1889
First performed: March 29, 1889
CHARACTERS
( As originally produced at The Star Theatre, New York, Friday, March 29, 1889 )
THE HUSBAND C. Coquelin .
THE WIFE Agnes Booth .
TIME. — The present — a little before eleven P. M.
PLACE. — New York — and in the pleasant parlor of the happy pair.
SCENE. — A small parlor, with a fireplace at back, and doors R. and L. Two armchairs before the fireplace, and a sofa near door L. Small table on R., with ice-water pitcher and glass. The WIFE is discovered seated near the fireplace, doing needlework. She pauses for a moment and sighs. Then she resumes her work with impatience. The clock on the mantelpiece strikes eleven .
Contains
16 words
in
6 sentences
using
74 chars
.
( thrusting back her chair ).
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
16 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to speak .)
( rising and recoiling ).
Contains
7 words
in
2 sentences
using
30 chars
.
( with her hand on the door ).
Contains
11 words
in
2 sentences
using
60 chars
.
( coming out of her room and standing before him ).
Contains
13 words
in
1 sentence
using
57 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is surprised .)
( explosively ).
Contains
10 words
in
1 sentence
using
44 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is more surprised .)
Contains
34 words
in
1 sentence
using
175 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to rise .)
Contains
37 words
in
3 sentences
using
172 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to speak .)
( suddenly ).
Contains
25 words
in
2 sentences
using
111 chars
.
( The HUSBAND looks at the clock .)
( quickly ).
Contains
21 words
in
3 sentences
using
95 chars
.
( The HUSBAND looks at his watch .)
Contains
44 words
in
3 sentences
using
194 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to protest .)
Contains
43 words
in
4 sentences
using
200 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to protest again .)
Contains
20 words
in
2 sentences
using
87 chars
.
( The HUSBAND smiles .)
Contains
25 words
in
2 sentences
using
120 chars
.
( The HUSBAND protests again .)
( feverishly ).
Contains
24 words
in
3 sentences
using
103 chars
.
( The HUSBAND stands impassive .)
Contains
20 words
in
2 sentences
using
109 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is reduced to apathy .)
Contains
13 words
in
2 sentences
using
69 chars
.
( The HUSBAND revolts at last .)
Contains
63 words
in
5 sentences
using
313 chars
.
( The HUSBAND tries to protest .)
Contains
28 words
in
2 sentences
using
142 chars
.
( The HUSBAND suggests a doubt .)
Contains
25 words
in
4 sentences
using
112 chars
.
( The HUSBAND modestly deprecates this compliment .)
Contains
17 words
in
2 sentences
using
82 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is disconcerted .)
Contains
19 words
in
2 sentences
using
94 chars
.
( The HUSBAND approaches her, smiling .)
Contains
23 words
in
3 sentences
using
104 chars
.
( The HUSBAND recoils indignantly .)
Contains
19 words
in
2 sentences
using
83 chars
.
( The HUSBAND wonders what she means .)
Contains
37 words
in
4 sentences
using
180 chars
.
( The HUSBAND looks at her reproachfully .)
Contains
20 words
in
3 sentences
using
102 chars
.
( The HUSBAND shakes his head .)
Contains
38 words
in
4 sentences
using
186 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to explain .)
Contains
46 words
in
3 sentences
using
237 chars
.
( The HUSBAND lifts up his eyes .)
Contains
27 words
in
2 sentences
using
130 chars
.
( starting afresh ).
Contains
28 words
in
3 sentences
using
130 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is discouraged .)
Contains
16 words
in
2 sentences
using
68 chars
.
( The HUSBAND doesn't know, and doesn't care .)
Contains
23 words
in
2 sentences
using
111 chars
.
( The HUSBAND suggests that the subject is not interesting .)
Contains
54 words
in
6 sentences
using
236 chars
.
( The HUSBAND again suggests his lack of interest in the subject .)
Contains
41 words
in
5 sentences
using
193 chars
.
( The HUSBAND indicates his complete indifference .)
Contains
47 words
in
3 sentences
using
214 chars
.
( The HUSBAND looks at her with wonder .)
Contains
60 words
in
3 sentences
using
290 chars
.
( The HUSBAND again looks at her in wonder .)
Contains
42 words
in
5 sentences
using
196 chars
.
( The HUSBAND has at last a chance to reply, but he feels it would be useless. He shrugs his shoulders and turns away .)
Contains
20 words
in
3 sentences
using
93 chars
.
( The HUSBAND turns back .)
Contains
8 words
in
1 sentence
using
37 chars
.
( The HUSBAND looks at her calmly .)
Contains
42 words
in
5 sentences
using
209 chars
.
( The HUSBAND approaches her .)
Contains
5 words
in
2 sentences
using
23 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is staggered by this .)
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
24 chars
.
( The HUSBAND does not know what to do .)
Contains
30 words
in
3 sentences
using
146 chars
.
( The HUSBAND has again a chance to speak, but what could he say! Obviously, the best thing he can do is to go. So he starts toward the door , R.)
Contains
16 words
in
2 sentences
using
69 chars
.
( The HUSBAND turns back .)
Contains
22 words
in
2 sentences
using
93 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to answer, but he checks himself .)
Contains
9 words
in
1 sentence
using
43 chars
.
( The HUSBAND raises his eyebrows .)
( furiously ).
Contains
5 words
in
1 sentence
using
20 chars
.
( The HUSBAND takes up his paper quietly, and sits down again before the fire .)
Contains
15 words
in
2 sentences
using
78 chars
.
( The HUSBAND begins to read .)
( drawing near to him ).
Contains
81 words
in
4 sentences
using
412 chars
.
( The HUSBAND, touched by this, lays aside his newspaper .)
Contains
27 words
in
2 sentences
using
136 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to affirm .)
Contains
28 words
in
2 sentences
using
139 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to speak .)
Contains
22 words
in
2 sentences
using
113 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is again about to speak .)
Contains
5 words
in
1 sentence
using
24 chars
.
( The HUSBAND protests .)
Contains
16 words
in
3 sentences
using
75 chars
.
( The HUSBAND hesitates .)
Contains
8 words
in
1 sentence
using
43 chars
.
( She falls, sobbing, on the sofa. The HUSBAND looks at her compassionately .)
( sobbing ).
Contains
15 words
in
2 sentences
using
77 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is sorrowful .)
( sitting up ).
Contains
17 words
in
2 sentences
using
83 chars
.
( The HUSBAND goes toward her .)
( thrusting him aside ).
Contains
28 words
in
4 sentences
using
143 chars
.
( The HUSBAND thinks this is a little too much. He loses patience completely, and in his anger strides to and fro .)
Contains
39 words
in
4 sentences
using
178 chars
.
( The HUSBAND continues to pace to and fro .)
Contains
44 words
in
3 sentences
using
240 chars
.
( The HUSBAND who is near the fireplace, turns at this last speech .)
Contains
30 words
in
3 sentences
using
164 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is indignant .)
Contains
36 words
in
2 sentences
using
182 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is impatient .)
Contains
13 words
in
1 sentence
using
68 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is more and more impatient .)
Contains
26 words
in
1 sentence
using
120 chars
.
( The HUSBAND has taken up a paper-cutter from the mantelpiece, and at the word "divorce" he breaks it .)
Contains
31 words
in
4 sentences
using
155 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to let his indignation break out, but he controls himself. Going to the little table, he pours out a glass of water .)
Contains
18 words
in
3 sentences
using
88 chars
.
( The HUSBAND pours out a little more water, filling the glass up .)
Contains
14 words
in
1 sentence
using
68 chars
.
( The HUSBAND sips his glass slowly, and in great calmness .)
( furiously ).
Contains
20 words
in
1 sentence
using
84 chars
.
( The HUSBAND sets down the glass and wipes his lips .)
( after a pause ).
Contains
17 words
in
1 sentence
using
83 chars
.
( The HUSBAND listens to her coldly but politely, and then goes to the little table and sets down the glass .)
( very angry ).
Contains
29 words
in
2 sentences
using
132 chars
.
( The HUSBAND still listens frigidly .)
Contains
30 words
in
3 sentences
using
146 chars
.
( The HUSBAND, resigned to anything, listens in silence .)
Contains
4 words
in
1 sentence
using
16 chars
.
( The HUSBAND, by a gesture, suggests that there is no need for him to say anything .)
Contains
6 words
in
1 sentence
using
28 chars
.
( The HUSBAND shrugs his shoulders .)
Contains
15 words
in
2 sentences
using
72 chars
.
( The HUSBAND raises his hands in a silent appeal to heaven .)
( sobbing ).
Contains
30 words
in
3 sentences
using
146 chars
.
( The HUSBAND listens stolidly .)
Contains
14 words
in
2 sentences
using
73 chars
.
( The HUSBAND protests .)
Contains
13 words
in
1 sentence
using
69 chars
.
( The HUSBAND is about to speak .)
Contains
13 words
in
2 sentences
using
59 chars
.
( The HUSBAND looks at the audience, as though to call them to witness. Then he turns to the WIFE, smiling .)
Contains
15 words
in
3 sentences
using
67 chars
.
( The HUSBAND takes a jewel-case from his pocket, and opens it .)
Contains
3 words
in
1 sentence
using
12 chars
.
( The HUSBAND hands it to her .)
Contains
4 words
in
2 sentences
using
19 chars
.
( The HUSBAND nods .)
( reading the inscription inside the bracelet ).
Contains
12 words
in
2 sentences
using
70 chars
.
( The HUSBAND nods again .)
( effusively ).
Contains
14 words
in
3 sentences
using
57 chars
.
CURTAIN