SCENE
A room in Governor Winthrop’s house in the Massachusetts Bay Colony. The front door of the house opens at center back of stage, and has small windows on each side of it. A door on the left opens into the next room. The room is very plainly furnished, and is evidently used for transacting business. On the right of the front door is a settee, with a chest standing near it, and on the left of the door is a chair. Near the front of the stage, on the right, stands a flour barrel, and beside it, a table with weighing-scales. On the left side of the room there is a chair before a desk covered with papers, etc. Several portraits and old prints hang on the walls.
[A knock is heard on the front door. Enter Servant, at the left, who crosses to front door, and opens it, disclosing Mrs. Freeman and Patience. Mrs. Freeman has a basket on her arm.]
Mrs. Freeman. Is the Governor at home?
Servant. Yes, madam; he has just come in.
Mrs. Freeman. Will you let him know that I am here?
Servant. Directly, madam. Please be seated. [Motions them to settee, and exit, left; Mrs. Freeman and Patience sit down on the settee. Patience breathes on her hands, to warm them.]
Patience. [Fretfully.] Mother, do you really think the Governor will give us some more corn? I’m so tired of having nothing good to eat!
Mrs. Freeman. Why, Patience, of course he will if he can spare us any; but you must remember how many sick people there are in the colony, who need it more than we do.
Patience. Yes, Mother, but why can there not be enough for everybody?