1917
( Written principally for use in old-fashioned churches .)
Wing pews right and left and a pulpit platform connecting them furnish the stage. The wing pews must be kept vacant for the use of the players. The pulpit may be removed or set back close to the wall. The three pulpit chairs, with other plain wooden ones of old-fashioned style, furnish seats for the Carpet Committee. The audience must be put in the right spirit and given a general knowledge of the story by hearing the following extracts from the book. The sexton rings the church bell three times, and then three times again to preface the appearance of the reader. This is very important as the play needs no curtain and can even dispense with footlights. The ringing of the church bell fixes the attention of the audience and sets the key for the performance .
CHARACTERS
The Carpet Committee of the Edgewood Dorcas Society:
Mrs. Baxter , the minister's wife.
Mrs. Burbank , president of the Dorcas Society
Mrs. Miller , wife of Deacon Miller, the sexton.
Mrs. Sargent , a village historian.
The Widow Buzzell , willing to take a second risk.
Miss Lobelia Brewster , who is no lover of men.
Miss Maria Sharp , quick of speech, sound of heart.
Miss Nancy Wentworth , who has waited for her romance ten years
and
Justin Peabody , sole living claimant to the old Peabody pew.
[Prologue]
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Here the Reader leaves the printed text and speaks the following lines.
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The sexton rings the church bell three times .
ACT I
One of the entrance doors of the church ( both of course being behind the audience ) opens audibly, and Mrs. Jere Burbank comes bustling in, with Lobelia Brewster well in the rear. The voices are loud, as in an empty church .
( halfway up the aisle, calls back ):
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( coming in, and up the aisle ):
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( ascending platform, where there are chairs and several heaps of carpeting on which work has evidently been done the previous day ):
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( following her ):
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( Smooths her hair )
( taking her hat off ):
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( laughing ):
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Mrs. Miller bustles up the other aisle .
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( getting ready for work ):
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( taking off wraps and putting on apron ):
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( taking a position where her speech can be heard ):
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Constant business, to be worked out at rehearsal: taking off wraps and hats and hanging them over pews; putting on aprons; taking out workbags; and settling down to work, but not so soon as to make a long, monotonous scene of sewing .
( Who is now sewing ):
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( sewing ):
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Enter Mrs. Sargent .
( bustling up aisle quickly ):
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Enter Maria Sharp by the aisle on the other side .
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( with a smile )
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( has been taking off her rubbers and unpinning the skirt of her dress during the last speeches. She is now putting many pins into her mouth, and then sticking them into her waist ):
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( sewing, but speaking so as to get everybody's attention ):
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Mrs. Baxter and Nancy Wentworth enter from another door than the first one used .
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( brightly ):
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Maria begins sewing. She is seated on a corner of the platform in order to break up the stiff line of chairs .
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Mrs. Burbank shakes hands. Gives Mrs. Baxter her chair and takes another .
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Nancy seats herself and lifts two lengths of carpet .
( standing suddenly, and speaking forcibly, with gesture ):
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Each one rises as she speaks, holding work. Then, pointing in turn :
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( graciously ):
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( affectionately ):
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( They all sit )
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( standing to shake her skirt ):
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( All laugh )
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Somewhere during this conversation Nancy must touch some letters carried in her little workbag, as if she were thinking of them. The audience will note this .
( shaking her head sadly and continuing ):
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Mrs. Burbank has risen and moved to borrow some thread. She stands, threading needle and waxing thread, and is in a position to speak eloquently, her last sentences being a good-natured, imitation of a Dorcas Society meeting .
( to Maria ):
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All the women's right hands are raised, and laughter and applause follow . Mrs. Burbank sits .
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( rising as at a meeting ):
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( rising ):
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( Sits )
( Aside )
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( wiping her eyes ):
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A second's pause of quiet sewing, to change the mood, then Nancy starts the hymn. The women sing very softly, without accompaniment. The hymn may be easily arranged for sopranos and first and second contraltos
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( after the voices have died away, looking around the church ):
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( standing suddenly on the steps of the pulpit platform ):
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( smiling ):
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( triumphantly ):
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( poking her neighbor ):
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( General laughter and nods of approval )
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The Widow Buzzell , middle-aged and very attractive, slams the outside door and comes up the aisle, speaking in a loud and genial voice .
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( General laughter )
( to Mrs. Burbank ):
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Maria leaves platform after Mrs. Miller and Lobelia. Mrs. Buzzell turns in the aisle and joins them. They go down the aisle and disappear quietly to the place where the stove presumably is. This leaves Mrs. Burbank, Mrs. Baxter, Mrs. Sargent and Nancy on the platform, first finishing their pieces of work, and then clearing up. This gives opportunity for quiet conversation about former times and the old Peabody pew. Both here and in the conversation preceding Nancy's entrance the love story must be clearly given to the audience
( has folded her work, starts to go down to the Peabody pew ):
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( turning her face away ):
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( standing and folding carpet ):
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( coming up aisle with pail and cloth, and going to front of left wing ):
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( joining her, and beginning to wipe paint ):
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Mrs. Buzzell has come up the aisle with a basket of doughnuts in one hand and a pail in the other. Any noise with pails, or any violent scrubbing must be avoided, especially when one of the characters has a "point to" make
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Nancy tries to hide her interest in Mrs. Burbank's reply. Then, while the others talk, she takes the Bible from the Peabody pew rack, also the letter from her belt or her pocket, opens the envelope, and standing in the pew so that she may be seen, quickly copies the quotations from a certain gospel referred to later
Contains
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.
( Laughter )
( calling to Mrs. Baxter , who is moving toward one of the pew rails in the right wing ):
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( good-naturedly ):
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( with energy from her place of vantage ):
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( mounting on platform and wiping woodwork of pulpit chairs, where she is in a prominent position ):
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( at work on some of the front-pew rails ):
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( Genial approval from all, including Jane Buzzell herself )
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( cordially ):
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( now standing in a wing pew and wiping glass on her side ):
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( wiping and dusting on pulpit platform ):
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.
( putting her cloth in a pail of water on a prominent corner of the platform ):
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( Puts on wraps )
( coming forward ):
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( Looks pointedly at Lobelia , then getting her things together )
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( playfully ):
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( Passes down aisle )
( starting ):
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.
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( backing down the aisle and speaking to Nancy and Mrs. Baxter ):
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General business of clearing up, getting on wraps and moving toward the door has gone on during the last speeches. Good-bys from all, and faint chatter, growing fainter . Mrs. Baxter is the last in line . Nancy is putting on her hat and coat .
( calling Mrs. Baxter back ):
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6 sentences
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( beside her, at entrance to Peabody pew ):
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4 sentences
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( turning ):
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( The women are close together looking at each other )
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( putting her arm around her ):
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( with an affectionate gesture ):
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Mrs. Baxter starts ahead down the aisle rather rapidly; when halfway down she speaks back without turning .
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( settling her hat and buttoning up her coat as she walks ):
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( turning, half way down aisle ):
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( joining her and speaking so as to be heard plainly ):
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They close the inside door, and noisily slam the outside one, to show the audience they have left the church .
Give time for applause .
After Nancy and the minister's wife have left the church there is a minute's pause, after which the sexton rings the church bell three times, then three times again. Then the Reader rises from his or her seat in the front "body pew," steps out and gives the second extract from the book, giving a hint of the love story during Nancy's temporary absence from the scene .
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4 sentences
using
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using
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3 sentences
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57 words
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6 sentences
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.
TO BE SPOKEN SOFTLY YET DISTINCTLY
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.
The sexton rings the church bell three times
ACT II
Nancy opens outside door, closes it hard, enters and walks up aisle with a lighted lantern, a hammer and a small roll of carpet already cut to fit the Peabody pew, so that it needs little tacking. She puts carpet on the pew cushions, takes a small kerosene stove from under the front wing pew, lifts it to platform, lights it and puts a flatiron on top. She ascends platform, puts her coat over a chair and takes off her hat. Then she turns up the skirt of her dress, goes to the Peabody pew and quickly puts in the few tacks needed to keep the pew carpet temporarily in place. She is out of sight for a few seconds only, during which the audience hears the tap of the hammer .
Just as she rises , Justin enters noiselessly and comes softly halfway up the right-hand aisle, where he stands motionless, in view of two-thirds of the audience .
Nancy , ignorant that she is watched, takes the old hymn book from the pew rack, carries it to platform, "tries" the iron, carefully irons out a few of the leaves, turns out flame of stove, kisses the page of the open book, lays it against her cheek and replaces it in the rack. Then she quietly kneels on a hassock in the pew and bends her head over the rail in front for just an instant's prayer . Nancy must be within the view of the audience to hold the interest. If the platform is too low the ironing may be done on the seat of a chair and she may even kneel there if necessary. The following scene will be more effective if the church can be slightly darkened
Justin covers his eyes and bows his head .
Nancy rises in a moment, looks at the pew tenderly, goes slowly and sadly to the platform, and, just as she is about to put on her red cape, her loneliness overcomes her; she sinks into the chair and, burying her face in the cape, gives way to tears .
The moment this happens Justin shows that he feels he is watching what is not intended for his eyes. He retreats very softly, "backing" down the aisle on tiptoe quickly and closes the inside door behind him; then knocks once, then twice, more loudly .
Nancy starts, sits up in the big pulpit chair, brushes tears away, smooths hair .
( opening door and speaking through the chink ):
Contains
10 words
in
3 sentences
using
57 chars
.
( startled and tremulous ):
Contains
7 words
in
2 sentences
using
30 chars
.
( opening the door and striding halfway up the aisle ):
Contains
14 words
in
1 sentence
using
79 chars
.
Nancy rises, stands silent, moves toward center of platform, her hand on her heart .
Contains
14 words
in
2 sentences
using
68 chars
.
( coming to end of aisle and facing platform ):
Contains
50 words
in
4 sentences
using
232 chars
.
Contains
24 words
in
3 sentences
using
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.
( humbly ):
Contains
52 words
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3 sentences
using
241 chars
.
( smiling tearfully ):
Contains
12 words
in
1 sentence
using
52 chars
.
( stepping nearer ):
Contains
19 words
in
1 sentence
using
95 chars
.
Contains
12 words
in
1 sentence
using
55 chars
.
( with wonder ):
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using
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.
( earnestly ):
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27 words
in
3 sentences
using
144 chars
.
( one step nearer ):
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47 words
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3 sentences
using
220 chars
.
Contains
11 words
in
1 sentence
using
63 chars
.
( going nearer but still awaiting a warmer welcome ):
Contains
69 words
in
5 sentences
using
319 chars
.
( retreating ):
Contains
28 words
in
2 sentences
using
124 chars
.
( humbly ):
Contains
8 words
in
2 sentences
using
34 chars
.
( turning quickly ):
Contains
19 words
in
1 sentence
using
83 chars
.
Contains
7 words
in
1 sentence
using
34 chars
.
Contains
59 words
in
7 sentences
using
276 chars
.
Nancy turns and sits on one of the chairs on the platform, and Justin sits beside her .
( arm on back of Nancy's chair ):
Contains
90 words
in
6 sentences
using
409 chars
.
( Draws her a little nearer )
Contains
12 words
in
1 sentence
using
50 chars
.
( Hides face in hands or drops head on Justin's shoulder )
Contains
31 words
in
3 sentences
using
155 chars
.
He bends down and kisses her hair. Momentary pause . Nancy lifts her head .
( with an almost maternal tenderness ):
Contains
16 words
in
2 sentences
using
87 chars
.
Contains
42 words
in
2 sentences
using
216 chars
.
Contains
15 words
in
3 sentences
using
73 chars
.
Contains
24 words
in
2 sentences
using
109 chars
.
( wiping her eyes, half smiling, half tearful ):
Contains
18 words
in
2 sentences
using
76 chars
.
( right arm around back of chair, other hand takes hers ):
Contains
61 words
in
5 sentences
using
308 chars
.
Contains
10 words
in
2 sentences
using
44 chars
.
Contains
5 words
in
2 sentences
using
28 chars
.
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
24 chars
.
Contains
14 words
in
2 sentences
using
66 chars
.
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
25 chars
.
Contains
26 words
in
3 sentences
using
111 chars
.
( with a hint of tears ):
Contains
36 words
in
4 sentences
using
169 chars
.
( straightening his shoulders and folding his arms ):
Contains
67 words
in
3 sentences
using
287 chars
.
( looking up at him and putting her hand on his shoulder ):
Contains
61 words
in
6 sentences
using
291 chars
.
( laughing ):
Contains
18 words
in
1 sentence
using
92 chars
.
Contains
72 words
in
3 sentences
using
340 chars
.
( rising and pacing platform ):
Contains
44 words
in
4 sentences
using
232 chars
.
( looking up at Justin ):
Contains
31 words
in
3 sentences
using
179 chars
.
Contains
91 words
in
5 sentences
using
453 chars
.
Contains
92 words
in
9 sentences
using
424 chars
.
( ardently ):
Contains
46 words
in
6 sentences
using
241 chars
.
Contains
2 words
in
1 sentence
using
6 chars
.
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
25 chars
.
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
26 chars
.
Contains
9 words
in
1 sentence
using
40 chars
.
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
20 chars
.
Contains
8 words
in
2 sentences
using
35 chars
.
Contains
7 words
in
1 sentence
using
40 chars
.
Contains
15 words
in
2 sentences
using
67 chars
.
Contains
11 words
in
2 sentences
using
61 chars
.
Contains
15 words
in
2 sentences
using
81 chars
.
Contains
11 words
in
1 sentence
using
55 chars
.
Contains
11 words
in
1 sentence
using
46 chars
.
Contains
27 words
in
2 sentences
using
117 chars
.
Contains
55 words
in
5 sentences
using
256 chars
.
( taking bill for a moment ):
Contains
7 words
in
3 sentences
using
39 chars
.
Contains
18 words
in
1 sentence
using
77 chars
.
( between laughing and crying sinks into a chair ):
Contains
80 words
in
8 sentences
using
388 chars
.
Contains
12 words
in
2 sentences
using
52 chars
.
Contains
49 words
in
3 sentences
using
223 chars
.
Contains
54 words
in
5 sentences
using
265 chars
.
Contains
16 words
in
2 sentences
using
83 chars
.
Tableau
END OF PLAY
[Epilogue]
Contains
61 words
in
3 sentences
using
342 chars
.
The Reader here beckons to Nancy and Justin in turn, and while she speaks the following lines they walk singly from the platform, like the figures in a dream, and take their places side by side at the threshold of the Peabody pew, facing the audience . Justin takes hymn book and, opening it, holds it with Nancy , but there is no other movement .
Contains
36 words
in
2 sentences
using
179 chars
.
The organist plays "Siloam" once through, very softly. On the third line of the verse Nancy and Justin raise their eyes for a long look at each other, then drop them again .
Contains
110 words
in
6 sentences
using
596 chars
.
The members of the cast have come slowly up one aisle, crossed before the audience and curtsied, going down the other aisle . Nancy and Justin follow arm in arm, and the reader joins the disappearing procession, last in line .
THE END