Semiramis and Other Plays Part 64

'Come, Apollo's pipes are merry--'

(Mrs. Clemm goes in)

Zu. (Rising) I don' reckon it make no difference 'bout dis heah bush now! (Goes to side door and sits on step disconsolately. The girls come running back)

Mabel. Here's the finest cherry on the tree for the prettiest mouth! Open, who gets it! (Girls open their mouths. Mabel eats cherry)

Gertrude.

O, vanity!

Mab. No, I just took it for Virginia.

Annie. Let's play _Ant'ny Over_ while we're waiting! Where's a ball? Bony, get a ball!

Bony. Can't do it, missis! Y'all los' it las' time yo's all here!

Dora. _Marlow Bright_ then! Half with me and half with Mabel!

(Girls divide, the two companies taking opposite bases some distance apart)

Dora. Marlow, marlow, marlow bright!

How many miles to the old turnpike?

Mab. Three score and ten!

Dora. Can we get there by candle light?

Mab. Yes, if your toes are tripping light!

Dora. Any robbers on the way?

Mab. Three blind witches, so they say, And Robin Hood with all his _men_!

(With the last word the girls exchange bases, the travellers, with Dora, trying to reach the opposite base without being caught by the robbers with Mabel.

Virginia comes to the door of cottage)

Annie. There's Virginia! (Girls stop playing as Virginia joins them)

Gert. How pretty you look!

Mab. You're a _real_ nymph!

Annie. Come, let's be off now! (Picks up a basket)

Vir. Girls--I--there isn't going to be any picnic.

Girls. No picnic!

Vir. But a wedding.

Girls. A wedding! Where? Where?

Vir. Right here--under the bay tree.

Girls. Who? Who?

Vir. Why--cousin Edgar--and--

Girls. You! you! (All talk at once in excited babble. Virginia breaks from them and runs into the house. Girls keep tumultuous talk partly distinguishable)

Gert. He's so handsome!

Sallie. He's a prince!

Annie. Too young to be married!

Ethel. He's twenty!

Gladys. Older!

Mab. No!

Mamie. Virginia is a baby!

Alma. She's taller than any of us!

Annie. But younger!

Sallie. Yonder's Allie Kirby!

Mamie. Won't she be surprised! I wasn't one bit!

Annie. Nor I!

Other Girls.

Nor I! Nor I!

Ethel. I'll tell her!

Annie. No, let me!

Other Girls.

I will! I will!

(As Allie enters all the girls rush to her and talk at once, trying to tell her the news. Mrs. Clemm and Virginia come out of the house and join them)

Mrs. C. My little yard never held so many flowers before.

Allie. Is it true, Mrs. Clemm?