Woonsocket High School - Quiver Yearbook (Woonsocket, RI)

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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 ?

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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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13 THE QUIVER pat.—No—I thought it best not to tell him. Veron.—1 hacl the most awful time trying to convince Mother you were just the right ones. She doesn’t suspect a thing. Pat.—Sh! she’s coming. Veron.—No. she’s passed by. Let’s go to my room. Pat. Pat.—Don’t call me that. Veron.—Very well. Jane, you may go. (Assuming a dignified air.) I find you satisfactory. I will accompany you. (She laughs and taking Pat’s arm. walks out with her.) Act II. Scene II. Three weeks later. Setting, same as before. Enter Pat in maid’s uniform. She hums softly. Andy follows her. He has on a chauffeur’s costume and is rather grimy. They sit down, and Andy yawns. Andy.—Gee, I never thought work was so hard. Cleaning that car was fierce. Pat.—But just think how much you’ve earned. It’s worth it. Andy.—I hope Dad appreciates our effort. If he doesn’t, no more work for this child. Say, where did Verc .ica go tonight? Pat—Why should you know? She went with her cousin, Hugh Dean, I believe. Mrs. Dean is having a dance, and she invited all the family. The rest of the servants are out, so we can talk here safely. Andy.—Our month will soon lie up. and I shall have the fifty. All earned by the sweat of my brow. (He laughs.) I almost hate to go away. Pat. (surprised)—Got a work complex. Andy? Andy.—No. Veronicitus. Pat.—What ? Andy.—It’s true. Ever since we came 1 have lieen crazy alxmt her. I think she is wonderful. As soon as I can. I am going to meet her as Andy Cooper, not Thomas Smith, the chauffeur. pat.—Do you think she will want to associate with her former servant ? Andy.—I don’t know—that’s the worst of it. Well, (He sighs.) I’m all in. So long. Pat. Pat.—’Night, Andy, sweet dreams. Andy.—Sure, of Veronica. (Exit.) Pat.—It’s so queer. Andy doesn’t dream Ronny and I are friends. From what she told me the other day, I believe she likes him, too. I’m so glad she knows he isn’t really a chauffeur. That would spoil everything. (She laughs and rises.) I’m a silly matchmaker. I’d better lie following Andy’s example and go to bed. (She switches off the lights. Exit.)