Elizabeth—(unfastening satchel and taking out a gaily colored centre-piece) Now, I’ll jest set down and work at this centre-piece. (Sits down in rocking chair and works.) I’m going to give it to you, Mag—Margaret, I mean, for yer parler table.
Margaret—(aside) Oh, gee, imagine that on our highly polished table. I guess it will be more likely to adorn the attic. (aloud) Oh, that’s very nice of you. By the way, how did you find your way here?
Helen—Oh yes, how did you when you had never been in the city before?
Elizabeth—Well, now, I did have a mighty hard time of it at first. I asked one of them policemen if he could tell me where Uncle Jer—where Mr. J. Ernest Neilson lived and he just laughed at me. (She keeps rocking.)
Helen—Well, I should think he would. Didn’t you know any better than that?
Elizabeth—(still sewing) Why, I was told that them policemen could answer any kind of a question. At hum everybody knows where everybody else lives so I thought it would be the same here. (Both girls laugh.) Anyway he asked what his address was and I showed him the top of yer letter.
Margaret—(in horror) You didn’t show him my letter!
Elizabeth—Sure and he must have got a good squint at what was in it, too, for he looked so funny. Well he told me to get into one of them street car things, and the feller who was all dressed up in brass buttons and took the tickets told me when to get into another so it was real easy. But I think the people here are dreadfully imperlite. They kept giggling and giggling. I asked one what the joke was and she grew awfully red and didn’t answer. I think it’s mighty rude not to tell other folks the joke, why down to hum—(looks up just as the girls are turning up their noses). Say, what’s the matter with your noses? Have they nervous twitches in them? Get a bottle of Dr. Cure-all’s syrup of tar at (name of local druggist) and it will soon stop that for it cured my cold. (Rising and throwing fancy work on chair.) Laws a me, I’m awfully thirsty. Where’s the kitchen (goes towards door, Margaret starts up). Never mind coming. I’ll just use the dipper so you don’t need to get me a glass.
Margaret—Well, tell Nora to get you a drink. (Exit Elizabeth). Oh Helen, I never saw anybody so common—
Helen—(interrupting). Why she’s the most uncommon specimen I ever met in all my life.