84

The Interior

Scene: Sitting room in the Steadfast’s home. There is a large table in the center
of the room on which stands a lamp which casts a soft yellow light over the Standard
Dictionary and the Encyclopedia Britannica, Who's Who, and The Book of Knowledge
which are distributed about the table and on the bookshelves. The room is tastefully
decorated and shows every sign of being that of a cultured family. As the curtain rises,
Mr. Steadfast 1s disclosed sitting in an easy chair on one side of the table and Mrs. S.
is in a low rocker darning stockings (evidently those of Baris and Meatrice, who are
lying flat on the big bear rug—gazing into the glowing fire.)

Baris —But, Father, what is the significance of a flag at half-mast?

Mt. S.—Come, come, Baris—Can’t you remember? Your Mother gave you
a complete history of the Flag-at-Half-Mast only last Tuesday.

Baris (hanging her head).—I know, I know, but I can’t remember. Was it

Meatrice (interrupting—stuttering slightly in her eagerness).—St-t-tewpid!
I know! (She gives the life history of the Flag-at-Half-Mast.)

Mr. S.—Baris, tell your mother what you know about the nature of a gold fish.

Baris —A small carp (Carassius auratus) originally Chinese and naturally
dull olive. Golden, silver, and other varieties obtained by breeding—domesticated
throughout the world in aquaria.

Mr. S.—Good work, daughter! You are rapidly out-stripping Meatrice.

Mrs. S. (rising to the defence of her eldest) —Oh, I don’t know. Meatrice, tell
Father what you have learned about oatmeal. (Aside to husband.) I think, dear,
that this was awfully cute of her. She looked it up all herself from pure interest.
We are getting along, aren’t we? (He nods.)

Meatrice.—Oatmeal is the meal of oats—which is made into porridge—some-
times called rolled oats, avena satura being the Latin term.

Mrs. S.—Distinguish between rolled oats and wild oats.

Meatrice (without hesitation).—Rolled oats—not to be confused with wild oats,
the latter being youthful follies and not to eat.

Mrs. S. (triumphantly).—So you see, Meatrice is keeping up. Baris, dear,
get to your reading.

Baris (thoughtfully) —May I ask just one question before I go?

Mr. S.—Of course, dear. We are always ready to answer anything in our
power.

Baris.—What 1s the thing to do when you find a greased pig in your bed-room?

Meatrice (scornfully).—S-silly! Why, kick the n-nasty thing out, of course,
and then have your r-r-room fumigated before retiring. It’s the only s-s-sanitary
way!

Mr. and Mrs. S. (together) —Bravo, Meatrice dear! Now get to your reading,
both of you!





Curtain.
Autce NICOLL.