SCENE III.—_MRS A.’S drawing-room. EUNICE enters, R.

E. (_looking round_). What! are they not here yet? I supposed they were coming directly downstairs. However, I will sit down and await their coming. Ah! there they are now.

(_MRS. A. and BLANCHE enter, L._)

MRS. A. (_coming forward_). I didn’t know you had arrived, Eunice. I have just returned from—

E. (_interrupting her by advancing and throwing her arms around her neck_). Why, haow d’ye do, Aunt Tildy? I’m proper glad to see ye. (_MRS. A. withdraws from the embrace with a disgusted expression of countenance, and smooths down her collar, which was disarranged by it. E. advances to BLANCHE, who, fearing a like salutation, takes a step backward, and holds out the tips of her fingers to her cousin. E. grasps them vigorously, and, stepping forward, bestows a loud kiss upon her cousin’s cheek. BLANCHE, with a slight frown, takes her handkerchief and wipes it off._) How d’ye do, Cousin Blanche? I’m dreadful tickled to meet ye.

B. (_smiling_). And I am glad to make your acquaintance, Eunice. When did you leave home?

E. Day before yesterday.

MRS. A. You must be quite fatigued (_E. stares_)—tired, perhaps I should say—with your journey.

E. No; I aint tired a mite.

B. Were you ever in the city before?

E. I guess not. I don’t remember it if I was. It looks queer enough to see the houses crowded so thick together. And I haven’t seen a barn since I came. I suppose, though, they’re all in back of the houses; but then I don’t see how folks get their caows in and out. I s’pose they pastur’ ’em on the common.

B. Oh, no, they wouldn’t be allowed in any of the parks. It is too thickly settled here for any one to keep cows.

E. You don’t mean to say that you have to buy all your butter! It must cost a sight. Why, if I’d a’ known it, I’d have brought you a mess. We churned the day before I came away, and the butter came tip-top.

(_MRS. A. quietly leaves the room, R._)

E. (_noticing her aunt’s exit_). I s’pose your mother’s gone out to get tea. If you want to help her, don’t let me hinder you. And if there’s anything that I can do, jest let me know, for I’d just as lieves help as not.

B. Thank you, but there’s no need. We leave that for the servants.

E. How many helps do you keep?

B. There are four, I believe.

E. And how many have you in family?

B. (_smiling_). Four persons.

E. (_in assumed amazement_). Well, that beats all that ever I heard. What do they all do?

B. We have a cook, housemaid, chambermaid, and seamstress, and they all seem to find enough to occupy their time.

(_Bell rings._)

E. What’s that bell for?

B. (_rising_). That is to call us to dinner.

E. (_rising_). What, dinner at six o’clock! At home we have dinner at twelve, and supper at five. And you ought to see our bell! Why, you can hear it most half a mile. We have it to call the men from the field to their meals.

(_Exeunt, R. Curtain falls._)