One-Act Play Collections - Book 12, Part 2 - Free Audiobooks

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(00:00):
I tell her by David Pinsky, thisis a LibriVox recording all
LibriVox recordings are in the public domain for more
information or to volunteer, please visit librivox.org.
Persons. The characters are given in the
order of their appearance, the comedian read by Jim Gallagher,

(00:21):
the villain read by Erin white. The tragedian read by Thomas
Peter. The old man read by Nima, the
heroin read by Ava the aunjanue read by Jen Broda.
The old woman. Goodbye Betsy Walker.

(00:45):
The Stranger. Read by Campbell.
Shelp stage directions. Read by TJ Burns.
A dollar. A Crossroads at the edge of a
forest one road extends from left to right?
The other crosses, the first diagonally disappearing into the
forest, the roadside is borderedwith grass on the right at the

(01:09):
Crossing stanza, signpost to which are nailed two boards,
giving directions and distances.The afternoon of a summer day.
A troop of stranded strolling players.
Enters from the left, they are ragged and weary the comedian
walks. First holding a valleys in each
hand, followed by the villain carrying over his arms to huge

(01:33):
bundles wrapped in bed, sheets immediately Behind These, the
tragedians and the old man carrying together a large heavy
trunk. Comedian stepping toward the
signpost reading the directions on the boards and explaining to
the approaching fellow actors that way pointing to right and
Swinging The Valleys to indicatethe direction is 30 miles this

(01:58):
way, pointing to left is 45 and that way it is 36.
Now, choose for yourself that down that you'll never reach
today. The nearest way for us is back
to where we came from. Whence we recorded with the most
Splendid cat goals that have ever crowned, our history, Onyx
successes, Villain exhausted. Who will lend me a hand to wipe

(02:26):
off my perspiration? It has a nasty way of streaming
into my mouth stand on your headthen and let your perspiration
water. More, fruitful soil.
Oh He drops his arms, the bundles fall down.
He then sinks down onto one of them and wipes off the
perspiration. Moving.

(02:48):
His hand wearily over his face, the tragedians.
And the old man approached the post and read the signs
tragedians in, in a deep dramatic voice.
It's hopeless. It's hopeless.
He lets go his end of the trunk old man.
Let's go. His end of the truck.

(03:09):
Unk. Hmm.
Another stop. 2G dance. It's himself down on the trunk
in a tragico heroic pose, knees wide apart right.
Elbow on right knee, left hand on left leg head slightly bent
toward the right comedian. Puts down the releases and rolls

(03:30):
a cigarette. The old man also sits down upon
the trunk head sunk upon his breast. 30 miles to the nearest
town 30 miles, it's an outrage how far people move their towns
away from us. We won't strike a town until the

(03:51):
day after tomorrow. Hurrah, that's look for you.
There's yet a day after tomorrowfor us and the women are still
far behind us crawling They wantthe vote tonight, I can't even
walk. We won't give them votes that
settled down with votes for women.

(04:12):
It seems the Devil Himself can'ttake you.
Neither your tongue nor your feet ever.
Get tired, you get on my nerves,sit down and shut up for a
moment. Me I'm going back there to the
lady of my heart. I'll meet her and fetch her
hither in my arms. He spits on his hands.

(04:33):
Turns up his sleeves and stridesrapidly off toward the left.
Clown. How can he laugh?
And play his pranks? Even now we haven't a cent to
our souls. Our supply of food is running
low, in our shoes are dilapidated to Jian with an

(04:54):
outburst, stop it. No Reckoning.
The number of our sins is great and the tale of our misfortunes
is even greater Holy Father, flasks are empty.
I'd Of what is left of our soulsdisplaying.
His ragged shoes for justice smell of Whiskey, from the left

(05:20):
has heard the laughter of a woman.
Enter the comedian carrying in his arms.
They are Owen who has her hands around his neck and holds a
satchel in both hands behind hisback.
Comedian, letting his burden down upon the grass.
Sit down my love and rest up. We go.
No further today, your feet, your tender little feet must

(05:42):
ache. You how unhappy that makes me at
the first opportunity. I shall buy you an automobile,
and in the meantime, you may carry me often a beast of burden
years and obeys. Enter the ingenue and the old
woman, each carrying a small satchel.
Ingenue weary and pouting, no one carried me.

(06:07):
She sits on the grass to the right of the heroin.
We have only one ass with us comedian.
Stretches himself out at the feet of the heroin and emits a
Bray of a donkey old woman sits down in the grass to the left of
the heroin. Are we to pass the night here?

(06:30):
No, we shall stop at hotel. Never was.
Don't you like our nights lodging turning over toward the
old woman. See, the bed is Broad and wide
and certainly without Vermin, just feel the high grass.
Such a soft bed, you never sleptin and you shall have a cover
embroidered with the moon and stars a cover such as no Royal

(06:52):
bride. Ever possessed your laughing.
I feel like crying I mean you should be ashamed of the sun
which favors you with its setting Splendor look and be
inspired. Yes, look and expire look.
And Shout with ecstasy, look andburst the new start, sobbing

(07:20):
tragedians, laughs heavily comedian turning over to the
aunjanue. What You're crying.
Aren't you ashamed of yourself? I'm sad.

(07:43):
I can't stand it any longer, stop it or I'll start folding to
comedians Springs to his knees and looks quickly from one
moment to the other cheers. Them up, clown comedian jumps up
abruptly, without the aid of hishands.

(08:04):
Ladies and gentlemen, I have it in a measured and singing voice.
Ladies and gentlemen, I have it.What have you cheerfulness
gobert yourself? Clown, p, 0, 0, 0 H, poo, the
women, weep all the louder. oh, I have a bottle of whiskey

(08:35):
General commotion, the women stop crying and look up to the
comedian and amazement the tragedians straightened himself
out and casts a surprised. Look at the comedian.
The old man, rubbing his hands jumps to his feet.
The villain looks suspiciously at the comedian bottle of

(08:55):
whiskey. A bottle of whiskey hum.
Whiskey. You bet a bottle of whiskey
hidden and preserved for such moments as this a moment of
masculine depression and feminine tears, taking the flask
from his Hip Pocket. The expression on the face of

(09:16):
all changes from Hope to disappointment.
You call that a bottle. I call it a flask symbols are
dropper for seven of us. Oh, Comedian, letting the flask
Sparkle in the Sun but it's whiskey, my children opening the

(09:38):
flask and smelling it. Mmm, that's risky for you.
The saloonkeeper from whom I hooked, it will become a
teetotaler from sheer despair tragedian Rising heavily and
slowly proceeding toward the flask villain still, skeptical
and Rising as if unwilling the old man.

(10:00):
Chuckling and In his hands, the old woman, getting up in
differently and moving, apathetically toward the flask,
the heroin, and the ingenue holdeach other by the hand, and take
ballet steps in Waltz time, all approach, the comedian with
necks eagerly, stretched out andsmell the flask, which the
comedian holds firmly in both hands.

(10:25):
Fine. Small quantity, but excellent
quality. He seems to be good with ski
heroin dancing and singing my comedian my comedian.
His head is in the right place. But why didn't you NAB a larger
bottle? My beloved one?

(10:46):
I had to take into considerationboth the quality of the whiskey
and the size of my pocket. If only there's enough of it to
go around, oh I'm feeling sad again.
You're up there will be enough for us all cheer up.
Here smell it again. They smile again and
cheerfulness reappears, they join hands and dance and sing

(11:08):
forming a circle. The comedian applauding good if
you're so cheered after a mere smell of it, what won't you feel
like after a drink? Wait I'll join you.
He hides the whiskey flask in his pocket.
I'll show you a new round L which we will perform in our
next presentation of Hamlet, to the great edification of our
esteemed audience kicking the villains.

(11:30):
But Idols, out of the way. The place is clear.
Now, for dance simply join handsand form a circle but you
villain stay on the outside of it.
You are to try to get in and we danced and are not to let you in
without getting out of Step understand.
Now, then the circle is formed in the following order comedian.

(11:51):
Heroin tragedian old woman old man.
Owns a new Comedians singing, Ruby, you're not to be.
That is the question. That is the question.
That is the question. He who would enter in climb.
He must over us if over us, you cannot eat.
Must get on dress tralala tralala, over us under us

(12:15):
tralala, tralala under us over us now.
We are Jolly Jolly. Are we trauma?
To be or not to be. That is the question.
That is the question. That is the question in life to

(12:37):
win success elbow your way through jostle, the next one
else you will be tasselled, tralala tralala over a son
destroy us now. probably the last word of the refrain they

(13:10):
stopped as if dumbfounded, and stand transfixed with eyes
directed on one spot inside of the Ring, the villain leans over
the arms of the comedian and theheroin gradually the circle
draws closer to their Heads almost touch the attempt to free

(13:30):
their hands but each holds onto the other and all seven whisper
in great astonishment, a dollar dollar dollar dollar, the circle
opens up again. They look at each other and
Shout in wonder. I'm dollar.
Dollar dollar dollar. Once more, they closed in and

(13:55):
the struggle to free their handsgrows.
Wilder, the villain tries to climb over and then under the
hands into the circle and stretches out his hand toward
the dollar. But instinctively, he is stopped
by the couple, he tries to pass between even when he is not
seen, but only felt again all lean their heads over the dollar

(14:17):
quite lost in the contemplation of it and whispering enraptured.
Our dollar down dollar, separating once again, they look
at each other with exultation and at the same time try to free
their hands once more exclaimingand ecstasy a dollar dollar

(14:41):
dollar dollar, a dollar to Hannah, then the struggle to get
free girls. Wilder and Wilder, the hand that
is perchance. Freed is quickly grasped Again
by the one Nailed it. Ingenue in pain.
Oh my hands, my hands. You'll break them.
Let go of my hands. If you don't let go of my hands

(15:02):
of B attempting to bite the hands of the tragedians and the
old man. Well they try to prevent it old
man. Trying to free his hands from
the hold of the heroin and the old woman, but come with me
pulling up both his hands. These women's hands that Um, so
frail. Just look at them now heroin to

(15:26):
comedian, but you let go, my hands.
I think it's, you were holding fast to mine.
Why should I be holding you? If you pick up the dollar?
What is yours is mine? You know, then let go of my hand
and I'll pick it up. No, I'd rather pick it up,
myself. I expected something like that
from you. Let go of my hands.

(15:47):
That's all. It's a huge joke in.
One of command be quiet. They become still, we must
contemplate. The dollar with religious
reverence commotion. Keep quiet.
I say it dollar is spread out before us are real dollar in the
midst of our Circle and everything within us.

(16:09):
Draws us towards it, draws us on, irresistibly be quiet.
Remember you are before the ruler before the almighty on
your knees before him and pray on your knees.
Sinks down on His knees and drags with him.
The heroin and aunjanue old man,dropping on his knees and
dragging. The old woman with him, clown

(16:35):
comedian to tragedian, you are not worthy of the serious mask.
You wear, you don't appreciate True Divine Majesty on your
knees or you'll get no whiskey. Tragedians tanks.
Heavily on his knees. Oh, holy dollar.
Oh, oh, oh, mighty ruler of the universe.
Before the, we kneel in the dustand send toward the, our most

(16:56):
tearful and heartfelt prayers. Our hands are bound, but our
hearts drive toward the end, oursouls yearn for thee o, great,
king of kings thou who bring us together, those who were
separated and separated, those who were near thou, who the
villain who is standing aside take.
Full jump clears, the ingenue and grasps the dollar.

(17:21):
All let go of one another and fall upon Him shouting screaming
pushing and fighting. Finally, the villain manages to
free himself, holding the dollarin his right fist the others.
Follow him with clenched fists, glaring, eyes and foaming
mouths, wildly shouting Villain retreating.

(17:53):
You can't take it away from me. It's mine.
It was lying under my bundle. Give up the dollar.
Villain in great rage. No no a moment during which the

(18:14):
opposing sides. Look at each other and hatred
quietly but with malice moreoverwhom should I give it to to you?
You you you he is right. The dollars.

(18:34):
Is he has it. Therefore, it is his And I
wanted to crawl on my knees toward the dollar and pick it up
with my teeth. But he got ahead of me, heroin,
whispering and rage. That's because you would not let
go of me to gdn shaking his fistin the face of the villain

(18:57):
Heaven and Hell. I feel like crushing you, he
steps aside toward the trunk andsits down in his former pose.
The ingenue lying down on the grass starts to cry.

(19:17):
Now, we will drink in the first drink is the villains.
His proposition is accepted in Gloom the aunjanue.
However, stops crying. The Old Man, and the old woman
have been standing by the villain.
Looking at the dollar in his hand as if waiting for the
proper moment to snatch it from him.
Finally the old woman makes a contemptuous gesture and both

(19:41):
turn aside from the villain the ladder left in peace.
Smooths out the dollar with a serious expression on his face.
The comedian hands. Him a small glass of whiskey
drink lucky one. The villain shutting the dollar
in his fist, takes the whiskey glass Gravely and quickly

(20:02):
drinks. The contents returning, the
glass he then starts to Smooth and caress.
The dollar. Again, the comedian still
laughing passes. The whiskey glass from one to
the other of the company who drink sullenly, the whiskey
fails to cheer them after drinking the aunjanue or begins

(20:23):
to sob again. The heroin was served at last
throws. The empty whiskey glass toward
the comedian, good shot. No, I'll drink up.
All that's left in the bottle. He puts the flask to his lips
and drinks. The heroin tries to knock it

(20:45):
away from him but he skillfully evades her.
The villain continues to smooth and caress the dollar singing
and And seen he who would enter in Jump?
He must over us. Oh, oh, oh, holy dollar.

(21:10):
Oh, oh, oh, mighty. Ruler of the world.
Oh, King of Kings. Don't you all think that?
If I have the dollar and do you have it not that I partake of a
bit? Of its Majesty.
That means that I am now a part of its Majesty.

(21:34):
That means that I am the almighty dollars plenipotentiary
and therefore, I am the almightyruler himself on your knees
before me. Comedian after throwing away,
the empty flask lies down on thegrass.

(21:55):
Well, roared lion, but you forgot to hide your jackasses
ears. It is one's consciousness of
power. I know, and you know, that if I
have the money, I have the say, remember, none of you has a sent
to his name. Louis key is gone, picking up

(22:19):
the flask and examining it. I did my job.
Well, drink it to the last drop.Yes.
To the very last drop this evening.
You shall have bread and sausagevery small portions to, for
tomorrow, is another day. I was, you know, sobbing more

(22:39):
frequently, not till the day after tomorrow, shall we reached
town and that Don't mean that you get anything to eat there
either but hi, hi. Holy dollar, Almighty dollar,

(23:00):
Gravely. He who does my bidding shall not
be without food. Comedian with wide-open eyes,
what own Janu gets up and throwsherself on the Villains bosom.
Oh my dear beloved one, my poweralready makes itself.

(23:23):
Felt heroin pushing the aunjanueaway.
Let go of him you he thought my love for a long time and now he
shall have it right you heroin to comedian.
I hate you traitor to the villain.
I have always loved genius. You are now the wisest of the

(23:47):
wise I Adore You villain holdingaunjanue in one arm.
Come into my other arm heroin throwing herself into his arms,
kissing and embracing him, comedian, half, Rising on his
knees. Stop by protest throwing himself

(24:07):
on the grass. Oh Frailty, thy name is woman.
Old woman approaching the villain from behind and
embracing him, find a little spot on your bosom for me.
I play the old woman, but you know, I'm not really old.
Now, I have all of power and allof Love, don't call it love,

(24:32):
call it servility villain. Freeing himself from the women.
But now I have something more important to carry out.
Out my vassals. I mean, you all I've decided we
will not stay here overnight. We will proceed further.
How so how, so, how? So, we go forward tonight.

(24:58):
You have so decided I have so decided and that in itself
should be enough for you but dueto an old habit, I shall explain
to you why I have so decided keep your explanation to you.
Self and better not disturb my contemplation of the sunset,
I'll put you down on The Blacklist.

(25:19):
It will go ill with you for yourspeeches against me.
Now, then without an explanation, we will go and at
once nobody stirs very well. Then I go alone.
No, no, no, no, no. What do you mean?

(25:42):
I mean, I go with you and I and I your loyalty, gratifies me
very much. Old man who is sitting
apathetically upon the trunk, what the deuce is urging you to
go? I wanted to explain to you but

(26:05):
now no, more I owe you? No explanations.
I've decided I wish Go. And that is sufficient.
He plays his comedy wonderfully.Would you ever have suspected
that? There was so much wit in his
cabbage head. Women making love to the
villain. Oh, you darling.

(26:26):
Oh, you darling. Oh, you darling tragedian
majestically. Oh, I wouldn't give him even a
single glance. Still another on The Blacklist,
I'll tell you this much. Much, I have decided, how long
will you keep this up? We start at once, but if I am to

(26:49):
pay for your food, I will not carry any baggage.
You shall divide, my bundles, among you.
And, of course, those who are onThe Blacklist, will get the
heaviest share. You heard me now.
Move on, I'm going now, we will proceed to the nearest town
which is 30 miles away. Now then I am off.

(27:10):
Bon voyage. And with me fares, his majesty,
the dollar and your meals for tomorrow, we are coming, we are
coming, we are, coming are coming, we are coming, we are
coming. I'll go long to gdn to the
villain. You're a scoundrel and a mean

(27:32):
fellow. I am, no, fellow of yours.
I am master and bread Giver. I'll Crush you in a moment.
What you threaten me? Let's go turns to write the
women. Take their satchels and follow

(27:53):
him old man to the tragedians. Get up and take the trunk.
We will settle the score with him.
Some other time it is he who hasthe dollar now to gdn rising and
shaking his fist. I'll get him yet.

(28:13):
He takes his side of the trunk villain to tragedians.
First, put one of my bundles, onyour back to GD in in Rage.
One of your bundles on my back over all I care.
You can put it on your head or between your teeth will put a

(28:35):
bundle on the trunk. Comedian sitting up.
Look, here are you joking or areyou in Earnest villain
contemptuously? I never joke, then you are in
Earnest, I don't make no explanations, do you really
think that? Because you have the dollar the
holy dollar, the almighty dollar, the king of kings that

(29:03):
therefore you are the master bread gibbeh.
And the provider and that we must do what I bid you to.
So you are in Earnest, you must get up, take the baggage and
follow me comedian Rising but I declare Revolution.

(29:24):
What a revolution, a bloody one if need be to G thien, dropping
his end of the trunk and advancing with the bellicose
attitude toward the villain. And I Oh, I shall be the first
to let your blood youth scoundrel, if that's the case, I
have nothing to say to you, those who Wish Come Along

(29:47):
comedian, getting in his way. No, you should not go and till
you give up the dollar. Ha ha ha it is to laugh.
The dollar please? Or then Let There Be Blood turns
up his sleeves. Tragedian taking off his coat.

(30:09):
Aah, thud blood old man. Dropping his end of the trunk.
I'm not going to keep out of a fight women dropping his
satchels, nor we Norwegian are we are we, are we to whom?
Should I give up the dollar you-you-you-you?

(30:33):
This argument will not work anymore.
You To give the dollar up to allof us at the first opportunity.
We'll get change and divided into equal parts, hooray, and I
will even be so good as to give you a share.
I'd rather give him a sound scratching.

(30:56):
It shall be. As I say, give up the dollar
heroin throwing herself on the comedian's breast.
My comedian my comedian. In aunjanue to the villain, I'm
sick of you, give up the dollar comedian pushing the heroin
aside, you better step aside or else you may get the punch.

(31:17):
I aim at the master and bread Giver to the villain come up
with the dollar. Give up the dollar to him.
Do you hear the dollar dollar the dollar dollar dollar dollar?
I'll tear it to Pieces, then we shall tear.
With little hair you have left on your head.

(31:38):
The dollar quick, they surround the villain, the women, pull his
hair, the tragedians grabs him by the collar and shakes him.
The old man, strikes him on his bald, Pate the comedian
struggles with him and finally grasps the dollar comedian
holding up the dollar. I have it, the women dance and

(31:59):
sing Bandits, thieves silence orI'll Shut your mouth goes back
to the trunk and assumes his heroic pose comedian.
Putting the dollar into his pocket.
That's what I call a successful,and bloodless Revolution makes

(32:20):
up for a little frightened heart.
Palpitation, and a part of the late master and bread Giver.
Listen, someone is coming, perhaps, you'll be able to
change the dollar and then we can divide it at once.
I'm puzzled, how we can change it into equal parts starts to
calculate with the aunjanue and the old woman.
Heroin tenderly attentive to thecomedian.

(32:43):
You are angry with me, but I wasonly playing with him.
So, as to wheedle the dollar outof him, you know, you went to
trick me out of my share of it. It is impossible to divide it
into equal parts. It is absolutely impossible.
If it were 98 cents or 105 centsor The Stranger enters from the

(33:08):
right, perceives? The company, greets, it and
continues his way to lift, comedian stops him.
I beg your pardon sir. Perhaps you have change of a
dollar in dimes nickels and pennies showing the dollar, the
old man and woman. Step forward, stranger, getting
slightly nervous. Start some what makes a quick

(33:29):
movement for his pistol pocket. Looks at the comedian and the
others and says slowly change ofit.
Taller moving from the circle toleft.
I believe I have Aurora, stranger turns so that no one is
behind him and pulls his revolver.

(33:52):
Hands up my dear sir, we are alltogether.
Peaceful folk, stranger takes the dollar from the comedian's
hand and walks backwards to leftwith the pistol pointed at the
group. Good night, everybody.
He disappears the actors remain dumb with fear with their hands
up, mouths wide open and staringinto space.

(34:17):
Comedian, finally breaks out into thunderous laughter curtain
and of a Dollar by David Pinsky.Why the Chimes, right?
This is a LibriVox recording allLibriVox.

(34:40):
Recordings are in the public domain for more information or
to volunteer, please visit librivox.org.
Why they Chimes Rang by Elizabeth apthorp McFadden
adapted, from the story of the same name by Raymond McDonald.
Alden characters, narrator read by Larry, Wilson Holger a

(35:02):
peasant boy red. and by Nima, Steen his younger brother read
by Josh Kibby, Berto, their Uncle read by Erin white old
woman who read by Jane Manning Angel read by L C Selwyn.

(35:23):
Time. Discovered a long ago, seen the
interior of a woodchoppers Hut on the edge of a forest.
Why the Chimes rain? The scene is laid in a peasant's
Hut on the edge of a forest nearcathedral town.
It is a dark glow, rafter, groom, that only by the glowing

(35:45):
wouldn't fire in the grate fireplace in the wall to the
right and by a faint Moonlight, the steals in through the little
window high in the left wall, this window commands, a view of
the cathedral and of the road leading down into the town.
The only entrance into the Hut is the front door near the
window. The Furnishings are few to

(36:07):
substantial stools, one near thewindow the other before the
fire, logs piled up near the Hearth and on the chimney shelf
above a few dishes. Three little bowls three spoons
and a great iron porridge pot a wooden Peg to the right of the
Chimney, holsteins Cap and Cape one to the left and old shawl

(36:30):
near the door holders cap and Cape hang from a third Peg
despite Poverty. The room is full of beautiful
color you as it lies, half hidden in deep Shadow say where
the light of the fire falls on the brown of the wood and the
warmer shades of the children's garments illuminates, their
faces and gleams on their brighthair.

(36:51):
When the curtain is raised, Steen is sitting disconsolately
on the stool near the fire. He is a handsome sturdy little
lad of 9 or 10 dressed in rough,but warm garments of a dark red
Soldier, a slender boy. Some four years older bins, over
Steen, patting him, comforted and lie on the shoulder.

(37:13):
There is a petulance and Revolt in the expression of the younger
boy but hold your space is full of a blended character and
spirituality that makes him beautiful.
He is clad like his Brethren comfortable but Warren jerkin
and hose of a dark blue leaf, green.
His manner to the little boy is full of affection though.

(37:33):
Occasionally he is superior after the manner of Big
Brother's throughout the play tomoods alternate in Holzer a
certain grave half. Mystical dreaminess and bubbling
through it, the High Spirits of his natural Boys.
South Take artstein perhaps we can go next year next year.

(37:55):
Next year I'll be so old I won'twant to go.
Oh quite old folks. Go to the Christmas service
come. Let's watch the people going
down to town. No, the Roto be full Grand Folk.
He crosses to the window come watch stain.
No old you're looking out. Why the roads all empty again?

(38:18):
Now, everybody is gone. Old, you trying to be brave.
They're lighting the cathedral, I don't care.
Oh, steam come, see like the stars coming out.
I won't see mother said way lastsummer that we could go tonight
and now, his voice breaks into asob.

(38:41):
She meant it, she didn't know that the grandmother would be
ill. And she and fathered have to go
to her be fair stain. They might let us go alone to
little sting. Come here, the tone rather than
the words dickstein quickly to Hold Your Side.

(39:04):
What? Holds her pointing out the
window. Look, past the dead Pine Yonder,
and old woman facing us kneelingin the snow.
See praying, she's looking at us.
She's raising her hand to us. She's beckoning No, she's making

(39:25):
the sign of the cross. Both boys, drop their heads
devoutly, who which she Holger? I don't know steam drawing back
from the window and crossing theroom to the fire.
Oh, Holger, I'm afraid. No, no look.

(39:45):
She is turned away. She's deeper in the shadow.
Why she's gone following Steen with all his bright courage,
bubbling high again and speaks in a bantering tone.
Just some old granny going down to town and our frayed steam we
covering also and if thou were afraid, I was not.

(40:08):
Oh wow. I was just a little bit afraid
that she might frighten thee steps are heard outside the
house. Both boys, start and looked
frightened again, Josh stops coming here.
Steam back in from the door. The old woman holds your

(40:30):
crosses. The room looks cautiously out of
the window, then. Cries joyously?
No, Uncle fertile. Hello there.
Open hole, jur Steam, and hold your make a dash for the door.
Fling it open and Pirtle enters.He is a jolly rope has peasant
Uncle of early middle life clad in rough.

(40:51):
Great jerkin and hose with a dark grey.
Cloak wrapped about him. He so radiates cheer that the
room seems warmer for his presence in it.
Nothing to be afraid of about him.
The children, adore him. Steen.
Clinging to him. Happily ha ha ha.
Uncle uncle, uncle Burt, l Hold Your CC, Berto.

(41:12):
On his other side, Uncle bertil,welcome.
Bertolt. A saline their hair and shaking
himself loose in. Pretended dismay, help, help
robbers. I'm pset gently youngsters.
He goes over to the fire. Is Dan's warming himself, huh?

(41:33):
It's cold in the forest tonight.Well, why am I come tell me that
to take us to the Christmas service?
Uncle. How did sound?
No, we were not going. I met a fox who said, thou has

(41:53):
seen mother and father. Myrtle, draws the stool nearer,
the fire and sits, the children promptly drop on the floor,
beside him by our lady, guess and walking so fast.
They only had time to throw me aword from the side of their
mouths. Go up cried mother.
I risk. My boys are deep in tears and I

(42:17):
not wishing to see you drown, and so much water.
Hold your pet in his arm, dear Uncle Burt.
All see. Seen Rising on his knees.
Come let's go. Quick, patience, patience, young
Colt, plenty of time. Mother said something else?
What brutal, his eyes on the shelf above the fire.

(42:40):
That I should find some warm porridge for my pains will just
bring it to his feet. Why?
Of course, there is porridge. He goes to the Shelf nice and
warm. It is all ready for supper.
He hands the first Bowl to bertil, Steve Capers nimbly
across the intervening space andseats himself on the side of the

(43:01):
Hearth facing were told his backto the audience.
Supper, how could we forget about supper?
Give me a big bowl. Full Holger old.
You're handing steam his porridge.
There isn't a big bowlful here steam taking the Bolin hugging
it. That's kind of good.
Supper mmm-mmm-mmm begins to eateagerly soldiers said Only

(43:26):
looking toward the door, listen to what someone sobbing at the
door. He goes to it, the others
watching him, startled. He opens the door finds.
Nothing closes it and comes backnothing there.
The wind my old tricks hold, you're always dreaming.
Some strange thing. Hold your recalled by bertels

(43:50):
word to something else, tit style, past an old woman on the
road near here. Not a soul nearer than the town
gate. Hold your stands thinking
absorbed come boy, eat eat. See how steamy eats.
Hold your brakes through his abstraction and reverts, to his

(44:11):
bright self. Uncle Burt.
Oh, I'm too glad to eat bertold more seriously.
Now out right lad fasting, we'rebetter than feasting this day
and trials and they say, do you know what they say in the town?
What they say that tonight in the great church, when the

(44:36):
offerings are laid upon the Altar for the Christ child?
Something will happen steam has finished, his porridge, puts the
ball on the Shelf, near him ceases his cloak and cap from
the peg near the Hearth, and stands eager to be gone.
What, who can say all day the focus.
Been pouring into the town as never before the market place is

(45:00):
crowded. Every in is full, no church.
But the cathedral could hold such a multitude.
Never have, I seen such excitement such fervor.
There will be many gifts. The rich are bringing their
treasure gold and jewels Kings ransoms.

(45:20):
I and the King comes Berto finishes.
His porridge enhance the ball tosteam.
The king. The king himself until we see
him uncle and the fine gifts andeverything.
Why not? Even the poorest may go up and
give what hast thou to offer stina passed by nothing puts his

(45:45):
Borg bowl and bertels on the Shelf, then goes restlessly to
the door holder breaking in witheagerness.
Oh I have see. Uncle feels in his pocket and
brings out. Two pennies.
See, last week, I was gathering sticks in the forest and a fine
gentleman rode past and ask the way of me.

(46:08):
I showed him the path and he gave me these holds up the
pities, Virgil rising and going to hold you, who is in the
middle of the room, Faith, real money in the family, Stoops and
looks at the pennies as though, they were a rare sight.
Oh, I thought we were going to buy cakes with.
Holger, but it's better to give it to the Christ child.

(46:32):
You see, he is the little child smaller than, even you.
And I think he would like a little gift, a little bright
gift, that would buy cakes for him.
Older goes toward the window with the stands.
Looking dreamily out at the lights of the church.
Hi tonight. We must think of him there in

(46:54):
his holy church. It is a holy place.
That's the church. I feel it every time I go it's
like God's Forest. The pillars like Old Oaks and
the Great Windows all colors. Like sunsets through the trees.
Tis like the forest and when theorgan plays that's like a storm

(47:19):
gathering in the mountains. A storm.
Hi, the Lord hath. His way in the Whirlwind and in
the storm and the clouds are thedust of his feet.
Why should he not do a Wonder, as of old.
Perhaps the great miracle will come again.

(47:40):
Oh, which uncle, there are so many And the Bible.
Yes, which would there be a well.
Now to swallow, a priest that will Goosey this is no Bible
Miracle, it happened there there, where we see the lights
hundreds of years ago. We're told his follow the holder

(48:00):
to the window and steam, joins them as he speaks.
Pirtle slips has arms affectionately round both
children and the three stand. Looking out at this moment.
Something stirs in the dim Shadows that A shroud the corner
up above the fireplace suddenly out of the dark.
The old woman emerges a tall figure if she were not so bent

(48:23):
wrapped in a black cloak there is nothing grotesque or Sinister
in her appearance. She might have stood for statue
of old age impressive in his pathos as she sits on this duel
near the fire. She throws back the cloak
disclosing the plane straight dress of gray beneath The light

(48:44):
of the fire reveals her crouchedswaying back and forth.
Praise silently. Her face still shaded by the
heavy hood of her cloak, the others?
Gazing intently out at the church, do not see her fertile.
Continue speaking, surely thou Hast heard of the miracle of the
Chimes. I've heard folks speak of it but

(49:06):
I never knew just what happened.Oh, tell us, Uncle Burt l.
I listened then you see the great tower, they're both
children, not emphatic, lie. It goes so high into the clouds.
That no one can see it. Stop no one even knows how high
it is for The Men Who Built it had been dead for hundreds of

(49:29):
years. But what has that to do with the
Chimes, hush stain? Let Uncle speak.
The Chimes are up at the top of the tower and they are.
Holy Bells miraculous Bells placed there by sainted hands.
And when they rang it was said that angel's voices echoed

(49:52):
through them. Why doesn't someone ring them
now, huh? That is not so easy.
They are said to ring on Christmas Eve, when the gifts
are laid on the Altar for the Christ child, but not every
offering will ring them. It must be a perfect gift.

(50:13):
And for all these years, not onething has been laid upon the
altar good enough to make the Chimes ring out.
Oh, that's what the priest was talking about.
The mother, then he said it mustn't.
Be just a fine gift for show. Something full of love for the
Christ child. Oh, I want to hear them.

(50:33):
We shall the very air is full ofholy mystery.
The spirit of Christ will be there in the church tonight to
hold you die cap. Boy, hold your stands wrapped in
thought gazing out at the Cathedral Steen, taking the cap
and cloak from the peg, near thedoor and bringing them down.
And piling them into holders arms, here, they are all

(50:56):
dreamer. He turns back up toward the
door. In such a way that he does not
see the silent figure in the corner and hurry virtual to
turns toward his left hand, and does not see the woman soldier
in a tone, a bright happiness roused from his dreaming.
I'm coming nothing can happen tostop us now, can it as he says

(51:17):
this? He Wills to his right in a way,
that brings the Chimney Corner in his line of vision.
He starts bends forward. Steering, is the others.
Open the door. Steve The other stop and stare
at him, then in the direction ofhis look, oh, the old woman
Naruto looking, it's Dean, when did she come in?

(51:40):
I didn't see her old, your crosses timidly towards her.
As he approaches the old woman, turns her eyes on him and holds
out her hands. And pitiful, appeal artist.
I want Dame Refuge from the storm of the world, World.

(52:02):
Surely Thou shalt rest here, old, wound, half Rises to flee.
As hold your draws near son. I am so weary and so heavy
laden. She sways and hold your runs
forward catching her in his armsand supporting her on the stool.

(52:26):
The other stand watching, she sits huddle forward in a
position that suggests collapse.She's faint he touches her
heads. She's so cold quick steam.
Build up the fire. Sting goes to the fire and puts
in Another Log. The Flames blaze up and hold
your bizzy's himself Chief in the woman's hands and covering

(52:49):
her with the go. Club that has dropped back from
her shoulders. She must have lost her way in
the force, Virgil stands watching, the woman rather,
suspiciously now comes to hold your Taps him on the arm and
draws him a little apart. Speaking in an undertone, we
have scattered time to lose withthat old beggar what'll I do

(53:11):
with her, leave her, and come onand come before it is tomorrow,
he is backed by the door, his hand, on the land Each Soldier
turns and looks at the old womanand then back to behold.
Oh, I need to go and leave her. Not go.
Of course, we'll go she'll warm herself and March along, but she

(53:34):
is ill turns Justine with a new decision in his manner.
Thou shalt go with Uncle, but I must stay with her nonsense
Soldier. No, it isn't if we should all
go. Now the I'd go out and the light
and she would wake up in the cold darkness and not know where

(53:55):
to turn for help. How about I think Christopher
miss a miracle to keep company with a beggar who held her hand
before thou cam'st along send her packing and make a stole
jerr? Oh do Hager if there were some
place near that we could take her, there isn't a place on the
road. They've all gone to town long

(54:17):
ago. Bit her Fair there also.
Hold your looks at the old woman, then it Berto, then, back
to the old woman, then shakes his head mother wouldn't treat
her. So she'd be good to her think of
what you'll miss, an expression of Anguish passes over holders
face but he shakes his head and turns towards the old woman.

(54:41):
Ah, well, this is Idle talk now and I will go.
Steen whole come, let's go brutal, this Dean, but for whole
juice Benefit that would, I willsee the king perchance, the
Christ, Thou Art stubborn, hold your I who am older tell thee,
what to do. Hold your shakes, his head
again, ha comes Dean. He opens the door and goes out.

(55:08):
Steen following him. Goodbye.
Hager sting goes out and shuts the door.
Goodbye. There is a moment's pause while
holder stand staring at the closed door.
Then he suddenly runs toward it.Oh wait wait for me Uncle I will
go. He opens the door.
Start to go through it. Then stops turns and looks at

(55:29):
the woman is drawn slowly backward, by his gaze and comes
in, closing the door, know, the past this so steep.
Hold your goes to her and bends over didst, thou speak name, the

(55:53):
woman does not answer. Thou Art like grandmother, and I
know what mother would do for her feeling her hands.
Art warmer game, still cold. The covers aren't very thick.
He looks about the bare room, sees the old Shell hanging from
the pig. Near the fire.

(56:14):
Takes it down, and spreads it over the woman.
Thou must get warm. Arm goes to the fire and builds
it higher woman. Still wandering in her mind
berries. Yes, find berries.

(56:35):
Oh, thou'rt hungry. He turns to the Shelf takes his
own untasted bowl of porridge, brings it to her Dame.
Here's food. Woman rousing food.
Give it to me. Child, I am dying for food.
Walter give through the porch and sits down on the floor.

(56:57):
Beside her old, you're watching her, as she devours.
The porridge, ah, poor soul, whythou Wert starving.
Nah just see. Mother says, that's what makes
my little brother so round and Rosie?
Because he eats so much porridge, You like it, don't

(57:19):
you. It is the life itself.
Her voice is going young and strong sinks back again.
As she has eaten it all bless thee, child older sets the empty
dish, aside on the Hearth and turns to feel her hands.
Oh, Thou Art warm. I warm in a voice increasingly

(57:46):
rich in suite at this moment. But there comes the distant
sound of organ music older straighten suddenly in a
listening attitude lesson, is that music from the cathedral?
I, it must be last summer. We could hear it plain and now

(58:07):
we've so many thousands. Their leaves, the woman is dense
in the center of the room. Listening attentively.
Its beginning Pause. Everyone is there, why are they
there? It's the great service.
He goes towards the window and stands looking out.

(58:29):
He talks on have to her half to himself.
All the world, is there The Village folk and strangers from
afar great Court, folk to I. And the King, our King, and he
will give a gift, a king's GIF, she Rises a directly involved.
Him across the room, there is the strength and Poise of Youth

(58:52):
in her walk. The heavy black hood has fallen
back. We feeling a head covering of
white linen. That suggests a Sister of
Charity and gives her face a look of austerity and sweetness.
She is strong. Maternal.
Beautiful intuitively. Hold your in his disappointment.
Begins to lean upon her sympathy.

(59:14):
The music grows a little louder and floats into the room.
Look tame, you can even see the windows glean.
It is so near, it's all beginning, i-i'm not there Azad
creeps into his voice son, guy named.

(59:37):
He turns it comes toward her, she seats herself on the stool
near the window reaches out of hand.
And draws him down beside her thow, to which go hold you to
moved by her, sympathy to speak.Not silently and puts up a hand
to hide the trembling of his lips.

(59:57):
She slips her hand to his shoulder.
Another time. They'll go Soldier fighting back
his tears. It'll never be the same again
tonight. The Christ comes bertelsen, the
Christ, nay son. Pray to the Christ child pray
that he does not pass the by. She sits facing the back wall of

(01:00:22):
the Hut. Hold your kneels before her and
drops his head in her lap. She lays her hand gently upon
his hair and makes the sign of the cross above him.
As they have been talking together.
The fire on the Hearth is burneditself out and the shadows in
the room have crept forward and closed around them, till only a
faint outline of holder and the Women can be distinguished in

(01:00:45):
the glimmer of moonlight shiningthrough the window nearby.
There is a long, pause broken, only by the boys sobbing, which
gradually sinks to silence. As he prays a faint, light
begins to grow behind him. The smoke ground, back wall of
the Hut has vanished and in its place, appears a vision of the

(01:01:07):
cathedral chancel one, by one objects emerge from the
darkness, the light touches the golden altar, the gleaming
appointments upon it, the jewel,like tones of the stained glass
window above and the rich carpetUnder Foot.
It shows the marble arches at the sides and shine soft.
Leon the robe of the kneeling priest as the dim Vision grows

(01:01:31):
to clearness. So the music comes nearer and
swells, fourth softly into the Christmas processional,
unconscious of it all holder looks up at the woman his face
wept with despair. No, it's no use.
I'd rather be all blind and never see the missed the vision
that the Christ will send women gazing at the vision.

(01:01:54):
Look. Look what comes old.
You're staring at the woman's face illuminated by the light
from the chancel. Damn, he turns to see where the
light comes from, and the visionmeets his up.
He crouches back at the women's feet held Spellbound by the
site. As the music changes, the price

(01:02:16):
Rises slowly to his feet faces, the congregation and makes a
gesture of approach. The voices of the choir joined
the music and from the left sideof the chancel people began to
enter carrying their gifts. And imperious looking man richly
dressed in black and gold comes first bearing, a heavy box, he

(01:02:37):
approaches the altar Nielsen puts the chest and the priest
hand. And that the full value of his
gift may be publicly recognized.He throws back the lid heaping
up the gold coin with which the boxes filled, the priest turns
goes up the steps to the Altar and raises the chest as high as
its weight will permit. The man still nearly.

(01:02:59):
No weights the Chimes with superb self-confidence.
The bells do not ring. Slowly, the priest lowers, the
gold to the altar turns raises his hand, in blessing and
dismissal the rich man rises looking bewildered at his
failure. Crosses to the right and stands

(01:03:19):
near the altar, as the pageant moves on the priest, turns to
the next Comer occur to. You are brave in green and gold
who enters with an air of great Elegance.
Very daintily. A gilded Jewel casket.
He kneels lays it in the priest hands.
The letter turns to go, but the courtier detains him, a second

(01:03:41):
raises, the lid of the box, and holds up string after string of
Rich gems. The priest carries the jewels to
The Altar and offers them The bells, do not read the priest,
dismisses, the courtier, and theyoung man rises turns back with
assumed lightness of manner and stands at the left of the

(01:04:01):
chancel watching with great interest.
A beautiful woman who had inflamed colored velvet sweeps.
Probably up the steps of the altar Neil's takes from her
neck. A long strand of pearls and
offers it to the priest. The priest receives, the
necklace, a sins to The Altar, and offers the jewels, the woman

(01:04:23):
smiling listens Tinsley for the Chimes.
They do not ring. The smile Fades is the priest
returns and blesses her She Rises trying to hide her Chagrin
in a look of great, ho two crosses to the right and stands
near the man in black and gold with whom she exchanges.
Disdainful smiles over the next two rival.

(01:04:45):
An old white-haired man, clad ina Scholars Rogue tatars on
buried with difficulty of large Vellum bound book.
The priest takes a step forward to relieve the old man of his
burden. And as he goes up, the altar
steps, the sage sinks exhausted to his.
He's listening with straining sensors for the bells.

(01:05:07):
They do not ring the priest, blesses, The Old Man, and helps
him to rise. He turns back and stands near
the curtir at the left. A lovely young girl enters
dressed in pale, green satin herarms filled with a Sheaf of
white lilies. The very Way She carries them
and bends her head to catch their fragrance shows that to

(01:05:29):
her, they are the most beautifulthings in the world Neely and
she gives them into the hands ofthe priest.
As she offers them, she listens with childish confidence for the
ringing of the Bells still, there is no sound save the organ
music and the singing of the choir subdued.
Almost to a breath, as the giftsare offered abashed as the

(01:05:52):
priest, blesses and dismisses her, the young girl steps back
and stands near the old sage. There is a stir in the chancel,
even the priest turning to watchthe King enters.
He is a man of 40 with tall, distinguished figure and a proud
face. His purple robes richly jeweled

(01:06:13):
trail behind him. And on his head he wears his
crown. Everyone leans forward watching
with great tension. The king, exalted with his mood
of self-sacrifice Neil's. We moved his crown and lays it
in the hands of the priest. Hold your coaching of the Shadow
Quivers with anticipation. Again, the pantomime of Hope and

(01:06:36):
failure the priest turns back tothe king and raises his arms in
the customary gesture. The king starts to rise.
Didn't suddenly as though overcome it, the his spiritual
defeat sinks, again to his kneesbefore the Altar and buries his
face in his hands. Praying, the priest stands with

(01:06:56):
arms crossed upon his breast regarding him sorrowfully.
Hold your overwhelmed with disappointment softly to the
woman. Perhaps there are no Chimes
perhaps the Christ hears us not have faith.
Have faith in God I would that Icould give my pennies to the

(01:07:18):
child the king rises from his prayer and Go's.
Sadly to the right standing nearthe Lady in Red.
Woman in a low ringing voice that Thrills, like the call of a
trumpet. Go up my son fear, not the
Christ child waits for all, hold, your breathless with the

(01:07:40):
adventure Rises and goes, timidly forward out of the Gloom
of the Hut into this blender. The chancel looking very small
and poorly dressed beside all the great ones.
He holds out his pennies to the priest who bins and takes them
with a tender. Smile and hold your Crossing
himself to abash to stand and wait, shrinks back into the

(01:08:02):
darkness. And the Sheltering Arms of the
woman, the priest goes up, the steps of the Altar and holds the
pennies high above his head, in consecrating gesture and as he
does, so the organ music breaks off with animes suddenness for
from above, there comes the far,triumphant, ringing of the
Chimes mingled with ethereal voices singing, the Hallelujah.

(01:08:27):
A wave of Oz sweeps over everyone in the chancel and is
the priest wheels and gestures them to their knees.
They prostrate themselves, quickly culture to Neal's
awestruck, but the woman Rises to her full height and stands
watching from this time on. She withdraws gradually into the
deeper, shadow of the Hut and has seen no more As they all

(01:08:49):
Neil, the angel enters from the right, a sins, the steps of the
Altar and stands beside the Huddle, figure the priest, as
she stands there, a single pencil of light shines down upon
her, from above a ray of light. So brilliant that everything
around seems dull in comparison and while she gives her message
the light above grows till floods her hair and garments

(01:09:13):
with a miraculous Radiance, the angel Smiles at Holter and
chance in a Voice verily, verily.
I say unto you. It is not gold.
Nor silver nor Rich pearls, but love and self sacrifice that
please. The Lord the Christ child was
hungered and you gave him meet astranger, and you took him in.

(01:09:36):
But I I have not seen the Christ.
Child insomuch, as you have doneit unto one of the least of
these his Brethren, you have done it unto him, the angel
stands with one. And uplifted as the music rises
in a great Crescendo of Triumph,Hold Your quite overcome drops
his face in his hands and as theclimax of the singing is

(01:10:00):
reached, the whole Tableau is held for a moment.
Then blotted out, it Darkness There is a pause, then the light
on the Hearth flares up revealing.
The boy alone still on his knees.
Looking up bewildered at the back, wall of the Hut where the
vision had been swiftly. He rises to his feet and turns

(01:10:21):
to face the woman Dame. Dame, it's a Chimes, the star
did you see G is gone. He stares about him looking for
her gone gone. The music still ringing softly
but the Chimes he turns runs to the window and flings open the

(01:10:44):
casement. A soft light have Moonlight have
something more luminous or Zen upon him.
He speaks in a tone of infinite happiness, looking upward the
Stars, God's chimes. The curtain Falls slowly.
In the, why the Chimes rang? The line of no resistance by

(01:11:13):
Percival L wild. This is a LibriVox recording all
LibriVox. Recordings are in the public
domain. For more information or to
volunteer, please visit librivox.org the line of no
resistance, a comedy in one act by Percival L wild characters.
George Robertson read by Thomas Peter, Gene Robertson read by

(01:11:37):
devorah Alan Ethel, read by Betsy Walker.
Stage directions. Read by Erin white.
George Robertson, in. Oldest young man of some 30 odd
years, extremely good-looking, and fully aware of the fact.
He is made money rather rapidly and the success has gone to his
head Gene Robertson. His wife a motherly young woman

(01:12:00):
still on the sunny side of 30 pretty in a quiet way and
blessed with a splendid sense ofhumor and with a profound
understanding of her husband's character.
Ethel Quentin a stunning, girl of 20.
She is very much in love with George and believes.
His wife is not the woman for him.
The scene is the living room of the Robertsons apartment Center

(01:12:23):
rear a mantle decorated with vases photographs and a clock,
right of the mantle a liquor stand at right center.
The main entrance. A hat rack is visible in the
hall, Beyond when the door is open, another door left Center
opens into the servants hallway.And the third down left leads
into a bedroom in the left wall,a window.

(01:12:46):
There is plenty of furniture, the most conspicuous pieces,
Being a Morris chair to the right of Center and a large and
comfortable sofa to the left of center.
Each placed diagonally a small table with smokers articles and
two or three books is near the head of the sofa towards Center
and there is a Cheval glass between the mantle and the left

(01:13:07):
Center door. The room is furnished, rather
expensively and in the best of good taste, there are handsome.
Rugs about the floor, curtains at the windows and tapestries
and paintings about the walls. The curtain Rises showing an
empty stage elevator door off. Right is heard to slam door,
right? Opens and Ethel enters in a

(01:13:30):
street dress, wearing hat and cloak.
Followed by George, who leaves his things outside on the coat
rack and who closes the door as soon as he is in the room.
Ethel Crossing to Center throws back, wraps turns is she out,
indicates lower left door, George Crossing to her.
Yes she's gone shopping for the afternoon.

(01:13:53):
You are sure. She doesn't suspect, not she he
opens his arms, they Embrace andkiss.
Fondly noise after left, pause Ethel pushing him away now.
George I have come here to say something something which I
should have said long ago. Yes Ethel sits right center.

(01:14:16):
I was thinking the other night. How long have we been friends?
Friends well, more than friends since the time, my new life
began, which is to say in ordinary Reckoning, six months,
is that all it was in July, we met you remember, do I remember

(01:14:38):
the stars shining down on us in the breeze is sighing through
the pines and wifey gone to bed,two hours ago and the whisper
million. Eames of insects and love in the
very air, we breathed and you and I alone hand in hand.
And the next day, avoiding each other's glances acting as if we

(01:15:01):
had never met. Oh, the Sham!
The Sham George shrugging his shoulders.
What would you have me? Do Ethel rising and Crossing
towards him. What would I have you?
George tell me, you are a big man, aren't you?
Well, you are big enough to be above public opinion.

(01:15:24):
Perhaps do you expect to keep upthe Sham?
Do you expect to continue this? Play-acting?
Do you expect to hide your real feelings from the world?
What do you mean George? Listen to me.
You and I have loved each other.Almost from the day, we met.
Yes, I know that. Do you think there's anything

(01:15:45):
sinister? For Leonard sinful.
Or do you believe that our love purifies itself?
What does your wife matter? What does anything matter you?
And I love each other. I need you.
And you need me. Isn't that enough well?

(01:16:05):
Almost enough then? What is the future to be our way
to indulge in our love as if it were something shameful
something horrible? Which will Not bear the light of
day. Something vile which we must not
mention something Despicable forwhich we must hang our heads.
No, a thousand times. No, well, what do you propose,

(01:16:30):
Ethel, Rising. Let us be honest.
Honest, let us look the facts inthe face, choose between us
between your wife and me but there is no other way if you Her
you have no use for me. If you love me you have no use

(01:16:51):
for her. She is my wife.
What else? That is?
She a wife for such a man, is you George is visibly?
Pleased? Is she a wife for a successful
businessman? A genius.
He is still more pleased. When you married her, you were
poor then she meant something today.

(01:17:12):
You are rich, does she mean to you now Now, George hanging his
head. Nothing and are you content?
You are satisfied. No, I'm not satisfied by God.
No, then why keep up the farce George sinks into a chair and
buries his faith in his hands. If your wife knew that would be

(01:17:37):
best for you to leave her, if she knew that I could feel her
place better than she would she say, go Would she release you
and make you happy? Or would she beg you to stay for
her sake? I don't know.
I don't know. But I know George.

(01:17:58):
Be fair with yourself. Now is the time to decide.
Will you be miserable with her or happy with me?
Which isn't are you a coward? George Rising?
No, I'm not a coward. Then I want you, they Embrace

(01:18:20):
there. Speaks the man.
I know the first time I saw you.The first time I looked upon
your beautiful face, I said to myself, he was made for me.
George, I am proud of you. What have you to fear noise off
left? They both start.
That's my wife. I thought she was out.

(01:18:41):
She must have come back, Ethel. Glancing at her watch.
And speaking quickly. George listen to me.
It is 3:00 now at five. I board the train for
Jacksonville. Will you come with me today?
Yes. Today, have you the courage and
the courage, then I will expect you to call for me at 4:15.

(01:19:06):
You understand 4:15, Gene, enters left, carrying a parcel.
White Miss Quinton. I am so glad to see you crosses
over and kisses her effusive lie.
So, I was out when you called, and George has been
entertaining. You.
Oh, by the way, George would youmind running around to the

(01:19:26):
Express office with the parcel handing him?
Parcel and money 35 cents. Prepaid Ethel makes a move to
go. Oh no, I really couldn't allow
it. Stay a few minutes and chat.
We women must gossip a little now.
Not a word turning. To George George.
Hurry, back exit. George closing door, right?

(01:19:48):
She opens it in calls after him.George.
Don't forget to put on your rubbers closes door again, turns
to Ethel. Now, my dear tell me all the
news, they sit on sofa the news.There isn't any no then you
haven't heard you won't repeat it with show of secrecy.

(01:20:11):
It's not generally. Own.
But I'm just bursting to tell you A friend of mine is going to
run away from his wife elevator door off, right?
Slams Ethel starting violently why mrs.
Robertson, how the elevator doesstartled one, doesn't it?

(01:20:31):
But call me Jean dear, you won'tmind.
I feel as if I knew you so well,and I will call you Lucy.
My name is Ethel. Oh, is it?
Such a pretty name, too? To experimenting with the sound
Ethel. You were saying yes.
What was I saying? I quite forget to remind me.

(01:20:53):
You were telling me about a friend of yours, not another
word I remember now. Yes, he's going off with some
insignificant Western girl. Ethel commencing indignantly
mrs. Recalling herself.
And continuing more mildly. Robertson Jean Jean, I meant.

(01:21:16):
Who is it? Oh, that would be telling dear,
but it's so romantic. You see, they loved each other
in secret so long and his wife doesn't know a thing about it,
isn't it? Cute, Ethel wetting, her lips,
nervously, and you, you approve,I know Ethel dear, you wouldn't,

(01:21:38):
but what is there for me to do? I'm so immoral.
And I think Such a like, a lark.Yes, he'll come back Ethel.
Rising and moving towards Center.
What do you mean Gene following her?
I forgot you see. Dear, you don't know him as well
as I do. And he's such a good-looking,

(01:21:59):
man, and all the ladies are in love with him, but he's
conceited, very conceited. And unless you flatter him all
the time, there's no getting along with him.
Oh, so it will be very beautifulfor a week or two.
Weeks or a month and then he'll get tired of her and she won't
be able to invent any new flatteries and one fine day.
He'll come running back home, just like Bo Peep.

(01:22:21):
Mmm and he'll be happy to get back, isn't it killing?
I don't see the joke. No, but you're so
straight-laced. For one thing it is possible
that his wife doesn't appreciatehim curious.
He thinks the same thing, but then all men think that don't,
they I don't know, Jean apologetically laying her hand

(01:22:46):
on Ethel's knee-high, forgot, dear, you've had experience.
Yes, that's it. Experience Ethel racing, her
handkerchief to her eyes, you know, mrs.
Robertson Jean Jean. It's very cruel of you to just,
as for me, I am inclined to sympathize with the wife.

(01:23:13):
Sympathize with the wife, my dear.
You convulse me rising and turning her back at which Ethel
drops her handkerchief and watches intently.
You are so funny sympathize withthe wife turning suddenly ever
puts her handkerchief back to her eyes.
Why I sympathize with the girl with the girl?

(01:23:34):
Of course you see. She's a sweet little thing, but
she's so sentimental and she's in love with any man who is
foolish and Take her seriously Bethel, Rising indignantly, mrs.
Jean, Jean. Coming to her quickly, pardon
me. Dear.
You wouldn't have spoken of her so, harshly.

(01:23:54):
I know I am so impetuous, my tongue simply runs away with me,
but you won't repeat it. I can trust you.
Yes, thank you so much. You see, she's so happy to think
that it's a married, man. She's getting a bachelor's.
Our wouldn't attract her nearly as much.
And she thinks his wife will be heartbroken and sit at the

(01:24:16):
window and cry. Her eyes out and mope and fret,
and go to her lawyers and, and all that sort of thing and she
won't. Hi dear, she will enjoy the
vacation. Oh, that's the girl.
I didn't tell you why I sympathize with her.
No. Well, she thinks she will be a

(01:24:36):
permanent fixture and I know that she won't even be an
episode. Oh, It will be a terrible blow
you feel for her too. Don't you Ethel sitting right
center? I am beginning to, I knew you
would dear and the wife will be so grateful to her grateful Jean

(01:24:57):
nodding. Yes grateful, she will teach the
husband, a lesson, a valuable lesson Ethel Rising With A
desperate effort to control herself.
Mrs. Raab Jean. I am going Jean also Rising so
soon. Dear won't you?
Wait for George? No, no, I I haven't time very

(01:25:21):
well then, if you must, you know, dear one trouble with this
world of ours is that there are thousands of girls who want to
take husbands and don't know whose husbands to take Ethel
Smiles, despite herself, then looking into jeans, twinkling
eyes and beginning to realize the true state of Of Affairs.
She breaks into almost hysterical laughter the older

(01:25:43):
woman in folds her in a motherlyEmbrace and the girl sobs
without restraint Gene. Soothing her.
All right. Dearie.
All right have a good cry. It won't hurt.
You smooth, the girls hair and kisses her tenderly and now go
home and forget all about it. Tomorrow, you may come here to
tell me that I'm the best friendyou have in the world.

(01:26:04):
The to go toward the rear door, the elevator door is her to
slam. They both start there's George
now. Oh, mrs.
Jean, I don't yes, yes, I understand leaving her quickly
to door up left. The servants elevator is on this
side. Ethel hurries out, goodbye

(01:26:24):
closes door, slowly shaking headhearing footsteps rushes over to
sofa and reads as George enters George showing disappointment.
Oh, she's gone. In turning a page of her book.
Beg your pardon Ethel. Miss Quinn, if she's gone Jean.

(01:26:46):
Much interested in the book? Yes, big hurry minutes ago.
A pause George under his breath.Guess I'd better tell him how he
looks at her. Furtively crosses silently to
liquor cabinet and takes out glass and a bottle of whiskey,
pours, a little, into the glass,pauses, and looks at his wife,

(01:27:07):
to gauge her. Mint.
Pours out a little more and stops.
Again, to estimate nervously, they sought to revive her.
He pauses in indecision, then, in desperation, he fills the
glass, almost to the brim and quarks the bottle.
During all of this. He has kept a grave face and
Gene is wholly. Unconscious of his preparations.

(01:27:30):
Having finished he adjusts his tie with the aid of the mirror
smoothed. His hair and Strikes in
Attitude. Gene.
Gene. Turning another page.
Yes, come here. Gene turns looks at him
quizzically. Mark's Place with a hairpin and
joins him at the mantle where she stands running her finger

(01:27:52):
along the woodwork. I have something to tell you
Jean examining the mantle with Horror.
Oh did you notice it? The girl hasn't dusted here in a
week it's positively disgraceful.
George recoiling from the dust and chink.
That isn't it? I have something else to tell

(01:28:15):
you Gene picks up a vase and examined it closely.
Well, what is it Jean? I don't love you.
Any longer Jean holding the vaseto the light and tapping it to
dislodge the dust, oh Jean. Did you hear what I said?

(01:28:42):
I don't love you any longer Jeanreplacing the vase.
And taking up another that all my God, isn't that enough?
Jean dusting the second face. Well what do you expect me to do
Gina? I don't love you any longer?

(01:29:05):
I heard you the first time George go on, go on.
She takes up a third vase. For Heaven's Sake.
Put that vase down. Gene obeys him, and begins to
adjust her hair at the Cheval glass, please stomm that.
Now, listen to me. It is my duty to tell you that,

(01:29:25):
I don't love you any longer. Alright, you've done your Duty 4
times now. What do I say?
Jean be serious. I'm not joking.
I know it. I'm going to leave you.
Yes, I love another woman. Of course you will never know

(01:29:49):
who she is. Certainly not.
I love purifies itself jeans, snapping her fingers, just like
that. She inspires me belief or her
and we are going off together onthe 5:00 train George staggering

(01:30:12):
back. How do you know that?
How do you know that sitting right center?
Very suddenly Gene offering him?The glass of whiskey here,
George drink, this he got up. Sit down chokes.
She Pat's him on the back. There there.

(01:30:33):
You. Makes room.
She nods, when I thought you were out shopping an odd and you
over here. Every word, good Lord Rising.
This should come to me, my wife,an eavesdropper, she looks at

(01:30:58):
him in blank amazement. It's bitter.
Yes, it's bitter Gene. After pausing for To calm down
George. He is you had better, hurry
George coming toward her, threatening lie.
Hurry. You've got to call for her at

(01:31:18):
4:15 but I've packed your clothes.
You packed my clothes. Yes, while you were talking
you'll need them. Won't you Dad?
You do such a thing. I never heard of anything.
Like it in my life. You're still a young man.
Man, George that. I thought it would save you

(01:31:40):
trouble. Save me.
I don't believe you did it. Rushes out down left returning.
An instant later. You did course.
I did sits on sofa George striding to her and glaring.
Tell me woman. Are you glad how me go she looks

(01:32:01):
up at him innocently? And shrugs her shoulders, tell
me the truth. Don't care if It's don't you
love me and it wrong. George isn't that rather a
leading question. What will you do if I go away
George? I don't see how that can
interest, you know, evasion woman.
I insist on an answer Jean sitting up slowly.

(01:32:25):
Well if I must I thought of taking a leaf out of your book,
what, you know, Tommy Andrews. Don't you he's such an
attractive boy and he makes loveso delightfully.
Gene Gene, not noticing the interruption and he's been so
attentive to me and I've repulsed him, but you're not
narrow-minded George. So, when you are gallivanting

(01:32:48):
all over the country with Miss Quinton and when you're telling
her that you've never been so happy in your life, just
remember that. I am happy also and you say this
to my face why not shion's you to find it out?
Anyhow Crossing to Cheval glass and admiring her Of Tommy Andres
is going to call tonight and I'mgoing to put on my prettiest

(01:33:11):
dress with a hair pin in her mouth and do up my hair, the way
he likes it, the way he likes it.
Well, of course, dear, he notices such things and when he
says, removing the hair pin Jeandarling, I'd love to kiss you.
I'll say, you know, Tommy Tommy a woman Hates a Coward.

(01:33:34):
No, no, that wouldn't be nice. I'll say I'm alone.
Tommy, and you're so strong. George.
I'm beginning to think that I'm frightfully immoral.
You are a more but no, worse than you Georgia.
My as God is my witness. I don't deserve it.
The, my wife, my wife and I haveadded last, should deceive me, I

(01:34:01):
haven't received you yet George yet, but you are going to You're
going to deceive me. I'm going to deceive you.
We're going to deceive each other.
Want to be Jolly. Jolly Gene in Heaven's name.
Have you? No heart?
If that isn't too funny George. That's just what Tommy Anders

(01:34:23):
ask me. Damn Tommy Andrews.
He collapses onto the chair right center and sobs Gene
watches him quietly George no answer.
George No answer. She approaches him and touches
his shoulder. How about the Train?

(01:34:43):
The train Jean her face is radiant for an instant then
controlled and you must call from his Quentin damn Miss
Quinn. Oh, how can you George lifting a
tear-stained but set Faith woman.
What did you marry me? Tommy Andrews, ask me that.

(01:35:06):
Also, please don't mention his name.
Didn't you love me? Well perhaps I did.
But perhaps perhaps what? Perhaps I was merely anxious to
get married, George Rising sternly.
I think God for this Revelation had Nomad duty at last.

(01:35:29):
What is your duty George to? Tell me that you don't love me
any longer four times. No, my duty is to stay here and
watch you. Oh, George driving her towards
left. I trusted you once, oh, but my
confidence has been misplaced. Oh, I'm not going away.

(01:35:56):
Must remain here and protect my wife's on.
Won't that be nice George? A longest.
Pause, you are sure you're goingto stay George Crossing to chair
Right Center sits. Yes.
Jean after a pause quite sure. George firmly.
Rising my Molly's made up Gene, another pause, then then you

(01:36:22):
might take off your rubbers without a word.
He seats himself in the Morris chair and takes the rubbers off.
She takes them and opening the hall door, Or deposits them
under the coat rack. Then humming merrily she
crosses. The room finds his pipe fills,
it lights a match and brings it to him.

(01:36:43):
He does not notice she pushes the pipe into his mouth.
He grunts his thanks and acceptsa light.
She blows out the match and throws it into an ash receiver.
She returns to the sofa, takes up her book and commenced his
reading. There is a long.
Pause during which he watches her.

(01:37:05):
What are you reading? Oh, it doesn't matter.
So that's where you get your ideas.
Rising sternly, read it aloud. I insist really George George
approaching obey me Gene makes acurious Faith.

(01:37:26):
Then soft flannel or Woolen garments.
Should be worn next to the skin for the greater part of the
year. And when a change is made to
light a material, it should be done with great caution dress,
the infant so that what, with a sudden understanding of what it
all means, he turns to her and opening his arms.
In the wildest, excitement cries, Gene, Gene, curtain end

(01:37:53):
of the line of no resistance. greater part of the year.
And when a change is made to light a material, it should be
done with great caution dress, the infant so that what, with a
sudden understanding of what it all means, he turns to her and
opening his arms. In the wildest, excitement
cries, Gene, Gene, curtain end of the line of no resistance.

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One-Act Play Collections - Book 12, Part 2

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