SCENE.—The living-room of Miss Boltwood’s home. There are doors to L. and R., a closed window near R., a fireplace with fire near C. and over it a cupboard that locks; a tea table, four straight chairs, a high winged chair or settle, a mirror, furnishings of a colonial tea table, a black cat (toy), etc.
(Mandy is discovered on stage. She pokes fire, looks into kettle, stumbles over cat by the hearth.)
Mandy. Dere’s dat cat agin! Here you, Salem, git out from under Mandy’s feet ’fore I break my neck or yours! Black imp o’ Satan! (The cat is supposed to spit.) He spits! I pray you, spit not at poor old Mandy, please, Mr. Cat! Oh, you looks a very witch cat! Good Salem! Good pussy!
(Pets the cat.)
Enter Betty Boltwood in afternoon dress but with an apron on.
Betty. Mandy, aunt bids you assist me with the porcelain against the tea-drinking this afternoon. Fetch the linen towel and the tray.
Mandy. Yes, missy. Here dey is.
(Mandy gets towel and tray and she and Betty wipe the dishes and arrange them on the tea table.)
Betty (holding up cream pitcher). I like well this tea set, Mandy. ’Twas a most pleasing gift that aunt’s cousin fetched her from China. She surely hath a vast love for tea. ’Tis almost a carnal weakness!
Mandy. True, missy. You’ aunt do love tea most ’stravagantly, an’ cats too! (Looks scornfully at Salem.) A true sign she will never marry. But Missy Boltwood am so sperity de mens am ’fraid of her, mebbe.