teapot. MANDY. Here's de gol' beads, missy. Mandy found dem hangin* on de rose-bush. (She gives the beads to Miss B.) Miss B. Good Mandy. You shall be rewarded. Here, Betty, take your beads. I give William permission to put them about your neck with my blessing. BETTY (joyfully}. Oh, thank you, aunt. (She gives the beads to WILL.) WILL. I am deeply grateful, Aunt Lavinia. (He clasps the beads about BETTY'S neck and kisses her. The JUDGE and Miss B. stand hand-in-hand beaming at them. MANDY gazes joyfully also, still clasping the tea- pot. She turns suddenly to the cupboard which Miss B. had left open, and seizes the tea-caddy. With this in one hand and the pot in the other, she cries.} MANDY. Glory ! Glory i Dey has love and I has tea ! CU.RTAIN BAKER'S PLAYS OF DISTINCTION THE HEART OF MAINE. In Three Acts. By Gladys Ruth Bridgham. 6 m., 7 w. 2 easy interior sets. Plays 2 hours. A picturesque story of the Maine woods. Jonathan Blair is about to put through a deal by which his lumber business becomes one of the larg- est in the country. The son of a former enemy and business rival claims the land which controls the Tuscgo stream by which Jonathan gets his lumber out. Jona- than's daughter, Mehitable, in her youth was secretly married to his rival. Through fear of her father, she gives her infant son to her sister-in-law, Marie. Marie's husband dies and because of her hatred of the family she takes the boy away and brings him up as her own son. By the terms of the will, the boy was to inherit an interest in Jonathan's business if when eighteen years old he would place himself in his grandfather's hands for three years. On his eighteenth birthday, Marie brings him home and a clash ensues between the very modern youth and his grandfather who lives in the past. The boy proves to be the owner of the land which controls the Tuscgo Stream, thus saving his grandfather's business. In the end he wins his way to the old man's heart and is restored to the mother who has been deprived of her son for eighteen years. Roy- alty, $10.00. Price, 35 Cents. WHEN A FELLER NEEDS A FRIEND. Farce in Three Acts. By J. C. McMullen. 5 m., 5 w. Scenery, a single easy int. Plays a full evening. Royalty, $10.00. Tom Denker and Bob Mills, trying to break into New York, have reached the point where their furniture consists of soap boxes, their diet what they can steal from the dog's milk and the parrot's cracker, and where one suit between them is the best they can do. How they climbed out of these social depths and what side- splitting complications arose from their efforts to do so form the plot of a mighty funny play which provides ten parts of about equal opportunity and is as easy to produce as it is effective. Especially for high school performance. Price, 35 Cents. BAKER'S PLAYS OF DISTINCTION CHEER UP. A Comedy of Inspiration in Three Acts. By Walter Ben Hare. 6 m., 9 w. characters with a group of children. Scenery, 2 easy ints., or i int. and one farm-yard. Although there is no senti- mental love interest in the play, it is replete with com- edy and dramatic situations and tells a story that is lovable, humorous, whimsical and uplifting. The trials of the little orphan whose baby charge is adopted by a wealthy lady appeal to every audience and the comical vagaries of the man-hating cook and the woman-hating yard-man who is too lazy to breathe will cause gales of laughter. The play is a novelty as most of the im- portant roles are played by boys and girls, or by chil- dren impersonators, making it an ideal offering for expression schools, Sunday Schools, and High Schools. Mulligan is a great part for a character comedian, but the other male roles are relatively short and easy to play. Annie, the little orphan, is a star role worthy the talents of a Mary Pickford, and Sarah Upshot, the pert little Sue, who longs for " leming pie," Aunt Mary and Miss Stone are exceptionally well-defined characters. Royalty, $10.00. Price, 50 Cents. GOOD-EVENING, CLARICE. By J. C. McMullen. A Farce Comedy in Three Acts. 5 m., 6 w. Playing time, approximately, 2 hours. Costumes of the present day. Scene, a single int. Annette Franklin, a jealous wife, has been raising a little domestic war over her husband's supposed infatuation for a noted dancer, Clarice de Mauree. How Annette was proven wrong in her supposition, cured of her jealousy, and found her long-lost parents, makes a comedy which, while easy of production, proves very effective in the presenta- tion. The part of Clarice, the dancer, gives the oppor- tunity for an excellent female character lead. All of the other parts are of equal importance and the situa- tions fairly radiate comedy and swift moving action. Royalty, $10.00 for the first and $5.00 for each sub- sequent performance. Price, 50 Cents. TOP LINERS FOR STUNT NIGHT AND VOD-VIL By Arthur LeRoy Kascr A new and original collection of "some of this and some of that" concocted by a specialist in the vaudeville field, for the use of either the amateur or professional entertainer. The contents include four hilarious monologues four guaranteed success one-act vaudeville skits several pages of street chatter, including many rhymes and jingles a wealth of minstrel cross-fire with fill-in bits of digs and jabs, and thirty- eight stories for the story teller. The longer sketches as well as the monologues have been so arranged that specialties may easily be introduced. The shorter articles such as "Rhymes and Jingles," "Street Chatter," "The Monolpgist^ and His Newspaper." etc., can be easily used as insertions in almost any form or monologue or cross-fire talking act. The minstrel cross-fire is of the modern type and utilizable wherever minstrel end men jokes are required. The collection is worth many times the price to the director who is in search of stuff that has not been worn threadbare. Bound in attractive art covers. Price, 75 cents. UNCLE JOSH STORIES By Cal Stewart Cal Stewart, who gave to millions of his admirers that kindly old rural philosopher and humorist, "Uncle Josh," has "passed over." The humor of Cal Stewart is like a draft of eweet cool air in a hot, stuffy room. For years, hearts have been made lighter, homes have been made happier, and troubles havelseen borne away on the wings of his hearty laughter. This collection, the first of the ' 'Uncle Josh Stories, ' promises to be a prolific source of entertainment to millions of people and in no better way can Stewart's cheerful, old- fashioned humor be better preserved. "Uncle Josh" can get into more pesky predicaments than any other male critter. Read any one of the thirty or more selections and we guar- antee that first you'll chuckle, then you'll giggle, then you'll burst into a big laugh, hearty and unashamed. Stewart's knowledge of life, which he so humorously portrays in these readings, comes from his varied experiences as a stage-coach driver, a locomotive engineer, and an actor. His philosophy of life is "I'd sooner tell Peter on the last day about the lofts I've given folks on earth, than try to explain about givin' them heart akes." Bound in substantial art covens at 75 cents per copy. Send for a Copy of our New Free Catalogue. It Describes More Than a Thousand Plays. BAKER'S PLAYS, BOSTON, MASS. University of California SOUTHERN REGIONAL LIBRARY FACILITY f Q 405 Hilgard Avenue, Los Angeles, CA 90024-1388 VO Return this material to the library from which it was borrowed. 4 4 4 [ * t i t = S 1 s ' JAM 2 __ nson 11992 r, one j varC- lours. W i. ' 1 Dl f\L.u w> LU-Ui\L show- j ^^M from *( JAM23HB HAY 26 figs jually only lise to ST T. f'f. i e girl, 9 sition, i chase f tom- 2 oaazon it r they \ 7 Jack * length 2 rus to ^ bf real 4 Unive So L ers, in tat this * $10.00 5 khards j mp but ^ jnery is * cription A g easily * e clever with a J id may, ^ popular i Dcmgn j, n L _ me, the 1 parts may be spoken. The first opera is timely in view of the journalistic interest in all things Egyptian. Contents: "A Royal Wooing," or "The Wedding of Tut- Ankh- Amen," "Abou Hassan the Wag," "Pretty Perilla," "Aladdin," "The 1 II Enchanted Birds," "The Statue Prince." To our customers 9 who have used Mrs. Richards first book ? "Eight Fairy Operas we have no hesitancy in saying that this present volume is a 5 worthy successor. Price, 40 cents. s? N BAKER'S PLAYS, BOSTON, MASS. 1 1