Woonsocket High School - Quiver Yearbook (Woonsocket, RI)

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15 THE QUIVER Andy.—Nothing much. (Becoming thoughtful.) Gee, I don’t know much of anything. 1 can drive a car. Pat. The very thing. Get a job as a chauffeur. I’ll he a lady’s maid. Andy.—Can you be a maid? (He laughs.) I can just see you obeying some one and saying. “Oh, oui. Madame.” (His accent is atrocious.) That’s the thing they say, isn't it ? Pat. (unruffled)—I can do it. Will you agree? Andy.—Sure. Let's look at the want ads. (He picks up a paper and skims through it.) Theatres, sporting news, sales, ah! here it is. (He brandishes the paper joyfully.) Pat.—Let me see, too. Andy, (they pull their chairs to a table)—All right, all right, don’t take it all. (Runs his finger down the columns.) Waitress, nurse-maid, second-girl, lady's maid wanted. Here we are. (Reads) “ anted at once, experienced maid and chauffeur. Apply ‘The Lodger Vale Avenue. That’s fine, Pat. Pat.—“The Lodge’’—why that’s—(She appears to be surprised). Andy, (still reading the paper and not noticing her)—Great. We can be together ; nothing could be better. Pat. (smiling)—Let’s try it. Now that’s settled, we can go over to Betty’s. I’ll take my uke. Andy, (grabbing it)—Not if I know it. Pat. (disdainfully)—Oh, very well, seeing you don’t like my— Andy—Don’t say singing. Pat.—.End the war and come on. (They depart, Andy whistling cheerfully. In a second Pat. comes back, picks updbe ukulele,,and rushes out.) . 4 cC r i Act Two. Scene: The living room of the Laine home, “ The Lodge Mrs. Laine, a dignified lady, is seated sewing. Veronica, her daughter, an attractive girl, is reading (not “College Humor,” however). Mrs. L.—I do believe I’ll never finish this. (Holds up a towel she is hemming.) The Uplift Society insists on each member’s making something for the hospital, and as an officer. I feel as though I should do even more. Our president, Mrs. Cooper, is always working hard for the so.ie y. Do you know her, Veronica? Yeron.—No, Mother, but I know Patty Cooper. She was at college with me last year. I hope we can meet her soon. I know you will like her. Mrs. L.—I understand she has a brother, too. Veron.—Yes, she has often spoken of Andy, but I have never seen lim, have you ? Mrs. L.—No. not yet. I should like to see them very much. (A butler enters.)

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THE QUIVER 15 Mr. C.—Quarreling again? See here, young man, when I was—Wait, I want to talk to you. (This to Andy, who is sneaking out. Andy returns, looking sulky.) As I was saying, when I was young, we weren’t allowed to talk like that to our sisters. Pat. (trying to smooth things over)—But, Dad, he doesn’t mean anything. We understand each other perfectly. Mr. C. (going on crossly)—No matter. Andy should know how to control himself. Why, young men now-a-days haven’t half,.the self-control the used to have. No manners, no ambition, nothing! Young people now are de-er-de- deteriorating—yes, deteriorating, that’s what. When your mother and I were mar—. Andy (glowering)—Yes, Dad. we know all- Mr. C—Don’t interrupt. As I was saying when—(Enter Mrs. Cooper with an account book). Mrs. C. Oh, Henry, I should like you to look over these accounts with me. I never was very good at figures. Mr. C. All right, my dear. (To Andy.) Remember what I have said and try to be more ambitious. If the modern young folks could only have the brains, the—. Mrs. C. (foreseeing a long argument)—Hurry, dear, you know we intended to go to see Tom and Ada. Mr- C.—Yes, I’m coming. (They go out. Mr. Cooper looks back at Andy as he reaches the door and shakes his head.) Andy, (walking up and down rather theatrically)—You see? Always raving about the good old times and the sweet angels they used to be. I’ll show him. I’ll go away and—. Pat. Don t lie ridiculous, Andy. I agree with you that it’s hard on us when Dad keeps after us like that, but he really means well. Andy.—His good intentions don’t make me feel better. (He slumps in a chair and regards his feet moodily.) Pat.—But really we are wrong in some things. I suppose he thinks wc are absolutely useless. Let’s show him we aren’t. Andy. How ? Pat, think of something. You’re bright generallv. 1 at- Many thanks. Wait. (She chews her finger meditatively, talking to herself.) Now if we could—no, that wouldn’t do. Andy, I’ve got it. Andy.—Huh? What? Pat—Oh, it’s a great scheme. Next week Mother and Dad are going to Maine for a month. That leaves us free to carry out our plan. Andy.—Well, hurry up and tell it. Psb—It’s this. Let’s each earn fifty dollars by working at—oh, well— anything. Andy, (brightening up)—That’s easy. What can we do? Pat—Use your brains, Andy. What can you do ?

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THE QUIVER 17 I ut. Two young persons in answer to your advertisement, madam. Mrs. L.—Show them in at once. Hut.—Yes. madam. (Exit.) Veron. These must he the ones I was telling you of yesterday—the ones I,ouise Reeve recommended so highly. I showed you her letter. Mrs. L.—I hope they are capable. I am so tired of the servant problem. (Pat. and Andy are shown in. Pat. wears a simple, dark suit, very plain, but very becoming. Andy has on a suit that seems to have had much wear. They enter quietly and bow respectfully, waiting for Mrs. Laine to speak.) Mrs. L.—You are Jane Smith, I believe? Pat.—Yes, madam. Mrs. L.—And you (to Andy), James Smith? Andy.—Oh—er—yes, madam. Mrs. L.—I have received excellent references from your last employer. These state that you are honest and experienced. I believe vou will do. The wages will be fifteen dollars a week for the maid and eighteen a week for the chauffeur. (She rings for the butler, who comes in.) Mrs. L.—Take these peop’e to Mrs. Gray, the housekeeper, and have her arrange about their rooms. Or wait (as they are going out), er—Jane, please remain. 1 wish to talk to you about your new duties. (Pat. bows; Andy and the butler go out.) Mrs. L.—Now, of course, you understand the usual duties of a lady’s maid ? Pat.—Oh, yes, madam. (Enter butler.) Hut.—Madam, Mrs. Gray would like to sjieak to you. Mrs. L. Very well, tell her 1 am coming. (Exit butler.)- I must l ostpone this talk. My daughter will explain your work to you. (Exit. Veronica hugs Patty.) Veron.—P tty Cooper, you imp! (She laughs.) What on earth possesses you ? I am so curious to know why you are anxious to become our maid. Hat- Oh, Ronny, it’s so swc.t of you to help us. You see. Dad is so sure modern young people are useless that we decided to teach him a lesson by earning fifty dollars each. Veron.—That’s good; but why all the secrecy? I at- We don t want him to know alxmt it yet—we want to surprise him. (She smiles.) I was so glad when I saw your advertisement. I knew you would be a good sport and help us. Veron.—Of course. I’ll help. Does your brother know I’m in the secret ?