Mr. B. What do you mean by insulting me in this manner? Take these irons off this instant. Do you hear?
Mrs. S. (to Mrs. B.). He is getting worse, you see.
P. I couldn’t do it, my man. You better come with me. (Takes him by the shoulder.)
Mr. B. Stop. First tell me what all this means.
P. Certainly. No gentleman in your position would think of leaving his business and tending an apple-stand if he was in his right mind. So I have put on these bracelets to prevent your doing any violence.
Mr. B. Ha, ha, ha! “So fades my dreams!” Goodenow, you must give me credit for sustaining my part of the agreement, as far as I alone am concerned. But circumstances have conspired against me. (Turning to his wife.) My friend and myself laid a wager that I had not sufficient courage to tend an apple-stand one whole day without giving any explanation thereof. In attempting to do this it seems I have laid myself under suspicion of being insane. I therefore abdicate in favor of Mrs. Bridget Murphy, trusting she may find the position a pleasant and more lucrative one than I have done. (He comes forward and Mrs. Murphy enters and takes his place.) Henceforth, like a dutiful subject, I will restrain all improper inclinations, and confess that, like my friends and neighbors, I, too, am a slave of Mrs. Grundy.
(Curtain falls.)
AUNT HANNAH’S VALENTINE.
DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
| Mrs. Cynthia Leland, | a Farmer’s Wife. |
| Mrs. Montgomery, | a Friend and former Schoolmate of Mrs. L. |
| Hannah Leland, | Mr. Leland’s Sister. |
| Obadiah Rakestraw, | a Bachelor. |
| Carrie Leland, | Mrs. L.’s Daughter. |
| Herbert Walton, | Carrie’s Lover. |
| Adolphus Fitz-William, | Mrs. M.’s Nephew. |
| Caleb Leland, | Carrie’s Brother. |