_Mrs. H._ Lord-a-mercy! she'll blow all our brains out! (_Gets behind lounge._) _Florence._ Put down that gun, Katie. (KATIE _takes it from her shoulder_.) (POLLIE _and_ RHODA _scream, and jump up in chairs_, R.; MRS. DUPLEX _gets behind easy-chair_; MAGGIE _jumps upon lounge; and all cry, "Drop it!" "It's loaded!" "Take it away!" "Call somebody!"_) _Florence_ (_takes the gun, and lays it upon the floor_). You can descend in safety, girls. (_All get down._) _Mrs. D._ Now, Katie, what does this mean? _Katie._ If ye plaze, Mrs. Duplex, I thought, bein' the good time that's comin' was come, and the women-folks was a goin' to rule, and the men-folks do the housework, I'd give warnin', if you plaze. (_Stoops, and picks up the gun. All scream, and renew their old positions on chairs, behind chair and lounge, as before; repeat cries, "Put it down" &c._) _Florence._ Don't be alarmed: it's not loaded. (_All quiet again._) _Mrs. D._ Well, it's about time an end was put to this nonsense. You have picked up one of my remarks last night for the purpose of laughing at me, or— _Florence._ Teaching a lesson, mother. _Mrs. D._ Well, I acknowledge my remarks were a little wild, and am prepared to pay the penance. What shall it be? You seem to have been the manager of the remarkable scene. Speak. _Florence._ Mother, I want to take Carrie back with me when I return to school. _Mrs. H._ Bless my soul! what do you think I found in your father's desk to-day? Something that looks, for all the world, like a will. Here it is. (_Gives paper to_ MRS. D.) _Mrs. D._ A will! (_Opening it._) And of a later date than the one in my possession. (_Reads._) "To be equally divided between my dear wife, and my beloved daughter Caroline." Indeed! This must be seen to. _Florence._ Ah! then Carrie is not penniless, after all. _Mrs. D._ Florence, how can you speak so? Never, while I live. Where is the dear child? _Mrs. H._ Shouldn't wonder if she was sweepin' off the steps. (_Enter_ CAROLINE, R.) _Caroline._ The reception-room is in order, madam. _Mrs. D._ Caroline, my dear child, I think your experience in house-affairs has been sufficient for the present. You will go with my daughter to Rushly Seminary on her return. I shall look after my house myself hereafter. _Mrs. H._ Lor' sakes, Hannah Merria, are you coming to your senses? _Mrs. D._ I hope I have never been bereft of them. _Florence._ And the Reform Club, mother— _Mrs. D._ Shall still have my hearty support; but no more public speeches for the present, for my house needs putting in order; and you have reminded me of that which I had almost forgotten, that a woman's first duty is to her home. _Katie._ Faith, ma'am, if there's to be a misthress, I'll sthay, if yez plaze. _Maggie._ An' mesilf, too, missus, by your lave.