Mrs. St. V. Young ladies, I hope you won't get into trouble. But surely it is not kind treatment of a teacher to send her this ugly thing. Now here are such lovely—(Bell rings. Girls scamper to the door and exeunt. Mary Ann courtesies and kisses her hand to Mrs. St. Valentine.) Well, I do declare! What a set of wild girls! I don't think they mean harm, but— Why, they have left their comic valentine here. Forgotten it, I suppose. Now let me see. I might confiscate it; but I will call my nephew. His wits are bright. Perhaps he can get these naughty children out of their scrape.
Come hither, Cupid darling,
As fast as you can fly;
Bring all your sharpest arrows,
And your merry magic try.
Enter Cupid, bowing low and kissing Mrs. St. Valentine's hand.
Cupid.
What will my gracious aunt?
Command me as you please;
I'll serve you on my fleetest wings
Or on my bended knees.
Mrs. St. V. Cupid, here is a curious case. I came to the school with a bag full of my choicest valentines, hoping to start up a brisk trade with these young ladies. You know times are hard, and I really need the money. Very well. They would not look at these gems, these flowers and Cupids, but must pick out the ugliest one I have, and sign false names, and address it to one of their teachers.
Cupid. Which one? Oh, Miss Steele! Yes, she's pretty dreadful. Heart like flint. My arrows make no impression.
Mrs. St. V. But they ought not to send her this.
Cupid. I'm not so sure. The objection, from our point of view, is that these comic valentines are made by a rival firm, and we should find it for our interest to discourage their sale.
Mrs. St. V. True; and I would not keep them in stock, but that boys will have them and nothing else.