Bill. I won’t. But I’ll have to bring in an armful of wood first. I seen there wasn’t any in ther wood-box when I come in.
Hiram. Mighty thoughtful of you all at once.
Bill. Say! but ain’t the new boarder a daisy?
(Laughs uproariously.)
Hiram. Pshaw! You don’t think that city gal would take any notice of you, do yer?
Bill. I don’t, eh? That’s as much as you know about it. Why, she told me I was a fine specimen of a healthy young farmer. (Draws himself up proudly.) An’ she give me a dig in ther ribs, too. She’s a reg’lar peach! (Laughs loudly again.)
Hiram. You’re a born fool, Bill, an’ you don’t know it. That gal was jest makin’ fun of yer, that’s all. [Exeunt Hiram and Bill.
Enter Helen Rodney, with bunch of flowers in her hand.
Hel. I see the buggy outside, so I suppose our boarder has arrived. I wonder how she looks? She wrote that she is a stenographer in New York, and the letter was typewritten, too. By the way it read, she must be very much of a lady. Well, as there is no one here now, I’ll take my chance to write a note to Percy. I know mother won’t object, so I’ll invite him over to take tea with us to-morrow afternoon. Percy is just too sweet for anything; and he is an artist, too! I hope the new boarder is not good-looking, so there will be no danger of her cutting me out. (Opens drawer in stand and takes out paper, pen and ink and writes.) There! (Holds up note she has written.) That is rather brief, but it will answer the purpose, I know. Percy will be delighted to come, too. When mother and father see him and get acquainted with him they won’t mind if he comes often, I am sure. (Reads.) “Dear Percy, come over to-morrow afternoon and take tea with us. Pa and ma will be pleased to see you. Yours lovingly, H. R.” (Places paper in envelope and addresses it. Bill is heard whistling outside.) Here, Bill, I want you. Hurry up.