Scene.—Parlor. Fireplace in flat centre. Door in right upper corner. Low table to left of fireplace. Six chairs arranged in a semicircle in centre of stage. At rise of curtain Silvia is discovered seated in a big arm-chair to left centre, busy reading.
Silvia (dropping book in her lap as the curtain rolls up). Oh, dear! I do wish those girls would come! I begin to feel nervous. (Fretfully.) I don't see what good we girls can do, anyhow. We can't prevent those hideous old Turks from scratching the eyes out of the poor Armenians. Oh, why did Miss Peabody suggest that we girls of the graduating class of the Peabody School (mimicking) should form ourselves into some sort of a society in order to keep up the pleasant friendships begun at school? She might have known Catharine Cruger would want us to undertake some outlandish thing or other. (Sarcastically.) Of course dear Catharine no sooner returned to town this fall than she reminded us of Miss Peabody's parting injunction, and proposed we should try to relieve the unfortunate Armenians. It will be so easy, so simple. (Angrily.) To think that I was idiot enough to offer to have the meeting here! But I won't have anything to do with the matter, no noth—
Rose (entering door right upper corner). Good-afternoon, dear. I hope I am not late?
Silvia (shaking hands, but still somewhat ruffled). Oh no, dear! it's only three-quarters of an hour past the time.
Rose (serenely). Oh, I am so glad I am the first, for I haven't had time to look up where Armenia is, so do tell me, dear, before the girls come (taking off her veil). I really meant to have been here earlier, but as I passed Madame Jacquin's I saw such a love of a theatre hat I simply couldn't resist going in to try it on.
Silvia (with interest). What was it like?
Rose. A soft crown of gold-brown velvet, with the cutest little net-work of gold beads, held on with little loops of blue—
Harriet (appearing in the doorway). Oh, girls, I have hurried so, and I can't stay but a few minutes, for I promised to meet mamma at Mrs. Draper's in half an hour! It's a musical, you know, and I've simply got to tell Kitty Draper all about the Leap-Year Ball.
Grace (entering hastily, and out of breath, addressing Harriet). I saw you ahead of me and tried to catch up, but you walked like a steam-engine. (To Silvia.) Why, where are the rest?
Silvia. I don't know. Pauline promised to be here early, and she is an hour late now.