" LIBRARY WWVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS J. "I can never tell you exactly the way I felt." ARIZONA A Drama in Four Acts By AUGUSTUS THOMAS, Author of A LAB A MA, IN MIZZOURA, etc., etc. /. /.. .-. New York: R. H. Russell M DCCC XCIX LIBRARY UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA DAVIS jHIS play is fully protected by the copyright law, all requirements of which have been complied with. In its present printed form it is dedicated to the reading public only, and no performance of it may be given, except by special arrangement with the owner of the acting rights, who may be addressed in care of the publisher. COPYRIGHT, 1899 By ROBERT HOWARD RUSSELL The PERSONS of the PLAY The ORIGINAL CAST at Hamlin's Grand Opera House t Chicago HENRY CANBY, owner of Aravaipa ranch, MR. THEODORE ROBERTS Colonel BONHAM, Eleventh United States Cavalry, . .MR. EDWIN HOLT SAM WONG, a cook, . . . MR. STEPHEN FRENCH Mrs. CANBY, wife of the rancher, . Miss MATTIE EARLE ESTRELLA BONHAM, wife of the Colonel, Miss MABEL BERT LENA KELLAR, a waitress, . . Miss ADORA ANDREWS Lieutenant DENTON, Eleventh United States Cavalry, .... MR. ROBERT EDESON BONITA CANBY, Estrella's sister, . . Miss OLIVE MAY Miss MAcCULLAGH, a school teacher, Miss EDITH ATHELSTONE Dr. FENLON, surgeon, Eleventh United States Cavalry, ..... MR. SAMUEL EDWARDS Captain HODGMAN, Eleventh United States Cavalry, .... MR. ARTHUR BYRON TONY MOSTANO, a vaquero, . . MR. VINCENT.SERRANO Lieutenant HALLOCK, Eleventh United States Cavalry, . . . MR. FRANKLIN GARLAND Sergeant KELLAR, Eleventh United States Cavalry, ..... MR. WALTER HALE Lieutenant YOUNG, Eleventh United States Cavalry. . . . MR. LIONEL BARRYMORE Major COCHRAN, Eleventh United States Cavalry, .... MR. MENIFEE JOHNSTONE ARIZONA THE FIRST ACT \HE scene represents the interior of an adobe courtyard, and shows three sides of a rectangle formed by the dwelling- house and stables of a well- to-do rancher. On the right of the stage three doors open upon a small hooded and latticed veranda ; the doors leading respectively to the dining^ living, and bedrooms of the dwelling. On the left of the stage are the stables and wagon- sheds^ through the doors of which show the mangers. A Mexican carette protrudes from the wagon-shed. Near the stable and at the back is a well, with an adobe curb. The third and back side of the rectangle is filled by a large gateway, which may be closed by two massive wooden gates, now standing open. Through the open gateway, and over the low roof of the dwelling and stable, the mountains that wall in the 8 ARIZONA Aravaipa Valley show in bold relief against the hot summer sky of Arizona. HENRY CANBY, the ranch owner, aged sixty, and COLONEL BONHAM, aged fifty-two, are seated at a rough deal table. Julep glasses are beside them. Both men are in their shirt sleeves. C A N B Y. [As COLONEL draws last of julep through straw.~\ Have another? COLONEL. No, I think not. C A N B Y. Well, if you only think not \_Calls.~\ Sam COLONEL. They 're just a trifle strong for me. [SAM, a Chinaman, enters from the house. C A N B Y. Sam, fix two more of these, and don't put quite so much whis key in the Colonel's. SAM. Yes sa. [He goes into the house carrying the julep glasses. COLONEL. I really oughtn't to take another one, but it's been a year since I had a smell of mint. C A N B Y. I'll do up a bundle of it for you. COLONEL. No, no, I couldn't use it at the Post. ARIZONA 9 C A N B Y. Well, if you can't find a market for a bundle of mint in a regi ment of cavalry, I 'd like to know where on God's green earth COLONEL. Oh, they 'd like it all right, but it 's a bad example in a Colonel. Besides Estrella kicks if I get off the water-wagon too often. Once she said this nose of mine commenced to get little blue railroad maps ; had to paint it with bismuth. And if Estrella scents liquor, anywhere, she pretends they're coming back again. C A N B Y. I know Estrella. Used to try to put a crimp in my medicine with the same scare; but I pretended to like it, and used to shine up my horn this way [He catches his nose with one hand and pretends to polish it vigorously with the other. ,] whenever she began her lecture. COLONEL. I reckon you 'd toe out a little more, if you were her husband. C A N B Y . Yes, I guess I would. A woman that 's married to a fellow has a pretty tight cinch on him that is, if he likes her. COLONEL. And I confess I do like Estrella. She 's really great, Governor. You 're her father, of course, and ought to know her, but she 's a brick. C A N B Y. Colonel, at her age they 're all pretty good and when one of 'em happens to marry a man that 's sort o' settled COLONEL. Or even gray-headed io ARIZONA C A N B Y. Yes why he 's pretty sure to be a little dotty about her. COLONEL. You think I'm " dotty " about Estrella ? C A N B Y. [In an explosive high laugh.] He, he Oh, no COLONEL. Well, how do I show it ? C A N B Y. Why, ridin' down here. Why didn't you stay with the troop, and come to- day ? COLONEL. I avoided the heat. C A N B Y. [Resignedly.] All right. [SAM re-enters with the juleps.] Come on. There 's yours. [SAM places the glasses on the table and goes into the bouse. .] COLONEL. [Taking bis glass] Well, that 's a fact. C A N B Y. I s'pose if Estrella hadn't been here, you'd 'a' rode down jest the same. COLONEL. No, I don't say that. C A N B Y. You' d been a week at Carlos, and you was simply honin' like a sailor to get back, and, Colonel, you are jes' naturally dotty about her. HENRY CANBY ARIZONA ii COLONEL. \Mtodily. ~\ You don't understand, Governor. C A N B Y. \Laughing again, ,] He, he! Well, you 're startin' a little late to learn me. He, he! COLONEL. I ' m rather careful about Estrella [He rises and looks cautiously about. ~\ because there's something wrong. C A N B Y. Wrong ? COLONEL. She ain't happy. C A N B Y. Git out. COLONEL. I mean it. C A N B Y. She 's been here a whole week, and I never saw her chippcrer in her life. COLONEL. But I was away. C A N B Y. Well ? \_The COLONEL shrugs shoulder s.~\ You mean that made her chipper ? COLONEL. [Sitting.'} Yes. C A N B Y. Why ? COLONEL. Because she isn't happy at the Post. 12 ARIZONA C A N B Y. Well, you ain't the Post. COLONEL. But I *m her husband. C A N B Y. [After a pause. ] Ain't the julep brewed proper ? COLONEL. [Taking the julep mechanically. ] I 'd think, maybe, she was lonesome for her own people, but most of her life was spent away from you, at school and at the Seminary in 'Frisco. C A N B Y. [Rising and walking.] Colonel, I've broke a good many colts, broke lots of 'em to go double. When you first yoke 'em up, they jes' whip-saw that way. [He pantomimes a sudden and dis concerted pulling with bis bands. ~\ They ain't never both agin the tugs at the same time. Then I give 'em the gaff, an' after they 've run 'emselves nearly to a standstill, I point 'em home. They come back together like the wheelers in a band wagon. COLONEL. But I'm no colt, Governor. C A N B Y. You are at gittin' married; and all new married folks are jes' the same. For a while whip-saw then bolt. Some bolt harder and more of it than others, but they bolt all of 'em. COLONEL. Well, are Estrella and I whip-sawing or bolting ? ARIZONA 13 C A N B Y. [Resuming bis place at the table.~\ I take it you 're boltin*. Each of you thinks, if he could only run a little faster, he'd get away from the other ; but you can't. You 're yoked. Now, that don't mean trouble ; it simply means you ain't used to your harness. [MRS. CANBY enters excitedly from the bouse, carrying a pair of feld glassesJ\ MRS. CANBY. Henry. CANBY. Hello, mother. MRS. CANBY. I been lookin' at that cavalry troop through the Colonel's spy glasses. CANBY. Ma loves the soldiers. MRS. CANBY. Git out! I been watchin' fur Bonita. CANBY. Oh, Bonita 's all right. MRS. CANBY. She went out at three, and it 's after six now. CANBY. Well ? MRS. CANBY. And jest as I thought, she 's gallivanted up the Valley to meet the troop. CANBY. Well, we ain' t never hung anybody for that. i 4 ARIZONA MRS. C A N B Y. But one girl herdin' with forty soldiers all afternoon COLONEL. Why, bless your soul, mother, she 's Estrella's sister, and any one of them would let Bonita walk on him. MRS. CANBY. I don't see that helps any. Imagine her walkin' on one of 'cm. [Goes anxiously to the gate.~\ CANBY. Colonel, Ma won't stand for any poetry. MRS. CANBY. I was a girl in this territory myself. [She returns."] CANBY. Well, nothing happened to you, that you couldn't get over, did they? MRS. CANBY. \_After a glare at him.~\ Well, I '11 leave it to anybody that knows you. [CANBY begins to polish his nose.~\ Stop that ! ["CANBY stops.~\ Whenever he begins that torn-fool dido, you kin know Henry 's had his full gauge. CANBY. Colonel, she always jackets me when either of the girls steps over a trace. MRS. CANBY. Well, somebody 's responsible. CANBY. See ? Ma 's made out somehow that it 's my fault they was n't boys. ARIZONA 15 MRS. C A N B Y. Where 's Estrella ? C A N B Y. Layin' down. MRS. C A N B Y. Well, I think she might be doin' better when the Colonel 's rode nearly all night to spend the day with her. COLONEL. Oh no, no. Estrella usually takes a nap in the afternoon at the Post. [ESTRELLA enters from the bouse dressed in an easy wrapper. ESTRELLA. [Half sleepily, ,] Hello, everybody. MRS. C A N B Y. Are you up for all day, Estrella ? ESTRELLA. Yes, and all night, if it 's as pretty as last night was. [She puts her arms over the COLONEL'S shoulders and kisses him. COLONEL. Get a nap, sweetheart ? ESTRELLA. Not much. I was reading most of the time. Has C Troop come ? COLONEL. Not yet. MRS. C A N B Y. [From the gateway. ~\ They 're in sight, and Bonita J s Joan-of- Arc-in' 'em. 16 ARIZONA ESTKELLA. Oh, that's fun. I'd have gone with her if I 'd known it. [She pauses as she catches sight of the glasses. ] What are you drinking, Frank ? COLONEL. Julep. [Glances warningly at CANBY. ESTRELLA. You mustn't let Pa get you into bad habits. [CANBY begins polishing nose. MRS. CANBY. Stop it. CANBY. We been drowndin' our sorrows, the Colonel and me. He 'a got an idear, Estrella, that you ain't easy down at the Post. ESTRELLA. Why, I don't see how. COLONEL. [Putting his arm about her waist. ~\ Thought you were a trifle moody, that 's all. Thought maybe you were getting a little homesick for the city. ESTRELLA. [In lulling manner, ,] Why, no. MRS. CANBY. Well, any woman that could get lonesome at the Post, deserves it. Huh! You ought to have a dose of this place cactus and sand, and slab-sided cattle, and havin' to let the clock run down to tell when it J s Sunday. I don't know what women want now- a-days. [She goes up to the gate. ARIZONA 17 COLONEL. Maybe they want their husbands like C Troop's first Lieuten ant, young and handsome ESTRELLA. [Her fngers over bis lips.~\ Stop stop, I won't hear you! COLONEL. And then, as soon as I M got her, I log-rolled a transfer down here in the desert, where she can't possibly escape. C A N B Y. Don't call the Aravaipa Valley a desert, Colonel. COLONEL. Estrella called it that. ESTRELLA. But I didn't know how pretty Fort Grant could be. I thought it was all like this. COLONEL. Oh, the Post is better than this, but it isn't San Francisco, is it, dear ? ESTRELLA. I don't think of San Francisco, Frank. MRS. CANBY. I hope not. San Francisco 's got all it can answer for. You ain't been anything but faint-and-fall-in-it, and Bonita wouldn't touch a darnin' bag with a ten foot pole since they San Francis- coed her. CANBY. Well, what 's the money for, Ma, if it ain't white bread to the girls ? i8 ARIZONA MRS. CANBY. Well, it might be a little white bread to me. CANBY. [To COLONEL.] Woundn't you think it was nothin' but crackers and water ? An* she 's got finery enough in those rooms to sink a ship. They 's a dymond breast-pin, big as a paddle-lock a gold bracelet so thick that the greasers don't steal it, 'cause they think it J s brass. There 's silk dresses MRS. CANBY. Yes, and greasers are all they are to show 'em to. I never been out, Colonel, in my breast-pin but once in five years, and that was to the opera at El Paso. CANBY. Oh, Ma, you wore it on the sleepin'-car to Phoenix! MRS. CANBY. But we was the only folks in the car, besides the nigger. CANBY. Well, I saw him looking at it. [LENA enters from the bouse. LENA. Mrs. Canby. MRS. CANBY. Yes? [The COLONEL rises from bis chair. LENA. The troop is up to the fence now they 're just coming through the gate, double column. ARIZONA 19 COLONEL. [Brightly.] How are you, Lena? LENA. [Moodily.~\ Well, thank you, Colonel. COLONEL. Shake hands. [He takes her band. LENA. [Embarrassed Itttle laugh. ,] Huh [She goes quickly into the bouse. COLONEL. [Looking after Lena.] ^11 right, now ? MR s. CANBY. [Sullenly] Not strong enough to do much work. She 'skind of a lady's maid for Bonita. C O L ON EL . Too bad, isn't it ? She'd 'a* made some chap a good wife. CANBY. [Optimistically] In Arizona, my boy, she 's worth a whole hatful of dead ones yet. COLONEL. Well, there 's C Troop. I '11 put on my blouse. [He goes into the bouse. MRS. CANBY. Henry ! CANBY. Well ? MRS. CANBY. You put on your coat, too. 20 ARIZONA C A N B Y. Why ? They don't have to salute me. MRS. CANBY. It don't look decent, with Bonita around, and those young fellows. CANBY. [G.] You bet, Ma. Every day is Sunday when the soldiers come. [He goes into the bouse. MRS. CANBY. And now, Estrella, stop your mopin'. You 've made your bed, and you Ve got to sleep in it. ESTRELLA. Did I make it ? MRS. CANBY. [Aggressively.] Yes, you did. You could 'a' had most any man in California in the army, or out of it. ESTRELLA. What about Thompson ? MRS. CANBY. He was fast ! That 's what fast. ESTRELLA. [Shrugs shoulders. ~\ And a row, wasn't there, when young Burgess began calling. MRS. CANBY. He was all upper lip, and no chin, like a prairie dog. ESTRELLA. [ Wearily. ] Oh, yes, all wrong some way, but the Colonel. ARIZONA 21 MRS. CAN BY. Well, I leave it to you, wasn't he the best of 'em the whole kit and boodle ? ESTRELLA. Do I say he wasn't. [ The sound of many horses on a dirt road and a jingle of sabr'.s begins faintly and grows in volume. MRS. C A N B Y. You act like it, I must say. And he notices it, too. He rode nearly all night to get here, and the way you appreciate it, is to sleep all day. ESTRELLA. Well, the troop will be here to-night, and we '11 be up late. [The light begins to change to the golden yellow of an, Arizona sunset. MRS. C AN B Y. Why ? Your Pa an' me will do the entertainin* . You can go to bed. Jes' you don't fret so much about the troop ; and while we 're about it, Estrella, let 's understand each other. There must be no goin's-on, this time, with this Captain Hodgman here. ESTRELLA. That talk bores me, Mother, excessively. MRS. CA N B Y. Well, I make it jest the same. ESTRELLA. You 're flighty about Captain Hodgman, and the Colonel 's alwa/s harping on Mr. Denton. [She goes up to gate. 22 ARIZONA MRS. C A N B Y. You 've got the best man in the regiment, the boss of all of 'em, and so don't get frisky with the others. [HODGMAN'S voice is beard outside. H O DG M A N. [Outside the court. ,] Right into line [COLONEL re-enters from the bouse in uniform. COLONEL. [To ESTRELLA, who is at the gate] How do the fellows look, dearie ? H O D G M A N. [Outside.] Halt. ESTRELLA. Very well. [The general noise quickly quiets and out of it grows the crescendo approach of two horses racing. MRS. C A N B Y. [Angrily] Now, look at that ! Bonita 's a perfect harum- scarum whenever that fellow 's around. [CW/r.] Bonita ! Bonita ! Stop it. [Horses slow down. Laughter by BONITA and DENTON. [DENTON enter* in service uniform, and covered with dust. DENTON. Mr. Canby here ? Colonel ! [Salutes. The COLONEL returns DENTON'S salute] Captain Hodgman's compliments, wants to know where to make camp. MRS. CANBY. Why, the same old field. ARIZONA 23 D E N T O N . But the home cattle MRS. C A N B Y. Our boys '11 turn them out. D E N T O N. Thank you. \_He again salutes the COLONEL, who salutes in answer. DENTON, turning to go, meets BONITA laughing and lead ing her borse f from which she has just dismounted. He smilingly whispers to her and disappears. MRS. C A N B Y. Well, Miss, it 's about time. \_A cowboy takes BONITA' s horse and leads it away to left back of the gate. BONITA. Why, Mother, it isn't sun-down. [CANBY comes from the house with coat on, and hair combed sleek. CANBY. [Smoothing his front.~\ Well, we're ready for 'em, Mother. [BONITA comes down. H O D G M A N. [Outside ] Dismount. [CANBY goes to the well, puts one foot on the curb and arranges his trousers over his boot. BONITA. Colonel, I scouted C Troop in from Curry's wind mills. 24 ARIZONA COLONEL/ All right. I'll put you on the pay rolls. B O N I T A. Miss MacCullagh 's with the troop, and Ma we 've planned for me to go to the Post with Miss MacCullagh and Estrella. MRS. C A N B Y. Not with this C Troop there. COLONEL. Why? MRS. C A N BY. Bonita 's a little too frisky with this First Lieutenant B O N I T A. Why, ma ! COLONEL. Denton ? MRS. C A N B Y. Yes, Denton COLONEL. \_Smiling,~\ Well, Denton 's a splendid fellow. Isn't he, Estrella ? [ESTRELLA turns away, annoyed. CANBY who has come down right meets her back of the table. MRS. CANBY. I know about him. They ain't a piece of deviltry in the Valley, he ain't in it. An' when he 's around, Bonita, she 's like a calf in a prairie fire. ^BONITA prances comically up to tbt carttte. ARIZONA 25 COLONEL. Oh, boy's fun. . Demon ? Why, Bonita, Denton *s the best cavalryman that ever stood in the saddle. [Enter HODGMAN, tbrongb the gate from right. He is in service uniform and very dusty. HODGMAN. [Salutes COLONEL. The COLONEL salutes in answer. Bows to others who return bis bow. CANBY AND MRS. CANBY. Evening, Captain. HODGMAN. Came through all right, sir ; men and horses in good condition. Doctor Fenlon and school teacher just behind in the ambulance. COLONEL. Very well, Captain. Let the men make camp and get supper, have everything ready in the morning, to start sharply at eight. [HODGMAN and COLONEL exchange salutes. CANBY. Colonel, officers in here. HODGMAN. \_Who has started off J\ No need to trouble, Mr. Canby, we have our tents. COLONEL. Oh, come in. It pleases Mr. Canby and his wife. MRS. CANBY. Yes, indeed. HODGMAN. Thank you. 26 ARIZONA C A N B Y. Supper ! H O D G M A N. [From the gateway. ~\ I '11 see the troops disposed first. [Salutes the COLONEL.] Ambulance, sir. VOICE. [Outside.] Whoa. COLONEL. All right. [HODGMAN disappears. Noise of ambulance brake and stop is beard outside with jingle of chains. [ESTRELLA goes to gate. B O N I T A. Colonel you make Ma let me visit the Post. [LENA re-enters. COLONEL. Of course. [Miss MACCULLAGH and DOCTOR FENLON come into gateway. They are very travei-stained. ESTRELLA. Miss MacCullagh, my mother and father. [CANBY bows. MRS. CANBY. How are you ? [Shakes hands and kisses her.] Doctor, glad to see you. [Takes bag from Miss MACCULLAGH, hands it to LENA.] Now, you poor thing, come right to your room. I 'II lock the bath-room door on my side, and you can git right in it. [Bustles effusively into the house followed by Miss MAC CULLAGH and LENA with the bag. ARIZONA 27 C A N B Y. Sit down, Doctor, and rest yourself. DOCTOR. [Who has been limbering bis knees .] Mr. Canby, I shall never sit down again. COLONEL. [Laughing. ~\ Been in the ambulance since daylight. DOCTOR. You know, that school teacher 's one of the nicest girls I ever saw, Colonel not a bit like, a school teacher ; blushes, you know, and all that. [Re-enter LENA with bag. COLONEL. I hope you didn't make her blush, Doctor. LENA. [To ESTRELLA.] Mrs. Bonham, that lady says this ain't her bag. ESTRELLA. Where did you get it ? DOCTOR. [Looking at similar hag in his hand.~\ Nobody said it was her bag. Lena, that 's mine. [Takes bag from LENA ; halo's botb.~\ You 're looking better. [Regards her professionally. LENA is em barrassed and goes into the house carrying the second bag. ] The idea of mistaking my New York Russia leather bag for this miser able Kansas City affair. B O N I T A. [Laughs and goes toward bouse. ~\ Doctor, your room is just through this hall. 28 ARIZONA DOCTOR. [Going.~\ Thank you. B O N I T A. You and Mr. Denton will be together. DOCTOR. [Pausing.] Pardon me, but I can't sleep with another man. C A N B Y. Two bds. DOCTOR. Oh, easy enough. [Goes into bouse. C A N B Y. [Calling after him] Supper soon as you 're ready. Don't keep it waiting, girls. ESTRELLA. [Going.~\ You ready, Colonel ? COLONEL. [Looking himself over and smiling. ] Well, what else ? Epaul ettes ? ESTRELLA. All right. [She goes into bouse. C A N B Y. Come, Colonel. [Disappears with Colonel through door to dining-room. [BONITA goes to the gate, meets HODGMAN and HAL- LOCK, with strikers carrying packs. They give way, smiling. BONITA goes through gate, but remains in view, looking off. HODGMAN, HALLOCK and twv strikers enter the court. ARIZONA 29 H O DG M AN. Same room, Mr. Hallock. [LENA re-enters from bouse. H A L L O C K. This way. [Exit, followed by two strikers. LENA. Miss Bonita. H O D G M A N. Lena. [Looks furtively back toward BONITA, who is not regard ing him. LENA. [Shrinking from him with disgust. ] No. H O D G M A N. Don't be foolish, Lena. You see, the trouble *s all over, and you *ve got a nice place here. I told you I 'd do something hand some for you, if you kept still, and I will. LENA. I kept still because I didn't want my father to kill you. [DENTON appears in gateway with BONITA. H O D G M A N. Ha! ha! ha! You wait till Christmas. [Chucks LENA under the chin and goes into house laughing. [BONITA comes down with DENTON. [The yellow sunlight deepens. DENTON. I understand your father 's going to put us up again. 3 o ARIZONA Bo NIT A. Yes, you 're with the Doctor in there. [To LENA.] In a minute. [LENA goes into bouse. [QUIGLEY enters gate with DENTON'S pack. D E NT O N. feeing broom.~\ I '11 leave some of this real estate outside. [He hands broom to QUIGLEY, who brushes him. BONITA retreats down right centre. ~\ Careful, Quigley [as broom strikes back of neck"]. Little sunburnt there. Thanks ! [QUIGLEY takes DENTON'S pack into bouse. D E N T O N. \Alone with BONITA.] Well, what about the visit to the Post ? BONITA. Ma hasn't decided yet. D E N T O N. I '11 speak to her about it. BONITA. [Alarmed. ] Oh, no! [TONY, a Mexican vaquero, enters from stable, carrying a horse bucket. D E N T O N. [To BONITA.] No r [To TONY.] Hello, Tony. [TONY nods with a pleased grin. BONITA. You, 'Tenant, must pretend not to care about it. ARIZONA 31 D E N T O N. / must ? [HODGMAN'S and HALLOCK'S strikers return from house and pass out through the gate. B O N I T A. Well, rf//the gentlemen. D E N T O N. Oh! [ToNY has filed his bucket from the well and started to go] That a horse bucket ? TONY. Yes, sir. D E N T O N. That Ml do me. [TONY sets the bucket down. B O N I T A. [As DENTON kneels over bucket washing his hands.] Why, things are so much nicer in your room. DENTON. [Pausing.] Er a I like the scenery. [Smiles buries face in bucket. B O N I T A. [Also smiling , calls, ] Oh! Lena. f As if seeing her.] A towel, please, for Mr. Denton. DENTON. Oh, I don't need a towel, Miss Bonita. What do you think I carry a handkerchief for ? [Stands up. [QUIGLEY returns from house. QjJ I G L E Y. [Saluting.] That all, sir ? [Re-enter LENA carrying a towel. 32 ARIZONA D E NTO N . That's all, Quigley. Thanks. [QUIGLEY goes out at gate. D E N T O N. [Taking towel.] Hello, Lena, glad to see you. Got your Dad with us, too. B O N IT A. But your hair. D E NTO N. Look bad ? B O N I T A. [Nodding.] 'm 'm that is not very. D E NTON . Oh lend me a side-comb. [BONITA nods DENTON bands towel to LENA.] Thank you. [Goes to BONITA. [ToNY starts left with bucket. [SERGEANT KELLAR enters at gate. K E L LAR. Why, Lena ! [TONY turns at sound of LENA'S name. LENA^^J to KELLAR and kisses him. TONY. [Fiercely.'] Who is this man ? \_Allbut KELLAR look at TONY.] You ! You ! [KELLAR looks at TONY.] Who nz you ? LE N A . This is my father. [TONY quickly disappears into stable carrying bucket, while DENTON, BONITA and LENA laugh at him. K E LL A R. \Saluting.~\ 'Tenant. Stables ARIZONA 33 D E N TO N. [Returning salute. ~\ Very well. I '11 be right out. [KELLAR goes to gate. KELLAR. 'Tenant. [Salutes. D E N T O N. [Saluting.] Sergeant? KELLAR. Who is dat man ? BON IT A. That 's one of the vaqueros. KELLAR. [Looking after TONY.] Ferricht ! [He goes out through gateway. LENA, suppressing a laugh, disappears into stable. D ENTO N. [Returning comb to BONITA.] I have to go now. [He starts up toward gate. BONITA. Where ? D E NTO N. Stables inspection. BONITA. But supper 's ready. D E NTO N . [Pausing in gateway.] I 'm afraid I '11 be a little late to it, then. BON IT A . [Also going, but toward bouse. ] I, too. 34 ARIZONA D E N T O N. [ Turning with complimentary eagerness. ] Eh ! B O N I T A. Must change my dress. D E N TO N . Oh ! \^A pause and a negotiating approach. ] Take me about fifteen minutes with the horses. B O N I T A . Take me about fifteen minutes to dress. \8he in turn takes a step toward DENTON with challenging diffidence. D E N T O N. Make us both late, won't it ? [LENA re-enters from the stable and gets mandolin from lattice. B O N I T A . Yes. What > that, Lena? LENA. Tony's. [She holds mandolin up to view. B O N IT A. Very well. [LENA carries mandolin into the stable. DENTON. Miss Bonita, do you know the most exciting thing that 's hap pened to me since I 've been in Arizona ? \Tellow sunlight begins changing to red. BONITA. What ? DENTON. That side comb. BONITA. This side comb ? ARIZONA 35 D E N T O N. Yes. [BONITA sits on the end of the table. DENTON follows with portentous intensity. BONITA. \With feminine dissembling.'] Why! It 's like any other side comb. May be a little more curved. DENTON. [Lightly, but not misled.'] Well, perhaps that 's it. Funny, though, to run up against a new curve, 'way out here. BONITA. I don't know what you 're talking about. [She smiles in com plete confusion. DENTON. Well I don't know that / do. [He walks away satisfied with bis skirmish, then resumes deliberately.'] That comb [Pause.] 1 've combed my own hair ever since my mother quit brushing it round a broom handle. [Pantomime of curling hair and pause. ] I ' ve used all kinds of combs combs just fresh from the drug store, and smelling like cologne I 've used combs that were chained alongside of roller-towels used every kind, I guess. [Parenth etically. ] And I asked you for that one more in fun than anything else [He approaches her with voice lowered to an ardent tremolo and speaks with his face close over her shoulder. ,] but I never can tell you just exactly the way I felt when I used it. [TONY'S mandolin is heard playing " The Crescent Moon." BONITA. \_After pause, during which she turns to him with some amuse ment not unmixed with alarm.'] You 're a funny fellow. 36 ARIZONA D E N T O N. [Looking into her eyes.] Am I ? B O N I T A. [Slowly retreating half a step.] Yes. [DENTON follows her almost imperceptibly. There is a moment's pause, during which there is no adequate ex planation for his not kissing her. Both sigh, and DENTON recovers with a step or two to the rear. DENTON. You know, at the Post, most of us bachelors have quarters in the same building. B O N I T A. Yes, I know that. [Very matter-of-fact. D E N T O N. After being together a while, we become rather free with one another's possessions. It 's a way we get into in the Academy. But, if we don't like a chap pretty well, [In a tone of judicial punishment. ] we don't use his things. [Pause.] Now, how do girls feel about that ? B O N I T A. [With Alice-in- Wonderland manner. ~\ I don't think they know about it. Has it been RsiaififiL? ^jii^^A*!^ j^ 4 DENTON. [Menacingly.] I mean, among themselves. Is the mine and thine rather sharply drawn ? [He comes to her, his wooing resumed. B O N I T A. Yes, [She turns, meeting his gaze with insinuating frankness. Pause.] unless they like a fellow. ARIZONA 37 D E N T O N. [Laughing nervously.] Oh! Kind o' human, after all. B ONI T A. \_Also laughing.] At times, yes. D EN T O N. [In playful earnestness.] Any other fellow ever used that comb ? [BONITA shakes her head, and DENTON smiles and turns away much pleased. BONITA. ^Taking comb from hair and regarding it] I haven't had it very long. DENTON. Oh ! [Pause] And I suppose there aren't very many fellows passing this way ? BONITA. [With affected innocence] No, not many. DENTON. [Reflecting.] Well, that rather cuts down my average still [Pause. BONITA. What ? DENTON. Do me a favor ? BONITA. Yes. DENTON. [Really serious and very near her] Don't lend it to any other. [Pause] Will you ? [BONITA purses lips in restraint of smile, and slowly shakes her head] Thank you. [DENTON smiles and turns with sigh of relief . 38 ARIZONA B O N I T A. [Taking second comb from her hair."] It 's pretty hard, though, to tell them apart. D E N T O N. [Quickly. ~\ I mean both. B O N I T A. Both ! ! D E N T O N. Both. [Positively. BONITA sighs with resignation, sits slowly and replaces combs. ,] Thank you. [Starts up. ~\ Fifteen minutes. [TONY'S mandolin ceases playing. BONITA. [Quickly.'] Mr. Denton. D E N T O N. [Turning.'] Yes. [ The red sunset shows a glow of purple. BONITA. [Pause.] You you 've been around the country a good deal, haven't you ? DENTON. Quite a bit, yes. BONITA. [Archly. ] Have you tied up very many side combs ? DENTON. [Meaningly.] My first pair. [BONITA moves one step down."] 'Tisn't going to be too hard, is it ? [BONITA looks at him and, without answering, goes to the table. DENTON follows. Her face is averted ; and he leans on the table speaking over her right shoulder, ,] You see, in this cattle-law country, some fellows rope the first ARIZONA 39 pretty creature they see, and call her all theirs ; I 'm asking only a little loyalty in the matter of side combs. Then, if that doesn't fret her why [He restrains a manifested impulse to embrace her, reverently kisses a lock of her hair and with a sigh runs quickly off. A bell rings. BONITA follows to gate looking after him. The DOCTOR, Miss MACCULLAGH and MRS. CANBY enter from house and come down. DOCTOR. [To Miss MACCULLAGH.] Feel refreshed ? MlSS MACCULLAGH. Yes, indeed. [DOCTOR indicates door to dining-room for Miss MACCULLAGH. MRS. CANBY. Why, Bonita, you ain't ready. [Miss MACCULLAGH goes into dining-room. BONITA. I 'm not hungry, Ma. MRS. CANBY. [Going with the DOCTOR.] I wish you 'd give her something for that, Doctor ; the soldiers excite her so. DOCTOR. I '11 give her a soldier. MRS. CANBY. Git out ! DOCTOR. Best / can do. [Goes into dining-room followed by MRS. CANBY. [HALLOCK enters and goes into dining-room. H O D G M A N. [Entering and looking about. ,] Oh Miss Canby, that was supper bell, wasn't it ? 4 o ARIZONA B O N I T A. Yes. H O DG M A N. Going in ? B O N I T A. Not just yet, I must change my dress. [She comes down from the gateway. H O D G M AN. Can't improve on that. [BONITA smiles, and bows a "thank you." Who taught you to ride, Miss Bonita ? BONITA. Pa says I was able to ride before I could walk. Anybody in Arizona who can't ride a horse, had better be dead. [L**gbs. H O D G M A N. Well, if riding is the test, you 've a good long life ahead of you. BONITA. Not in Arizona, I hope. H O D G M A N. You don't like it ? BONITA. Do you ? H O D G M A N. [Smiling. ~\ I have to. BONITA. Oh ! well, / have to for a while, anyway. H O D G M A N. [With apprehensive look back.~\ Made any plans for escape? [Lightly. ARIZONA 41 B O N I T A. No none [She takes the side comb from her hair and regards /'/.] none definite. H O D G M A N. [With some earnestness.^ Do you know you you 've never seemed like an Arizona girl to me Miss Bonita ? \_Tbe glow of the sunset fades into the pale blue of moon light. BONITA. Oh ! well, I went to school in 'Frisco. H O D G M A N. Nor like a California one, either. BONITA. Haven't I ? [ESTRELLA comes from the bouse and pauses , overbearing. H O D G M A N. [Quite earneitly.~\ God's country is down East, just between the Mohawk River and Long Island. BONITA. You call that God's country, do you ? H O D G M A N. Yes, and it 's where God's loveliest creatures seem to belong. If you were to spend one Autumn there, you 'd be heart-broken over every one you 've wasted on these ashes. You seem to belong there, little girl. ESTRELLA. \ln fateful monotone.'] Oh Bonita. 42 ARIZONA B O N I T A. Yes? [TIoDGMAN crosses with slight show of annoyance. E S T R E L L A. [In lighter manner. ,] Why aren't you dressing? B O N I T A. I am late. Excuse me, Captain. [HODGMAN bows. BONITA goes into the house. ESTRELLA. Captain HODGMAN. Yes? ESTRELLA. Of course, Bonita is one of God's loveliest creatures, but \Pause~\ if I were you, I 'd let some one else tell her so. HODGMAN. There was nothing in that, was there ? ESTRELLA. Something that, for the moment, made me wonder if you were not the most insincere man I ever met. HODGMAN. Why! why the young lady is your sister. ESTRELLA. That is what / urge. You can't use it in your defense. HODGMAN. Is defense needed ? ESTRELLA. You were trying to impress Bonita. ARIZONA 43 H O D G M A N. Yes ? \_Paus e.~\ And your look is saying that I had also tried to impress you. ESTRELLA. \Rebukinglj. ] I am the wife of your Colonel, Captain Hodgman. You are unpleasantly personal. H O D G M A N. Certainly not when I spoke to your sister ESTRELLA. You were trying to make Bonita unhappy with her sur roundings. HODGMAN. The law of progress ESTRELLA. You have taken the content from my life for your amusement. Let her's alone. HODGMAN. Amusement, Estrella ! [Paus e.~\ Look at me [Fstrella looks at him and then looks away] I didn't say glance at me. Look! ESTRELLA. [Looking at him] Why ! I hope you don't think I fear you, Captain. HODGMAN. [Smiting.] Fear me of course not. [Pause] Now, don't say I stole your peace of mind. Lethargy isn't content. You were dreaming here in the hot sands like a torpid nestling. I talked of the ocean and the smell of the low tide, and you began to wake up you breathed deeper [Pause and a slight movement 44 ARIZONA of bis band before her face.] as you are breathing now. [Smiles and watches her.] The languor went out of your eyes, [Pause] as it is going now, and your soul came into them ESTRELLA. I have the love of the best man in the world. H O D G M A N. Which should Jill every empty hour, and yet- ESTRELLA. And I love him. H O D G M A N. Almost like a father. [Laughs and turns from her. ESTRELLA. [Pause.] You 're not a man. You 're a devil. H O D G M A N. [Again catching her gaze.] No! This is the wilderness, and all these things I show you, but I don't ask you to bow down and worship me. I'm the idolater. ESTRELLA. I don't want yaur interest. H O D G M A N. I love you love you as I 'd love a rose to look at to in hale to hold. ESTRELLA. Or perhaps to crush. ARIZONA 45 H O D G M A N. If it were sweeter so to crush ! [Pause ; be looks at her with fierce ardor, as awaiting seme reply ; she returns bis look, and after a moment gives him her handC\ Estrella ! ESTRELLA. [After a look to right. ~\ Leonard ! [HODGMAN starts to em brace her ; she shrinks back ; he retains her hand, stoops and kisses it; DENTON enters through gate ; ESTRELLA quickly withdraws hand ; HODGMAN glances at her in surprise, and from the direction of her gaze apprehends DENTON. He turns. DENTON. [Saluting.] Captain. HODGMAN. Mr. Denton. DENTON. That horse of Shannon's unfit for saddle to-morrow. HODGMAN. Will he do with a blanket ? DENTON. Yes, sir. HODGMAN. Very well. [HODGM AN/0 //or five heavy square dowelled chairs, with seats and backs of cowhide, from which the hair has not been removed. LENA is setting the table for luncheon, while TONY, the vaquero, sits in the deep adobe window, singing to the accompaniment of his mandolin. 90 ARIZONA TONY. [Singing. Del cielo la estrella Brillante, El viento que viene del mar, Sabiendo tu perfidia te adora, Porque lo llama locura ? LENA. That J s a pretty song. TONY. I make this song. LENA. What does it mean ? TONY Major-Domo tell me 'Merican words. LENA. Did he ? Well, sing them. [TONY sings. The heavenly star far above her, The wind of the infinite sea, Who know all her perfidy, love her, Then why call it madness in me ? LENA. {Excitedly.'} Stop. TONY. What is the matter ? LENA. You sang, who know all her perfidy. Are you singing about me? TONY. What is perfidy ? Jn Spanish means, "she break my heart." ARIZONA 91 LENA. Perfidy is terrible. TONY. Is cuss word, like go-damn ? LENA. [Regaining self-control.] No, Tony, I am foolish it is nothing. [She sits to the left of the table. TONY. [Brav ely] Because, when it is cuss word, I make it. [Fiercely.] Go-dam ! I love you ! LENA. Oh! Tony ; no no. TONY. [^uite calm again.] Yes yes. LENA. [Tearfully] What right have I to be loved by anybody ? TONY. I go with soldiers. Speaky Spanish. When I come back, you be my wife Tony Mostano, best vaquero in all the world. LENA. When do the soldiers go, Tony ? TONY. Damn 'f I know. LENA. Tony, you mustn't swear so. TONY. Oh, well, when I learn ' Merican, I learn good, bad together 92 ARIZONA no difference to me. [TONY plays " Lieber Augustin" wooingly, with Spanish time, grinning at LENA.] Lena, your father is a Dutchman. LENA. [Smiling as she resumes her zvork.~\ Oh, yes! and that 's a German tune. TONY. \Growing graver and shifting his tune back to the melody of his ballad.] When I come back, I build for you a shack. Not one room, like vaquero shack ; two rooms, with bench on East, where shadow comes. My mandolin and damn-to-hell-my-soul, I love you. LENA. Tony! TONY. You live with me in 'dobe shack ? You be my wife ? LENA. I couldn't, Tony, I couldn't. TONY. [Fiercely] What you want ? A Dutch fall-off- his-horse Corp'ral ? I shall stay awake night, forever ? No! No! [BONITA and MRS. CANBY come in by the door, left. TONY disappears. MRS. CANBY. \_Catching sight of the Jleeing lover. ~\ Lena. LENA. Yes, ma'am. MRS. CANBY. [Severely.] What man was tha" ? ARIZONA 93 LENA. Tony. MRS. C A N B Y. Well, the men don't belong in the court, Lena. You must tell them not to come beyond the stables. I wish they *d get their blamed regiment done, and go. B O N I T A. Ma doesn't mean by that, Lena, that if there 's any one of them you care to see, he can't come, when your work is done. LENA. There is none I care to have come. [DENTON appears in the door at back. He is in cowboy attire, with leather ' ' chaps. ' ' MRS. C A N B Y. Is it a round-up ? DENTON. No, not a herd of any kind. It 's the regulars. B O N I T A. [Brightly.'] The Eleventh ? DENTON. I think so. What 's the matter with Tony ? [BONITA turns and looks at LENA.] Oh! [Pause and smile.~^ What is it, Lena ? LENA. He was playing his mandolin [She stops in embarrassment and runs out of the door y right. DENTON. She might do worse than Tony. He wants to quit again, and I 'd rather lose most any man from the company than Tony. 94 ARIZONA MRS. C A N B Y. I '11 see him myself. I promised Estrella I 'd look after Lena ; and if Tony 's in earnest she '11 have to marry him. [She disap pears into the court after TONY. B O N I T A. You say the Eleventh is coming, Major-Domo ? D E NT O N . Yes, ordered to the Gulf, I believe. [He lays bis bat and gauntlets on the window-sill. B O N I T A. Then they won't need the volunteers, will they ? [She sits at right of table. D EN T O N. Yes, miss. [He comes down beside her. B O N I T A. But why do you go ? Pa needs you here. He says you 're the best Major-Domo the ranch ever had. D E NTO N. [