S. Yes, and she bade me say they were sorry to be obliged to be away. But they wished you to make yourself comfortable. Here is the evening paper, sir. (Hands it to him.) As they will not be home till late, I will conduct you to your room when you wish to retire.
Mr. C. There’s no occasion for that. I remember my old room very well. I will read a while before I go to bed. I may possibly sit up till they come home. At all events, I shall not need any further service from you.
(Exit Servant, L.)
Well, I must say I’m mystified. In the first place, I don’t see how Maria heard I should arrive to-day. In the second place, when I asked if Mr. and Mrs. Lewis were at home, the servant said all the family were away. Now people don’t use such an expression as that when the family consists of only two members. I wonder whether they have company? I wish I might meet my sister Eliza here. But I won’t trouble myself with needless conjectures. I shall learn all about the matter in the morning. (A pause.) I believe I’ll put on my slippers. (Opens bag, from which he takes slippers. He takes off boots, puts on slippers, then takes up evening paper.) I wonder what the news is. In fact, it will be all news to me. Ah! here’s the announcement of the arrival of the Rosamond. But if Maria had seen it she wouldn’t have supposed that I was a passenger. How could she have heard of my arrival? That is a mystery to me. (He commences reading, but in one or two minutes his eyes close, and he begins to nod. Suddenly his head falls back, and the paper drops from his grasp. He wakens with a start.) Why, bless me, I nearly lost myself! I feel very sleepy. (Looks at his watch.) No wonder—it is nearly half-past eleven o’clock. I think I will go to bed. (Picks up paper, and puts it on the table, then takes his bag—a small one—and a light, and leaves the room, R.)
(Curtain falls.)
Scene II.—A chamber. There must be a bed in the room, C. This may be a lounge, but it must have curtains around it. These are necessary, and can be arranged on a light, portable frame. Mr. C. enters the room, sets down the lamp on table, R., and looks around, in astonishment.
Mr. C. It seems Maria has entirely refurnished this chamber. I can hardly recognize the room I have occupied so many times. But I am too sleepy to take much account of surroundings. If the bed is only comfortable, I shall not take much notice of anything else. (Takes off coat, vest, and slippers, which he puts near head of bed, and extinguishes the light. He then parts the curtains and throws himself upon the bed, drawing the curtains to after him.)
(A pause. Then the door opens, L., and an ancient maiden, in party attire, enters. She sets lamp down on the table. Sits down, herself, and proceeds to divest her head of its adornings. She takes off two sets of curls, two or three braids, and numberless hairpins. Also takes from her mouth a set of false teeth. While these preparations are going on, she soliloquizes:)
Aunt Rachel. What senseless people one meets at a party, to be sure!
Mr. C. (peeping from between curtains, aside). Who the deuce is this?