SCENE IV.—_Dining-room at MR. GROVER’S. The table is laid for

four persons. MR. FARWELL, R., MR. HUNTLY, L., and MR. GROVER, C., present._

MR. HUNTLY. Have you heard how Brown’s wife has treated him?

MR. F. Not a word.

MR. H. She has deserted him, and gone, no one knows whither. After dinner yesterday, Brown went to his room a moment, leaving his pocket-book on the table. When he returned, his wife, and his pocket-book—containing several hundred dollars—were gone. And although a thorough search has been instituted, no tidings have been had of either.

MR. G. It seems to me that a woman who would do such a thing has not been properly trained by her husband.

MR. F. In my opinion, there are some women of such a nature that they will not brook subjection even from their husbands; or, in fact, subordination of any kind.

MR. G. (_firmly_). I would like to see any woman whom I could not bring under subjection. I cannot conceive of a man surrendering the authority, which is his natural right, into the hands of a woman.

MR. H. (_smiling_). Do you intend, Grover, to carry out your theory of domestic government under your present circumstances?

MR. G. I certainly do not mean to submit to petticoat government. In my eyes the husband should be at the head of the household, and, while I occupy that position, I shall delegate my authority to no one. (_MRS. GROVER enters, R._) My dear, allow me to present to you, my friends, Mr. Farwell and Mr. Huntly.

MRS. G. I am happy to see you, gentlemen. As friends of my husband, I am glad to make your acquaintance.

MR. G. (_turning to his wife_). Is dinner ready?

MRS. G. (_promptly_). It is on the table.

MR. G. (_with a smile of exultation_). Sit down, gentlemen. Mr. Huntly will take a seat on my right (_indicating it_), and Mr. Farwell on my left (_indicating it_). I have provided a dinner to-day, gentlemen (_sharpening the knife preparatory to carving_), which is an especial favorite with me—I mean roast turkey. (_Lifting the cover, his astonished gaze rested on an uncooked turkey. He lifts, successively, the covers of the other dishes, and sees uncooked squashes, and potatoes with their skins on._)

MR. G. (_sternly to his wife_). Will you explain the meaning of this, madam?

MRS. G. (_smiling blandly_). Certainly. Bridget left me yesterday afternoon, by your direction. I have done what I could toward supplying her place. I am truly sorry if the dinner is not to your taste.

MR. G. What do you intend by this insult which you have put upon me in my own house?

MRS. G. (_fanning herself_). You are a little excited, Mr. Grover. You remember that I warned you I should not supply Bridget’s place.

MR. G. (_angrily_). So it seems you want to rule me.

MRS. G. Not at all. I only object to being ruled.

MR. G. It’s the same thing, madam. You would like to have me become a miserable, hen-pecked husband. But that will never happen. (_Turning to guests_) Gentlemen, I regret that circumstances have conspired to render useless the invitation I gave you to dine with me. I cannot, in such case, invite you to stay longer, but shall renew the invitation at a more convenient opportunity.

MRS. G. (_turning toward them_). I, too, shall be glad to see you, gentlemen, and hope, on the next occasion, to offer you a more attractive collation. That, however, depends entirely on whether my husband decides to leave the management of the household where it belongs—in my hands.

(_Exeunt MESSRS. FARWELL and HUNTLY, L._)

MR. G. (_angrily_). Well, madam, I hope you are satisfied with this disgraceful exhibition.

MRS. G. (_quietly_). I am not responsible for it.

MR. G. You have disgraced me before my guests.

MRS. G. Then why did you interfere with Bridget?

MR. G. I am the head of the household.

MRS. G. I beg your pardon. I imagined that Bridget was under my orders.

MR. G. You are right, as long as your orders do not conflict with mine.

MRS. G. Very well, sir, I leave you, then, to the sole management of the household. (_Moves to go out._)

MR. G. Where are you going?

MRS. G. Home to my mother.

MR. G. (_alarmed_). Would you desert your husband?

MRS. G. Yes, until he knows his place. (_Opens the door, R._)

MR. G. But—what will the world say? Don’t go, Kate!

MRS. G. (_turning_). I will stay on one condition, and on one only.

MR. G. What is it?

MRS. G. That you will never, again, interfere in the affairs of the household, and will agree to my recalling Bridget, at once.

MR. G. (_rather sheepishly_). Very well, anything for peace.

(_Exit, L._)

MRS. G. (_sola_). There, sir, I have taught you a lesson. I understand you proposed to tame me. My impression is, that it is the husband that has been tamed. There is truth in the old couplet:—

“When a woman says she will, she will, depend on’t, And when she won’t, she won’t, and there’s an end on’t.”

(_Curtain falls._)

JOHN SMITH’S TRIALS.

CHARACTERS.

MR. SMITH. MRS. SMITH. SHERIFF BAILEY. BRIDGET.