Margaret—She must be lovely. I’d like awfully well to meet her.
Edith—Well, I don’t see why you couldn’t for I just got a letter from her and she said she was going to visit me in a couple days. She said she was visiting some snobbish cousin of hers who needs to be taken down a peg or two. I’d love to see her do it, but I wouldn’t like to be the cousin, I can tell you.
Margaret—No, nor I either, but those people who put on such airs ought to have it taken out of them some way or other. I wonder who she is.
Edith—I don’t know. Beth wouldn’t think of giving her away. (Helen stares fixedly at Margaret and nods. Margaret rises).
Margaret—I wonder if you’d excuse me for a few minutes. I have some things I must attend to.
Edith—Why of course. Don’t hurry back. (Gazes at Margaret starting to go out. Elizabeth appears at exit very daintily dressed.)
Edith—(rushing past Margaret seizes Elizabeth and hugs her), Why Beth, you dear girl, (pulls her towards centre), wherever did you come from? The girls were just saying they didn’t know you. (Margaret and Helen both stand in amazement.) That’s funny.
Elizabeth—Oh, helloa Edith! I didn’t know you knew my cousin. I’m just staying here until to-morrow and then I’m going to your place for awhile.
Edith—(aside in horror), So this Margaret Neilson is the snob Beth is to take down a peg. Good gracious, but I’ve put my foot into it. (Edith and Beth go to one side and eagerly converse in low tones).
Margaret—(to Helen), Lizzie, Beth Norton! Why whatever does it mean anyway? (thinks), How can she be one and the same person? Oh, oh, I see it now. The names are both nicknames and I never imagined my cousin Elizabeth was the much talked of Beth. And so I’m the snob that Edith said Beth was to take down a peg! (Pauses) And the worst of it is I know I deserve it after that horrible letter. I don’t deserve to have her ever speak to me again.