_Played for the first time on October 23 and 24, 1914, by Mrs. CHAS. ATKINSON, Mrs. CHAS. HUBBARD, Mrs. SAMUEL CHASE, Mrs. HOWARD SHAW, Mrs. LAIRD BELL, Mrs. SAMUEL INSULL, Miss EVELYN SHAW, Mrs. ARTHUR ALDIS, Mr. CHAS. ATKINSON, Mr. DORR BRADLEY, and Mrs. HENRY HUBBARD._ THE DRAMA CLASS OF TANKAHA, NEVADA. THE PROLOGUE. CHARACTERS: MRS. BENNETT, _Hostess of the Class for the Day, a recent arrival in Tankaha, young, well-dressed, progressive._ MRS. FESSENDEN, _Chairman of the Drama Class, a firm lady, native of Tankaha, with Standards._ MISS JENNINGS, _Secretary of the Class, unwed and emotional._ MRS. STEDMAN, _a Mother, pre-eminently._ MRS. BROKMORTON, _an Aspirant of Culture._ MISS FESSENDEN, _daughter of MRS. FESSENDEN, the Chairman, a young woman struggling under difficulties towards Modernity._ MRS. BENNETT’S MAID. _Characters of the Play within the Play_: PAOLO Mr. Algernon Manning ANNA, _his wife_ Miss Sibyl Carrington MARIO, _his brother_ Mr. Emil Konrad MADDELENA, _an old family servant_ Miss Frances Nellis (Taken by members of a theatrical company playing a week’s engagement at the Tankaha Opera House.) SCENE: _The sitting-room of the hostess of the day—MRS. BENNETT. A tastefully furnished apartment, modern; at left (from audience) a desk or writing-table; at right a sofa; back, a fireplace; entrance at R. and L.; a few books, photographs, flowers, etc._ _When the curtain rises MRS. BENNETT, with the MAID, is discovered completing the arrangements to receive the Drama Class. She puts a small table with paper and pencil in the middle of the room and counts six seats, three on each side, glances at the clock. MRS. and MISS FESSENDEN enter; usual greetings._ MRS. BENNETT. How do you do! How do you do! I can’t help feeling a little nervous, entertaining the class for the first time—a new-comer, you know. MRS. FESSENDEN. [_Taking off things._] Oh, no need; no need. MRS. BENNETT. But you’re all so clever, you seem to know just how to look up everything. Now I—[_She breaks off to greet new-comers, MISS JENNINGS and MRS. STEDMAN._] How do you do! How do you do! Do take off your things, etc., etc. [_Bustle of taking off wraps, which maid takes away while MRS. BENNETT speaks to MRS. FESSENDEN._] MRS. BENNETT.