THE NEW RED RIDING-HOOD

By E. S. Brooks

CHARACTERS

Jenny, a girl of eight years.Johnny Stout, a boy of sixteen or eighteen years.Jimmy Bings, a Tramp.

Jenny, a girl of eight years.

Johnny Stout, a boy of sixteen or eighteen years.

Jimmy Bings, a Tramp.

The argument shows that wolves are just as designing, little girls just as heedless and helpful, and the chances of rescue just as possible to-day as at the time of the original Red Riding-hood.

SCENE

A neatly furnished parlor.Jennydiscovered dusting furniture, arranging flowers, and making things look nice generally.

Jenny.[Surveying her work critically.]There!—my mama's gone away,To be gone, she said, all day,And so I am keeping house. Oh, what fun!I shall have no time to play,But must work and work away,And be busy as a mouse, till I've done.But my mama said to me—Now, what was it? Let me see:“Jenny, darling, don't go out all the day;But keep close at home till tea,When I'll come and set you free;So just mind what you're about, dear, I pray.“And keep Bridget right in call;And mind this, dear, most of all:Don't let in any stranger while I'm gone.Lock the windows and the hall,And be careful not to fall,And don't get into danger here alone.”Well, I'll try my best, I'm sure,To keep everything secure;But I've no need for Bridget, that I know;Girls aresucha bore about,And she might as well go out;I'll just go down and tell her she can go. [Exit.]

Jenny.[Surveying her work critically.]

There!—my mama's gone away,

To be gone, she said, all day,

And so I am keeping house. Oh, what fun!

I shall have no time to play,

But must work and work away,

And be busy as a mouse, till I've done.

But my mama said to me—Now, what was it? Let me see:“Jenny, darling, don't go out all the day;But keep close at home till tea,When I'll come and set you free;So just mind what you're about, dear, I pray.

But my mama said to me—

Now, what was it? Let me see:

“Jenny, darling, don't go out all the day;

But keep close at home till tea,

When I'll come and set you free;

So just mind what you're about, dear, I pray.

“And keep Bridget right in call;And mind this, dear, most of all:Don't let in any stranger while I'm gone.Lock the windows and the hall,And be careful not to fall,And don't get into danger here alone.”

“And keep Bridget right in call;

And mind this, dear, most of all:

Don't let in any stranger while I'm gone.

Lock the windows and the hall,

And be careful not to fall,

And don't get into danger here alone.”

Well, I'll try my best, I'm sure,To keep everything secure;But I've no need for Bridget, that I know;Girls aresucha bore about,And she might as well go out;

Well, I'll try my best, I'm sure,

To keep everything secure;

But I've no need for Bridget, that I know;

Girls aresucha bore about,

And she might as well go out;

I'll just go down and tell her she can go. [Exit.]

[Jimmy Bingsappears outside at window (or door, if a window is impracticable); he peers in, looks around; then tries the window, opens it, and enters cautiously.]

Jimmy Bings.Well, now, here's a lucky go!With that window open so,I just skipped right in the house as slick as soap.Why, here's loads of pretty things.You're in luck, old Jimmy Bings,And can do a stroke of business here, I hope.[A noise outside.]Hello! Who's that coming here?[Goes to door, and looks out cautiously.]Men? No! Dogs? No! Well, that's queer!Why! it's only just a pretty leetle gal.Jimmy Bings, slip out, and thenJust walk in here bold again—Play your game, and make that little chick your pal![Exit through door cautiously.][ReënterJenny.]Jenny.There! Now Bridget's gone away,And I'll have a quiet day,Fixing everything up lovely while I wait;So that Mama, she will say,When she comes back home to-day:“What a lady is my little girl of eight!”[Enter by doorJimmy Bings,hat in hand.He makesJennya low bow.]Jimmy B.Ah! Good-morning, little miss!You look sweet enough to kiss.Is your Ma at home this morning, may I ask?Jenny.Why, sir, no. She's gone away,To be gone the livelong day,And I'm keeping house alone.Jimmy B.A pleasant task.And you'll do it, I'll be bound.Well, I'm sorry Ma's not 'round,For I wanted quite pertickeler to see her.Jenny.May not I, sir, do as well?Is it—anything to sell?Pray sit down, sir, so that we may talk the freer.Jimmy B.[Sitting.]Thank you, Miss, I'll sit awhile;For I've traveled many a mile,Just to see your precious Ma, if you'll believe me.Jenny.She'll be sorry, sir, I know,When she hears she's missed you so.Can't you tell me, sir, your business, ere you leave me?Jimmy B.Well, the fact is, I'm her cousin![Jennylooks surprised.]Oh, she'd know me in a dozen.I'm her cousin, come to see her, from Nevada.Jenny.[Suspiciously.]In those clothes?—Oh, sir,—I fear—!Jimmy B.Oh, a railroad smash-up, dear,Mussed me up a little—never was jogged harder!Jenny.Oh, I'm sorry! Are you hurt?Jimmy B.Not the least. It's only dirt;But I always am so neat, I quite despair;And my wardrobe all is downAt the Clarendon, in town,Where I'm stopping: I am Algernon St. Clair.Jenny.My, though! What a pretty name!Well, it really is a shameYou should have to go to town in such a plight.There now, wouldn't Papa's do?Oh, please look the papers through,And I'll run upstairs, and soon fix you all right.Jimmy B.No, don't fret yourself, my dear;I prefer to have you here,Though perhaps I may accept your offer later.Is your Pa as big as me?Jenny.[Surprised.]Don't you know him?Jimmy B.Well, you see,I've been West so long I've kind of lost my data.Jenny.Won't you have a bit to eat?Jimmy B.Well, I do feel rather beat.Jenny.Then I'll go and bring you up a little luncheon.Jimmy B.[Carelessly.]Have you silver, dear—or plate?Jenny.Mostly solid, sir.Jimmy B.Fust rate!Bring it up, and let me see it while I'm munchin'.Jenny.[Surprised.]Bring up all the silver, sir?Jimmy B.Why, that's what I come here fur,Just to make your dearest Ma a little present,—Silver service lined with gold,—And if hers's a trifle oldI'll have it all fixed over.Jenny.[Delighted.] Oh, how pleasant!I will get it right away.My! I'm glad you came to-day,It will be, oh, such a nice surprise to Mama.Jimmy B.Well, I rather think so, too.Jenny.Now, for your luncheon. [Exit.]Jimmy B.[Looking after her and rubbing his hands.]Good for you!What a blessed little chick you are, my charmer!Just the cream of tender things;You're in luck, old Jimmy Bings—Oh, hexcuse me, Mr. Algernon St. Clair!—Just you turn an honest penny.Now, let's see if there are anyOf these things worth my packing up with care.

Jimmy Bings.

Well, now, here's a lucky go!

With that window open so,

I just skipped right in the house as slick as soap.

Why, here's loads of pretty things.

You're in luck, old Jimmy Bings,

And can do a stroke of business here, I hope.

[A noise outside.]

Hello! Who's that coming here?

[Goes to door, and looks out cautiously.]

Men? No! Dogs? No! Well, that's queer!Why! it's only just a pretty leetle gal.Jimmy Bings, slip out, and thenJust walk in here bold again—Play your game, and make that little chick your pal!

Men? No! Dogs? No! Well, that's queer!

Why! it's only just a pretty leetle gal.

Jimmy Bings, slip out, and then

Just walk in here bold again—

Play your game, and make that little chick your pal!

[Exit through door cautiously.][ReënterJenny.]

[Exit through door cautiously.]

[ReënterJenny.]

Jenny.There! Now Bridget's gone away,And I'll have a quiet day,Fixing everything up lovely while I wait;So that Mama, she will say,When she comes back home to-day:“What a lady is my little girl of eight!”

Jenny.

There! Now Bridget's gone away,

And I'll have a quiet day,

Fixing everything up lovely while I wait;

So that Mama, she will say,

When she comes back home to-day:

“What a lady is my little girl of eight!”

[Enter by doorJimmy Bings,hat in hand.He makesJennya low bow.]

[Enter by doorJimmy Bings,hat in hand.

He makesJennya low bow.]

Jimmy B.Ah! Good-morning, little miss!You look sweet enough to kiss.Is your Ma at home this morning, may I ask?

Jimmy B.

Ah! Good-morning, little miss!

You look sweet enough to kiss.

Is your Ma at home this morning, may I ask?

Jenny.Why, sir, no. She's gone away,To be gone the livelong day,And I'm keeping house alone.

Jenny.

Why, sir, no. She's gone away,

To be gone the livelong day,

And I'm keeping house alone.

Jimmy B.A pleasant task.And you'll do it, I'll be bound.Well, I'm sorry Ma's not 'round,For I wanted quite pertickeler to see her.

Jimmy B.A pleasant task.

And you'll do it, I'll be bound.

Well, I'm sorry Ma's not 'round,

For I wanted quite pertickeler to see her.

Jenny.May not I, sir, do as well?Is it—anything to sell?Pray sit down, sir, so that we may talk the freer.

Jenny.

May not I, sir, do as well?

Is it—anything to sell?

Pray sit down, sir, so that we may talk the freer.

Jimmy B.[Sitting.]Thank you, Miss, I'll sit awhile;For I've traveled many a mile,Just to see your precious Ma, if you'll believe me.

Jimmy B.[Sitting.]

Thank you, Miss, I'll sit awhile;

For I've traveled many a mile,

Just to see your precious Ma, if you'll believe me.

Jenny.She'll be sorry, sir, I know,When she hears she's missed you so.Can't you tell me, sir, your business, ere you leave me?

Jenny.

She'll be sorry, sir, I know,

When she hears she's missed you so.

Can't you tell me, sir, your business, ere you leave me?

Jimmy B.Well, the fact is, I'm her cousin!

Jimmy B.

Well, the fact is, I'm her cousin!

[Jennylooks surprised.]

Oh, she'd know me in a dozen.I'm her cousin, come to see her, from Nevada.

Oh, she'd know me in a dozen.

I'm her cousin, come to see her, from Nevada.

Jenny.[Suspiciously.]In those clothes?—Oh, sir,—I fear—!

Jenny.[Suspiciously.]

In those clothes?—Oh, sir,—I fear—!

Jimmy B.Oh, a railroad smash-up, dear,Mussed me up a little—never was jogged harder!

Jimmy B.

Oh, a railroad smash-up, dear,

Mussed me up a little—never was jogged harder!

Jenny.Oh, I'm sorry! Are you hurt?

Jenny.

Oh, I'm sorry! Are you hurt?

Jimmy B.Not the least. It's only dirt;But I always am so neat, I quite despair;And my wardrobe all is downAt the Clarendon, in town,Where I'm stopping: I am Algernon St. Clair.

Jimmy B.

Not the least. It's only dirt;

But I always am so neat, I quite despair;

And my wardrobe all is down

At the Clarendon, in town,

Where I'm stopping: I am Algernon St. Clair.

Jenny.My, though! What a pretty name!Well, it really is a shameYou should have to go to town in such a plight.There now, wouldn't Papa's do?Oh, please look the papers through,And I'll run upstairs, and soon fix you all right.

Jenny.

My, though! What a pretty name!

Well, it really is a shame

You should have to go to town in such a plight.

There now, wouldn't Papa's do?

Oh, please look the papers through,

And I'll run upstairs, and soon fix you all right.

Jimmy B.No, don't fret yourself, my dear;I prefer to have you here,Though perhaps I may accept your offer later.Is your Pa as big as me?

Jimmy B.

No, don't fret yourself, my dear;

I prefer to have you here,

Though perhaps I may accept your offer later.

Is your Pa as big as me?

Jenny.[Surprised.]Don't you know him?

Jenny.[Surprised.]

Don't you know him?

Jimmy B.Well, you see,I've been West so long I've kind of lost my data.

Jimmy B.Well, you see,

I've been West so long I've kind of lost my data.

Jenny.Won't you have a bit to eat?

Jenny.

Won't you have a bit to eat?

Jimmy B.Well, I do feel rather beat.

Jimmy B.

Well, I do feel rather beat.

Jenny.Then I'll go and bring you up a little luncheon.

Jenny.

Then I'll go and bring you up a little luncheon.

Jimmy B.[Carelessly.]Have you silver, dear—or plate?

Jimmy B.[Carelessly.]

Have you silver, dear—or plate?

Jenny.Mostly solid, sir.

Jenny.

Mostly solid, sir.

Jimmy B.Fust rate!Bring it up, and let me see it while I'm munchin'.

Jimmy B.Fust rate!

Bring it up, and let me see it while I'm munchin'.

Jenny.[Surprised.]Bring up all the silver, sir?

Jenny.[Surprised.]

Bring up all the silver, sir?

Jimmy B.Why, that's what I come here fur,Just to make your dearest Ma a little present,—Silver service lined with gold,—And if hers's a trifle oldI'll have it all fixed over.

Jimmy B.

Why, that's what I come here fur,

Just to make your dearest Ma a little present,—

Silver service lined with gold,—

And if hers's a trifle old

I'll have it all fixed over.

Jenny.[Delighted.] Oh, how pleasant!I will get it right away.My! I'm glad you came to-day,It will be, oh, such a nice surprise to Mama.

Jenny.[Delighted.] Oh, how pleasant!

I will get it right away.

My! I'm glad you came to-day,

It will be, oh, such a nice surprise to Mama.

Jimmy B.Well, I rather think so, too.

Jimmy B.

Well, I rather think so, too.

Jenny.Now, for your luncheon. [Exit.]

Jenny.

Now, for your luncheon. [Exit.]

Jimmy B.[Looking after her and rubbing his hands.]Good for you!What a blessed little chick you are, my charmer!Just the cream of tender things;You're in luck, old Jimmy Bings—Oh, hexcuse me, Mr. Algernon St. Clair!—Just you turn an honest penny.Now, let's see if there are anyOf these things worth my packing up with care.

Jimmy B.[Looking after her and rubbing his hands.]

Good for you!

What a blessed little chick you are, my charmer!

Just the cream of tender things;

You're in luck, old Jimmy Bings—

Oh, hexcuse me, Mr. Algernon St. Clair!—

Just you turn an honest penny.

Now, let's see if there are any

Of these things worth my packing up with care.

[Takes the table-cloth off the table and begins filling it with ornaments, knickknacks, and valuables, looking at each article sharply. Suddenly he stops, both hands full, as if struck by a brilliant idea.]

Jimmy Bings! Why, that is grand,—Here's a fortune right at hand!For contriving little schemes you are the boss.Scoop in all the things you can,And then, like a prudent man,Take the little girl off too—like Charley Ross!

Jimmy Bings! Why, that is grand,—

Here's a fortune right at hand!

For contriving little schemes you are the boss.

Scoop in all the things you can,

And then, like a prudent man,

Take the little girl off too—like Charley Ross!

[Hurries the rest of the things into the table-cloth, stopping occasionally to express his approval of his great plan by sundry slaps and nods. EnterJennywith a tray of luncheon, nicely set. She stands in the doorway amazed.]

Jenny.Mr. Algernon St. Clair,Why—whatareyou doing there?Jimmy B.Only clearing off the things to help you, dear.Jenny.But the table's large enough.Jimmy B.Oh, well! Just set down the stuff,And I'll make the reason very, very clear—Brought a lot for me to eat?Jenny.Bread and cake, preserves and meat.Jimmy B.What a handy little chick you are,—[Nods at her, his mouth full.] That's so!Don't you want to come with me—And your little cousins see?Jenny.Oh, no, thank you, sir; from home I cannot go.Jimmy B.[Eating rapidly.]Well, we'll speak of that bime-by.Vittles, fust-class—spiced quite high.Yes—they're most as good as what I get in town.[Pushes his plate away.]Now, then; I will tell you, Miss,What's the meaning of all this.[Points to his bundle.]Where's that silver service?[Jenny opens sideboard and shows the silver service.]All right—pack her down.[Stuffing it into the bundle.]Well, you see, it isn't fairThat a sister of St. ClairShould have to use things when they're worn and old.So, I think I'll take them downTo my jeweler's, in town,And just swap 'em off for nicer things in gold.Jenny.O—h! But that will cost so much!Jimmy B.Now, then, Sissy, don't you touchOn that question, 'cause the new onesIshall buy;But I'd like to have you goAnd help pick them out, you know;'Cause you know what Mama likes best, more than I.Jenny.But I really can't leave home.Jimmy B.Oh, I think you'd better come;For it won't be long before I bring you back.Jenny.[Hesitating.]I have half a mind to go.Mama'd let me.Jimmy B.That I know.So get ready, while I go to work and pack.Jenny.[Deliberating.]She said: “Jenny, do not go.”But, of course, she could not knowThat her cousin, Mr. Algernon St. Clair,Would come here to take me out.Oh, I know what I'm about,And I'll go along with him, I do declare.[Goes to closet and brings out her red cloak and hood.]Jimmy B.What a pretty cloak and hood!Jenny.Mama made them. She's so good!Jimmy B.Good as gold! Just wear them, won't you?That's a dear.Jenny.But I mustn't get them wet.Jimmy B.I won't let you; don't you fret.I'll take care of them when once we go from here.Now, then—are you ready, Sis?Jenny.Yes—but, then, I mustn't missTo see everything locked up all safe and tight,So that none of those old tramps—My! but aren't they horrid scamps?—Can sneak in before we both get back to-night.Jimmy B.[Looking at doors and windows.]Oh, well! Everything's secure.Jenny.Did you look?Jimmy B.Oh, yes. I'm sure.So let's both be off at once, without delay.[Noise outside—Jimmystarts, guiltily.]Jimmy B.Hello, there, now! What was that?Jenny.Where?Jimmy B.Out there!Jenny.It was the cat!Jimmy B.No, it wasn't.Jenny.P'r'aps it's Mama!Jimmy.[Starting for the door.]Get away!

Jenny.Mr. Algernon St. Clair,Why—whatareyou doing there?

Jenny.

Mr. Algernon St. Clair,

Why—whatareyou doing there?

Jimmy B.Only clearing off the things to help you, dear.

Jimmy B.

Only clearing off the things to help you, dear.

Jenny.But the table's large enough.

Jenny.

But the table's large enough.

Jimmy B.Oh, well! Just set down the stuff,And I'll make the reason very, very clear—Brought a lot for me to eat?

Jimmy B.

Oh, well! Just set down the stuff,

And I'll make the reason very, very clear—

Brought a lot for me to eat?

Jenny.Bread and cake, preserves and meat.

Jenny.

Bread and cake, preserves and meat.

Jimmy B.What a handy little chick you are,—[Nods at her, his mouth full.] That's so!Don't you want to come with me—And your little cousins see?

Jimmy B.

What a handy little chick you are,—

[Nods at her, his mouth full.] That's so!

Don't you want to come with me—

And your little cousins see?

Jenny.Oh, no, thank you, sir; from home I cannot go.

Jenny.

Oh, no, thank you, sir; from home I cannot go.

Jimmy B.[Eating rapidly.]Well, we'll speak of that bime-by.Vittles, fust-class—spiced quite high.Yes—they're most as good as what I get in town.[Pushes his plate away.]Now, then; I will tell you, Miss,What's the meaning of all this.[Points to his bundle.]

Jimmy B.[Eating rapidly.]

Well, we'll speak of that bime-by.

Vittles, fust-class—spiced quite high.

Yes—they're most as good as what I get in town.

[Pushes his plate away.]

Now, then; I will tell you, Miss,

What's the meaning of all this.

[Points to his bundle.]

Where's that silver service?

[Jenny opens sideboard and shows the silver service.]All right—pack her down.[Stuffing it into the bundle.]

[Jenny opens sideboard and shows the silver service.]

All right—pack her down.

[Stuffing it into the bundle.]

Well, you see, it isn't fairThat a sister of St. ClairShould have to use things when they're worn and old.So, I think I'll take them downTo my jeweler's, in town,And just swap 'em off for nicer things in gold.

Well, you see, it isn't fair

That a sister of St. Clair

Should have to use things when they're worn and old.

So, I think I'll take them down

To my jeweler's, in town,

And just swap 'em off for nicer things in gold.

Jenny.O—h! But that will cost so much!

Jenny.

O—h! But that will cost so much!

Jimmy B.Now, then, Sissy, don't you touchOn that question, 'cause the new onesIshall buy;But I'd like to have you goAnd help pick them out, you know;'Cause you know what Mama likes best, more than I.

Jimmy B.

Now, then, Sissy, don't you touch

On that question, 'cause the new onesIshall buy;

But I'd like to have you go

And help pick them out, you know;

'Cause you know what Mama likes best, more than I.

Jenny.But I really can't leave home.

Jenny.

But I really can't leave home.

Jimmy B.Oh, I think you'd better come;For it won't be long before I bring you back.

Jimmy B.

Oh, I think you'd better come;

For it won't be long before I bring you back.

Jenny.[Hesitating.]I have half a mind to go.Mama'd let me.

Jenny.[Hesitating.]

I have half a mind to go.

Mama'd let me.

Jimmy B.That I know.So get ready, while I go to work and pack.

Jimmy B.That I know.

So get ready, while I go to work and pack.

Jenny.[Deliberating.]She said: “Jenny, do not go.”But, of course, she could not knowThat her cousin, Mr. Algernon St. Clair,Would come here to take me out.Oh, I know what I'm about,And I'll go along with him, I do declare.

Jenny.[Deliberating.]

She said: “Jenny, do not go.”

But, of course, she could not know

That her cousin, Mr. Algernon St. Clair,

Would come here to take me out.

Oh, I know what I'm about,

And I'll go along with him, I do declare.

[Goes to closet and brings out her red cloak and hood.]

Jimmy B.What a pretty cloak and hood!

Jimmy B.

What a pretty cloak and hood!

Jenny.Mama made them. She's so good!

Jenny.

Mama made them. She's so good!

Jimmy B.Good as gold! Just wear them, won't you?That's a dear.

Jimmy B.

Good as gold! Just wear them, won't you?

That's a dear.

Jenny.But I mustn't get them wet.

Jenny.

But I mustn't get them wet.

Jimmy B.I won't let you; don't you fret.I'll take care of them when once we go from here.Now, then—are you ready, Sis?

Jimmy B.

I won't let you; don't you fret.

I'll take care of them when once we go from here.

Now, then—are you ready, Sis?

Jenny.Yes—but, then, I mustn't missTo see everything locked up all safe and tight,So that none of those old tramps—My! but aren't they horrid scamps?—Can sneak in before we both get back to-night.

Jenny.

Yes—but, then, I mustn't miss

To see everything locked up all safe and tight,

So that none of those old tramps—

My! but aren't they horrid scamps?—

Can sneak in before we both get back to-night.

Jimmy B.[Looking at doors and windows.]Oh, well! Everything's secure.

Jimmy B.[Looking at doors and windows.]

Oh, well! Everything's secure.

Jenny.Did you look?

Jenny.

Did you look?

Jimmy B.Oh, yes. I'm sure.So let's both be off at once, without delay.[Noise outside—Jimmystarts, guiltily.]

Jimmy B.Oh, yes. I'm sure.

So let's both be off at once, without delay.

[Noise outside—Jimmystarts, guiltily.]

Jimmy B.Hello, there, now! What was that?

Jimmy B.

Hello, there, now! What was that?

Jenny.Where?

Jenny.

Where?

Jimmy B.Out there!

Jenny.It was the cat!

Jimmy B.No, it wasn't.

Jimmy B.

No, it wasn't.

Jenny.P'r'aps it's Mama!

Jimmy.[Starting for the door.]Get away!

[Door opens suddenly.Johnny Stoutbursts in and then stops, astonished.]

Johnny.Goodness, Jenny! What's this mean?Jenny.What?Johnny.Why this confusing scene?Are you moving?Jenny.No, I'm going out to walk.Johnny.Goingout? Whom with? and where?Jenny.[Points toJ. B.]Mr. Algernon St. Clair.Jimmy B.[Loftily.]So don't keep us here, young feller, with your talk.Johnny.[Suspiciously.]Jenny, who's that party there?[Points toJ. B.]Jenny.[Pouting.]Mr. Algernon St. Clair—Mama's cousin, who has come here from Nevada.Johnny.From Nevada!—How you talk![Suddenly toJimmy B.]Well, my friend, you'll have to walk!Pretty quick, sir, too, before I make it harder!Jimmy B.Why! You saucy little cub,Why!—I'll have to thrash you, Bub.Just you scatter, or I'll help you with my toe, sir!

Johnny.Goodness, Jenny! What's this mean?

Johnny.

Goodness, Jenny! What's this mean?

Jenny.What?

Jenny.

What?

Johnny.Why this confusing scene?Are you moving?

Johnny.Why this confusing scene?

Are you moving?

Jenny.No, I'm going out to walk.

Johnny.Goingout? Whom with? and where?

Johnny.

Goingout? Whom with? and where?

Jenny.[Points toJ. B.]Mr. Algernon St. Clair.

Jenny.[Points toJ. B.]

Mr. Algernon St. Clair.

Jimmy B.[Loftily.]So don't keep us here, young feller, with your talk.

Jimmy B.[Loftily.]

So don't keep us here, young feller, with your talk.

Johnny.[Suspiciously.]Jenny, who's that party there?[Points toJ. B.]

Johnny.[Suspiciously.]

Jenny, who's that party there?

[Points toJ. B.]

Jenny.[Pouting.]Mr. Algernon St. Clair—Mama's cousin, who has come here from Nevada.

Jenny.[Pouting.]

Mr. Algernon St. Clair—

Mama's cousin, who has come here from Nevada.

Johnny.From Nevada!—How you talk!

Johnny.

From Nevada!—How you talk!

[Suddenly toJimmy B.]

Well, my friend, you'll have to walk!Pretty quick, sir, too, before I make it harder!

Well, my friend, you'll have to walk!

Pretty quick, sir, too, before I make it harder!

Jimmy B.Why! You saucy little cub,Why!—I'll have to thrash you, Bub.Just you scatter, or I'll help you with my toe, sir!

Jimmy B.

Why! You saucy little cub,

Why!—I'll have to thrash you, Bub.

Just you scatter, or I'll help you with my toe, sir!

Johnny.[Quickly pulling out a pistol from the table-drawer, and pointing it atJimmy B.]

Do you see this little toy?There's six pills for you, my boy,Unless you drop that stuff at once and—go, sir!Jimmy B.[ToJenny,appealingly.]Look here, Sis, this isn't square!Jenny.[Protesting.]Mr. Algernon St. Clair!Johnny.[Contemptuously.]Mr. Algernon St. Fiddlesticks, my Jenny!Why, this sneaking fellow, here,Is just out of jail, my dear!He's a tramp, without a single honest penny.Jimmy B.[Stepping toward him.]That's a lie!Johnny.[Levels pistol at him.]Hush! don't you talk.Drop your bundle, sir, and walk,Or I'll shoot you like a dog, without objection.Now, then—go, sir, or I'll fire!Put your hands up!—higher! higher!Wait here, Jenny: I'll just sever this connection.

Do you see this little toy?There's six pills for you, my boy,Unless you drop that stuff at once and—go, sir!

Do you see this little toy?

There's six pills for you, my boy,

Unless you drop that stuff at once and—go, sir!

Jimmy B.[ToJenny,appealingly.]Look here, Sis, this isn't square!

Jimmy B.[ToJenny,appealingly.]

Look here, Sis, this isn't square!

Jenny.[Protesting.]Mr. Algernon St. Clair!

Jenny.[Protesting.]

Mr. Algernon St. Clair!

Johnny.[Contemptuously.]Mr. Algernon St. Fiddlesticks, my Jenny!Why, this sneaking fellow, here,Is just out of jail, my dear!He's a tramp, without a single honest penny.

Johnny.[Contemptuously.]

Mr. Algernon St. Fiddlesticks, my Jenny!

Why, this sneaking fellow, here,

Is just out of jail, my dear!

He's a tramp, without a single honest penny.

Jimmy B.[Stepping toward him.]That's a lie!

Jimmy B.[Stepping toward him.]

That's a lie!

Johnny.[Levels pistol at him.]Hush! don't you talk.Drop your bundle, sir, and walk,Or I'll shoot you like a dog, without objection.Now, then—go, sir, or I'll fire!Put your hands up!—higher! higher!Wait here, Jenny: I'll just sever this connection.

Johnny.[Levels pistol at him.]

Hush! don't you talk.

Drop your bundle, sir, and walk,

Or I'll shoot you like a dog, without objection.

Now, then—go, sir, or I'll fire!

Put your hands up!—higher! higher!

Wait here, Jenny: I'll just sever this connection.

[He backsJ. B.out of the room at the muzzle of the pistol;Jennylistens for a while, and then sinks on a chair and cries.]

Jenny.Just a horrid, dirty tramp!What an awful, awful scamp!Oh, whatshallI say to Mama? Dearie, dear!If I'd only minded herSuch a thing could not occur,And she'llnevertrust me so again, I fear.[Cries a little longer. Then jumps up, indignantly.]Oh, but what a horrid bear!Mr. Algernon St. Clair! [Contemptuously.]What an awful, awful,awfulwicked story![EnterJohnny.]Oh, but Johnny, where is he?Johnny.He's as safe as safe can be.Fast in jail, now, all alone and in his glory.I just marched him to the gate;There I made him stand and waitTill I saw a big policeman come along;Then, when I had told the tale,He just walked him off to jail,And so there your cousin's locked up, good and strong.Jenny.Oh, don't say my cousin, please!Johnny.Well,'t wasjust the tightest squeeze!But howdidhe, Jenny, get you in his snare?Jenny.He wassopolite and kind!Johnny.Oh, you goosey! Oh, how blind!Ha, ha, ha, ha! Mr. Algernon St. Clair!Jenny.Now, don't laugh, please; for, you see,Itdidseem all right to me;And I thought he meant to do just what he said.Dear! but whatwillMama say,When she comes back home to-day?Oh, I wish, Iwishthat I could hide my head!Johnny.Why, just tell the whole thing out,And say how it came about.Jenny.Well, I will. And, Johnny, I will tell her, too,Howyoucame, so bold and brave—Johnny.[Interrupting.]Oh, no! that'll do to save.Jenny.But I shouldn't have been saved, dear, without you!Johnny.Never mind, my Jenny, then;But I guess you'll know againThat to mind what Mama says, alone is good.Jenny.Yes, I shall!Johnny.And, now it's through,I shall always think of you,[Taking her hand.]Little Jenny, as theNew Red Riding-hood.

Jenny.Just a horrid, dirty tramp!What an awful, awful scamp!Oh, whatshallI say to Mama? Dearie, dear!If I'd only minded herSuch a thing could not occur,And she'llnevertrust me so again, I fear.

Jenny.

Just a horrid, dirty tramp!

What an awful, awful scamp!

Oh, whatshallI say to Mama? Dearie, dear!

If I'd only minded her

Such a thing could not occur,

And she'llnevertrust me so again, I fear.

[Cries a little longer. Then jumps up, indignantly.]

Oh, but what a horrid bear!Mr. Algernon St. Clair! [Contemptuously.]What an awful, awful,awfulwicked story!

Oh, but what a horrid bear!

Mr. Algernon St. Clair! [Contemptuously.]

What an awful, awful,awfulwicked story!

[EnterJohnny.]

Oh, but Johnny, where is he?

Johnny.He's as safe as safe can be.Fast in jail, now, all alone and in his glory.I just marched him to the gate;There I made him stand and waitTill I saw a big policeman come along;Then, when I had told the tale,He just walked him off to jail,And so there your cousin's locked up, good and strong.

Johnny.

He's as safe as safe can be.

Fast in jail, now, all alone and in his glory.

I just marched him to the gate;

There I made him stand and wait

Till I saw a big policeman come along;

Then, when I had told the tale,

He just walked him off to jail,

And so there your cousin's locked up, good and strong.

Jenny.Oh, don't say my cousin, please!

Jenny.

Oh, don't say my cousin, please!

Johnny.Well,'t wasjust the tightest squeeze!But howdidhe, Jenny, get you in his snare?

Johnny.

Well,'t wasjust the tightest squeeze!

But howdidhe, Jenny, get you in his snare?

Jenny.He wassopolite and kind!

Jenny.

He wassopolite and kind!

Johnny.Oh, you goosey! Oh, how blind!Ha, ha, ha, ha! Mr. Algernon St. Clair!

Johnny.

Oh, you goosey! Oh, how blind!

Ha, ha, ha, ha! Mr. Algernon St. Clair!

Jenny.Now, don't laugh, please; for, you see,Itdidseem all right to me;And I thought he meant to do just what he said.Dear! but whatwillMama say,When she comes back home to-day?Oh, I wish, Iwishthat I could hide my head!

Jenny.

Now, don't laugh, please; for, you see,

Itdidseem all right to me;

And I thought he meant to do just what he said.

Dear! but whatwillMama say,

When she comes back home to-day?

Oh, I wish, Iwishthat I could hide my head!

Johnny.Why, just tell the whole thing out,And say how it came about.

Johnny.

Why, just tell the whole thing out,

And say how it came about.

Jenny.Well, I will. And, Johnny, I will tell her, too,Howyoucame, so bold and brave—

Jenny.

Well, I will. And, Johnny, I will tell her, too,

Howyoucame, so bold and brave—

Johnny.[Interrupting.]Oh, no! that'll do to save.

Johnny.[Interrupting.]

Oh, no! that'll do to save.

Jenny.But I shouldn't have been saved, dear, without you!

Jenny.

But I shouldn't have been saved, dear, without you!

Johnny.Never mind, my Jenny, then;But I guess you'll know againThat to mind what Mama says, alone is good.

Johnny.

Never mind, my Jenny, then;

But I guess you'll know again

That to mind what Mama says, alone is good.

Jenny.Yes, I shall!

Jenny.

Yes, I shall!

Johnny.And, now it's through,I shall always think of you,[Taking her hand.]Little Jenny, as theNew Red Riding-hood.

Johnny.And, now it's through,

I shall always think of you,

[Taking her hand.]

Little Jenny, as theNew Red Riding-hood.

[Curtain]

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