(Curtain falls.)
Scene II.—A curtain arranged from front to back, dividing the stage into sitting-room, L., and kitchen, R., as both must be seen at once. There must be a door between. Mrs. Hobbs is in the sitting-room, sewing, R. Mrs. Skinflint enters, L.
Mrs. S. How d’ye do, Mis’ Hobbs?
Mrs. Hobbs. Why, how d’ye do, Mis’ Skinflint? I’m glad to see you. Sit right down in the rockin’-chair, do. (She sits down, L.) It’s a pleasant evenin’.
Mrs. S. Yes, very pleasant. I cum over this evenin’, Mis’ Hobbs, to see if there’s a peddler stoppin’ here. I bought a clock of one, this mornin’, and he sed he boarded here. The clock don’t go, and I want him to come and fix it, or give me another one.
Mrs. H. Yes, that’s him; jest come into the kitchen. He’ll be right in, I guess. He always sits in here, evenin’s.
(Just then voices are heard in the kitchen. Sarah Jane is seen knitting, L. Ezekiel enters, R.)
Sarah Jane. Well, what adventures have you had to-day, ’Zekiel?
Ezek. The richest was with Mis’ Skinflint. Mis’ Deacon Pettengill told me she was as mean as dirt (here Mrs. S. starts, but, on second thoughts, waits to hear what is coming next. Mrs. Hobbs smiles, grimly), and I thought I see if I couldn’t sarcumvent her.
S. J. What did you do?