UIRARY Uiihwrity of C>l>tcfni< JRVINE^ Quality Street Copyrighted, for the stage, by Charles Frohman, in England and in America, 1901, and performed by Miss Maude Adatns as ' Fhoebe Throssel' 500 times L Phoebe Sergeant, I am wishful to scold you, but would you be so obliging as to stand on this paper while I do it? ^°33.P kMi^f^ :0 S^8rt-i- ■... Illustrations in Colour ACT I The Blue and White Room PHOEBE Sergeant, I atn tvish/ul to scold jou, hit zvould you be so obliging as to stand on this paper while I do it ? Page 14. . Frontispiece Page Now and again ladies pass in their pattens, a maid perhaps protecting them with an umbrella, for flakes of snow are falling discreetly. Page 2i ■ • ■ Z iii Quality Street Page Miss Fanny is reading aloud from a library book while the others sew or knit. Page 4 6 MISS WILLOUGHBY We are known everywhere now, Susan, you and I, as the old maids of Quality Street, Page 7 . . . . .10 MISS SUSAN / think I hear their voices in dispute. Page 12 14 PHOEBE You know hoiv gallantly he swings his cane. Page 21 . . . . .16 PHOEBE He is absolutely fearless. Stisan, he has smoked his pipe in this room. Page 26 . . 24 PHOEBE It zvas raining, and my face was wet. Page 31 32 iv Quality Street VALENTINE Page To see her on her knees decorating the little legs of the couch with frills as if it were a child ! Page 38 . . . .40 ACT II The School Miss Phoebe is giving a dancing lesson to half a dozen pupils, and is doing her very best. Page 49 . . . . .48 PHOEBE Unhappy boy — Are you ashamed of yourself ? Page 53 . . . . .56 ARTHUR If any boy says you can't cane I will blood him, Miss Phoebe. Page 56 . . .64 V Quality Street Page A soldier with a girl passes — yokel follows angrily. Pa£'e 58 . . . . 72 Patty ushers in the sisters Willoughby and Miss Henrietta. Miss Henrietta is wear- ing the new veil, which opens or closes like curtains when she pulls a string. Pag-e 93 80 MISS WILLOUGHBY IVe shall probably spetid the evenmg here with Miss Susan at the card table. Page 95 . 88 ACT /// The Ball There is coming and going through this opening, and also through slits in the canvas. Page 103 . . .104 Ensign Blades appears, frowning, and Char- lotte ventures to touch his sleeve. Page 1 07 112 vi Quality Street MISS SUSAN Page They have suspected for a week. Page 1 16 . 120 PHOEBE As soon as you see a lady with a pretty nose you cannot help saying that you adore her. Page 129 . . . . .128 ACT IV The Blue and White Room VALENTINE / regret that they are out, Patty, hit I will aivait their return. Page 163 . . 160 Miss Henrietta and Miss Fanny, encouraged by his sympathy, draw nearer the door of the interesting bed-chamber. Page ijG . 168 VALENTINE She will recover. Page 186 . . . 176 vii CHARACTERS VALENTINE BROWN ENSIGN BLADES LIEUTENANT SPICER A RECRUITING SERGEANT MASTER ARTHUR WELLESLEY TOMSON ISABELLA MISS SUSAN THROSSEL MISS PHOEBE THROSSEL MISS WILLOUGHBY MISS FANNY WILLOUGHBY MISS HENRIETTA TURNBULL MISS CHARLOTTE PARRATT PATTY Nozv and again ladies pass in their pattens, a maid perhaps protecting them with an umbrella, for flakes of snow are falling discreetly Act I THE BLUE AND WHITE ROOM The scene is the blue and zvhite room in the house of the Misses Susan and Phoebe Throssel in Quality Street; and in this little country town there is a satisfaction about living in Quality Street which even religion cannot give. Through the bowed window at the back we have a glimpse of the street. It is pleasajitly broad and grass-grown, and is linked to the outer zvorld by one demure shop, whose door rings a bell every time it opens and shuts. Thus by merely peeping, every otie in Quality Street can knoiv at once who has been btiyitig a JfViimsy cake, and usually why. This bell is the 7nost familiar sound of Quality Street. Now and again ladies pass in their pattens, a maid perhaps protecting them with an umbrella, for flakes of snozv are falling discreetly. Gentlemen in the street are an event ; but, see, just as we raise the curtain, there goes the recruiting sergeant to remind tis that we are in the period of the Napoleo7iic wars. If he were to look in at the ivindow of the blue and white room all the ladies there assembled would draw themselves up ; they know him for a rude fellotv who smiles at the approach of 3 Quality Street [act maiden ladies and contimies to smile after they have passed. However, he lowers his head to-day so that they shall not see him, his present design being con- verse zvith the Misses Throssel's maid. The rootn is one seldom profaned by the foot of man, and everything in it is white or blue. Miss Phoebe is not present, but here are Miss Susan, Miss Willoughby and her sister Miss Fa^my, and Miss Henrietta Turnbiill. Miss Susan and Miss Willoughby, alas, already zvear caps ; but all the four are dear ladies, so refined that we ought not to be discussing them without a more formal introduction, and there seems no sufficient reason why we should choose Miss Phoebe as our heroine rather than any one of the others, except, perhaps, that we like her name best. But we gave her the name, so we must support our choice and say that she is slightly the nicest, unless, indeed. Miss Susan is nicer. Miss Fanny is reading aloud from a library book while the others sezu or knit. They are making garments for our brave soldiers now far aivay fighting the Corsican Ogre. MISS FANNY '. . . And SO the day passed and evening came, black, mysterious, and ghost-like. The wind moaned unceasingly like a shivering spirit, and the vegetation rustled uneasily as if something weird and terrifying were about 4 I.] Quality Street to happen. Suddenly out of the darkness there emerged a Man. {She says the last word tyemiilonsly but without looking up. The listeners knit more g^dchly.) The unhappy Camilla was standing lost in reverie when, without pausing to advertise her of his intentions, he took both her hands in his. {By this time the knitting has stopped, and all are listening as if mes- merised) Slowly he gathered her in his arms- — (miss SUSAN gives an excited little cry) MISS FANNY And rained hot, burning — ' MISS WILLOUGHBY Sister ! MISS FANNY {Greedily) 'On eyes, mouth, ' MISS WILLOUGHBY {Sternly) Stop. Miss Susan, I am indeed surprised you 5 Quality Street [act should bring such an amazing, indelicate tale from the library. MISS SUSAN {With a slight shudder) I deeply regret, Miss Willoughby {Sees miss fanny reading quickly to herself) Oh, Fanny ! If you please, my dear. {Takes the book gently from her) miss willoughby I thank you. {SJie knits severely) MISS FANNY {a little rebel) Miss Susan is looking at the end. (miss SUSAN closes the book guiltily) MISS SUSAN {Apologetically) Forgive my partiality for romance, Mary. I fear 'tis the mark of an old maid. MISS WILLOUGHBY Susan, that word. MISS SUSAN {Sweetly) 'Tis what I am. And you also, Mary, my dear. 6 Miss Fanny is reading aloud from a library book while the others sew or knit I.] Qtiality Street MISS FANNY {Defending her sister) Miss Susan, I protest. MISS WILLOUGHBY {Sternly triit/iful) Nay, sister, 'tis true. We are known everywhere now, Susan, you and I, as the old maids of Quality Street. {General discomfort) MISS SUSAN I am happy Phoebe will not be an old maid. MISS HENRIETTA {IVistfidly) Do you refer, Miss Susan, to V. B. ? (miss SUSAN smiles happily to herself) MISS SUSAN Miss Phoebe of the ringlets as he has called her. MISS FANNY Other females besides Miss Phoebe have ringlets. MISS SUSAN But you and Miss Henrietta have to employ papers, my dear. {Proudly) Phoebe, never. 7 Quality Street [act MISS WILLOUGHBY {In defence of Fanny) I do not approve of Miss Phoebe at all. MISS SUSAN {Flushing) Mary, had Phoebe been dying you would have called her an angel, but that is ever the way. 'Tis all jealousy to the bride and good wishes to the corpse. {Her guests rise, hurt) My love, I beg your pardon. MISS WILLOUGHBY With your permission, Miss Susan, I shall put on my pattens. (miss SUSAN gives permission almost JiangJitily, and the ladies retire to the bedroom, miss fanny remaining behind a moment to ask a question.) MISS FANNY A bride? Miss Susan, do you mean that V. B. has declared ? MISS SUSAN Fanny, I expect it hourly. 8 I.] Qtiality Street (miss SUSAN, left alone, is agitated by the ter/ible scene with miss willoughby.) Enter phoebe /// Jier bonnet, and we see at once that she really is the nicest. She is so flushed with delightful news that she almost forgets to take off her pattens before crossing the blue and white room. miss SUSAN You seem strangely excited, Phoebe. PHOEBE Susan, I have met a certain individual. MISS SUSAN V. B. ? (phoebe nods several times, and her gleaming eyes tell miss susan as much as if they were a romance from the library^ My dear, you are trembling. phoebe [Bravely) No — oh no. MISS SUSAN You put your hand to your heart. B Q Quality Street [act PHOEBE Did I? MISS SUSAN (/;/ a whisper) My love, has he offered ? PHOEBE [Appalled) Oh, Susan. Enter miss willoughby, partly cloaked. MISS WILLOUGHBY How do you do, Miss Phoebe? {Porten- tously) Susan, I have no wish to alarm you, but I am of opinion that there is a man in the house. I suddenly felt it while putting on my pattens. MISS SUSAN You mean — a follower — in the kitchen ? {She courageously rings the bell, but her voice falters}) I am just a little afraid of Patty. Enter patty, a buxom young woman, who loves her tnistresses and smiles at them, and knows how to terrorise them. Patty, I hope we may not hurt your feelings, but lO Miss Willoughby Me are known everywhere now, Susan, you and /, as the ohi maids of Quality Street i] Quality Street PATTY {Sternly) Are you implicating, ma'am, tiiat I have a follower ? MISS SUSAN Oh no, Patty. PATTY So be it. MISS SUSAN {Ashamed) Patty, come back. {Humbly) I told a falsehood just now ; I am ashamed of myself. PATTY {Severely) As well you might be, ma'am. PHOEBE {So roused that she would look heroic if she did not spoil the effect by wagging J ler finger at patty) How dare you. There is a man in the kitchen. To the door with him. PATTY A glorious soldier to be so treated I PHOEBE The door. PATTY And if he refuses ? {They look perplexed) II Quality Street [acti. MISS SUSAN Oh dear I PHOEBE If he refuses send him here to me. {Exit PATTY, MISS SUSAN Lion-hearted Phoebe. MISS WILLOUGHBY A soldier. {Nervously) I wish it may not be that impertinent recruiting sergeant. I passed him in the street to-day. He closed one of his eyes at me and then quickly opened it. I knew what he meant. PHOEBE He does not come. MISS SUSAN I think I hear their voices in dispute. {She is listening through the floor. They all stoop or go on knees to listen, and when they are in this position the RECRUITING SERGEANT enters Unob- served. He chuckles aloud. In a 7noment phoebe is alone with him.) 12 That impertinent recruiting sergeant SERGEANT [IVith an Irish accent) ma'am. Your servant, 13 Quality Street [act PHOEBE [Advancing sternly on hini) Sir — [She is perplexed, as Jie seems nndisinayed.) Ser- geant {She sees mud from his boots on the carpet) Oh ! oh ! {Brushes carpet) Sergeant, I am wishful to scold you, but would you be so obliging as to stand on this paper while I do it? SERGEANT With all the pleasure in life, ma'am. PHOEBE {Forgetting to be angry) Sergeant, have you killed people? SERGEANT Dozens, ma'am, dozens. PHOEBE How terrible. Oh, sir, I pray every night that the Lord in His loving-kindness will root the enemy up. Is it true that the Corsican Ogre eats babies ? SERGEANT I have spoken with them as have seen him do it, ma'am. 14 Miss Susan / ////;//■ / ]iear ihcir voices hi (Uspuie « I.] Quality Street PHOEBE The Man of Sin. Have you ever seen a vivandiere, sir ? [Wistfully) I have sometimes wished there were vivandieres in the British Army. {For a moment she sees herself as one.) Oh, Sergeant, a shudder goes through me when I see you in the streets enticing those poor young men. SERGEANT If you were one of them, ma'am, and death or glory was the call, you would take the shilling, ma'am. PHOEBE Oh, not for that. SERGEANT For King and Country, ma'am ? PHOEBE {Grandly) Yes, yes, for that. SERGEANT {Candidly) Not that it is all fighting. The sack of captured towns — the loot. 15 Qttality Street [act PHOEBE {P/oudly) An English soldier never sacks nor loots. SERGEANT No, ma'am. And then — the girls. PHOEBE What girls ? SERGEANT In the towns that — that we don't sack. PHOEBE How they must hate the haughty conqueror. SERGEANT We are not so haughty as all that. PHOEBE {Sadly) I think I understand. I am afraid, Sergeant, you do not tell those poor young men the noble things I thought you told them. SERGEANT Ma'am, I must e'en tell them what they are wishful to hear. There ha' been five, ma'am, i6 Phoebe Tou know how gallantly he swings his cane ih ' \ ' i i (1 ' 'I Hi -« % ti %. 4rr' '..I- '■"■■^'t| I.] Ottality Street all this week, listening to me and then showing me their heels, but by a grand stroke of luck I have them at last. PHOEBE Luck? (miss SUSAN opens dooy slightly and listens.) SERGEANT The luck, ma'am, is that a gentleman of the town has enlisted. That gave them the push forward. (miss SUSAN is excited.) PHOEBE A gentleman of this town enlisted ? {Eagerly) Sergeant, who? SERGEANT Nay, ma'am, I think it be a secret as yet. PHOEBE But a gentleman I 'Tis the most amazing, exciting thing. Sergeant, be so obliging. SERGEANT Nay, ma'am, I can't, c 17 Quality Street [act MISS SUSAN {At door, carried away by excitement) But you must, you must ! SERGEANT {Turning to door) You see, ma'am {The door is hurriedly closed.) PHOEBE {Ashamed) Sergeant, I have not been say- ing the things I meant to say to you. Will you please excuse my turning you out of the house somewhat violently. SERGEANT I am used to it, ma'am. PHOEBE I won't really hurt you. SERGEANT Thank you kindly, ma'am. PHOEBE {Observing the bedroom door openi^ig a little, and speaking in a loud voice) I protest, sir ; i8 I.] Quality Street we shall permit no followers in this house. Should I discover you in my kitchen again I shall pitch you out — neck and crop. Begone, sir. [TJie SERGEANT retires affably. All the ladies except miss Henrietta come out, admiring phoebe. The wiLLOUGHBVS are attired for their jottrney across the street^ MISS WILLOUGHBY Miss Phoebe, we could not but admire you. (phoebe, alas, knows that she is not admirable) phoebe But the gentleman recruit ? MISS SUSAN Perhaps they will know who he is at the woollen-drapers. MISS FANNY Let us inquire. {But before they go miss willoughby has a ditty to perfor)n) 19 Quality Street [act MISS WILLOUGHBY I wish to apologise. Miss Phoebe, you are a dear, good girl. If I have made remarks about her ringlets, Susan, it was jealousy. (pHOEBE and MISS SUSAN wish to embrace her, but she is not in the mood for it.) Come, sister. MISS FANNY {the dear woman that she is) Phoebe, dear, I wish you very happy. {vao^BR presses her hand.) MISS HENRIETTA {Entering, and not to be outdone) Miss Phoebe, I give you joy. {TJic three ladies go, the two younger ones a little tearfully, and we see them pass the wi?idow.) PHOEBE {Pained) Susan, you have been talking to them about V. B. MISS SUSAN I could not help it. {Eagerly) Now, Phoebe, what is it you have to tell me? 20 1.] Quality Street PHOEBE {In a low voice) Dear, I think it is too holy to speak of. MISS SUSAN To your sister ? PHOEBE Susan, as you know, I was sitting with an unhappy woman whose husband has fallen in the war. When I came out of the cottage he was passing. MISS SUSAN Yes? PHOEBE He offered me his escort. At first he was very silent — as he has often been of late. MISS SUSAN We know why. PHOEBE Please not to say that I know why. Suddenly he stopped and swung his cane. You know how gallantly he swings his cane. MISS SUSAN Yes, indeed. 21 They are interrupted by tht entrance of Patty with tea ACT I.] Quality Street PHOEBE He said: ' I have something I am wishful to tell you, Miss Phoebe ; perhaps you can guess what it is.' MISS SUSAN Go on I PHOEBE To say I could guess, sister, would have been unladylike. I said : ' Please not to tell me in the public thoroughfare ' ; to which he instantly replied : 'Then I shall call and tell you this afternoon.' MISS SUSAN Phoebe ! {They are interrupted by the entrance of PATTY with tea. They see thai she has brought three cups, and know that this is her impertinent way of implying that 7nistresses, as well as maids, may have a 'follower.' When she has gone they smile at the daring of the woman, and sit down to tea) PHOEBE Susan, to think that it has all happened in a single year. 23 Qttality Street [acti. MISS SUSAN Such a genteel competency as he can offer ; such a desirable establishment. PHOEBE I had no thought of that, dear. I was recalling our first meeting at Mrs. Fotherin- gay's quadrille party. MISS SUSAN We had quite forgotten that our respected local physician was growing elderly. PHOEBE Until he said : 'Allow me to present my new partner, Mr. Valentine Brown.' MISS SUSAN Phoebe, do you remember how at the tea- table he facetiously passed the cake-basket with nothing in it ! PHOEBE He was so amusing from the first. I am thankful, Susan, that I too have a sense of humour. I am exceedingly funny at times ; am I not, Susan ? 24 Phoebe He is absolutely fearless. Susan, lie has smoked his pipe i>i tJiis room <\ Our first meeting at Mrs. Fotheringay's quadrille party MISS SUSAN Yes, indeed. But he sees humour in the most unexpected things. I say something so ordinary about loving, for instance, to have everything either blue or white in this room, and I know not why he laughs, but it makes me feel quite witty. PHOEBE {A Utile anxiously) I hope he sees nothing odd or quaint about us. D 25 Quality Street [act MISS SUSAN My dear, I am sure he cannot. PHOEBE Susan, the picnics. MISS SUSAN Phoebe, the day when he first drank tea in this house. PHOEBE He invited himself. MISS SUSAN He merely laughed when I said it would cause such talk. PHOEBE He is absolutely fearless. Susan, he has smoked his pipe in this room. {They are both a little scared?^ MISS SUSAN Smokinf,^ is indeed a dreadful habit. PHOEBE But there is something so dashing about it. 26 II I.] Quality Street MISS SUSAN {PVith melancholy) And now I am to be left alone. PHOEBE No. MISS SUSAN My dear, I could not leave this room. My lovely blue and white room. It is my husband. PHOEBE {PF/io has become agitated) Susan, you must make my house your home. I have something distressing to tell you. MISS SUSAN You alarm me. PHOEBE You know Mr. Brown advised us how to invest half of our money. MISS SUSAN I know it gives us eight per cent., though why it should do so I cannot understand, but very obliging, I am sure. 27 Quality Street [act PHOEBE Susan, all that money is lost ; I had the letter several days ago. MISS SUSAN Lost? PHOEBE Something burst, dear, and then they absconded. MISS SUSAN But Mr. Brown PHOEBE I have not advertised him of it yet, for he will think it was his fault. But I shall tell him to-day. MISS SUSAN Phoebe, \\o\\ much have we left ? PHOEBE Only sixty pounds a year, so you see you must live with us, dearest. MISS SUSAN But Mr. Brown— he 28 I.] Qitality Street PHOEBE {Grajidly) He is a man of means, and if he is not proud to have my Susan I shall say at once: ' Mr. Brown — the door.' {She presses her cheek to miss Susan's.) MISS SUSAN {Softly) Phoebe, I have a wedding gift for you. PHOEBE Not yet ? MISS SUSAN It has been ready for a long time. I began it when you were not ten years old and I was a young woman. I meant it for myself, Phoebe. I had hoped that he — his name was William — but I think I must have been too unattractive, my love. PHOEBE Sweetest — dearest MISS SUSAN I always associate it with a sprigged poplin I was wearing that summer, with a 29 Qtiality Street [act breadth of coloured silk in it, being a naval officer; but something happened, a Miss Cicely Pemberton, and they are quite big boys now. So long ago, Phoebe — he was very tall, with brown hair — it was most foolish of me, but I was always so fond of sewing — with long straight legs and such a pleasant expression. PHOEBE Susan, what was it ? MISS SUSAN It was a wedding-gown, my dear. Even plain women, Phoebe, we can't help it ; when we are young we have romantic ideas just as if we were pretty. And so the wedding-gown was never used. Long before it was finished I knew he would not offer, but I finished it, and then I put it away. I have always hidden it from you, Phoebe, but of late I have brought it out again, and altered it. {She goes to ottoman and unlocks it.) PHOEBE Susan, I could not wear it. (miss susan brings the wedding-gown.) Oh I how sweet, how beautiful 1 30 I.] Quality Street MISS SUSAN You will wear it, my love, won't you ? And the tears it was sewn with long ago will all turn into smiles on my Phoebe's wedding day. {They are tearfully happy ivheu a knock is heard on the street door.) PHOEBE That knock. MISS SUSAN So dashing. PHOEBE So imperious. {She is suddenly panic- stricken.) Susan, I think he kissed me once. MISS SUSAN {Startled) You think ? PHOEBE I know he did. That evening — a week ago, when he was squiring me home from the concert. It was raining, and my face was wet ; he said that was why he did it. MISS SUSAN Because your face was wet ? 31 Qtiality Street [act PHOEBE It does not seem a sufficient excuse now, MISS SUSAN {Appalled) O Phoebe, before he had offered. PHOEBE {III dlslress) I fear me it was most unlady- like. (valentine brown is shown in. He is a frank, genial young niaiiof twenly- Jive who honestly admires the ladies, though he is amused by their qiiaint- ness. He is modestly aware that in the blue and white room alone is he esteemed a wit.) brown Miss Susan, how do you do, ma'am ? Nay, Miss Phoebe, though we have met to-day already I insist on shaking hands with you again. MISS SUSAN Always so dashing. (valentine laughs and the ladies ex- change delighted smiles) 32 Phoebe // was raining, and my face was wet -] I.] Quality Street VALENTINE {To MISS SUSAN) And my other friends, I hope I find them in health ? The spinet, ma'am, seems quite herself to-day ; I trust the ottoman passed a good night? MISS SUSAN [Beaming) We are all quite well, sir. VALENTINE May I sit on this chair. Miss Phoebe? I know Miss Susan likes me to break her chairs. MISS SUSAN Indeed, sir, I do not. Phoebe, how strange that he should think so. PHOEBE {^Instantly) The remark was humorous, was it not ? VALENTINE How you see through me, Miss Phoebe. {The sisters again exchange deligJited smiles, valentine is about to take a seat.) E 33 Quality Street [act MISS SUSAN {Thinking aloud) Oh dear, I feel sure he is going to roll the coverlet into a ball and then sit on it. (valentine, who has been on the point of doing so, abstains and sits guiltily) VALENTINE So I am dashing, Miss Susan ? Am I dashing, Miss Phoebe? PHOEBE A— little, I think. VALENTINE Well, but I have something to tell you to-day which I really think is rather dashing, (miss SUSAN gathers her knitting, looks at phoebe, and is preparing to go.) You are not going, ma'am, before you know what it is ? MISS SUSAN I — I — indeed — to be sure — I — I know, Mr. Brown. PHOEBE Susan I 34 I.] Quality Street MISS SUSAN I mean I do not know. I mean I can guess — I mean Phoebe, my love, explain. {Slie goes out) VALENTINE [Rather disappointed) The explanation be- ing, I suppose, that you both know, and I had flattered myself 'twas such a secret. Am I then to understand that you had foreseen it all, Miss Phoebe? PHOEBE Nay, sir, you must not ask that. VALENTINE I believe in any case 'twas you who first put it into my head. PHOEBE {Aghast) Oh, I hope not. VALENTINE Your demure eyes flashed so every time the war was mentioned ; the little Quaker sud- denly looked like a gallant boy in ringlets. {A dread comes over phoebe, but it is in her heart alone ; it shows neitJier in face nor voice) 35 Quality Street [act PHOEBE Mr. Brown, what is it you have to tell us ? VALENTINE That I have enlisted, Miss Phoebe. Did you surmise it was something else? PHOEBE You are going to the wars? Mr. Brown, is it a jest ? VALENTINE It would be a sorry jest, ma'am. I thought you knew. I concluded that the recruiting sergeant had talked. PHOEBE The recruiting sergeant ? I see. VALENTINE These stirring times, Miss Phoebe — he is but half a man who stays at home. I have chafed for months. I want to see whether I have any courage, and as to be an army surgeon does not appeal to me, it was enlist or remain behind. To-day I found that there were five waverers. I asked them would they take the shilling if I took it, and they assented. 36 i] Ottality Street Miss Phoebe, it is not one man I give to the King, but six. PHOEBE {Brightly) I think you have done bravely. VALENTINE We leave shortly for the Petersburgh barracks, and I go to London to-morrow ; so this is good-bye. PHOEBE I shall pray that you may be preserved in battle, Mr. Brown. VALENTINE And you and Miss Susan will write to me when occasion offers ? PHOEBE If you wish it. VALENTINE {Smiling) With all the stirring news of Quality Street. PHOEBE It seems stirring to us ; it must have been merely laughable to you, who came here from a great city. 37 Quality Street [act VALENTINE Dear Quality Street — that thought me dashing 1 But I made friends in it, Miss Phoebe, of two very sweet ladies. PHOEBE {Timidly) Mr. Brown, I wonder why you have been so kind to my sister and me? VALENTINE The kindness was yours. If at first Miss Susan amused me {C/utckling) To see her on her knees decorating the little legs of the couch with frills as if it were a child ! But it was her sterling qualities that impressed me presently. PHOEBE And did — did I amuse you also ? VALENTINE Prodigiously, Miss Phoebe. Those other ladies, they were always scolding you, your youthfulness shocked them. I believe they thought you dashing, 38 I.] Quality Street PHOEBE {Nervously) I have sometimes feared that I was perhaps too dashing. VALENTINE {Laughing at this) You delicious Miss Phoebe. You were too quiet. I felt sorry that one so sweet and young should live so grey a life. I wondered whether I could put any little pleasures into it. PHOEBE The picnics ? It was very good of you. VALENTINE That was only how it began, for soon I knew that it was I who got the pleasures and you who gave them. You have been to me, Miss Phoebe, like a quiet, old-fashioned garden full of the flowers that Englishmen love best because they have known them longest : the daisy, that stands for innocence, and the hyacinth for constancy, and the modest violet and the rose. When I am far away, ma'am, I shall often think of Miss Phoebe's pretty 39 Qtiality Street [act soul, which is her garden, and shut my eyes and walk in it. {She is smiling gallantly through her pain when miss susan returns) MISS SUSAN Have you — is it — you seem so calm, Phoebe. PHOEBE [Pressing her hand ivarningly and implor- ingly) Susan, what Mr. Brown is so obliging as to inform us of is not what we expected — not that at all. My dear, he is the gentleman who has enlisted, and he came to tell us that and to say good-bye. miss SUSAN Going away ? PHOEBE Yes, dear. VALENTINE Am I not the ideal recruit, ma'am : a man without a wife or a mother or a sweetheart ? MISS SUSAN No sweetheart ? 40 Valentine To see her on her knees decorating the little legs of the conch zvith frills