ACT I.
The parlour in Mrs. Munning's house, the window of which looks out to a bowling green. The room is furnished with chairs and sofa, upholstered in horsehair. It is not quite shabby, but well used. The ornaments crowded on the mantelpiece are Mid-Victorian survivals. There is a bookshelf on the wall above the bureau. The wall-paper is flowered; there is no gas, but lamp on table. In the window is a small model in plaster of a wedding-cake. It should be quite small and unostentatious. Men's coats are hung behind door. The light is of a spring afternoon.
As the curtain rises, Mrs. Munning, who is fifty-five and hard featured, is dusting the ornaments on the mantel. She is in her best clothes, which are black, protected by a dirty apron. She looks at the clock impatiently. It strikes four. She goes to window and looks out. She mutters, "And time too" and goes to door. She opens it and speaks through it.
MRS. MUNNING. Get a move on, now. Take your things off in there and come along quick.
SALLY (off). Yes, Mrs. Munning.
MRS. MUNNING. Hurry up when I tell you. This is a nice time of day to come.
SALLY (entering, a pretty, country girl of eighteen in print frock). You told me to come o' Thursday and Thursday 'tis.