Speeches & Writings File Plays "An American Girl" Act II, annotatedAct. 2. An American Girl A Comedy By Anna E. Dickinson. Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1880, in the Office of the Librarian of Congress, at Washington. All Rights Reserved.1 Scene: The side door & grounds of Mr. Vivian's house on the Hudson. Table with chessboard on it, & chairs L. A little stand. & rustic seat with raised bank. or lower seat R. (or a tree with seat against it & table near) Some roses on the table. or growing by a tree. Drawing materials on the table. Some handsome stuff or picturesque old gown on back of chair, or thrown on near seat. Enter from door Mr Vivian leaning on Mrs Crawford's arm. Kate discovered intent on her drawing. tearing some paper Impatiently &c. Kate (starting, going up ________ once more. Vivian And how good to be abroad. _________ (looking around) What is so sweet?2 Kate your button hole Vivian What have you been doing there? - Drawing there? Kate It's not right. (enter Alleyn Cromarty, shooting dress, gun, which he puts down Cromarty Good morning Kate is it you Cromarty (business As you see, I came to enquire for Mr. Vivian (turns) the sight of him is another. (going up, smiles & bows to Mrs. Crawford who nods pleasantly to him, she being seated in rocking chair with some bright wool knitting. I congratulate you Sir (enter Dr. Camp3 And you Doctor, on your skill Mrs C Stuff! Dr. Eh! Cromarty (laughingly) Mrs Cranford has no faith in the doctors. Mrs C No. She has not. Skill? (motion of hand) It is just blind shooting (looking at Alleyn's gun.) they do. If they happen to hit the wild beast that is gnawing at you, well & good, it will be killed - but they are just as like to hit some sound spot & leave it alone — & then you have two miseries instead of one. Kate (at her drawing looking round you are well. ø4 Dr (Xing) You, too, Miss Saucebox? I will attend to you in due season. Kate (warding him off) – a tragic fate. (business for Mr. Vivian – in store for me Vivian Fate? Fate? Who talks of a tragic fate for my child? - No, No, she does not deserve it. (Kate starts, Dr. restrains her) Cromarty (soothing him. Be at peace sir. She deserves nothing but sunshine. – (Mrs. Cranford watching & sympathetically assenting) She will get what she deserves. Vivian (confused manner) How do you know? (looking up & around) Did they tell you?__ 5 Cromarty Yes, dear sir. (Mrs. Cranford & Cromarty exchange looks. - Kate and Dr. watching. Vivian with air of relief turns to the chess-men.) You want them set up? Yes? Let me put them in order. (Sits does so Kate (to Dr.) L – try to play. Dr. (aside) Try? That is all he can do. (to Kate) Let be. 'Twill amuse him. Kate – himself again? Dr. By & by - Be patient. Kate – are sure? Dr. I will swear to it. But never to do what he has done, never to6 carry on that great business again. Kate (intently not abruptly? Dr. Some one else had better close it now. It must be in such order as to make no great difference who settles it. but the settlement is of vital moment to him. Kate # its weight? Dr. Incessantly. The burthen of it crushes half the good any skill of mine can do him. (leans across) and you too, my child, all your work & worry & this new strange task (pointing to costume & drawing) or freak shall I call it? are beginning to pale those roses. (touches her cheek) Let me see. (puts finger on her pulse). Yes. (Looking towards Vivian) the burthen of habit is a heavy one (shaking head)7 I am not sure it is only habit. I am not sure there is not a dead load of anxiety, even despair in addition. ______ Ah! ah! what is this that is springing in your wrist? ___ A repeater? _____ And tears in your eyes? _____ My child have I sprung a trap on you? I am a Doctor. We have to probe some wounds to heal them. I am right. (Kate struggling for composure Dr covers her from observation of others.) There is something back of what is seen. No wonder I have been baffled. Your aunt was right my girl. 'Tis true enough we Doctors shoot blindly when we medecine the body ____ with the real trouble buried in the depths of the heart & the soul. _______ Our skill is eternally called on to heal hurts that only hope, or success, or happiness, _____or the Almighty Himself can cure. _____ There!____ You are quite yourself again?__ You are going to trust8 Me with a secret? Kate keep it? Dr. Like a sieve with a hole in it ___My dear you do not need to ask__ The secrets that come to the Doctor should be as sacred as those of the confessional. Kate ___With Mr. Rempal. Dr. (interrupting) Which is the town talk ___ Kate play for him Dr. You mean you are going on the stage for money. You? Kate are right. Dr. (shaking head. You should have a better reason than that for setting all the world at defiance Kate do say so9 Dr I say you have need of strong reasons to defend it. Kate strong ones. Dr. (walking impatiently.) Very like, very like. The knowledge that they are in the wrong is a very strong reason to some women to continue in it. Mrs C. (Who has turned to listen. What a silly speech! and with what an air you speak it. Dr. (pausing) Silly? 'Tis gospel truth & if it here weren't have not I as good a right as another, to make foolish speeches, I am not alone in the art. Mrs C. Right? of course since 'tis one that belongs to humanity. No one can be free of saying silly things, the misfortune is10 when we try to give them an air of importance. Cromarty (laughing) Now for a battle royal! Kate (looking at Dr.) And the reverse. Vivian (rubbing his hands like a boy) Yes, & Lottie always gets the best of it. Kate ____ Dickie (indicating bird) Papa? ___ Vivian I think she could even in that. (he turns back to his chess as as they all laugh.) Mrs. C (leaning over, or going to table) How goes the game Laurence? Vivian I am tired of it. (giving it a little push & leaning back, looking at trembling hands) What a weakling 11 I am. (shakes head. Mrs Cranford & Cromarty exchange glances +c Dr (to Kate) A bit of sparring amuses him. It is fortunate your aunt & I are able to furnish all the entertainment of that kind he wishes. (business through this with Mrs Cranford in dumb show pointing off Vivian & Cromarty Kate ___ going in Papa? (Vivian dissents) Cromarty No indeed, This air is too lovely, He is going to walk with me (Kate looks anxiously at Doctor who smiles & assures her.) Down to Mrs Cranfords grape arbor (indicating) She says they are beautiful. Mrs C (looking at Dr.) so they are. ___ Kate ____ (laughing) gourmand.12 Dr. He confesses it ___ not to say an ogre. That is why he means to devour you. (stopping her[e]) No. You cant go with him. I am not done with you. (enter servant who speaks in dumb show with Mrs C.) That (looking at Cromarty) is a better arm to lean upon. Cromarty At least it is stronger. (exit Cromarty & Vivian. Mrs C. (who has gathered up her work nodding her head. Yes, indeed. At once, (goes into house hastily followed by servant. Dr (xing) So you will convince me this scheme of yours is not merely a whim? ___ Kate [*sits on stool at his feet*] takes arm. walks. pauses through. scene. sits here. or there as she pleases &c ___ sacred are. 13 Dr. (looking after Vivian. Then it has to do with him. Kate (assents) ___ ruined. – Dr. Ruined! (business for Dr) ___ You see? ___ Dr I am not blind. Kate ___ speak sense? Dr Yes ___ sense that is as bitter as senna. Kate (smiling) the shop. Dr No impertinence Miss. Kate ___ would to papa. Dr. But my child ___ damn my poverty ___ surely all this can be done in due season ___ & yet things remain here & with you as they are. ___14 There is your own money to use. Kate (shaking head) No. Dr. What of it? Kate ___ business at Manor. Dr A sinking ship. ___ It will never return a cent to him. Kate ___ at its head. Dr. Ah, that is how that has gone ___ is it? ___ For a business man he always was an impractical fool ___ & he has made you a worse one ___ Take care of people? ___ Take care of people! Oh, of course you should do your best to take care of other peoples interests ___ but then you should take care to [to] take care of your own. most of all. Kate ___ So I am. 15 Dr By beggaring yourself? ___ Kate ___ is honor. Dr. Honor? ___ Fiddlestick! This is Don Quixote honor. Nobody in in the world could blame him if you kept your money to yourself. Kate ___ or the more Dr Let me alone. I wont have you talk me over. Damme what's this has got into my eyes? ___ Nature will get the better of reason & Dignity. ___ Well! Well! ___ To talk plain English, there are other ways to get money beside this way. Kate ___ are they? Dr Armstrong could mortgage the places. Kate16 ___ need & so Dr (assenting) Precipitate the catastrophe. ___ well then ___ well ___ there are plenty of people who would be glad to let you have all you need. ___ Kate ___ of obligation. Dr So!- That is where the shoe pinches is it? ___ It is pride that is at the bottom of this fear of obligation. Kate ___ repaid ten fold. Dr Young lady, you know too much, The result of so much knowledge will be ___ you will become in the end a saint or a cynic. ___ as well as I can see, when all is said & done you will be broken to the foundations & rest there. ___ He. (looking off) will never be able to build his fortune again. ___ 17 Kate ___ for the future. Dr You talk like a man. Kate (who has been struggling with tears, breaks down. ___ future. (looking off. ___ hers (towards house) ___ well as bread. Dr And the bitter & mean talk of multitudes. Kate ___ as they say. (they have sat down again, Dr. by the table, in looking over her pictures. comes to a head, of Cromarty. Dr (laughing & aside) Ah. ha! ___ Here will be a final solution of difficulties. (to Kate) Bless me! ___ Do you mean to be mistress of all arts? ___ (looking) This would be a credit to a master (looking) To be sure there is the attractiveness18 of the subject. He would make a handsome picture even if is were badly done. (enter Cromarty (unseen Kate (coming to Dr. ___ Mr Cromarty? Cromarty (Still unseen advancing my picture. Kate ________ bad looking (pantomime of delight by Cromarty ________ seen worse (he shrinks a little, comes forward) Cromarty Thanks mademoiselle. It is not over liberal you are, but I am grateful for so much. Kate (seating herself) __________ proverb sir. (Dr. saunters up) ____ listeners.Alleyn sits Kate facing up stage 19 Cromarty I will not quarrel with it this time. Kate (looking round. starting. ___ Papa? ___ Cromarty (indicating) He is with Mrs Cranford in the sun. Dr It will do him good. (going I will see to him (exits Cromarty Do not go away I beg (she re-seats herself.) Do me the favor to go on with your work ___ & to let me watch it. Kate ___ favor! (works a moment nervously. There! ___ (throwing down crayon impatiently) crayon ___ (turning them over ___ of order (He take knife & crayons.) Cromarty Let me put them in order ___20 and talk with you. ___ I beg you to go on with our conversation of yesterday. Kate (busies herself through scene with her drawing. ___ Asides +c of business. ___ as yesterday? ___ Cromarty That is cruelly paid ___ for those who hear may remember for a life time Kate ___ wise ___ or witty. Cromarty It is something I will remember always. ___ No. ___ Do not look like that. ___ I am speaking the truth. Kate (slily) ___ to declare it. Cromarty He will say so. ___ if you think so, ___ You were talking of happiness & you said it was to be derived from art, ambition, pleasure. You were masking your real self 21 & its belief under those cold phrases- confess it. Kate ___ the truth. Cromarty I do not believe it. Kate ___ monsieur Cromarty I am just ___ to yourself. Kate ___ Mistaken Cromarty You mean truly. You will enjoy all that you are about to plunge into? ___ Kate ___x fingers on it Cromarty How strange it seems. Kate ___ reasonably well. Cromarty And be praised for it? Kate ___ as to oneself.22 Cromarty But _ pardon _ I have always thought a true woman, & you are that _ cared nothing for the worlds praise. Kate _______ and admired. Cromarty (half aside) To be loved is better. Kate (teasingly) ________ would say. Cromarty Mr Rempal! You are constantly quoting Mr Rempal! I detest the sound of his name! ___ (chopping impatiently at his crayons. Kate watching with delight.) Do you like him so well that you make him your oracle? Kate _____ liking him. Cromarty Very good? _____'Tis a phrase that bears many interpretations. _____ Does this mean that he is phlegmatic & plain? (Chopping. 23 Kate delighted.) Enlighten me, (looking up) I have never seen this phoenix of managers. Kate _____ Apollo. Cromarty Saxon? So he is blonde? ____ Kate ____ my beauties Cromarty So. _____ (silent a moment) But his brain ___ if he is a beauty man that is probably rather soft. Kate _____ he has done. Cromarty But untrained? __ at least not thoroughly educated. Kate ___ profound scholar. Cromarty And you see this paragon frequently? Kate _____ Daily. Cromarty And talk with him _ ? _24 Kate ______a great deal. Cromarty You are sometimes__Confess it__ a trifle bored by his conversations Tho'a scholar & all that he is not entertaining. Kate ____he is wise. Cromarty Might one ask what he talks about?___ Kate (pause, work______ _____many things Cromarty For example?____Love?_ Kate ____Why not? (work) philosophers (work) mortals. Cromarty Ah here we reach the root of the matter (with eagerness.) He wants you to marry him!_ Kate _______you forget yourself. (enter Fred)25 Cromarty Forgive me. Fred I hope I dont intrude? (coming down) de do? de do? Cromarty Good morning Kate Come from. Fred From the moon (enter Stella) Kate With yow? Stella Meaning me? What a pretty compliment. No. I came for Papa. Didn't you know I was driving here today? He has given Robert a holiday. (Dr. looks in) Dr. You are a prompt young lady to come for papa! Why didn't you wait? & where have you been? Fred (shaking his head) Speak for yourself Miss.26 Stella (Looking at Kate. who smiles at her) I have been getting oh such lovely leaves to put in Mr. Vivian's room. He likes them so. ______ And you know I can arrange them prettily if I can't do anything else. (Servant brings Autumn leaves to __________) (________taking them) And I want to do something for him. (Exits servant. Stella busy with leaves) Fred. She is a good little thing. Kate. ________ a darling. Fred Oh! ___ by the by. I cut across from the station to get here ahead of your honor. ____ George! ain't he mad about his piece! Kate. ___ talking about? – Fred Why about your refusal to appear in the "Man of Sentiment" _____ There's the devil to pay ___ & here 27 comes his majesty himself. ____ I mean here comes Julian Reirdon for the money. ______ At least I support that is what brings him. (he has been looking off) Miss Stella (going to her) Let me help you. Cromarty (has taken his hat &c. Kate turns & sees him) Kate _______you are going? __ Cromarty. (with expression) I have staid too long already. ___ I go that you may let me come soon again. Kate. ______when you smile. Cromarty. And renew the talk of a moment ago? Kate _______ at your peril. Cromarty (looks at her a moment intently) I will take it. (bows over her29 Fred He - Do you suppose a certain night prowler (business) that shall be nameless, is aware of any little personal peculiarity? __ Kate __ is abominable! __ (they are laughing as enter Reirdon) good morning Dr (entering from[)] __ ) Well, missy __ have you finished those? Good morning Reirdon. (to Stella) How long am I to wait? __ Stella (very busy) Nearly papa. __ Pretty soon. (Mrs. C. at door) Dr. Did the woman ever live from Adam's time down - if the scientific gentlemen have left us any Adam __ who was ever ready for anything. Reirdon Yes __ for compliments30 Kate ____pays them. Fred (laughing) For a blank checque. Kate _____bank account. Dr: For a husband. Kate _____ on the man. Mrs. C. That is if they have had no experience. If they have, no man could tempt them. Dr. You talk like a widow. Mrs. C. Naturally. Dr. I never knew one who cried out against second marriages who hadn't the man picked __ if not the wedding day fixed. Fred. Oh, by the by _ Mrs Bastide is engaged? _______ Yes __ & Mrs Harold has just been married.Fred You had better keep your sympathy for the [for him] new husband. He'll have number one thrown at his head a dozen times before the honey-moon is over Mrs. C. You think so? Fred Yes. She killed her first, and being dead she naturally thinks he's an angel Mrs. C. Killed her first - who told you such a dreadful story Fred Shakespere - thus - In second husbands let me be accurst Not wed the second but who kill the first (raises in reciting: first one arm, then the other windmill style. 31 Kate __ To whom? __ Fred Marshman. Dr It is to be hoped she will get along with him better than she did with Harold. Fred Nonsense. She loved him to distraction - but not quite to the point of agreeing with him that the moon is made of green cheese. Mrs. C. Nothing short of that would have satisfied him with any woman. Fred (significantly) He had so much sentiment. Dr. Selfishness you mean. Mrs. C. With most men they are one & the same ([goes] exits)32 --Dr.-- (following) You had better retire after that. --Stella-- That is ready, (giving it to Fred) Don't break it. --Fred-- I will carry it with elephantine care. (They laugh and go in carrying leave between them). --Reirdon-- (who has shown great impatience & angry feeling repressed, shows more, as Kate who has been laughing turns again to her work, or goes up to take up some leaves which she arranges.) May I ask a question? __ More than one? __ --Kate-- __ Please (busy) answer --Reirdon-- You mean you will respond as you choose. 33 --Kate.-- __ my privilege. --Reirdon-- (walking impatiently) You are determined always to quarrel with me? __ Take care. --Kate.-- (fans) __ wave it away. --Reirdon-- (who has recovered himself) It is better for any women to have in any man a lover __ rather than a foe. --Kate.-- __ Going abroad again? __ --Reirdon-- Not yet. __ Is it true Rempal cannot put on the "Man of Sentiment" because of your refusal to play the part of Eugénie? --Kate-- __ of Mr. Rempal? --Reirdon-- You can tell me as well.34 Kate — made a début. Reirdon You very well know - in common with the rest of the world - that this last vagary of yours — takes precedence of everything in public attention. Than anything in the theatre would wait on your début — as a matter of business. Kate. — will soon come. Reirdon. I never predicted your failure. Kate. — be defective. Reirdon. (After angry motion, or walk.) Then you refuse - absolutely refuse to play this part in my play - because it is mine - because you feel sure of your own success and a long run - because that will force me to wait on your pleasure, if it be for this season - or compel me 35 to take the piece to a manager who will do it no small justice as Rempal — While everyone who knows us, knows of the slight - and laughs at it. — This is your revenge for what I may have said in the past! — Kate. — argue the point. (Enter Dr. and Stella, preceded by Fred who grimaces as he sees signs of the storm.) Dr. At last, then, you are ready, - Come along young lady, - Are you going back Fred? Shall we drop you at the Station? — Fred. No, I have some business with Miss Kate. Stella (laughing) You?! - Kate — oh! — Dr. Business! Fred36 Business?_ Why not? Are you laughing at her, or at me? I would like to know? _ Do you suppose nothing serious interests us? (with look) You can give Reirdon my seat. (pulling out time table) Going back, Julian? (looking) You have just time to catch the next train. --Kate-- (blandly) __ stops for us. --Reirdon-- Free, you dismiss me, au revoir. (going) --Kate-- __ Good morning. (Dr. nods and goes out with Reirdon) --Stella-- I am coming over with papa this evening (looking towards leaves) to finish them. --Kate-- (with bright smile &c) __ be welcome. (watches her off) 37 --Fred.-- (watching Kate) What was that fellow quarreling with her about? __ That devilish play of his, I know, She looks worried to death! __ Why does she do it? Papa Vivian must have put the screws on her since he's got queer__ That's what's the matter! __ I'll do it!__ I say __ Kate__ I want to talk with you. --Kate-- (coming down) __ state of idiocy. --Fred-- So much the better. __ You will not wake me sing small. __ For the first time since I knew you __ in pantalettes __ we will be on a footing of equality. You know you have forgotten more than I'll ever know __ Good Lord! You are crying! It's that beast! (rushing off, looking off &c) I'll lay a trick on him. __ What's he been saying about his shabby old play? __x I never [tried to] have - . but to oblige you like Conkling I'll make the greatest effort of my life 38 Abusing you for not acting it?_ In that fine figure of his / he has the soul of a grasshopper, (stamping) I would like to mash it. Kate — Keep a secret?_ x Fred. Slightually, (business) When I want to. Kate — with the delay. Fred For goodness sake why don't you tell him! Kate — make trouble? - No. Fred (shrugging his shoulders.) You are always bothering yourself to take care of other people's interests. You need some one to take care of yours. _ See here Kathleen, has Papa Vivian been putting you on a short allowance of Tirots & Marguerite's? — (I know you adore Marguerite -39 I hate North so angular. (business) & masculine in all his lines - Say so? —) since he's been getting queer? _ _(for he is a little queer, you know) _ It's the regulation business for all the rich old chaps to turn a bit miserly, or, if they get cracked (head) — (& they're given to that sort of thing) — to imagine they are on a gallop to the poor house_ God forbid I should ever get old. (seizes his head &c) How I am getting myself tangled up! I'm no nearer the end than when I began. I'll make a short cut for the second time to-day. — No I can't after all. It's confoundedly stupid! I don't know how to say it! __ [*x L*] Kate (who as been watching him) [* are you trying to say *] _ [you talking about?] _ Fred 40 I have it! _(turns &c) See here, Kate, I want to tell you something _ I always am telling you something _ and you are as good as an angel to listen_ Kate (smiling, interrupts —) —Mother confessor. Fred Mother? Mother anything! I like that!_ I want to get married. Kate (laughing) — you? Fred Why not I would like to know? Haven't I as good a right as another fellow? — Let's look at the next one! -- Only I'd like you to help me (aside) I would. that's the truth, it stick's still. — See here. Out of the girls you know which one41 Would you pick for me. Kate (laughing) — very well (as he shakes his head violently) —accomplished & pretty. Fred No doubt, no doubt, —but not an accomplishment nor charm of theirs (with great flourish) touches a cord in my heart. Kate (laughingly) — the Cassello, then? Fred For instance the large & handsome statue — Sarah? — No thanks, — I want a wife not a stone. Kate — a good companion. [*waltz music*] Fred For a waltz. Kate — Louisa Richmond do? — Fred No thanks, I am not a Bartlett disciple, I would 42 like my wife, to be my wife, & not my grandmother. Kate — it is the last — Fred (interrupting) Let me name her then. What do you say to Kate Vivian [*X*] — No — Don't speak — Stop a moment, — of course I'm not half good enough for you. — I'm a fool & all that, — but I can give you everything you want, let you do just what you like. & try to make you happy — & then — why — you wont have to go on that beastly stage & have every body rowing & abusing you. Kate __ take advantage [of you] __ [*x L*] Fred (Interrupting) You mean you wont have me. Kate — I'm not she.43 Fred You mean I'm a donkey - don't deny it. That's what's the matter. I don't blame you for saying no to me, only for your own sake - in some ways I wish you'd say yes, tho' as I said before I am such a fool I'm not half good enough for you. Kate you see, stupid? (great sweeps round &c as she takes arm & they go off) Curtain End of 2nd Act.