[1]. Kitchen scene, with woman washing in center of stage, side face to audience; clothes baskets, soiled linen, boiler, clothes bars, etc., scattered in the room. The washer-woman sings last two lines, while curtain is raised.
[2]. Same scene. Woman and tub in background facing audience while she rubs and sings; children on floor in foreground. Sings again.
[3]. Baby is the most conspicuous part of this picture, and the livelier the better, even to laughing or crying. Woman hums the tune as she works.
THE SMALL BOY’S EXPLANATION.
It was Sunday evening. Angelica had invited her young man to the evening meal.[[1]] Everything had passed off harmoniously until Angelica’s seven-year-old brother broke the blissful silence that had settled like a rainbow on the family circle, with:
“O, Ma! You oughter seen Mr. Lighted last night when he called to take Angie to the drill! He looked so nice, sitting ’long side o’ her, with his arm”----
“Fred!” screamed the maiden, quickly placing her hand over the boy’s mouth.[[2]]
“You just ought ter seen him,[him,]” continued the persistent informant, after gaining his breath, and the embarrassed girl’s hand was removed; “he had his arm”--
“Freddie,” shouted the mother; and in her frantic attempts to reach the boy’s ear she upset the tea-pot, sending its scalding contents into Mr. Lighted’s lap.[[3]]