Fryeburg Academy - Academy Bell Yearbook (Fryeburg, ME)

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26 THE ACADEMY BELL K- they rebel and step right up to you and tell you what they're going to do. Hughla-CGetting a bookj Oh, please, Dad, can't I read to you now before he comes? Then he surely won't mind waiting a few minutes before he sees me alone. Dad, he thinks a lot of you. CGoes to him, sits on arm of chair and puts arm around himj He's always telling me how nice you are to him. It hurts me to see you act the way you do toward him. He's such a nice boy, Dad. I love him. I want to marry him, too. Father-Marry that boy? You don't love him. Daughter, he could never make you happy. He's such a shiftless fellow. You must not, you cannot marry him! Hughla-fSobbingJ But, please, Dad, can't I see him to- night? Won't you give him one try? I fear you do not know him very well. Won't you stay with us while he is here, Dad? Oh, Dad, please. Father-fPointing to bookj Well, get busy and read to me before he comes. If he comes into this house like a gentleman I'll consent to let him stay. Hughla-fTaking up book and reading a short paragraph. Knock is heard at doorj Oh-h-h-h-h-h-h-h, there he is now! CGoes to doorb Hello, Wayne. Do come in! Wayne-fStepping in, removing his hatj Hello, Hughla. How are you tonight? Hughla-Oh, I'm fine, thank you. Wayne-Good evening, Mr. Connor. Father-fUnconcernedlyD How do you do, Mr. Cornell? My daughter has just been telling me that you were coming over. Won't you have a chair? CResigns to his newspaper, ready to let the young folks talk to themselvesl Hughla-Oh, Dad, aren't I going to read to you? Father-No, I guess I'll read the paper a little before go- ing to bed. Wayne-fLow to Hughla, while making signs toward fatherb Hughla, dear, I came here tonight with the in- tention of seeing you alone. Will it be possible later? Hughla-Dad will be leavin ' n for bed, so just be pa- tient. His eyes tire him S uickly that he can't read very much. CHughla and Wayne are talking low when father rises, yawns, and throws the paper down. Hughla and Wayne both rise. Wayne goes to another Side of the stage and lights a cigarettej

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THE ACADEMY BELL 25 IMAGINATION I have discovered a substitute for going to the movies as a form of entertainment. I close myself in a dark room, sit down in a nearby chair, gaze at the window curtains, and allow my imagination to transform into a silversheet. Many different countries and people parade before me. For ex- ample, the intense azure of the Mediterranean, gay, danc- ing people of the Riviera, the snow capped Alps, the mys- terious Arabian deserts, or even old Chinatown. HALLIE HICKS. THE RELENTING FATHER COne act play for three people: Father, daughter and the boy friendl Characters Mr. Connor-fFather, grim, crossj Wayne Cornell-fthe boy friendl Hughla Connor-fMr. Connor's daughterl ' Curtain rises on father reading the evening news. Daughter enters. Hughla-Dad, I'm sorry but the boy friend is coming over tonight, and I shall have to ask you to excuse me from reading to you. Father-I'l1 do no such thing. That pesky boy friend of yours is going to stay away from here. I've seen all I want to of him. The next time he comes into this house I shall just tell him that if he Wants to marry you he'd better get busy and propose, but if he thinks I'm going to support you while he has you with him all the time, and no thought of my happiness, he's mis- taken! Hughla-Oh, Dad, don't be like that. Father-Don't be like that? What do you mean? Do you think I'll stand for being trod upon all the time? Now remember, lady, if you think much of that boy friend of yours, you'd better see that he doesn't enter this house tonight. Hughla-Oh, Dad, but I can't. I want him to come. Father-Well, you'll not have time for him tonight because you're going to read to me the same as you used to do before you met Wayne Cornell. You have forgotten all that I went through while you were a tiny bit of a thing not able to do anything for yourself. fAngrilyJ How selfish kids are! You can do all you want to for them, but when you ask them to do something for you,

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THE ACADEMY BELL 27 Father-Well, I must be going to bed. Hughla, you be sure that you come to bed early. Remember now. Hughla-Yes, Dad, I will. fEXit father. Hughla, and Wayne sit down close together, and Wayne puts his arm around herb Wayne-Hughla, I have something to ask you. I've been thinking about it for a long time, but somehow it's a hard thing to say. fTakes her handj Dear, I love you. fSqueezes her tight. They risej Have I any hope? I want you, sweetheart. Will you be mine, darling? fHughla raises her head, looks into his eyes and shakes her head yes. He kisses herb Come, honey, let's sit down and talk it over. fThey sit downb I've been thinking for a long time and Wishing I could have you with me always. Sweetheart, I'm so happy. When shall we be married? Hughla-We must think of dad you know. I still have him to care for. We will be married as soon as it will be possible. fAt this time father comes in, dressed as he was when he went out. Hughla and Wayne quickly rise, astounded at his appearance so suddenly on the scenel Father-I did not mean to listen, children, but when I went out of the room to retire I intended to go straight to bed. On arriving in my room I found I had left my slippers in the kitchen and as I passed by this door I heard in very low tones I want you, sweetheart, and I could not help from listening to the rest. I am so glad. I wish you much happiness, children. CHughla goes over to himJ Hughla-Dad, it's pretty late for you to still be up. CFather kisses her and says in a low voiceb Daughter, please forgive me. I fear I was a bit hasty tonight, but I'm very glad now. It reminds me of the time I asked your mother to be mine. Now, dear, you know what I've missed ever since I lost her. But tonight I'm happy again. Goodnight, dear. fAs he leaves he pulls his handkerchief from his pocket and raises it to his eyesj Wayne goes to Hughla and gives her a Long kiss s' 1 Wayne-Your dad is such a dear man. Now just once again. CThey embrace as the curtain is loweredb THELMA Rows, '29,