[Monona runs a swift circle and returns to her attitude of listener.]
Pardon me—this is Miss Bett, isn’t it?
I—Lulu Bett, yes.
I had the pleasure of meeting you the night I was here for supper.
I didn’t think you’d remember.
Don’t you think I’d remember that meat pie?
Oh, yes. The meat pie. You might remember the meat pie.
[Exit, carrying plates.]
What in the dickens did I say that for?
Oh, Lulu likes it. She’s a wonderful cook. I don’t know what we should do without her.
A most exemplary woman is Lulu.
That’s eggsemplary, Dwightie.
My darling little dictionary.
Mama, Mr. Cornish and I have promised to go back to help Jenny.
How nice! And Mr. Cornish, do let us see you oftener.
Yes, yes, Cornish. Drop in. Any time, you know.
I’ll be glad to come. I do get pretty lonesome evenings.
[Enter Lulu, clearing table.]
I eat out around. I guess that’s why your cooking made such an impression on me, Miss Lulu.
Yes. Yes. I s’pose it would take something like that….
Oh, no, no! I didn’t mean—you mustn’t think I meant—What’d I say that for?
Don’t mind. They always say that to me.
[Exit with dishes.]
Come on, Mr. Cornish. Jenny’ll be waiting. Monona, let go of me!
I don’t want you!
Early, darling, early! Get her back here early, Mr. Cornish.
Oh, I’ll have her back here as soon as ever she’ll come—well, ah—I mean….
Good-by Dwight and Ina!
[Exit Di and Cornish.]
Nice fellow, nice fellow. Don’t know whether he’ll make a go of his piano store, but he’s studying law evenings.
But we don’t know anything about him, Dwight. A stranger so.
On the contrary I know a great deal about him. I know that he has a little inheritance coming to him.
An inheritance—really? I thought he was from a good family.
My mercenary little pussy.
Well, if he comes here so very much you know what we may expect.
What may we expect?
He’ll fall in love with Di. And a young girl is awfully flattered when a good-looking older man pays her attention. Haven’t you noticed that?
How women generalize! My dear Ina, I have other matters to notice.
Monona. Stop listening! Run about and play.
[Monona runs her circle and returns.]
Well, look at that clock. It’s almost your bedtime, anyway.
[Enter Lulu.]
No.
It certainly is.
That clock’s wrong. Papa said so.
Mama says bedtime. In ten minutes.
I won’t go all night.
Daughter, daughter, daughter….
I won’t go for a week.
[Dwight sees on clock shelf a letter.]
Oh, Dwight! It came this morning. I forgot.
I forgot too. And I laid it up there.
Isn’t it understood that my mail can’t wait like this?
I know. I’m sorry. But you hardly ever get a letter.
Of course pressing matters go to my office. Still my mail should have more careful—
[He reads.]
Now! What do you think I have to tell you?
Oh, Dwightie! Something nice?
That depends. I’ll like it. So’ll Lulu. It’s company.
I hope they bring me something decent.
Oh, Dwight, who?
My brother, from Oregon.
Ninian coming here?
Some day next week. He don’t know what a charmer Lulu is or he’d come quicker.
Dwight, it’s been years since you’ve seen him.
Nineteen—twenty. Must be twenty.
And he’s never seen me.
Nor Lulu.
And think where he’s been. South America—Mexico—Panama and all. We must put it in the paper.
Who’s coming? Why don’t you say who’s coming? You all act so dumb.
It’s Dwight’s brother, mother. His brother from Oregon.
Never heard of him.
[Taking photograph from shelf.]
That one, mother. You’ve dusted his picture lots of times.
That? Got to have him around long?
I don’t know. Wait till he sees Lulu. I expect when he sees Lulu you can’t drive him away. He’s going to take one look at Lulu and settle down here for life. He’s going to think Lulu is—
I—think the tea must be steeped now.
[Exit.]
He’s going to think Lulu is a stunner—a stunner….
[The clock strikes. Monona shrieks.]
Is the progeny hurt?
Bedtime. Now, Monona, be mama’s nice little lady…. Monona, quiet, pettie, quiet….
[Lulu enters with tea and toast.]
Lulu, won’t you take her to bed? You know Dwight and I are going to Study Club.
There, mother. Yes. I’ll take her to bed. Come, Monona. And stop that noise instantly.
[Monona stops. As they cross Dwight spies the tulip on Lulu’s gown.]
Lulu. One moment. You picked the flower on the plant?
Yes. I—picked it.
She buys a hothouse plant and then ruins it!
I—I—
[She draws Monona swiftly left; exeunt; the door slams.]
What a pity Lulu hasn’t your manners, pettie.
What do you care? She’s got yours.
Mother Bett! Fare thee well.
How do you stand him? The lump!
Mama dear, now drink your tea. Good-night, sweetie.
You needn’t think I forgot about the platter, because I ain’t. Of all the extravagant doin’s, courtin’ the poorhouse—
[Exeunt Dwight and Ina. Mrs. Bett continues to look after them, her lips moving. At door appears Bobby.]
Where’s Mr. Deacon?
Gone, thank the Lord!
I’ve got the grass cut.
You act like it was a trick.
Is—is everybody gone?
Who’s this you’re talkin’ to?
Yes, well, I meant—I guess I’ll go now.
[Enter Di.]
Well, Bobby Larkin. Are you cutting grass in the dining room?
No, ma’am, I was not cutting grass in the dining room.
[Enter Lulu, collects her mother’s dishes, folds cloth and watches.]
I used to think you were pretty nice, but I don’t like you any more.
Yes you used to! Is that why you made fun of me all the time?
I had to. They all were teasing me about you.
They were? Teasing you about me?
I had to make them stop so I teased you. I never wanted to.
Well, I never thought it was anything like that.
Of course you didn’t. I—wanted to tell you.
You wanted—
Of course I did. You must go now—they’re hearing us.
Say—
Good-night. Go the back way, Bobby—you nice thing.
[Exit Bobby.]
Aunt Lulu, give me the cookies, please, and the apples. Mr. Cornish is on the front porch … mama and papa won’t be home till late, will they?
I don’t think so.
Well, I’ll see to the hall light. Don’t you bother. Good-night.
Good-night, Di.
[Exit Di.]
My land! How she wiggles and chitters.
Mother, could you hear them? Di and Bobby Larkin?
Mother hears a-plenty.
How easy she done it … got him right over … how did she do that?
Di wiggles and chitters.
It was just the other day I taught her to sew … I wonder if Ina knows.
What’s the use of you findin’ fault with Inie? Where’d you been if she hadn’t married I’d like to know?… What say? … eh? … I’m goin’ to bed…. You always was jealous of Inie.
[Exit Mrs. Bett.]
[Lulu crosses to shelf, takes down photograph of Ninian Deacon, holds it, looks at it.]
Same set. Late afternoon. A week later. The table is cleared of dishes, and has an oilcloth cover. Bobby is discovered outside the window, on whose sill Di is sitting.
So you despise me for cutting grass?
No, I don’t. But if you’re going to be a great man why don’t you get started at it?
I am started at it—inside. But it don’t earn me a cent yet.
Bobby, Bobby! I know you’re great now, don’t you ever think I don’t, but I want everybody else to know.
Di, when you said that it sounded just like a—a you know.
Like what?
Like a wife. Gee, what a word that is!
Isn’t it? It’s ever so much more exciting word than husband.
[Enter Lulu, followed by Monona. Lulu carries bowl, pan of apples, paring knife. Monona carries basket of apples and a towel. As Lulu rattles dishes, Di turns, sees Lulu. Bobby disappears from window.]
There’s never any privacy in this house.
[Exit Di.]
Hurry, Monona, I must make the pies before I get dinner. Now wipe every one.
What for?
To make the pies.
What do you want to make pies for?
To eat.
What do you want to eat for?
To grow strong—and even sensible.
It’s no fun asking you a string of questions. You never get mad. Mama gets good and mad. So does papa.
Then why do you ask them questions?
Oh, I like to get them going.
Monona!
I told mama I didn’t pass, just so I could hear her.
Why, Monona!
Then when I told her I did pass, she did it again. When she’s mad she makes awful funny faces.
You love her, don’t you, Monona?
I love her best when there’s company. If there was always company, I’d always love her. Isn’t she sweet before Uncle Ninian though?
I—I don’t know. Monona, you mustn’t talk so.
He’s been here a week and mama hasn’t been cross once. Want to know what he said about you?
I—did he—did he say anything about me?