Love and tea: A comedy-drama of colonial times in two acts by Anna Phillips See - HTML preview

 

ACT II

SCENE.—The same. A fire is on the hearth, the cat by the fire. The window is open and the roses are seen climbing near the sill. It is an afternoon in June not long after the battle of Bunker Hill.

(As the curtain rises, enter MISS B. She is in summer dress. She carries a reticule or bag. She goes to door at L.)

MISS B. MANDY!

MANDY (appearing in door). Yes, missy.

MISS B. Fetch me the parcel of old linen. We roll bandages this afternoon for those wounded at Bunker Hill.

[EXIT MANDY.

(MISS B. sits down, takes the cat in her lap. She sighs.)

MANDY (entering with a roll of linen in her hand). Here’s de linen for de poor boys in Bos’on. Dis war am dreadful. All de mens gettin’ killed and all de rest of us goin’ widout tea! Isn’t you hankerin’ for jus’ a leetle tea, missy?

MISS B. (looking embarrassed). Why—why.... Oh, stop your chattering, Mandy!

(The knocker sounds. MANDY exits and returns with a letter.)

MANDY. De post left dis letter, missy.

(MISS B. opens letter, reads, looks thoughtful. MANDY gazes, all curiosity.)

MISS B. ’Tis from Judge Ingram at Boston.

MANDY. Glory! Glory! De Judge am fighting de Britishers!

MISS B. Stupid! You know the Judge is a Tory. I sent him to Boston to arrange my affairs in case I should return to England. He says (taking up the letter) that he is attending on young Dickinson who was badly wounded at Bunker Hill—while bearing the colors at the head of his company. Humph! He doth not lack bravery, ’twould seem. The Judge requests me to send word to the young man’s mother. Perchance neighbor Kellogg’s boy would bear the message to Mrs. Dickinson. I will go and see.

(Exit MISS B., at R., leaving letter on the table. MANDY exits at L.)

Enter BETTY with knitting. Sits by the window which is open. She takes the cat and lifts it to the sill.

BETTY. Smell the roses, Salem. How sweet they be. You are a wise pussy; tell me if William has the rose and the letter I sent him some days since. The post is so tardy these days. (Puts down cat; rises and goes to the mirror; pulls beads from their hiding-place under her kerchief; arranges them around her neck.) ’Tis a pity I cannot wear William’s keepsake openly. The beads become me well.

Enter MANDY and BETTY forgets to hide the beads. MANDY brings in the teakettle and hangs it on the crane.

MANDY. Oh, missy, missy! You’ William Dickinson am shot!

(BETTY screams and falls back horror-struck, then seizes MANDY by the arm.)

BETTY. Not killed! Tell me instantly!

MANDY. He am mortally wounded but will recover. De Judge say so in dat letter. (Points to letter on table. BETTY seizes letter and begins to read. MANDY is horrified that she should read her aunt’s letter.) Oh, missy, missy! You’ aunt would scalp you did she catch you readin’ her letter. She mos’ awful ’ticular ’bout her letters.

BETTY (with a cry). This letter has been on the way ten days! William may be dead for aught we know.

MANDY (looking out the window). Lawsy, here’s Missy Boltwood comin’ now. She’ll see you readin’ her letter! Guess MANDY better be in de kitchen!

(MANDY runs out at L. BETTY drops down behind the high chair.)

Enter MISS B.; takes up letter again; reads it aloud thoughtfully.

MISS B. “The courage and patriotism of the men have so infected me that I am convinced at last. In fact I have already forsworn my allegiance to the king and have enlisted in the army of the patriots.” (She meditates; takes cat in her lap as she still holds the letter.) Stephen Ingram, you are a fool to change opinions at your time of life. And yet even I cannot but admire the devotion of the patriots to their cause; the cause, too, is a just one. I am minded to embrace it instead of being but an onlooker. (She leans back wearily.) Hum, hum. I feel the need of my tea. (She goes to door at L. and listens, then to door at R. She takes a key from a hiding-place and unlocks the chimney cupboard, brings out a little teapot, caddy, cup and saucer. She makes herself a cup of tea with the water in the kettle and drinks the tea. BETTY watches her from her hiding-place, and MANDY also puts in her head and sees with amazement. Her eyes pop out. When MISS B. rises to put the things away, MANDY hastily withdraws and BETTY hides again.) There, Salem, I feel better for my Bohea, but what a scandal ’twould make did the “Boltwood Band” know of my daily deceit. But you are my only confidant, Salem, and I know I can trust your discretion. (She rises; takes reticule preparing to go out. Steps toward L. MANDY can be heard falling backward and exclaiming “Oh, lawsy!”) Mandy!

MANDY. Yes, missy.

MISS B. Come now into the garden and pick all the roses that are overblown. To-morrow I make the rose conserve. I will show you the blossoms I have in mind.

MANDY. Yes, Missy Boltwood.

(They exeunt at R. As soon as they are gone BETTY comes from her hiding-place. She takes the key and unlocks the cupboard, smells of the teapot and says “Tea!” Then she locks the cupboard again and is about to steal out at R. when MISS B. reënters at R. She looks sharply at BETTY and perceives the beads.)

MISS B. Betty, where got you those beads?

BETTY (confused and trying to conceal them). What—what beads, aunt?

MISS B. Do not attempt deceit with me. You know well what I mean. The gold beads about your neck; who gave you them?

BETTY (with courage). They are a keepsake from William Dickinson. I pray you, aunt, be not displeased.

MISS B. (sharply). Give them to me. ’Tis not seemly for maidens to receive trinkets from young men. Come, undo them.

BETTY. Nay, aunt, I will not. I promised to wear them always and I will not take them off, e’en at your command.

MISS B. Well, then, I will take them off for you. (MISS B. unclasps the beads after some resistance on BETTY’S part. They fall to the floor. BETTY snatches them up and throws them out of the window. She and her aunt gaze at each other defiantly. MISS B. goes to the window.) Mandy, quick, bring me the beads that Miss Betty threw from the window just now.

MANDY (heard from outside). Yes, missy.

MISS B. (angrily). Your conduct is disgraceful, miss. Know you not ’tis wicked to disobey and flout your elders? From this moment I forbid you to ever see or communicate with this Dickinson again. I shall restore him the beads, and when I journey to England, you will accompany me. Do you hear? Now go to your chamber and meditate on your misconduct.

BETTY. Nay, aunt, I will not give William up; I love him. You may be cruel and dangle your lover for a lifetime, but I will marry mine, and you shall grant me your permission.

MISS B. I grant my permission! Never! I do not break my word, miss.

BETTY (scornfully). Ah, do you not? Who, pray, has been drinking tea daily while pretending to deny herself? I beheld you with my own eyes take your little teapot from the locked cupboard! ’Twould make a pretty story did I tell it. And I warn you, if you do not grant your permission to William and me, I will publish the secret tea-drinking. The town shall ring with it!

Enter MANDY.

MANDY. Can’t fin’ no gol’ beads, missy, nowhere.

MISS B. Stupid! Did you search under the window?

MANDY. Poor ol’ Mandy crawl all ober de groun’. No beads dere.

MISS B. (suspiciously). Methinks you may admire those beads. Unroll your turban.

MANDY. ’Fore de Lawd, missy, don’ ’spicion Mandy o’ dem beads. I isn’t got dem.

(MISS B. looks in MANDY’S turban. She takes out strange things including a clay pipe. She also searches MANDY’S pockets and her dress hem. No beads. MISS B. is angry.)

MISS B. If you have thieved those beads, naught can save you from the whipping-post, hussy. I will search the garden myself. [Exit.

BETTY (confidentially). Come, Mandy. Tell me where my beads—tell me where my beads are.

MANDY (excitedly). May de debbil carry me off, Miss Betty, if I ain’t tellin’ you de trufe. I don’ know where dose beads is. But I ’vises you to watch you’ aunt in de garden. If she finds dem——

BETTY. True. I will be there to see. [Exit.

(MANDY wanders about the room in some excitement. She does a song and dance; anything appropriate to the period. Suddenly an idea strikes her. She goes to the hiding-place of the key, unlocks the cupboard, takes out the teapot and makes tea, drinks it with an exaggerated imitation of her mistress’ manner, looking about nervously all the time.)

MANDY. Dat am de stuff, sure. Missy drink tea, Mandy drink tea too. No one see me ’cept dat black witch-cat! He can’t tell. (Sound of the knocker.) Lawsy! Some one’s at de door! (She grabs the tea things and slams them into the cupboard, locks it and hides the key. She then exits at R. She returns with MRS. S. and MRS. C.) Please seat you’selves, ladies, while I tells Missy Boltwood you is here. [Exit at R.

MRS. C. ’Tis best that friends should break her the unhappy news, not any chance comer. Think you not so?

MRS. S. Truly. A privilege of friendship is to report the disagreeable. I wonder how she will relish such tidings? Stephen Ingram was always a near friend to her, though ’twould take a Solomon to tell whether she cared aught for him.

ENTER MISS B.

MISS B. Good-afternoon, neighbors.

MRS. C.
 MRS. S.}(together). Good-afternoon, Miss Boltwood.

MRS. C. We trust we see you well and—and—of good fortitude. Mayhap you will need it.

MRS. S. (eagerly). Prepare yourself for sad news; very sad news, my dear Miss Boltwood. Judge Ingram—you are aware that he but lately joined our army.

MISS B. I pray you go on!

MRS. C. The report has but now come that he has been discovered in communication with the British.

MRS. S. And that he has been arrested and will be executed as a spy!

MISS B. (incredulously). Stephen Ingram a spy! Impossible! It is not true.

MRS. C. His conversion to patriotism was very sudden, my dear Miss Boltwood, and all know his Tory beliefs.

MRS. S. You have our deepest sympathy in that an old, and, mayhap, a dear friend has proved unworthy. True, he was a kind, agreeable man, but he was far too easily influenced, as you well know yourself.

MISS B. (rising in indignation). Ladies, I will not hear Stephen Ingram traduced. I care not what reports are rife; I know the man. He would never do aught dishonorable. He may be of a yielding disposition, but his principles are adamant!

Enter BETTY. She looks in surprise at her aunt and guests.

MRS. S. (maliciously). Miss Betty, your aunt is deeply concerned over the downfall of Judge Ingram. The whole town is buzzing with the news. It seems the Judge joined the patriot army but to furnish information to the British. He has been discovered and is to be executed as a spy!

(BETTY springs to her aunt’s side and puts her arms around her.)

BETTY. Dear aunt, ’tis a false charge—I know it. They would not execute an innocent man.

(MISS B. sinks into a chair as if about to faint. BETTY runs and gets wine. MRS. C. rushes to the fireplace, seizes a turkey wing and burns it, then holds it under MISS B.’S nose. She waves aside wine and feathers.)

MRS. C. Burnt feathers are so reviving!

MISS B. (recovering). I want no wine, or sympathy, so called. If my best friend is unjustly accused, I will journey to Boston and see him righted. Methinks I have some influence on both sides of this quarrel.

(MRS. S. and MRS. C. look at one another.)

MRS. C. (aside). ’Tis best to go now. Miss Boltwood, pray call on us if we can be of any assistance.

MRS. S. (spitefully). Mayhap you would prefer solitude for the recovery of your equanimity.

[EXEUNT MRS. S. AND MRS. C.

BETTY. Pray, aunt, let us go immediately to Boston. Every minute may be precious.

MISS B. Betty, I am deeply grateful for your belief in Judge Ingram.

Enter MANDY with MRS. A. MANDY carries a basket into which she has been picking the roses. She looks curiously at MISS B., as she observes her agitation. MRS. A. takes MISS B.’S hand affectionately.

MRS. A. My dear friend, I have just heard the news concerning Judge Ingram. Surely there is some awful misapprehension. No one who knows him could, for a minute, believe him a spy for the British.

MISS B. (still holding MRS. A.’S hand). I thank you for those words. There is some grave mistake. For fear that he may—may be executed before others can clear him—— (Turns to MANDY, who stands with open mouth, and speaks sharply.) Mandy! Run to Clapp’s Tavern and reserve two seats on the Boston coach to-night. Here, pay for them with this guinea.

(Gives MANDY gold from her side pocket. MANDY exits in haste.)

MRS. A. Take my prayers and my good wishes with you, Miss Boltwood. If I can be of service in any way, pray let me know. [Exit.

MISS B. Come, Betty, let us make haste to prepare for the journey. [Exeunt.

(For a moment the stage is empty. There is the sound of a knocker. No one responds. The knocker sounds again. After a time JUDGE, in the uniform of a minuteman, enters supporting WILL., who has his arm in a sling.)

JUDGE. There seems to be no one at home, William, but you must rest before going on to your own house. Mayhap the ladies will return soon.

WILL. (sinking back wearily in the great chair; he is white and weak). ’Twas most kind of you, sir, to bring me home. I do not think I could have journeyed so far unaided. Yet you are needed in the army.

JUDGE. I shall return immediately. (Enter MANDY in haste.) Ah, here is the wench. How are your mistresses, Mandy?

(MANDY falls back amazed and gazes at JUDGE with rolling eyes. She slowly backs into a corner and does not take her eyes from him.)

MANDY. Is you a ghos’, sir? I heard de ladies say you was executioned. Please, Mr. Ghos’——

JUDGE (laughing). Nonsense, Mandy. I am true flesh and blood. How fares Miss Boltwood?

WILL. How is Miss Betty?

MANDY. Dey is all well, sir. Dat is, dey is feelin’ awful bad dat you is executioned. On dat account dey is startin’ on de coach to-night for Bos’on, sir.

WILL. What does she mean?

JUDGE. Executed! What tale is this?

MANDY. De tale dat you is executioned as a spy, sir, for de Britishers. Missy Boltwood she say dat am a lie, an’ she goin’ to save you, sir.

JUDGE. Bless her for her faith in me.

WILL. And does Miss Boltwood—er—er—is she still disapproving of me?

MANDY (cheerfully). Oh, yes, sir. She powerful mad when she see dem beads on Miss Betty’s neck. And when she frowed dem out de window——

WILL. Who? Not Miss Betty?

MANDY. Oh, yes, sir. She got mad, too, an’ frowed de lovely beads out de window. We ain’t never found dem, neider, sir.

(WILL. looks much cast down.)

Enter MISS B. and BETTY with bandboxes and bags. They wear bonnets. They stare dumbfounded at the JUDGE and WILL.

MISS B. (going to JUDGE at L.). Stephen Ingram, thank God!

(They clasp hands.)

BETTY (flying to the side of WILL.). Oh, William! (He tries to rise, but sinks back.) Your wound, how fares it?

(She hangs over him and MANDY brings pillows.)

JUDGE (laughing). Do I look like a man about to be executed, Lavinia? Mandy has told us of the false report.

MISS B. ’Twas false! I knew it! But how—why——

JUDGE. Another Ingram, but not from Hartfield, was the spy. He has met his punishment ere this, poor fellow.

BETTY. Aunt Lavinia, William craves the fresh air. May we go into the garden?

MISS B. (absently). Yes, child.

[Exit WILL., leaning on BETTY, at R.

JUDGE. Lavinia, I could not be a traitor to the patriot cause, for I am with it heart and soul. Your example did help to win me over.

MISS B. Mine? How so?

JUDGE. When you practiced such self-denial and gave up your tea. (Playfully.) I knew you were wedded to it.

MISS B. (humbly). Oh, Stephen, you shame me. I did not keep my vow. I confess I have been drinking tea in secret. The habit was too strong for me. But now your patriotism has kindled mine. I, too, adopt the patriot cause. To it I will give myself and all I have, even my tea! Look! I break the pot in token that I break the habit.

(She takes the teapot from the cupboard and is about to shatter it on the hearth when MANDY springs forward.)

MANDY. Oh, missy, don’ smash de little teapot! Give it to old Mandy.

(She holds out her hands for it. MISS B. puts the pot into them. MANDY clasps it to her breast.)

MISS B. Well, take it and get you to the kitchen. You can brew naught but “Liberty Tea” in it now.

(MANDY starts to go but is loath to lose any of the conversation, so lingers by the door at L.)

JUDGE. Lavinia, it rejoices me that you so heartily embrace the glorious cause of independence. ’Tis noble——

MISS B. Say not so, Stephen. You must, in your heart, despise me for my weakness.

JUDGE. Despise you! I could not. Come, tell me. Were you about to journey to Boston in my behalf?

MISS B. Yes, I had so purposed. I would have wrested you from prison and execution, if need be!

JUDGE. What a friend you are, Lavinia!

MISS B. (looking at him tenderly). I have but now learned your worth to me, Stephen.

JUDGE. And I yours. Our friendship shall endure while life lasts. ’Tis above passion.

MISS B. (faintly). Yes, Stephen.

JUDGE. I see now how exalted is our relation. ’Tis an ideal.

MISS B. (downcast). True, ’tis an ideal—but——

JUDGE (enthusiastically). Dear Lavinia, you have shown me how earthly are mere love and marriage compared to this mating of our souls. Never again will I annoy you with words of love. Such friendship is all I ask!

MISS B. (amazed, then indignant). Stephen, I care not for your friendship!

JUDGE (surprised). What mean you, Lavinia?

MISS B. (embarrassed, yet courageous). I mean that I know—now—that I—I—love you, Stephen.

JUDGE (joyfully). Can it be that you are willing to wed me?

(He comes nearer and looks tenderly at her.)

MISS B. Yes, Stephen.

(He takes her in his arms. MANDY looks interested, then glad. At this point she exclaims.)

MANDY. Hurroo!

MISS B. (sharply, turning about toward MANDY). Mandy, why are you still here? Go into the garden and finish the rose gathering.

MANDY. Yes, missy.

(She takes basket and exits at L., still clasping the teapot to her breast.)

ENTER BETTY AND WILL. AT R.

JUDGE (looking at BETTY and WILL.). Lavinia, I pray you permit the young people to be as happy as we are. Will you not?

MISS B. I will, at your bidding, Stephen. (She goes toward them.) Betty!

BETTY. Yes, aunt.

Enter MANDY excitedly, holding up the beads. She still clasps the teapot.

MANDY. Here’s de gol’ beads, missy. Mandy found dem hangin’ on de rose-bush.

(She gives the beads to MISS B.)

MISS B. Good Mandy. You shall be rewarded. Here, Betty, take your beads. I give William permission to put them about your neck with my blessing.

BETTY (joyfully). Oh, thank you, aunt.

(She gives the beads to WILL.)

WILL. I am deeply grateful, Aunt Lavinia.

(He clasps the beads about BETTY’S neck and kisses her. The JUDGE and MISS B. stand hand-in-hand beaming at them. MANDY gazes joyfully also, still clasping the teapot. She turns suddenly to the cupboard which MISS B. had left open, and seizes the tea-caddy. With this in one hand and the pot in the other, she cries.)

MANDY. Glory! Glory! Dey has love and I has tea!

 

CURTAIN