Cupid at Vassar; a college comedy drama in four acts

Front matter

Ssroy

-fare*

LIBRARY OF CONGRF<5Q

ACT I. John Willett A young architect

Amos North Of North & Son, Bankers

Shiny A lazy darkey

Hank (tUBBin The " hired man "

Mrs. Newton Of Great Falls, Vermont

Kate Her daughter

Wanda Kate's half sister

Miss Page . . .'

Sally Webb, Matty Hart, Alice Worth, Patty Snow, Helen Conway.

As many more College Girls as are desired.

Synopsis,

ACT I.

Scene: — Sitting room of Kate's home in Vermont. (At the old home.)

ACT III. Scene : — Same set as Act I., with snow and winter

backing and Christmas tree, etc.

( Vacation titm

ACT IV. Scene: — College Campus at Vai

(Graduation Day.)

Costumes*

Costumes modern and in keeping with the different characters. If the play is produced by all girls the four male parts can be dressed as follows :

John Willett : Acts I, II and IV, long automobile coat. Act III, long overcoat.

Amos : Act I, long linen duster. Act II, long light overcoat or a long Prince Albert. Act III, automobile coat.

Shiny and Hank : As both are eccentric comedy characters they can be dressed in an eccentric manner.

CUPID AT VASSAR.

Act I

Scene: — Sitting room at Mrs. Carroll's. An old-fashioned room in a New England farm house. The windows at back look out on country lane. This lane is painted on backing and a white picket fence with gate in between back and windows. Door is well over stage L. Door to other room stage r. Large red brick fireplace at l. Old New England colonial furniture. Book shelf and desk at n. Lights on full white, rag carpet down, tall eight-day clock up C.

Discovered: — At rise birds sing. Wanda and Mrs. Carroll discovered — Wanda on her knees before a pile of books r. Mrs. Carroll l., packing clothes in trunk. When curtain is well up Wanda speaks.

Wanda, (r.) Have you seen my French dictionary, mother?

Mrs. Carroll. It's there with the rest of the books. You're going away from me to-morrow, Wanda, for the very first time in your life.

WandA. I am if I can get my things ready in time, but I can't do that unless you stop bothering me.

Mrs. C (l.) My dear!

Wanda. Oh, I don't mean to be cross — but it's

G CUPID AT YAS3AR.

so foolish to make a fuss over my going away. Kate has been three years at Vassar and you never carried on so when she left.

Mrs. C. Kate is different. She is strong like her poor father.

Wanda, (crosses c.) I wish you would not talk about her father. I hate her. (cross l.) My father was a gentleman, and Kate's father was a common farmer he used to plant his own fields and water his own stock.

Mrs. C. (cross r.) I guess your father watered that railroad stock of his about as much as the law would let him.

Wanda. How dare you talk against my father. Oh, I know you never loved him as much as you did your first husband and he knew it, too. That's why he left all he could of his money to me.

Mrs. C. There, there, you are going away to-morrow. We must not let ourselves be cross to-day. Where's Hank?

Wanda, (crosses r.) I don't know.

Mrs. C. I must send him for the railroad tickets. (she goes up to door calling) Hank, Hank. That boy is never around when he is wanted, (gets her bonnet) Hank, Hank, I say. (exit through door into lane still calling) Hank, Hank, where are you? (goes off r. u.)

Wanda, (r., by bookcase) That's just like mother going out just when I wanted her to help me. (picks up book) Ah/ here's my French dictionary now.

(The toot of an automobile horn is heard and Shiny runs on stage and calls in window.)

Shiny. Say, say, Miss Wanda, there's a great big automobile stopping in the road right in front of our house.

Wanda. Stopping here? (she rises)

Shiny, (looking out L.) Yes, Miss Wanda, and dey is a couple of young female pussons walking up the path to our house.

Wanda, (runs to ivindow) Do they look like ladies ?

Shiny. No, they look like peaches. Dey ain't no common country folks like us. You all had better pick up dat muss on the floor befo' dey sees it.

Wanda. Gracious, you are right. Help me, Shiny !

(Shiny runs into house and as she begins to pick up books,)

Shiny. Hurry up, be quick. Dey are comin', hustle along.

(Wanda piles all books in Shiny's arms, which Shiny drops and picks up again — Helen and Sally laugh outside and enter in lane back of house. Wanda to Shiny.)

Wanda, (to Shiny) Oh, dear, now you've done it, here they are !

( Just as two girls comWvO door in back, Shiny is on his knees by door r. Hank enters door r., reading paper. He stumbles over Shiny's feet and falls c. Just as Helen and Sally enter the open door at back, Sally screams and Helen laughs.)

Wanda, (r. To Hank) Hank, what are you trying to do? (Hank sits up)

Hank, (c.) I don't know what I was trying to do, but I done it all right.

Sally, (up l. c.) I beg your pardon, but we are looking for Miss Newton.

Wanda. Come in, please. I will send for her. (Sally and Helen cross down l.) Hank, go find Miss Kate.

Hank. I'd love to do it, but I can't. I'm druv mosy crazy with work.

Shiny. You ain't never done work enough t drive a lunatic crazy.

Hank. Ain't I? Well, I'm goin' on an erranc for your ma, Miss Wanda. She gave me the monej to boy too tickets for you and Kate to go to Vassar

Wanda. Well, hurry back, because I want yoto help Shiny move the trunks.

Hank. Me, move trunks, well maybe I will wtiei I get back, (he crosses up to door) If I feel like 1 had the strength.

(EXITS to window. Shiny goes up to ivindoiv with armful of books as Hank exits. Helex laughs.)

Sally, (to Helen) Don't.

(Hank sticks his head in window.)

Hank. I'm sorry, Shiny, you'll have to move the trunks.

(Shiny hits Hank on head with a booh; Hank yells and runs out l. Helen laughs at this.)

Wanda, (c.) Shiny, /-^w dare you! You go about your business.

Shiny, (l. c. Drops all boohs and tvalhs over them to c.) Just as you say, Miss Wanda. I does hope the ladies will excuse the manners of some folks around here. I does all I can to educate them, but the results ain't encouraging. I might just as well spend my time trying to teach a pig to catch fleas.

(EXITS door l. c.)

Wanda. You must excuse us, you see the house is all upset. Kate and I are leaving for Vassar to-morrow.

Sally. Then you must be Wanda. I am Kate's room-mate Sally Webb, and this is Miss Conway.

Helen, (cross to Wanda r. c.) Then you am I will both be freshmen this year, won't we, Mis Xewton ?

Wanda, (r.) Oh, dear, my name is not Newton; it is Carroll. Kate and I are only half sisters.

Sally, (l.) I am sure she could not love you more if you were really her whole sister.

Wanda. 1 don't know, but we're all going to be friends at Vassar. You may as well know that Kate and I don't always agree. You see we are in rather different positions. My father left me a lot of money, and Kate, why, she hasn't a cent, (she crosses to door r.)

Helen, (l. c. Aside to Sally) She's a little beast.

Sally. Hush! (l.)

Wanda, (r., at door) If you will step into the parlor, please, I will see if I can find Kate.

Sally. Where is she?

Wanda, (c.) She said she was going out to say good-bye to the flowers. Kate has been three years at Vassar and I think she is awfully silly sometimes.

(Sally and Helen cross Wanda to right. Helen laughs and Sally pushes open door r. Wanda exits after girls right, door, r. 2.)

Mrs. C. (outside) Wanda! Shiny! Where is everyone? (enters door L. c.) Nobody around and a great big automobile standing in front of our house. What will the neighbors say. I never can make up my mind that automobiles are quite respectable. Somehow they always seem to remind me of accidents and other dangerous things.

(Wanda enters r. 2.)

Wanda. Mother, there are some visitors here for Kale. They came in an automobile.

Mrs. 0. (l. c.) Are you sure they are quite respectable?

Wanda. Don't be silly, mother. One of them is Sally Webb, Kate's room-mate at Vassar. (crosses L., to mirror-— arranges her hair)

Mrs. C. (r.) Mercy sakes, I will go to them at once. You fetch Kate. (taking off her colored apron and putting on white one)

Wanda, (l.) Where is she?

Mrs. C. Out walking with that John Willett.

Wanda. . (suqws great anger) What! (turning from mirror)

Mrs. C. Yes, and I wish she wouldn't. Kate has got to make a good marriage and he hasn't a red cent. I set my heart on her taking Amos North, but it looks as if she was more than half in love with this John Willett.

(She exits door r.)

Wanda. Oh, if she dares. She knows that I always loved him. (crosses to sofa l.) Now if she has taken him from me — Oh, Fll — Fll — Oh, I always hated her — (sits on sofa) always.

(Shiny enters and calls through window.)

Shiny. Say — Miss Wanda — look — (he points aut r.) Look! Miss Kate is coming.

Wanda. What of it ?

Shiny. Nothing only I hates to let her out of mah sight — she's going away to-morrow.

Wanda. So am I.

Shiny. Dat's good — look, Miss — there dey come.

Wanda. They — who is with her ?

Shiny. Dat Mr. Willett. (Wanda angry) And dey sure does make a mighty fine couple.

Wanda. Shiny, you are a fool.

Stitxy. Yes, Miss — I done guess it's from living all alone here wid your mah and you. (Wanda exits angrily at r. Music cue for Kate. Shiny waves his hat) Come on — run — run, Miss Kate — he can't catch yer.

(Kate runs in gate and to house laughing with her arms full of flowers. John follows, but stops at gate as if to get his breath.)

CUPID AT VASSAR. H

Kate. Come in.

John, (enters) You beat me.

Kate. Beat you — why I have won the championship in the hundred-yard dash at Vassar for three years. Sit down — and rest.

Shiny, (at door) Kin I get anything, Missie?

Kate. Yes — get out. (Shiny exists laughing and turns in door.)

Shiny. I newer did ! No sail. I nebber did see sich a girl, (he crosses down lane and out of sight)

John. It is too bad to lose any part of this perfect day, (he rises) but I must go back to the office.

Kate, (arranging flowers) You need not hurry — it is my last day you know.

John. I am not very likely to forget it. It is all right for you — you are going back to your college — but it is hard on those you leave behind you.

Kate. Oh, yes — mother — (she crosses to desk and puts some of her flowers in vase)

John, (follows her over r., to desk) Your mother is not the only one you leave behind who love — who is fond of you.

Kate. Do you think so ?

John. Kate, I think that I

Kate, (crosses away) Oh — I think I'll cal) mother.

John. Kate !

Kate, (turns) Yes.

John. I — I can see your mother any day yo^ know — after you have gone.

Kate. That is so sweet of you. Mother will bo lonely without either of her daughters — but of course if you come here every day to see her

John. Eh — yes — yes — I — I expect I have been calling every day of late.

Kate. I am sure that mother has been very glad to see you.

[•> CUPID AT VASSAR.

John. Is that all? (he crosses close to her) Has no one else been glad besides your mother?

Kate. Oh, yes — (he smiles) My sister.

John, (disgusted) Your sister! You know that it isn't your sister 1 have been coming here to

see — it is

(Mrs. C. enters.)

Kate. Mother! I know. Mother, Mr. Willett was just saying

John. That I must run back to the office.

Mrs. C. Oh— that's too bad !

Kate. I told you she would be sorry.

John, (to Kate) But — but if the message I am expecting is not there — may — may T come back.

Kate. Mother — Mr. Willett is asking you a question.

Mrs. C. I think he was asking you, my dear.

John. Yes — you.

Kate. Me ! Oh — yes — yes — come back — I am always glad to see you.

John, (tenderly to her — aside) Is that all that you can say ?

Kate. Oh, dear no — mother's glad, too.

John.

Kate. What is it, John?

John.

Mrs. C.

John. Good afternoon.

Mrs. C. Kate — did you study flirtation at Vassar. (crosses to c)

Kate. Oh, no.

Mrs. 0. You seem to know a lot about it.

Kate. So many people are saying lately, mother dear, that i am just like you — when yon were a girl.

Mrs. C. Can't you try to be serious for once.

Kate. 1 might try, but 1 am afraid it would be no use.

Mrs. C. That young man hasn't a dollar in the world.

Kate. Oh, yes he has, for he asked me to go to the Musical to-night — he must have at least two dollars, mother.

Mrs. C. Have you promised to marry him?

Kate. No.

Mrs. C. 1 am so glad.

Kate. I couldn't promise him that.

Mrs. C. Good.

Kate. Because he has never asked me.

Mrs. C. I don't want you to go to that concert with him — that's the very chance he wants. You are going away to-morrow — stay at home to-night and the danger will be over.

Kate. He is very poor, isn't he?

Mrs. C. Yes. •

Kate. If I should go without seeing him again, you would let him borrow a stamp, wouldn't you?

Mrs. C. Kate — Wanda has got money from her father. You've hardly got enough to finish your year at Yassar. I do want you to marry well. Now there's Amos North — he's got more money than any young man in Great Falls.

Kate. He needs more.

Mrs. 0. He's crazy in love with you.

Kate. I've noticed the crazy part.

Mrs. C. If you were his wife you could do as you pleased.

Kate. Then I should get a divorce.

Mrs. C. I give yon up, Kate Newton — ) ilon'1 believe you've got good sense.

Kate. You shouldn't s;iy that, mother — when vvc are so nine]) alike.

Mrs. C. Oh, dear, I had almost forgotten some friends of yours at Yassar were riding through the village and they arc? sitting in the parlor.

Kate. Friends of mine? Who?

Mrs. ( ( . That Sally Webb you are always talking about is one of ihem.

KATE. Sally here, and you never (old me. {she runs to door r.) Sally, Sally, where are you Sa — : —

Sally, (out r.) Here.

Kate. Sally — (Sally enters and runs into Kate's arms) You dear thing — it is so good to see you again.

(Helen enters.)

Sally. After to-morrow we will see one another every day. This is Miss Conway, Kate, a freshman.

Kate. I am glad to know you, Miss Conway, if you are a friend of Sally's. (Kate grips Helen's hand, causing her to scream. .Auto horn outside)

Mrs. C. Kate Newton, I'm ashamed of you.

(Exits door R. Shiny enters and stops at windoio.)

Shiny. I say, Miss, the gentleman in the automobile says that he don't want to hurry you but —

Sally. But what?

Shiny. That's all, just but — (auto horn) It looks to me though as if he'd say worse if you kept him waiting much longer.

Sally. My father. We'll see you to-morrow, dear. Good-bye.

Helen, (crosses to Kate) I'm sure we will have lots of fun at Vassar. (Helen grips Kate's hand, causing Kate to scream)

Kate. You're all right for a freshman.

Sally. Don't forget those old clothes you promised me. Good-bye.

All. Good-bye.

(All the three girls start for door L. c. laughing and talking and trying to exit at once. Shiny is inside of door bowing and scraping to girls as they exit. Auto effect outside. Kate at gate calling good-bye until girls well off.)

Shiny. My goodness, don't they talk. They surely ain't nothing can talk more than a woman, less it's two women.

(Kate enters.)

Kate. • Oh, it is so good to see Sally again, she is such a dear.

Shiny. Say, Miss Kate, you remember what you had promised me about getting me a job at Vassal College.

Kate, I only promised to try.

Shiny. That's all I ask. If you ail try it's as good as did. Dey can't nobody refuse you nothing. Just tell 'em that I'm a worker, a great worker when I likes my job.

Kate. All right, you shall have the work.

Shiny. I didn't say anything about work — I said a job. Work's work, but a job's a job — I wants a job.

Kate. If you are anxious to show me how well you can work, Shiny, just you run up in the attic and bring down that old trunk of my grandmother's. (Shiny crosses r., starts for door) Wait, the little black one with the brass nails.

Shiny. All right, Miss Kate. I'll tote it clown — but don't you all forget about that job. I got a feelin' that if I ever got a job at Vassar College, I'd be a regular Vassarlina.

(lie exits door r. Amos North enters in lane, crosses tlirougli gate to door l. c.)

Kate. He shall have this job if Miss Page fan got it for him. It will be such fun to show him to the girls.

(Amos North, a young and rather over-dieted country youth, enters at door. Tie smihs rather foolishly.)

Amos. Hello, Kate.

Kate, (turns and sees him) Why, Amos Norjth ! I thought I told you I would be too busy to see anyone to-day.

Amos. Hid you — ah well — girls never know their

1G CUPID AT VASSAR.

own minds two days running. I got a new hor&e, Kate.

Kate. Is that so — why aren't you driving it?

Amos. Because I'd rather take you out for a walk.

Kate. The idea — walk ! It's too hot — besides I am too tired.

Amos. You are always too tired to go to walk with me.

Kate. Oh, dear no — only I am so dreadfully busy.

(John crosses at bach and stands in door.)

John. Miss Newton — it's all right, I can get away — won't you come for a little walk.

Kate. Oh, yes — I should love it.

Amos. What — I thought it was too hot — and you were too tired.

Kate. The Lord has changed the weather, Mr. North — and I have changed my mind.

(She runs out door and down path and off with John.)

Amos. And that's the best I get. She's glad to go with him, but she's too tired to go with me— I can't understand it. The girl must be a fool. (Wanda enters.)

Wanda. Why, Amos — I didn't know you were here. Where is Kate?

Amos, (sulky) Out — out to walk.

Wanda. Why didn't you go with her?

Amos. Ha — ha — ha — (laughs a short and ugly laugh) They didn't want me.

Wanda. They !

Amos. John Willett came for her.

Wanda. Again.

Amos. I've got my opinion of a man that's got nothing better to do than hang around — day times — with a girl.

CUPID AT VASSAR. tf

Wanda. What do you do?

Amos, (angry) I hope you don't compare me to John Willett.

Wanda. I should hope not! He's a real smart man.

Amos. Architect he calls himself — and nobody \u this town would trust him to build a hen-house. It's only his cheek that keeps him going; he never designed anything in his life but castles in the air.

Wanda* (angry) Well he don't drink too much wine — like soliie people I know.

Amos. You bet he don't. He couldn't pay for wine enough to give a rabbit indigestion, (she turns away angrily and crosses up to window. He follows her) Look here, Wanda — I want Kate — she's got to marry me. She's the only girl that could ever keep me straight and I know it.

Wanda. Don't tell me your troubles. I can't be bothered with them.

Amos. You ought to be — when they are your troubles too- — (Wanda surprised) Oh, I know — you are in love with John Willett yourself, (she starts to speak and he stops her by raising his hand) Don't bother to deny it — because I know better. Xow it's up to you, Wanda — if you and I are smart — we could keep those two apart.

Wanda. What ! Do you think that I would do anything that was not honorable?

Amos. Ha — ha — ha — (he crosses to door)

Wanda, (follows) Do you think I would take part in any trickery to separate two persons who — who care for one another?

Amos, (at door) Tell those things to John. He hasn't lived around here as long as I have.

(Tie exits and passes down the lane and out.)

Wanda. He — he is a fool — hut he is right. Kale has only known John such a little while — if she

had noi come hack this Slimmer he would have cared for me — I — I would not do anything that was not right — but he would be glad some day if some real friend should keep him from marrying her.

(She exits. Kate and John on at back and stop at gate. John steps towards her as if to take her hand and she avoids him and crosses into house. He follows.)

Kate. Well — I have already promised to go to the Musical with you to-night. What more do you want?

John. I would like to have you stop laughing at me.

Kate. I am so happy to-day that I think I could laugh at anything.

John. Happy, (he closes close up to her) And to-morrow you will be erone.

Kate. Mother will be here.

John. Kate! (he puts his hand on her arm) You can't play with me. I am in earnest. You must listen to me. (John puts his arms around Kate, who puts fowers into his hands)

John, (confused) Thank you, I — I —

Kate. You like flowers, don't you?

John. I like these flowers.

Kate. They are pretty. In all the world you'll find no prettier flowers than the poppy and the pink.

John. Kate, you must listen to me.

Kate. I will listen — if you will let me go.

John. I don't want to ever let you go!

Kate. Well, let's sit down. We can't stand this way forever.

John. Kate — have you a heart?

Kate, (looks up at him, then softens) Yes, John — (tenderly, then lighter) and — and it's acting very queerly — just now.

John. You know that I am poor — but I am doing good work. I have sent drawings to New York, that I know will give me my start.

Kate. Good.

John, (with great earnestness) I have submitted plans of a church.

Kate, (interrupts) A church — this is growing interesting — until you spoke about a church I — I had begun to think this was a business discussion.

John. By the time your year at Vassar is over I will be in a position to

(Wadna enters door r., as he begins to speak and now steps forward showing by his manner that she has made up her mind to stop him.)

Wanda. I am sure I beg your pardon. (They separate, both are confused and angry) Am I in the way?

Kate, (a little nasty) No dear, you are never in the way.

Wanda. My books are not packed yet you know. (she crosses up to shelf)

John. Kate — to-night.

Kate. Yes.

John. You must give me a chance to speak to you — alone.

Kate, (softly) I will be waiting for you, John — to-night.

John. Good-bye. (he crosses up to door) Good afternoon, Miss Wanda.

Wanda. I do hope that I haven't driven you away !

John, (laughs) Not so far, but that I shall be back again.

(He exits out door and off.)

Wanda. I am sorry, Kate, that I interrupted you.

Kate. So am I. (she crosses to table and hunts about.) Did you get the string?

Wanda. I forgot it.

Kate. I can't pack without it. I will have to go to the store, (she picks up her hat and crosses to door) I'll be back in five minutes.

Wanda. Kate! (Kate stop*) I have something to say to you.

Kate. Won't it keep until I get the string?

Wanda. It — it is about Mr. Willett. Kate, he — he's not just the man that I could advise you to trust.

Kate. I know, dear, but then I haven't asked your advice.

Wanda. He, he is very fickle, Kate — and — and he does not mean all he says.

Kate. In other words, he is a man — that is not news to me.

Wanda. I know him better than you do.

Kate, (very sweetly) You do now, darling, (exit through door) but in the future, I shall know him very much better than you. (at window exit r.)

Wanda. She loves him — it's no use. Amos North always was a fool — what can we do — nothing at all. Nothing — we might just as well make up our mincls to that.

(She selects several books and places them in a pile and picks them up and crosses toward door at r. For about twenty seconds there is a pause. As she gets to door r.. John enters, from L., in lane at back and crosses up path- to house and stops in door. John's manner is hurried and excited.)

John. Miss Wanda — (she turns and is surprised) I have news — T must see your sister.

Wanda. She is not at home.

John. I must see her — I have just ten- minutes before train time.

Wanda. You are going away?

John. Yes — to New York. I submitted some drawings for a New York church — just now— ^T found a Mr. Nathan and his daughter at my office — the head of the board, they have chosen my plans from among fifty others — and I must go with them to New York at once.

Wanda. It is good news — it is your start, Mr. Willett.

John. I knew it would come — a man doesn't work as I have worked for nothing — it means everything to me — and I hope it does for Kate, (she turns away) I promised to see her to-night — but now it will be impossible and before I return she will be at Vassar. Could you tell me where she went.

Wanda. I — I do not know.

John. If it were only to one of the stores, I could follow her.

Wanda. Oh, no — in fact she — she told me that she would not return before dark.

John. Then I can't see her. I will have to leave a message — eoulft I write her a note?

Wanda. There — (she points to table, he crosses and sits)

John. I am going to say in the note what I had intended to say to her to-night — that I love her — and that I want her to be my wife.

Wanda. Oh- — (she sits in chair)

John. (looks up) Anything wrong?

Wanda. No — no — I am a little tired. (he writes)

John. You will see that she gets this, won't you? (he folds it) I will leave it here with you.

Wanda. With me?

John. Yes. (he rise*. TTc crosses to Iter ami holds out his hand) Good-bye.

Wanda. Good-bye. (she does vol take his hand and puts her own back of her) Why — why don't you mail your letter? It is safer, Mr. ^ T illci{.

John. Oh, no — she must get it before to-night, as she would not know what io think. 1 will leave it with you — good-bye.

(He exits door.)

Wanda. I warned him not to leave it here with me.

(She crosses slowly to get letter, Shiny enters door n., with small black trunk. Just as Wanda puts out her hand to pick up letter Shiny drops trunk. At the sound, Wanda screams and jumps away from table leaving the letter ivhere it ivas.)