Scene:The library in theRoothome, the library of middle-western people who are an important family in their community, a university town, and who think of themselves as people of culture. It is a room which shows pride of family: on the rear wall are two large family portraits—one a Revolutionary soldier, the other a man of a later period. On the low book-cases, to both sides of door rear, and on the mantel, right, are miniatures and other old pictures. There is old furniture—mahogany recently done over: an easy chair near the fireplace, a divan left. A Winged Victory presides over one of the book-cases, a Burne Jones is hung. It is a warmly lighted, cheerful room—books and flowers about. At the rear is a door opening on the hall, at the left a door into another room. There is a corner window at the right.JhansiandPeytonare seated on the divan.Mrs. Rootis just going into the hall. She seems perturbed.Jhansiis dressed as a non-conformist, but attractively.Peytonis a rather helpless young man, with a sense of humor that is itself rather helpless.
Mrs. Root
I’ll see, Peyton, if your grandmother isn’t ready to come down.
[She leaves them.
Jhansi
[Springing up.] It’s absurd that I should be here!
Peyton
I know, Jhansi, but just this once—as long as it means so much to mother, and doesn’t really hurt us.
Jhansi
But it does hurt me, Peyton. These walls stifle me. You come of people who have been walled in all their lives. It doesn’t cage you. But me—I am a gypsy! Sometimes I feel them right behind me—all those wanderers, people who were never caught; feel them behind me pushing me away from all this!
Peyton
But not pushing you away from me, dear. You love me, Jhansi, in spite of my family?
Jhansi
If I didn’t love you do you think I could endure to come to this dreadful place? [A look about the comfortable room]—and meet these dreadful people? Forgive me for alluding to your home and family, Peyton, but I must not lose my honesty, you know.
Peyton
No, dear; I don’t think you are losing it. And perhaps I’d better not lose mine either. There’s one thing I haven’t mentioned yet. [Hesitates.] Mr. Peyton is coming to dinner tonight.
Jhansi
Mr. Peyton.WhatPeyton?
Peyton
Yes—that one.
Jhansi
And you ask me—standing for the things I do in this university—to sit down to dinner with the president of the board of regents!
Peyton
Mother’d asked him before I knew it.
Jhansi
[With scorn.] Your uncle!
Peyton
He’s not my uncle—he’s mother’s. And you see it’s partly on account of grandmother just getting back from California. He’s grandmother’s brother-in-law, you know. I suppose she doesn’t realize what it means to have to sit down to dinner with him—she’s done it so much. And then mother thought it would be nice for you to meet him.
Jhansi
Nice!
Peyton
He’s pleasant at dinner.
Jhansi
Pleasant!
Peyton
Mother’s a little worried about my position in the university.
Jhansi
It would be wonderful for you to lose your position in the university.
Peyton
Yes—wonderful.
Jhansi
And then you and I could walk forth free!
Peyton
Free—but broke.
Jhansi
Peyton, you disappoint me. Just the fact that that man is coming to dinner changes you.
Peyton
Oh, no. But you are fortunately situated, Jhansi, having no people. It’s easier to be free when there’s nobody who minds.
Jhansi
I am going!
Peyton
Oh come now, dearest, you can’t go when you’re expected for dinner. Nobody’s that free.
Jhansi
Dinner! A dinner to celebrate our engagement! It’s humiliating, Peyton. I should take you by the hand and you and I should walk together down the open road.
Peyton
We will, Jhansi; we will—in time.
Jhansi
We should go now.
Peyton
Think so? Mother’s going to have turkey.
Jhansi
Better a dinner of berries and nuts—!
Peyton
We’ll have berries—cranberries, and nuts, too.
Jhansi
Where is my coat?
Peyton
[Seizing her and kissing her.] Some day, serene and unhampered, we’ll take to the open road—a road with berries and nuts.
[Grandmother PeytonandMrs. Rootare at the door.
Mrs. Root
Mother, this is Peyton’s friend Miss Mason. One of our important students.
Grandmother
[In her brittle way.] Yes? I never was a very important student myself. I didn’t like to study. Because my family were professors, I suppose.
Mrs. Root
Peyton’s grandmother is a descendant of Gustave Phelps—one of the famous teachers of pioneer days.
Jhansi
[Her head going up.] I am a descendant of people who never taught anybody anything!
Peyton
Jhansi and I were just going to finish an article on Free Speech which must get to the Torch this evening.
Grandmother
[Moving toward the big chair near the fire.] Free Speech? How amusing.
Peyton
You may be less amused some day, grandmother.
[JhansiandPeytongo into the other room.
Grandmother
That may be a free speech. I wouldn’t call it a pleasant one.
Mrs. Root
[Sinking to the divan.] Oh, he was speaking of the open road again—berries and nuts—!
Grandmother
[Beginning to knit.] Berries and nuts? Well, itsounds quite innocuous to me. Some of our young people are less simple in their tastes.
Mrs. Root
[In great distress.] Mother, how would you like to see your grandson become a gypsy?
Grandmother
Peyton a gypsy? You mean in a carnival?
Mrs. Root
No, not in a carnival! Inlife.
Grandmother
But he isn’t dark enough.
Mrs. Root
And isthatthe only thing against it! I had thought you would be a help to me, mother.
Grandmother
Well, my dear Clara, I have no doubt I will be a help to you—in time. This idea of Peyton becoming a gypsy is too startling for me to be a help instantly. In the first place, could he be? You can’t be anything you take it into your head to be—even if it is undesirable. And then, why should he be? Doesn’t he still teach English right here in the university?
Mrs. Root
I don’t know how much longer he’ll teach it. He said the other day that American literature was a toddy with thestickleft out. Saying that of the verything he’s paid to teach! It got in the papers and was denounced in an editorial on “Untrue Americans.” Peyton—a descendant of John Peyton of Valley Forge! [Indicates the Revolutionary portrait]—denounced in an article on Untrue Americans! And in one of those awful columns—those silly columns—they said maybe the stick hadn’t been left out of his toddy. But it isn’t that. Peyton doesn’t drink—to speak of. It’s this girl.She’sthe stick. And I tell you people don’t like it, mother. It’s not what we pay our professorsfor. Peyton used to be perfectly satisfied with civilization. But now he talks about society. Makes light remarks.
Grandmother
I should say that was going out of his way to be disagreeable. What business has a professor of English to say anything about society? It’s not in his department.
Mrs. Root
I told Peyton he should be more systematic.
Grandmother
How did this gypsy get here?
Mrs. Root
She was brought up by a family named Mason. But it seems she was a gypsy child, who got lost or something, and those Masons took her in. I’m sure it was very good of them, and it’s too bad they weren’t able to make her more of a Christian. She is coming to have a following in the university! There arepeople who seem to think that because you’re outside society you have some superior information about it.
Grandmother
Well, don’t you think you’re needlessly disturbed? In my day, a young man would be likely enough to fall in love with a good-looking gypsy, not very likely to marry her.
Mrs. Root
Times have changed, mother. They marry them now. [Both sigh.] Of course, it’s very commendable of them.
Grandmother
[Grimly.] Oh, quite—commendable.
Mrs. Root
I was brought up in university circles. I’m interested inideas. But sometimes I think there are toomanyideas.
Grandmother
An embarrassment of riches. So you have set out to civilize the young woman?
Mrs. Root
I’d rather have her sit at my table than have my son leave some morning in a covered wagon!
Grandmother
I wonder how it is about gypsies. About the children. I wonder if it’s as it is with the negroes.
Mrs. Root
Mother!
Grandmother
It would be startling, wouldn’t it?—if one of them should turn out to be a real gypsy and take to this open road.
Mrs. Root
[Covering her face.] Oh!
Grandmother
Quite likely they’d do it by motor.
Mrs. Root
[Rising.] Mother!—how can you say such dreadful things—and just when I have thistryingdinner. Oh, I wish Bessie would come! [Goes to the window.] She is a comfort to me.
Grandmother
Where is Bessie?
Mrs. Root
She’s away in the motor. [Again shudders.] Bessie feels dreadfully about her brother. She is trying to do something. She said it would be a surprise—a happy surprise. [Someone heard in the hall.] Perhaps this is Bessie. [EnterMr. Peyton.] Oh, it’s Uncle George.
Uncle George
Early I know. Came to have a little visit with Elizabeth. [Goes toGrandmotherand shakes hands.] How are you, young woman?
Grandmother
My nerves seem to be stronger than the nerves I see around me. And how are you, George?
Uncle George
Oh, I’mwell.
Grandmother
But—?
Uncle George
Responsibilities.
Grandmother
The bank?
Uncle George
I’d rather run ten banks than a tenth of a university. You can control money.
Mrs. Root
I’m sorry, Uncle George, that Peyton should be adding to your worries.
Uncle George
What’s the matter with Peyton?
Grandmother
Wild oats.
Uncle George
Well, I wish he’d sow them in less intellectual fields.
Mrs. Root
I am prepared to speak freely with you, Uncle George. The matter with Peyton is this girl. Well, they’re going to be married. Yes [Answering hisgesture of protest] and I think it’s a good thing. She won’t be in a position to say so much about freedom after she is married.
Uncle George
But they say she’s a gypsy.
Mrs. Root
She won’t be a gypsy after she’s Peyton’s wife. She’ll be a married woman.
Uncle George
Yes, but in the meantime we will have swallowed a gypsy.
Grandmother
And I was just wondering how it would be about the children.
Mrs. Root
Mother, please don’t be indelicate again.
[Pause.
Grandmother
Well, if there’s nothing else we may speak of, let’s talk about free speech. They’re writing a paper on it in there.
Uncle George
I don’t know what this university is coming to! An institution of learning! It isn’t that I don’t believe in free speech. Every true American believes in free speech, but—
[Slight Pause.
Grandmother
[With Emphasis.] Certainly.
Uncle George
Ask them to come out here with their paper on free speech. I’ll be glad to give them the benefit of my experience.
Mrs. Root
Yes, it will be delightful to all be together.
[She goes to getPeytonandJhansi.
Grandmother
This girl doesn’t look to me like one who is thirsting for the benefit of another person’s experience.
Uncle George
She’s a bad influence. She’s leading our young people to criticise the society their fathers have builded up.
Grandmother
There’s a great deal of ingratitude in the world.
[Mrs. Rootreturns, followed by the two young people.
Mrs. Root
I told Uncle George you were eager to bring him and Jhansi together. Jhansi, this is Mr. Peyton, who looks after the affairs of the university for you students. Of course you’ve heard about Miss Mason, Uncle George, one of our—cleverest students.
Uncle George
Yes, we were speaking of Miss Mason’s cleverness just the other day—in board meeting.
Jhansi
And just the other day—at the student assembly—we were speaking of how you look after the affairs of the university for us.
Grandmother
I hope you both spoke affectionately.
Uncle George
Well, Peyton, very busy I take it. You’re adding to your duties, aren’t you?
Peyton
Not that I know of.
Uncle George
Your grandmother said something about a high falutin paper on free speech.
Peyton
I suppose that’s an inherited tendency. You know one of my ancestors signed a paper on free speech. It had a high falutin name: “The Declaration of Independence”!
Mrs. Root
I wish Bessie would come!
Uncle George
Do you think much about your ancestors, Peyton?
Peyton
Not a great deal.
Uncle George
Peyton has some rather interesting ancestors, Miss Mason. There’s Captain John Peyton. That’s his picture. He helped win one of the battles which made this country possible—the country in which you are living. And a descendant of John Peyton—Richard Peyton [Points out the picture] gave the money which founded this university—the university in which you are now acquiring your education.
Jhansi
[Lightly.] Perhaps it would be quite as well if this university—and this country—never had existed.
Mrs. Root
I don’t see why Bessiedoesn’tcome!
Jhansi
Of course I look at it as an outsider. I am not a part of your society.
Uncle George
Peyton is.
Mrs. Root
There’s Bessie!
[Bessie rushes in.
Bessie
Grandmother! [Swiftly kissing her.] How wonderful to have you with us again! Dear Uncle George!
Uncle George
Glad you got here, Bessie. Your mother has been looking for you.
Bessie
[A movement of greeting toJhansi.] Isn’t it beautiful to all be together? A real family party! And now—we have a moment or two before dinner, mother?
Mrs. Root
The man who brought the turkey in from the country had a runaway, so it was a little late in arriving.
Bessie
How fortunate! Oh, it does seem that all things work together for the best. Mother, I have had a completely successful day!
Grandmother
Where’ve you been, Bessie?
Bessie
I’ve been fifty miles to the north—in Baxter County. Does that mean anything to you, Jhansi?
Jhansi
Not a thing.
Bessie
[Still breathlessly.] Dear uncle, I hope you will understand what I am about to do. It might seem unrestrained—not in the best of taste, but it’s just because you stand for so much in Peyton’s life that I want you to hear our good news as soon as we hear it ourselves. You knew that these two children were in love and going to be married. [A bow fromUncleGeorge.] You know—Jhansi dear, I may speak very freely, may I not?
Jhansi
I believe in free speech.
Bessie
Yes—how dear of you. Jhansi has endured in proud silence a great grief. And now, dear child, because of the touching dignity with which you have stood outside and alone, it is a moment of special joyfulness to me when I can say—Welcome Within!
Peyton
What are you talking about, Bessie?
Bessie
You must not stand outside society! You belongwithinthe gates. You are one of us!
Jhansi
I’mnot.
Bessie
Dear child you are as respectable as we are.
Jhansi
[Rising.] I amnot.
Bessie
Of course, you can’t grasp it in an instant. But I have looked it all up, dear. I have the proofs.
Peyton
Well it wasn’t your affair, Bessie.
Bessie
I made it my affair because I love my brother. Jhansi dear, [As one who tells tremendous good news] your father was Henry Harrison, a milkman in the town of Sunny Center—an honorable and respected man. Your parents were married in the Baptist Church!
Jhansi
I deny it! I deny this charge!
Bessie
[Stepping to the hall.] Dear Senator and Mrs. Byrd, will you come now?
[EnterState Senator ByrdandMrs. State Senator Byrd,Mrs. Byrdcarrying a large book.
Bessie
Jhansi dear, you are about to enter upon the happiest moment of your life, for State Senator Byrd, one of our law-making body, is a cousin of your dear dead mother.
Senator Byrd
Aggie’s little girl!
[He goes toJhansiwith outstretched hands. ButAggie’slittle girl stands like a rock.
Bessie
And here, Jhansi, is your cousin Mrs. Byrd, who has come all this way to assure you you have a family.
Mrs. Byrd
Indeed you have! There’s Ella Andrews, one of our teachers—a lovely girl. She’s your first cousin. We are second cousins. You may have some little family pride in knowing that I was last spring elected President of the Federated Clubs of Baxter County. Just last week I entertained the officers of all the clubs at our home—our new home, erected last year after your cousin Ephraim completed his first term in the upper house of the State Legislature. Your cousin Ephraim has been re-elected. He is on the Ways and Means Committee.
Uncle George
[ApproachingSenator Byrd.] I have heard of Senator Ephraim Byrd of the Ways and Means Committee. That was good work you fellows—
[They talk of this.
Mrs. Root
And to think, Jhansi, that your cousin Mrs. Byrd is a prominent clubwoman!
Grandmother
[After a look atJhansi.] Her cup runneth over.
Mrs. Root
Isn’t Bessie wonderful, mother? How did you find it all out, Bessie?
Bessie
From clue to clue I worked my way to Sunny Center. I would say to myself—Do this for Peyton;do this for Jhansi. And so, I heard of an old minister who had been there years and years. I went to him and—he had married Jhansi’s father and mother! Dearest child, your mother taught in his Sunday-School!
Senator Byrd
Oh, yes, Aggie loved the Baptist Sunday-School!
Jhansi
It’s very strange that my mother—I am referring to Mrs. Mason—never told me of this!
Bessie
But she never told you you were a gypsy, either, did she? No; she just wanted you to think you were their own child. And then I suppose you heard some foolish tale at school.
Mrs. Byrd
You see Jhansi’s mother and father—her real ones—died of typhoid fever before she was two years old. They got it from the cows. Well, the Harrisons were friends of the Mason’s—they all worked together in the church—and so they took Jhansi, and soon after that they moved away and we lost track of them. You know what a busy world it is—particularly for people who have duties in their community.
Jhansi
I haven’t accepted this story! You can’t prove it!
[Mrs. Byrdimpressively hands her husband the book.
Senator Byrd
“Iowa descendants of New England families.”
Mrs. Root
Oh, yes; that isoneof the books in which our family is written up! [ToPeyton.] My dearest boy, from my heart I congratulate you!
Senator Byrd
Pages fifty-seven to sixty-one—inclusive, are devoted, Jhansi, to our family.
Mrs. Byrd
My own family appears on page 113.
[Senator Byrdholds the book out toJhansi, who once more stands like a rock.Uncle Georgesteps forward to look at the book.
Uncle George
Oh, you are a descendant of Peter Byrd.
Senator Byrd
One of those dare-devils whose leg was shot under him at Bull Run.
Bessie
You heard that, Jhansi?
Mrs. Root
A descendant of Peter Byrd!—whose leg was shotunderhim—
Jhansi
Sothisis what I was brought here for, is it? To have my character torn down—to ruin my reputation and threaten my integrity by seeking to muzzle me with a leg at Bull Run and set me down in the Baptist Sunday-School in a milk-wagon! I see the purpose of it all. I understand the hostile motive behind all this—but I tell you it’s alie. Something here [Hand on heart] tells me I am not respectable!
Uncle George
Reaction.
Jhansi
I am Jhansi—Jhansi—a child of the gypsies! I am a wanderer! I am an outlaw!
Mrs. Byrd
Yes, you are Jhansi. And did you ever stop to think how you came by that outlandish name?
Jhansi
It has always assured me of my birthright.
Mrs. Byrd
Well, you’d better look in your geography. You were named after a town in India where your mother’s missionary circle was helping to support a missionary.
Senator Byrd
Aggie was crazy about the missionaries.
Jhansi
[Falling back, breaking.] Peyton, I release you from our engagement.
Peyton
No. N-o; don’t do that. [Stoutly.] I love you for yourself alone—in spite of anything that may be true. But I must say Bessie—!
Jhansi
[Beginning to sob.] I can’t bear it. I can’t bear it! And to think thatPeyton’smother was an illegitimate child.
Mrs. Root
[Dazed.] What’s that?
Grandmother
[Rising.] Yes; what is that?
Mrs. Root
Am I to understand—?
Grandmother
Am I to be told—at my age—that I gave birth to an illegitimate child? This is a surprise to me—and not a pleasant one!
Peyton
[ToJhansi.] It would have been better not to have mentioned that.
Uncle George
Thisisreaction. I think perhaps we need a physician.
Jhansi
I don’t need a physician. Peyton certainly told me that his mother was an illegitimate child. Of course, Peyton, if you were justboastingabout your family—say so.
Uncle George
What have you to say, Peyton?
Grandmother
Before he says anything, Bessie, you bring me that portfolio from the lower right-hand corner of my desk. Key in the upper left hand pigeon hole.
[Bessie goes.
Mrs. Root
Peyton!
Peyton
Why I didn’t mean any harm, mother. I certainly didn’t mean anything against you, or grandmother. Quite the contrary. I was just anxious that Jhansi should have a little respect for our family. It didn’t seem to have a leg to stand on.
Jhansi
So you made it up—out of whole cloth?
Peyton
No, not out of whole cloth.
Grandmother
Out of what cloth, then? Kindly tell me, out of what cloth?
Mrs. Root
Peyton is not himself.
Peyton
Well, it just came into my head that it was possible. You see, grandmother, your having moved—I do wish you could see that I meant nothing against your character. Absolutely the contrary. But your havingmoved—
Grandmother
My having moved where?
Peyton
Your having moved from New York State to Ohio at just that time—
Grandmother
I always did like to travel. Is that anything against a person’s character?
Peyton
I was claiming that youhadcharacter.
Grandmother
I’ll stick to my own, thank you. I’ve had it quite a while and am used to it. But I’d like to know right now what there is so immoral in moving from one state to another—even if you are going to have a baby?
Jhansi
[Raising her head.] There is nothing immoral in anything.
Grandmother
Fiddlesticks. [Bessiehands her the folio.] You found it, Bessie? The key? Here, Peyton; come here. [Opens portfolio, takes out a rolled paper.] Happily preserved for this defense of my character in my old age, is my wedding certificate.
Mrs. Byrd
This is painful.
[With ostentatious tact she turns and looks at a print on the rear wall; motionsSenator Byrdto join her.
Grandmother
I want you to look at the date—right there beside that pink cupid—cherub, perhaps it is—anyway, read aloud the figures you see.
Peyton
[Sullenly.] 1869.
Grandmother
And here, in this other document, very fortunately at hand to meet the attacks of my only grandson upon my integrity, what do you read there?
Peyton
Clara—aged six weeks.
Grandmother
And the date?
[Mrs. Root,Bessie,Uncle George, all listen a little anxiously.
Peyton
December, 1871.
[A sigh of relief.
Grandmother
I trust now, Peyton, you will admit that a woman may move from one state to another without being dissolute.
[At this wordMrs. Rootis unable to bear more and hides her face in her handkerchief.
Uncle George
[As one saving the situation.] Genealogy is interesting. One is democratic, of course, but when there is behind one what there is behind us, Senator, it enhances one’s powers—responsibility—obligation. [He has taken up the book and been running through the pages.] Descendants of John Peyton. Here, Peyton, are some things about your ancestors. Read them. Perhaps then instead of tearing down you will have an impulse to build up. I commend this book to you young people for study. It will do you no harm to think a little of those worthy men from whom you come.
[Marks the place with a card and gives the book toPeyton.
Jhansi
[Springing up.] I shall waste no time thinking of the worthy men from whom I come! If I am relatedto a law-maker—I owe it to my soul to become a law-breaker!
Mrs. Root
You see, Bessie, what you have done.
Jhansi
When I thought there was in me no taint of civilization, I could put up with your silly conventions, but if in a material sense I am part of your society, then I have a spiritual obligation to fulfil in leaving it! Peyton, respectability threatens to wall us in and stifle us. Are you ready to walk from this house with me tonight, entering upon a free union that says that—[A snap of the finger] for law?
Peyton
Why—certainly.
Mrs. Byrd
Well, if it comes to a matter of not caring to claim relationship,wecertainly hesitated some time. Those Harrisons were not all they should be.
Jhansi
[A note of hope in her voice.] No?
Mrs. Byrd
I said to Senator Byrd, now that the girl is marrying into one of the best families in the state—not that that influenced us especially, but I said, if she is trying to make something of herself, we must stand by her, and we will mention only pleasant things. We will not allude to what her grandfather did!
Jhansi
What did he do?
Senator Byrd
He burned down his neighbor’s house because that neighbor chased home his pigs.
Jhansi
Really?Yes!—my grandfather would do that!
Peyton
Were any of the family found in the charred remains?
Senator Byrd
The family, I believe, escaped.
Mrs. Byrd
But no thanks to old man Harrison.
Jhansi
No!—I’m sure grandfathermeantthem to burn. [Seizing book.] I wonder if grandfather’s protest is recorded in this book!
Mrs. Byrd
That book does not emphasize unfortunate occurrences.
Mrs. Root
And how right it is! One should think only of thegoodin human nature.
Peyton
[Looking withJhansi.] What is this fine print at the bottom of the page?
Mrs. Byrd
[Hastily.] That is not important.
Senator Byrd
It is in fine print because it is not important.
Peyton
One of the descendants of Peter Byrd. [ToJhansi.] The leg at Bull Run, you know. He—
Mrs. Root
Peyton, remember that you are in your own house.
Peyton
“Unfaithful to the high office of treasurer of the Baxter County Cemetery Association.”
Jhansi
[Gasping, then beaming.] Why—why!—agraverobber! Was he anearrelative?
Mrs. Byrd
I must say, Miss Root, that we did not come here to have our family inquired into as far back as ancient history!
Mrs. Root
No, Mrs. Byrd, I quite agree with you that it is not necessary to go too far back in any family.
Grandmother
Neither necessary nor desirable.
Bessie
Those early days must have been very trying.
Peyton
Jhansi! The fine print of your family isthrilling. Here is a man—
Mrs. Root
Peyton, stop reading from that tiresome and obsolete book. It is not hospitable.
Mrs. Byrd
Turn to your own family history and read a little fine print in it!
[The other members of thePeyton-Rootfamily give each other startled, nervous glances.
Peyton
Why what a lovely idea. Uncle has marked it for us. [After looking.] Fine print in our family?
Mrs. Byrd
It’s there.
Bessie
Genealogy is so confusing. I never could understand it.
Mrs. Root
And I don’t see why one shouldtryto understand it. Live well in the present—that is sufficient.
Grandmother
It looks to me as if that book was not thoughtfully edited. I’m surprised it has sold.
Peyton
[Snatching book fromJhansi.] Jhansi! I don’t want to boast! I hope I shall not become a snob. You too have a family—and they had their impulsive moments—but what was the mostlargelylow-down thing a man of early days could do? [PeytonsandRootsdraw together anxiously; theByrdswait complacently.] As uncle has pointed out, Jhansi, I am a descendant of Captain John Peyton. But when you have a remote ancestor, you also have his less remote descendants—a fact sometimes overlooked. Well, Stuart Peyton—
Bessie
Mother, I wonder if the turkey isn’t ready now?
Mrs. Root
It’s time for it to be ready.
[She hurries out.
Peyton
Stuart Peyton—“convicted of selling whiskey and firearms to the Indians.”
[Assumes an overbearing attitude.
Mrs. Byrd
I guess the early days were trying, in more than one family.
Peyton
[Peering into the book.] And what is this? What isthis? Stuart Peyton was the father ofRichardPeyton—
Jhansi
Who founded this university!
Peyton
[In the voice ofUncle George.] The university in which you are now acquiring your education.
Mrs. Byrd
Oh, I have no doubt that inducing the Indians to massacre the whites wasprofitable.
Peyton
A good sound basis for the family fortune.
Uncle George
Young man, you go too far!
Peyton
[Holding book out toUncle George.] In thinking of these worthy men from whom I come? [Turns to the wall on which hang portraits of John and Richard Peyton.] We don’t seem to have Stuart’s picture. Jhansi, I don’t know that we need to leave society. There seems little—crevices in these walls of respectability.
Jhansi
And whenever we feel a bit stifled we can always find air through our family trees!
Mrs. Byrd
I think, Senator, that we will not remain longer.
[Mrs. Rootreturns.
Mrs. Root
Mary was just coming. Now we’ll have dinner!
Bessie
Yes, a little family party to celebrate the happy—
Peyton
[Again bent over his family history.] Grandmother! Here’s something about your ancestor, Gustave Phelps.
Grandmother
[Rising. With weight.] Peyton—close that book.
(Curtain)