She was young ... he was cruel.... [Touches the body.] She also was a queen. She snatched his trinkets. See, there on her dead neck is his chain with the red fire caught in gold. And on her finger his ring. But he was too strong ... too strong.... [She stands, trembles, cowering in terror.] Life has broken her.... Life has broken them all.... Some day.... I am afraid....
[Life enters, still the ugly tyrant. She remains cowering. His eyes rove slowly over the stage, but she sees him a second before he discovers her. She straightens up just in time to be her scornful self before his eyes light upon her. As she speaks Life becomes the slave again.]
First Girl [carelessly flings rose down without seeing that it has fallen upon the body]. Life! Bring me a fresh rose!
[The slave bows abjectly and goes to do her bidding.]
[Curtain.]
THE SLUMP
A Play
By Frederic L. Day
Copyright, 1920, by Frederic L. Day.
All rights reserved.