SCENE II
[The same. Maiden discovered seated on a stool, at right of Cat, as this would appear to the spectators. Under the stool a wooden or tin plate is placed in readiness, also a large circular piece of pasteboard with the words, “One Dollar,” cut around the edge. The Maiden carries the pasteboard heart, and a handful of pasteboard tears. The spider hangs motionless high above her head—out of sight, if possible.]
Maiden puts hands to her eyes, and pasteboard tears fall.
One day within the sacred court
In which the cat was kept,
The maiden sat alone, and sad
And bitter tears she wept.
Spider suddenly drops from above. Maiden leaps to her feet and throws up her hands.
And as she sat, from high above
Depending from a beam,
A spider dropped upon her head,
And loudly did she scream.
Maiden trembles violently, while the spider runs up and down.
And while in fear she stood and shook,
A sudden voice she heard,
It was the cat, who ne’er before
Had ever uttered word.
Cat’s jaws move as if speaking, and she rolls her eyes and wags her tail.
“Give me that spider,” said the cat,
“For spiders are a treat;
I’m sick of eating cream and fish,
And tired to death of meat!”
Maiden throws the heart from her mouth, and acts as if terrified. Then picks up heart, swallows it, and turns toward the cat.
The maiden’s heart jumped to her mouth,
And fell upon the floor,
She caught it e’er its beating stopped
And was herself once more.
The maiden shades her head, and throws out her hand, as if imploring the cat not to ask her.
“Feed me the spider,” said the cat,
“A favor I will do;
Ask what you will, it shall be done,
I promise it to you.”
Maiden slowly turns toward spider, which dances in a very lively manner.
Maiden stretches her arm and tries to grasp spider.
The maiden hesitated long,—
The spider looked so grim,—
With mincing step she then approached,
And tried to reach for him.
Maiden takes dollar and offers it to spider. Then throws kisses to it.
But every time she raised her hand
The spider ran above,
And she could not persuade him down
For money or for love.
Stands on stool, suddenly grasps the spider, and taking the plate from beneath stool, places the spider on it, and breaks the thread which held it.
At length she got upon a stool,
And with an effort great,
She had the spider in her grasp
And put him on a plate.
Cat’s jaw opens. Maiden drops spider in front of cat’s mouth, and cat closes her mouth.
The cat, who watched with eager eyes,
The spider did adore;
The maiden fed her faithfully
Until there was no more.
Maiden shakes her forefinger at cat.
Holds up three fingers, then holds up one.
“And now, O Sacred Cat,” she said,
“Pray listen till I’m done.
Three wealthy suitors seek my hand,
But I love only one.
Points over shoulder.
Shakes fist.
“He wishes to elope with me,
But I am watched too well,
The other suitors stand on guard
With looks severe and fell.
Half kneels by the cat, and appears to plead, smoothing her fur tenderly.
“Could we but have one little hour,
In which to flee away,
We’d never find enough to do,
Your kindness to repay.”
Cat’s jaws move, keeping time with the words. Maiden remains kneeling.
“Bring them all here,” the cat replied,
“Bring me your suitors three;
The one you love shall go with you,
The others stay with me.”
Maiden rises to her feet with joy, and claps her hands.
“I understand,” the maiden said,
“And I will tell them all
To feed you well with bugs and snakes,
And other things that crawl.”
Wags her tail fiercely.
“And now,” went on the Sacred Cat,
“How shall I know the youth?
How shall I know which one you choose?
Give me a sign, forsooth!”
Points to her head.
Points to herself, and hangs her head.
“The one I love shall wear a plume,”
The maiden then replied,
“A high black plume of feathers rich,
And I’ll be by his side.”
Cat’s eyes open and shut rapidly.
“That is sufficient,” said the Cat,
“And when I blink my eyes,
Like this,—then hurry, both of you,
Or he will lose his prize.”
Waves her hand in farewell, and goes off the stage.
“Farewell,” she said, and went to find
Her suitors, great and least,
The cat remained to meditate
Upon the coming feast.
[Screen the Light]