Madam Chairman, I started to tell you that I found it very difficult to ascertain anything about Giacosa in Tankaha. Yesterday I learned that one of the members of the company now playing at the Opera House knew of a play by Giacosa. I called on her at the hotel with the result that I have a surprise for you. Four of the members of the company are going to give us this afternoon a short play by Giacosa called “Sacred Ground” right here in this room. [_She stops and looks around for encouragement. Stir of excitement and surprise in the class. MRS. BENNETT hurries on to explain._] They said they didn’t need any scenery, and told me how to arrange the room. We are to go into the dining-room. I thought it was much nicer than writing a paper on an author I didn’t know anything about. [_MRS. FESSENDEN and MRS. STEDMAN both glance protectingly at MISS FESSENDEN._] MRS. FESSENDEN. That is very interesting, a surprise indeed. Do you—er—know anything about the play? It would have been wiser, perhaps, to consult— MISS FESSENDEN. Oh, mamma, it’s such a nice plan! [_To MRS. BENNETT._] Are they here now? Right here in this house? The actors and actresses? MRS. BENNETT. Yes, they are waiting up-stairs. MRS. FESSENDEN. Well, I suppose it is all right, quite a surprise— [_She rises, as do they all._] MRS. BENNETT. Now please sit there near the doorway. [_The ladies step down in front, off stage, some a little dubiously, MISS FESSENDEN and MISS JENNINGS enthusiastically._] MRS. BENNETT. Minnie! [_The MAID enters._] Here, quickly, help me move these things the way I showed you. [_They move chairs off, tables back, etc._] [_The MAID disappears. MRS. BENNETT steps down and joins others._] _Play follows—“Sacred Ground.”_ _The story is briefly as follows: ANNA has remained true to PAOLO, her husband, in spite of her love for the latter’s cousin LUCIANO, who has committed suicide just before the play opens, because of her resistance. PAOLO discovers the reason for LUCIANO’S death through ANNA’S letters which he finds on the body and reads. He tries to probe to the depths of his wife’s soul. She warns him to desist, finally cries out that she loved LUCIANO, and ends by leaving PAOLO._[2] EPILOGUE. _After the Giacosa play ANNA, PAOLO, MARIO and MADDELENA come out to bow to the applause of the Drama Class. The ladies step up on the stage again. MISS JENNINGS is sniffling; MRS. BENNETT and MISS FESSENDEN rush up enthusiastically, the others more slowly. MRS. FESSENDEN has paper and pencil in her hand. MRS. BENNETT introduces the players—“Miss Jennings, Mr. Algernon Manning, Miss Sibyl Carrington, Mrs. Fessenden, our Chairman,” etc. Congratulations and general flutter._ MISS CARRINGTON.