SCENE IV.—_Same as Scene II., except that MR. B. has charge of

MRS. MURPHY’S stand. Enter JAMES, who examines fruit at each of the stands. MRS. B. and two companions are seen at side entrance, L., looking furtively at MR. B. They talk aside._

MRS. S. Arc you satisfied that it is he?

MRS. B. Yes, it is certainty Frank; but (_perplexed_) what can he be there for?

MRS. S. Why don’t you ask him?

MRS. B. I hardly know what to do.

MRS. S. There are two gentlemen coming. Wait and see what they say.

(_Enter MR. GOODENOW and MR. HENDERSON. MRS. B. beckons to policeman, and talks with him._)

MR. HENDERSON. Hallo, Mr. Burley; haven’t you got into a new business?

MR. B. Yes, I have (_smiling_).

MR. H. (_quizzically_). How do you enjoy it?

MR. B. Very much, of course, or I should not have entered into it.

MR. H. Going to make a permanent business of it?

MR. B. Can’t tell till I have tried it a week or two.

MR. H. (_amused_). Burley, you play your part well, that’s a fact.

MR. B. (_in apparent surprise_). Play my part well! What do you mean?

MR. H. Well, this is what I’ve got to say: If you are not tending this stand you must be insane. (_Turning to MR. G._) Don’t you think so, Goodenow?

MR. GOODENOW. It looks like it, certainly. (_Enter MRS. G. and her friends, L._) Ah! here comes Mrs. Burley.

(_MR. G. and MR. H. gaze at them with curiosity. MR. B. looks apprehensively._)

MRS. B. What are you doing, Frank?

MR. B. Tending an apple-stand, my love.

MRS. B. And pray what do you mean by disgracing your family in such a way?

F. I don’t see any disgrace about it. A dollar earned in this way is as good as one gained in Pearl street.

MRS. O’C. (_who has been listening interestedly_). An’ it’s little enough money you’ll make out of this business. Sure an’ the sooner you give up yer stand the richer you’ll be.

JAMES (_to F._). Here you, I say give me two of them bananas. (_Pays for them, and exit, eating._)

MRS. B. (_aside to ladies_). Well, I can’t bear this any longer. Something must be done.

MRS. W. What shall it be?

MRS. S. One can see plainly enough he is insane.

MRS. B. (_turning to policeman_). You can see that he is evidently insane.

POLICEMAN. He does act strange, don’t he? A rich merchant like him, to tend an apple-stand! But what shall I do?

MRS. B. I don’t know. This is probably the first stage of the disease. I’m afraid he may become violent.

P. Would you advise me to arrest him?

MRS. B. (_whose thoughts revert to MR. WALTERS_). I am so distressed I hardly know; but it seems as if he ought to be prevented from doing any mischief. Perhaps it would be better to do so. That would bring matters to a crisis, and we should know the worst.

(_Policeman goes round and comes in at an entrance back of MR. B. Before the latter realizes it, he is handcuffed. He starts up at once, indignant._)

MR. B. What do you mean by insulting me in this manner? Take these irons off this instant. Do you hear?

MRS. S. (_to MRS. B._). He is getting worse, you see.

P. I couldn’t do it, my man. You better come with me. (_Takes him by the shoulder._)

MR. B. Stop. First tell me what all this means.

P. Certainly. No gentleman in your position would think of leaving his business and tending an apple-stand if he was in his right mind. So I have put on these bracelets to prevent your doing any violence.

MR. B. Ha, ha, ha! “So fades my dreams!” Goodenow, you must give me credit for sustaining my part of the agreement, as far as I alone am concerned. But circumstances have conspired against me. (_Turning to his wife._) My friend and myself laid a wager that I had not sufficient courage to tend an apple-stand one whole day without giving any explanation thereof. In attempting to do this it seems I have laid myself under suspicion of being insane. I therefore abdicate in favor of Mrs. Bridget Murphy, trusting she may find the position a pleasant and more lucrative one than I have done. (_He comes forward and MRS. MURPHY enters and takes his place._) Henceforth, like a dutiful subject, I will restrain all improper inclinations, and confess that, like my friends and neighbors, I, too, am a slave of Mrs. Grundy.

(_Curtain falls._)

AUNT HANNAH’S VALENTINE.

DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.

MRS. CYNTHIA LELAND, a Farmer’s Wife. MRS. MONTGOMERY, a Friend and former Schoolmate of Mrs. L. HANNAH LELAND, Mr. Leland’s Sister. OBADIAH RAKESTRAW, a Bachelor. CARRIE LELAND, Mrs. L.’s Daughter. HERBERT WALTON, Carrie’s Lover. ADOLPHUS FITZ-WILLIAM, Mrs. M.’s Nephew. CALEB LELAND, Carrie’s Brother.