SCENE II.—_The curtain rising shows two chambers formed by

a curtain extending from front to back of stage, it being necessary that both should be seen at once. SERVANT ushers EUNICE, who has just arrived, into R., one of them._

SERVANT. This is the room you are to have, miss. Mrs. Atherton and Miss Blanche have gone out, but will be in soon.

EUNICE. Very well. (_Exeunt SERVANT, R. EUNICE takes off bonnet and shawl, and lays them on the table. Afterward takes up a book, sits down, and begins to read._)

(_MRS. B. and BLANCHE enter the other chamber, L., and lay aside their outer garments._)

B. I wonder when our rustic friend will arrive? (_EUNICE looks and listens attentively._) I am quite curious to see her. I suppose she will begin by giving me an account of all the household matters in particular, and the farm-work in general. I can imagine her dressed in a rainbow-colored costume, making a deep courtesy to you, and giving a nod of recognition to your humble servant. I dare say before night she will tell me confidentially all about the country swain whom she most favors.

MRS. A. Why, Blanche, how you do run on! Don’t, I beg of you, make her appear any more ridiculous than she naturally is. And, above all things else, pray don’t introduce the subject of cows.

B. I’m sure I don’t see any harm in drawing her out. It will be so amusing. I will invite her to go shopping with me to-morrow, just to see how she will stare in the windows. There will be a slight contrast between our large and fashionable stores and the one little variety store in her native village, where they sell everything from a peck of potatoes to a silk dress.

MRS. A. I should be too much mortified to do so. But she may have arrived already. Let us go down and see.

(_Exeunt._)

E. (_astonished and amused_). Is it possible that my aunt and cousin expect to find me so countrified? It would be cruel in me to disappoint their expectations. I have always been considered quite good at imitation, and I have a great mind to personate, for a little while, the character of a backwood’s maiden—for my amusement as well us theirs. I must practise a little, first, in order to carry it out well. (_Goes to mirror and makes a low courtesy._) Why, haow d’ye do, Aunt Tildy? I’m proper glad to see ye. And haow d’ye do, Blanche? I’m dreadful tickled to meet ye. (_Turns round smiling._) I wonder how it would do to give her what Charlie calls a “Down East hug.” They would be fairly horrified, I think. But I will be governed by circumstances, and go down to meet them without further delay.

(_Goes out, R. Curtain falls._)