DEBORAH (as the church-bells begin to ring without). The memory of a chance traveler is easily forgot, Master Franklin. ELIZABETH (outside door, left). Come, Deborah, we shall be late! Come quickly, child! (Deborah snatches up her cloak.) Bid Benjamin Franklin to wait my husband's return. He would talk to him further concerning books. Come, Deborah! [Exit Deborah, left, without a glance at Franklin. FRANKLIN (dropping into chair by secretary, right). Do blisters burn as keen as words, I wonder? "Chance travelers...easily forgot!" (Sits with bowed head.) [Deborah stands again in doorway at left, sees him, comes to him swiftly and remorsefully. FRANKLIN (raises his head; sees her). Is it-- DEBORAH. 'Tis naught--naught but Deborah Read come to say to you--to say to you--that she should have remembered that you were a stranger in a city full of strangers. (Pleadingly.) Indeed, indeed I did not mean to hurt you! I do not mind your rusty clothes; I do not mock your--your faded hat. I--I have been full of foolish pride. Will you forgive me? FRANKLIN (rising; amazed). Deborah! DEBORAH (hurrying on). I had not meant to laugh at you this morning. Will you forgive that, too? FRANKLIN (moved). Deborah! DEBORAH. I know I sometimes judge by foolish standards. Will you forgive? FRANKLIN. With all my heart, my friend. (They clasp hands on it.) And will you, Deborah, forgive me my blunt speeches? I knew not how to please you. I meant no harm. DEBORAH (earnestly). I forgive all. FRANKLIN. And we are friends for life--for all our lives, Deborah. ELIZABETH (speaking somewhat impatiently from beyond the door at left). Deborah! Child! DEBORAH (prettily). Yes! Yes! I'm coming! [Hastens out the door with a friendly backward glance at Franklin. He stands for a moment where she has left him. Crosses to secretary, takes book, seats himself, opens it slowly, looking after her. Then sits a-dream in the fading fireglow. Presently he looks at the book again, and reads the first line upon which his eye chances to fall. FRANKLIN (reading). "Count thyself rich when thou hast found a friend." (The curtain slowly falls.) COSTUMES BENJAMIN FRANKLIN. Travel-stained suit of dark-brown, guiltless of braid or ruffles, coat and knee-breeches being of the same color. The material either of corduroy or homespun (woolen). A white vest flowered with brown roses. A white neckcloth. Black stockings. Low black shoes. A three-cornered black hat, which he carries under his arm. Hair worn long and unpowdered. ROGER BURCHARD. Coat and knee-breeches of the same style as Franklin's, made of homespun, and Quaker-gray in color. A Quaker-gray vest. White neckcloth. Gray stockings. Low black shoes with silver buckles. Unpowdered hair. ELIZABETH BURCHARD. Dress of gray satin, simply made, with a crossed kerchief of snowy white lawn. Gray stockings. Gray slippers with silver buckles. Hair worn simply, and unpowdered. (Gray glazed cambric for her dress if satin cannot be had.)