Labor unions -- United States -- Drama; Social classes -- United States -- Drama; Strikes and lockouts -- Drama
SECOND STRANGER.
We were together in the Legislature.
BISHOP HARDBROOKE.
(_Stopping near the door, forward right, as if for a final word_)
Speaking of Egerton, some years ago
I saw that statue in the New York harbor,
The sea mists blown about it, now the head
And now an outflash of tremendous bronze
About the waist. 'Is that the thing,' said I,
'They talk so much about?' Next day 'twas clear.
FIRST STRANGER.
Looked very different.
BISHOP HARDBROOKE.
It's the same with men.
(_They go out_)
SECOND STRANGER.
You going in?
RALPH ARDSLEY.
I've got to find a man.
(_The stranger goes out_)
(_Ardsley calls toward the room, forward left_)
What's the news from the mill, Charles?
BUTLER.
(_Appears at the door_)
I haven't heard, sir.
You reckon they'll go back, sir?
RALPH ARDSLEY.
Sure. Where's Gladys?
(_The Butler walks back toward the conservatory_)
Just tell her I asked about her.
BUTLER.
Yes, sir.
RALPH ARDSLEY.
Thank you.
(_He goes into the room, forward right. The Butler returns to the
opposite room. All the people have now withdrawn with the exception
of Mrs. Orr, who has come in, centre right, and who lingers about
as though she were listening to the upper part of the walls. Later,
Mrs. Egerton re-enters, forward right, and glances back into the
room from which she has come, to satisfy herself that her guests
are occupied. Seeing her, Mrs. Orr comes forward, shaking her
head_)
MRS. EGERTON.
No?
MRS. ORR.
No.
MRS. EGERTON.
Nothing at all?
MRS. ORR.
Nothing at all.
MRS. EGERTON.
I never have been sure myself. Sometimes
I've thought I heard it.
MRS. ORR.
I can understand
How one could easily imagine it.
MRS. EGERTON.
If you could be here when the house is still,
Alone----
MRS. ORR.
In certain moods, perhaps I should.
For certainly the trees seem most alive.
I never would have thought it possible
To make a forest live and life go on
In wood as it does here. 'Tis wonderful.
(_Mrs. Egerton glances across into the room, forward right, from
which comes a sound of merriment_)
MRS. ORR.
The very squirrels upon the limbs--see there,
The young one with the pine cone in its mouth.
And the faint far-awayness of the wood.
MRS. EGERTON.
(_Confidentially_)
Sylvia----
MRS. ORR.
Just now as the couple passed
Practising, I overheard the girl,
'It almost seems the real pines are here
Dropping their needles on us while we dance.
As Lillian says, you feel them in your hair.'
Now, to my way of thinking, it would be
Far easier to hear the pine trees sigh
Than feel the needles.
MRS. EGERTON.
It was not the pines.
MRS. ORR.
You said a sighing.
(_Mrs. Egerton says something to her_)
Why, Mary Egerton!
How horrible!
MRS. EGERTON.
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
Reviews
Reviews
No reviews yet
Be the first to share your thoughts on this work.
Join the Discussion
Join the discussion
Sign in to leave a comment or review.
Sign InorCreate an account