Margaret—And pray, who is Beth Norton?
Helen—Don’t you know? Why, she is the girl that all the girls at Erskine College were just crazy about. Why, they say there’s never been a girl there before who was as popular. And act! Why, she took the chief parts in all their plays and the girls said she had any professional actress beaten all to pieces. Oh yes, we must manage to get in with them if we can. Now about your cousin, say, why can’t you have her up for just a couple of days and keep her out of the way?
Margaret—Dad is bound that I’ll invite her up for two weeks anyway. I can generally manage him pretty well, but this time he’s as obstinate as a mule. I’m glad I didn’t inherit his bad qualities.
Helen—(aside) I think she has all of his and some of her own to boot, (aloud) I have an idea. Write her such a letter that if she has any sense at all she’ll know she’s not wanted and then perhaps she won’t come.
Margaret—(jumping up) That is a good idea! Let’s write it now. What shall we put into it? (goes to a table where there is paper and ink, sits down to write)
Helen—(going to the table) Tell her that,—oh, I don’t know. You ought to be good at that sort of thing. (Margaret looks up sharply). Writing letters I mean. You can write such splendid ones, you know. (Margaret writes awhile while Helen looks over her shoulder.)
Margaret—(rising) There, that ought to do the trick. What do you think of it?
Helen—Well, if she can’t take the hint from that that she’s not wanted, she must be as dense as a—a fog! (goes to put on her hat.) I must go for I promised to stay only a few minutes. Good-bye (goes towards the door) I hope your cousin won’t be too boorish if she does come.
Margaret—Good-bye. We’ll trust to luck. (Helen disappears. Margaret comes to centre of stage) Well, that letter is a good stunt, but my, wouldn’t dad be angry if he knew! But I’ll chance it that he doesn’t find out. Now for a toast. (Pretends to drink.) Here’s to the refusal of my invitation to my country cousin.
CURTAIN