Bab Bab 14 · PLAYS AT PLUMFIELD

Chapter 14. PLAYS AT PLUMFIELD

As it is as impossible for the humble historian of the March family to

write a story without theatricals in it as for our dear Miss Yonge to

get on with less than twelve or fourteen children in her interesting

tales, we will accept the fact, and at once cheer ourselves after

the last afflicting events, by proceeding to the Christmas plays at

Plumfield; for they influence the fate of several of our characters, and

cannot well be skipped.

When the college was built Mr Laurie added a charming little theatre

which not only served for plays, but declamations, lectures, and

concerts. The drop-curtain displayed Apollo with the Muses grouped about

him; and as a compliment to the donor of the hall the artist had given

the god a decided resemblance to our friend, which was considered

a superb joke by everyone else. Home talent furnished stars, stock

company, orchestra, and scene painter; and astonishing performances were

given on this pretty little stage.

Mrs Jo had been trying for some time to produce a play which should

be an improvement upon the adaptations from the French then in vogue,

curious mixtures of fine toilettes, false sentiment, and feeble wit,

with no touch of nature to redeem them. It was easy to plan plays full

of noble speeches and thrilling situations, but very hard to write them;

so she contented herself with a few scenes of humble life in which the

comic and pathetic were mingled; and as she fitted her characters to

her actors, she hoped the little venture would prove that truth and

simplicity had not entirely lost their power to charm. Mr Laurie helped

her, and they called themselves Beaumont and Fletcher, enjoying their

joint labour very much; for Beaumont's knowledge of dramatic art was

of great use in curbing Fletcher's too-aspiring pen, and they flattered

themselves that they had produced a neat and effective bit of work as an

experiment.

All was ready now; and Christmas Day was much enlivened by last

rehearsals, the panics of timid actors, the scramble for forgotten

properties, and the decoration of the theatre. Evergreen and holly from

the woods, blooming plants from the hothouse on Parnassus, and flags of

all nations made it very gay that night in honour of the guests who were

coming, chief among them, Miss Cameron, who kept her promise

faithfully. The orchestra tuned their instruments with unusual care,

the scene-shifters set their stage with lavish elegance, the prompter

heroically took his seat in the stifling nook provided for him, and

the actors dressed with trembling hands that dropped the pins, and

perspiring brows whereon the powder wouldn't stick. Beaumont and

Fletcher were everywhere, feeling that their literary reputation was

at stake; for sundry friendly critics were invited, and reporters, like

mosquitoes, cannot be excluded from any earthly scene, be it a great

man's death-bed or a dime museum.

'Has she come?' was the question asked by every tongue behind the

curtain; and when Tom, who played an old man, endangered his respectable

legs among the footlights to peep, announced that he saw Miss Cameron's

handsome head in the place of honour, a thrill pervaded the entire

company, and Josie declared with an excited gasp that she was going to

have stage fright for the first time in her life.

'I'll shake you if you do,' said Mrs Jo, who was in such a wild state

of dishevelment with her varied labours that she might have gone on as

Madge Wildlife, without an additional rag or crazy elf-lock.

'You'll have time to get your wits together while we do our piece. We

are old stagers and calm as clocks,' answered Demi, with a nod towards

Alice, ready in her pretty dress and all her properties at hand.

But both clocks were going rather faster than usual, as heightened

colour, brilliant eyes, and a certain flutter under the laces and velvet

coat betrayed. They were to open the entertainment with a gay little

piece which they had played before and did remarkably well. Alice was

a tall girl, with dark hair and eyes, and a face which intelligence,

health, and a happy heart made beautiful. She was looking her best now,

for the brocades, plumes, and powder of the Marquise became her stately

figure; and Demi in his court suit, with sword, three-cornered hat, and

white wig, made as gallant a Baron as one would wish to see. Josie was

the maid, and looked her part to the life, being as pretty, pert,

and inquisitive as any French soubrette. These three were all the

characters; and the success of the piece depended on the spirit and

skill with which the quickly changing moods of the quarrelsome lovers

were given, their witty speeches made to tell, and by-play suited to the

courtly period in which the scene was laid.

Few would have recognized sober John and studious Alice in the dashing

gentleman and coquettish lady, who kept the audience laughing at their

caprices; while they enjoyed the brilliant costumes, and admired the

ease and grace of the young actors. Josie was a prominent figure in the

plot, as she listened at keyholes, peeped into notes, and popped in and

out at all the most inopportune moments, with her nose in the air, her

hands in her apron-pockets, and curiosity pervading her little figure

from the topmost bow of her jaunty cap to the red heels of her slippers.

All went smoothly; and the capricious Marquise, after tormenting the

devoted Baron to her heart's content, owned herself conquered in the war

of wits, and was just offering the hand he had fairly won, when a crash

startled them, and a heavily decorated side-scene swayed forward, ready

to fall upon Alice. Demi saw it and sprung before her to catch and hold

it up, standing like a modern Samson with the wall of a house on his

back. The danger was over in a moment, and he was about to utter his

last speech, when the excited young scene-shifter, who had flown up a

ladder to repair the damage, leaned over to whisper 'All right', and

release Demi from his spread-eagle attitude: as he did so, a hammer

slipped out of his pocket, to fall upon the upturned face below,

inflicting a smart blow and literally knocking the Baron's part out of

his head.

'A quick curtain,' robbed the audience of a pretty little scene not down

on the bill; for the Marquise flew to staunch the blood with a cry of

alarm: 'Oh! John, you are hurt! Lean on me'--which John gladly did for a

moment, being a trifle dazed yet quite able to enjoy the tender touch of

the hands busied about him and the anxiety of the face so near his own;

for both told him something which he would have considered cheaply won

by a rain of hammers and the fall of the whole college on his head.

Nan was on the spot in a moment with the case that never left her

pocket; and the wound was neatly plastered up by the time Mrs Jo

arrived, demanding tragically:

'Is he too much hurt to go on again? If he is, my play is lost!'

'I'm all the fitter for it, Aunty; for here's a real instead of a

painted wound. I'll be ready; don't worry about me.' And catching up

his wig, Demi was off, with only a very eloquent look of thanks to the

Marquise, who had spoilt her gloves for his sake, but did not seem to

mind it at all, though they reached above her elbows, and were most

expensive.

'How are your nerves, Fletcher?' asked Mr Laurie as they stood together

during the breathless minute before the last bell rings.

'About as calm as yours, Beaumont,' answered Mrs Jo, gesticulating

wildly to Mrs Meg to set her cap straight.

'Bear up, partner! I'll stand by you whatever comes!'

'I feel that it ought to go; for, though it's a mere trifle, a good deal

of honest work and truth have gone into it. Doesn't Meg look the picture

of a dear old country woman?'

She certainly did, as she sat in the farmhouse kitchen by a cheery fire,

rocking a cradle and darning stockings, as if she had done nothing else

all her life. Grey hair, skilfully drawn lines on the forehead, and a

plain gown, with cap, little shawl, and check apron, changed her into a

comfortable, motherly creature who found favour the moment the curtain

went up and discovered her rocking, darning, and crooning an old song.

In a short soliloquy about Sam, her boy, who wanted to enlist;

Dolly, her discontented little daughter, who longed for city ease and

pleasures; and poor 'Elizy', who had married badly, and came home to

die, bequeathing her baby to her mother, lest its bad father should

claim it, the little story was very simply opened, and made effective

by the real boiling of the kettle on the crane, the ticking of a tall

clock, and the appearance of a pair of blue worsted shoes which

waved fitfully in the air to the soft babble of a baby's voice. Those

shapeless little shoes won the first applause; and Mr Laurie, forgetting

elegance in satisfaction, whispered to his coadjutor:

'I thought the baby would fetch them!'

'If the dear thing won't squall in the wrong place, we are saved. But

it is risky. Be ready to catch it if all Meg's cuddlings prove in vain,'

answered Mrs Jo, adding, with a clutch at Mr Laurie's arm as a haggard

face appeared at the window:

'Here's Demi! I hope no one will recognize him when he comes on as the

son. I'll never forgive you for not doing the villain yourself.'

'Can't run the thing and act too. He's capitally made up, and likes a

bit of melodrama.'

'This scene ought to have come later; but I wanted to show that the

mother was the heroine as soon as possible. I'm tired of love-sick girls

and runaway wives. We'll prove that there's romance in old women also.

Now he's coming!'

And in slouched a degraded-looking man, shabby, unshaven, and evil-eyed,

trying to assume a masterful air as he dismayed the tranquil old woman

by demanding his child. A powerful scene followed; and Mrs Meg surprised

even those who knew her best by the homely dignity with which she at

first met the man she dreaded; then, as he brutally pressed his claim,

she pleaded with trembling voice and hands to keep the little creature

she had promised the dying mother to protect; and when he turned to

take it by force, quite a thrill went through the house as the old woman

sprung to snatch it from the cradle, and holding it close, defied him in

God's name to tear it from that sacred refuge. It was really well done;

and the round of applause that greeted the fine tableau of the indignant

old woman, the rosy, blinking baby clinging to her neck, and the daunted

man who dared not execute his evil purpose with such a defender for

helpless innocence, told the excited authors that their first scene was

a hit.

The second was quieter, and introduced Josie as a bonny country lass

setting the supper-table in a bad humour. The pettish way in which she

slapped down the plates, hustled the cups, and cut the big brown loaf,

as she related her girlish trials and ambitions, was capital. Mrs Jo

kept her eye on Miss Cameron, and saw her nod approval several times at

some natural tone or gesture, some good bit of by-play or a quick change

of expression in the young face, which was as variable as an April day.

Her struggle with the toasting-fork made much merriment; so did her

contempt for the brown sugar, and the relish with which she sweetened

her irksome duties by eating it; and when she sat, like Cinderella, on

the hearth, tearfully watching the flames dance on the homely room, a

girlish voice was heard to exclaim impulsively:

'Poor little thing! she ought to have some fun!'

The old woman enters; and mother and daughter have a pretty scene, in

which the latter coaxes and threatens, kisses and cries, till she wins

the reluctant consent of the former to visit a rich relation in the

city; and from being a little thunder-cloud Dolly becomes bewitchingly

gay and good, as soon as her wilful wish is granted. The poor old soul

has hardly recovered from this trial when the son enters, in army

blue, tells he has enlisted and must go. That is a hard blow; but the

patriotic mother bears it well, and not till the thoughtless young folks

have hastened away to tell their good news elsewhere does she break

down. Then the country kitchen becomes pathetic as the old mother sits

alone mourning over her children, till the grey head is hidden in the

hands as she kneels down by the cradle to weep and pray, with only Baby

to comfort her fond and faithful heart.

Sniffs were audible all through the latter part of this scene; and

when the curtain fell, people were so busy wiping their eyes that for

a moment they forgot to applaud. That silent moment was more flattering

than noise; and as Mrs Jo wiped the real tears off her sister's

face, she said as solemnly as an unconscious dab of rouge on her nose

permitted:

'Meg, you have saved my play! Oh, why aren't you a real actress, and I a

real playwright?'

'Don't gush now, dear, but help me dress Josie; she's in such a quiver

of excitement, I can't manage her, and this is her best scene, you

know.'

So it was; for her aunt had written it especially for her, and little Jo

was happy in a gorgeous dress, with a train long enough to satisfy her

wildest dreams. The rich relation's parlour was in festival array, and

the country cousin sails in, looking back at her sweeping flounces with

such artless rapture that no one had the heart to laugh at the pretty

jay in borrowed plumes. She has confidences with herself in the mirror,

from which it is made evident that she had discovered all is not gold

that glitters, and has found greater temptations than those a girlish

love of pleasure, luxury, and flattery bring her. She is sought by a

rich lover; but her honest heart resists the allurements he offers,

and in its innocent perplexity wishes 'mother' was there to comfort and

counsel.

A gay little dance, in which Dora, Nan, Bess, and several of the boys

took part, made a good background for the humble figure of the old woman

in her widow's bonnet, rusty shawl, big umbrella, and basket. Her naive

astonishment, as she surveys the spectacle, feels the curtains, and

smooths her old gloves during the moment she remains unseen, was very

good; but Josie's unaffected start when she sees her, and the cry:

'Why, there's mother!' was such a hearty little bit of nature, it hardly

needed the impatient tripping over her train as she ran into the arms

that seemed now to be her nearest refuge.

The lover plays his part; and ripples of merriment greeted the old

woman's searching questions and blunt answers during the interview which

shows the girl how shallow his love is, and how near she had been to

ruining her life as bitterly as poor 'Elizy' did. She gives her answer

frankly, and when they are alone, looks from her own bedizened self

to the shabby dress, work-worn hands, and tender face, crying with a

repentant sob and kiss: 'Take me home, mother, and keep me safe. I've

had enough of this!'

'That will do you good, Maria; don't forget it,' said one lady to her

daughter as the curtain went down; and the girl answered: 'Well, I'm

sure I don't see why it's touching; but it is,' as she spread her lace

handkerchief to dry.

Tom and Nan came out strong in the next scene; for it was a ward in

an army hospital, and surgeon and nurse went from bed to bed, feeling

pulses, administering doses, and hearing complaints with an energy and

gravity which convulsed the audience. The tragic element, never far from

the comic at such times and places, came in when, while they bandaged

an arm, the doctor told the nurse about an old woman who was searching

through the hospital for her son, after days and nights on battlefields,

through ambulances, and among scenes which would have killed most women.

'She will be here directly, and I dread her coming, for I'm afraid the

poor lad who has just gone is her boy. I'd rather face a cannon than

these brave women, with their hope and courage and great sorrow,' says

the surgeon.

'Ah, these poor mothers break my heart!' adds the nurse, wiping her eyes

on her big apron; and with the words Mrs Meg came in.

There was the same dress, the basket and umbrella, the rustic speech,

the simple manners; but all were made pathetic by the terrible

experience which had changed the tranquil old woman to that haggard

figure with wild eyes, dusty feet, trembling hands, and an expression of

mingled anguish, resolution, and despair which gave the homely figure

a tragic dignity and power that touched all hearts. A few broken words

told the story of her vain search, and then the sad quest began again.

People held their breath as, led by the nurse, she went from bed to

bed, showing in her face the alternations of hope, dread, and bitter

disappointment as each was passed. On a narrow cot was a long figure

covered with a sheet, and here she paused to lay one hand on her heart

and one on her eyes, as if to gather courage to look at the nameless

dead. Then she drew down the sheet, gave a long shivering sigh of

relief, saying softly:

'Not my son, thank God! but some mother's boy.' And stooping down, she

kissed the cold forehead tenderly.

Somebody sobbed there, and Miss Cameron shook two tears out of her eyes,

anxious to lose no look or gesture as the poor soul, nearly spent with

the long strain, struggled on down the long line. But her search was

happily ended for, as if her voice had roused him from his feverish

sleep, a gaunt, wild-eyed man sat up in his bed, and stretching his arms

to her, cried in a voice that echoed through the room:

'Mother, mother! I knew you'd come to me!'

She did go to him, with a cry of love and joy that thrilled every

listener, as she gathered him in her arms with the tears and prayers and

blessing such as only a fond and faithful old mother could give.

The last scene was a cheerful contrast to this; for the country kitchen

was bright with Christmas cheer, the wounded hero, with black patch and

crutches well displayed, sat by the fire in the old chair whose familiar

creak was soothing to his ear; pretty Dolly was stirring about, gaily

trimming dresser, settle, high chimney-piece, and old-fashioned cradle

with mistletoe and holly; while the mother rested beside her son, with

that blessed baby on her knee. Refreshed by a nap and nourishment, this

young actor now covered himself with glory by his ecstatic prancings,

incoherent remarks to the audience, and vain attempts to get to the

footlights, as he blinked approvingly at these brilliant toys. It was

good to see Mrs Meg pat him on the back, cuddle the fat legs out of

sight, and appease his vain longings with a lump of sugar, till Baby

embraced her with a grateful ardour that brought him a round of applause

all for his little self.

A sound of singing outside disturbs the happy family, and, after a carol

in the snowy moonlight, a flock of neighbours troop in with Christmas

gifts and greetings. Much by-play made this a lively picture; for Sam's

sweetheart hovered round him with a tenderness the Marquise did not

show the Baron; and Dolly had a pretty bit under the mistletoe with her

rustic adorer, who looked so like Ham Peggotty in his cowhide boots,

rough jacket, and dark beard and wig, that no one would have recognized

Ted but for the long legs, which no extent of leather could disguise. It

ended with a homely feast, brought by the guests; and as they sat round

the table covered with doughnuts and cheese, pumpkin-pie, and other

delicacies, Sam rises on his crutches to propose the first toast, and

holding up his mug of cider, says, with a salute, and a choke in his

voice: 'Mother, God bless her!' All drink it standing, Dolly with her

arm round the old woman's neck, as she hides her happy tears on her

daughter's breast; while the irrepressible baby beat rapturously on the

table with a spoon, and crowed audibly as the curtain went down.

They had it up again in a jiffy to get a last look at the group about

that central figure, which was showered with bouquets, to the great

delight of the infant Roscius; till a fat rosebud hit him on the nose,

and produced the much-dreaded squall, which, fortunately, only added to

the fun at that moment.

'Well, that will do for a beginning,' said Beaumont, with a sigh of

relief, as the curtain descended for the last time, and the actors

scattered to dress for the closing piece.

'As an experiment, it is a success. Now we can venture to begin our

great American drama,' answered Mrs Jo, full of satisfaction and grand

ideas for the famous play--which, we may add, she did not write that

year, owing to various dramatic events in her own family.

The Owlsdark Marbles closed the entertainment, and, being something new,

proved amusing to this very indulgent audience. The gods and goddesses

on Parnassus were displayed in full conclave; and, thanks to Mrs Amy's

skill in draping and posing, the white wigs and cotton-flannel robes

were classically correct and graceful, though sundry modern additions

somewhat marred the effect, while adding point to the showman's learned

remarks. Mr Laurie was Professor Owlsdark in cap and gown; and, after

a high-flown introduction, he proceeded to exhibit and explain his

marbles. The first figure was a stately Minerva; but a second glance

produced a laugh, for the words 'Women's Rights' adorned her shield, a

scroll bearing the motto 'Vote early and often' hung from the beak of

the owl perched on her lance, and a tiny pestle and mortar ornamented

her helmet. Attention was drawn to the firm mouth, the piercing eye, the

awe-inspiring brow, of the strong-minded woman of antiquity, and some

scathing remarks made upon the degeneracy of her modern sisters who

failed to do their duty. Mercury came next, and was very fine in his

airy attitude, though the winged legs quivered as if it was difficult to

keep the lively god in his place. His restless nature was dilated upon,

his mischievous freaks alluded to, and a very bad character given to

the immortal messenger-boy; which delighted his friends and caused

the marble nose of the victim to curl visibly with scorn when derisive

applause greeted a particularly hard hit. A charming little Hebe stood

next, pouring nectar from a silver teapot into a blue china tea-cup. She

also pointed a moral; for the Professor explained that the nectar of old

was the beverage which cheers but does not inebriate, and regretted that

the excessive devotion of American women to this classic brew proved so

harmful, owing to the great development of brain their culture produced.

A touch at modern servants, in contrast to this accomplished table-girl,

made the statue's cheeks glow under the chalk, and brought her a hearty

round as the audience recognized Dolly and the smart soubrette.

Jove in all his majesty followed, as he and his wife occupied the

central pedestals in the half-circle of immortals. A splendid Jupiter,

with hair well set up off the fine brow, ambrosial beard, silver

thunderbolts in one hand, and a well-worn ferule in the other. A

large stuffed eagle from the museum stood at his feet; and the benign

expression of his august countenance showed that he was in a good

humour--as well he might be, for he was paid some handsome compliments

upon his wise rule, the peaceful state of his kingdom, and the brood

of all-accomplished Pallases that yearly issued from his mighty brain.

Cheers greeted this and other pleasant words, and caused the thunderer

to bow his thanks; for 'Jove nods', as everyone knows, and flattery wins

the heart of gods and men.

Mrs Juno, with her peacocks, darning-needle, pen, and cooking-spoon, did

not get off so easily; for the Professor was down on her with all manner

of mirth-provoking accusations, criticisms, and insults even. He alluded

to her domestic infelicity, her meddlesome disposition, sharp tongue,

bad temper, and jealousy, closing, however, with a tribute to her

skill in caring for the wounds and settling the quarrels of belligerent

heroes, as well as her love for youths in Olympus and on earth. Gales of

laughter greeted these hits, varied by hisses from some indignant boys,

who would not bear, even in joke, any disrespect to dear Mother Bhaer,

who, however, enjoyed it all immensely, as the twinkle in her eye and

the irrepressible pucker of her lips betrayed.

A jolly Bacchus astride of his cask took Vulcan's place, and appeared to

be very comfortable with a beer-mug in one hand, a champagne bottle in

the other, and a garland of grapes on his curly head. He was the text

of a short temperance lecture, aimed directly at a row of smart young

gentlemen who lined the walls of the auditorium. George Cole was seen

to dodge behind a pillar at one point, Dolly nudged his neighbour at

another, and there was laughter all along the line as the Professor

glared at them through his big glasses, and dragged their bacchanalian

orgies to the light and held them up to scorn.

Seeing the execution he had done, the learned man turned to the lovely

Diana, who stood as white and still as the plaster stag beside her, with

sandals, bow, and crescent; quite perfect, and altogether the best piece

of statuary in the show. She was very tenderly treated by the paternal

critic who, merely alluding to her confirmed spinsterhood, fondness for

athletic sports, and oracular powers, gave a graceful little exposition

of true art and passed on to the last figure.

This was Apollo in full fig, his curls skilfully arranged to hide a

well-whitened patch over the eye, his handsome legs correctly poised,

and his gifted fingers about to draw divine music from the silvered

gridiron which was his lyre. His divine attributes were described, as

well as his little follies and failings, among which were his weakness

for photography and flute-playing, his attempts to run a newspaper, and

his fondness for the society of the Muses; which latter slap produced

giggles and blushes among the girl-graduates, and much mirth among the

stricken youths; for misery loves company, and after this they began to

rally.

Then, with a ridiculous conclusion, the Professor bowed his thanks;

and after several recalls the curtain fell, but not quickly enough to

conceal Mercury, wildly waving his liberated legs, Hebe dropping her

teapot, Bacchus taking a lovely roll on his barrel, and Mrs Juno rapping

the impertinent Owlsdark on the head with Jove's ruler.

While the audience filed out to supper in the hall, the stage was a

scene of dire confusion as gods and goddesses, farmers and barons,

maids and carpenters, congratulated one another on the success of their

labours. Assuming various costumes, actors and actresses soon joined

their guests, to sip bounteous draughts of praise with their coffee, and

cool their modest blushes with ice-cream. Mrs Meg was a proud and happy

woman when Miss Cameron came to her as she sat by Josie, with Demi

serving both, and said, so cordially that it was impossible to doubt the

sincerity of her welcome words:

'Mrs Brooke, I no longer wonder where your children get their talent.

I make my compliments to the Baron and next summer you must let me have

little “Dolly” as a pupil when we are at the beach.'

One can easily imagine how this offer was received, as well as the

friendly commendation bestowed by the same kind critic on the work of

Beaumont and Fletcher, who hastened to explain that this trifle was only

an attempt to make nature and art go hand in hand, with little help from

fine writing or imposing scenery. Everybody was in the happiest mood,

especially 'little Dolly', who danced like a will-o'-the-wisp with

light-footed Mercury and Apollo as he promenaded with the Marquise on

his arm, who seemed to have left her coquetry in the green room with her

rouge.

When all was over, Mrs Juno said to Jove, to whose arm she clung as they

trudged home along the snowy paths: 'Fritz dear, Christmas is a good

time for new resolutions, and I've made one never to be impatient or

fretful with my beloved husband again. I know I am, though you won't own

it; but Laurie's fun had some truth in it, and I felt hit in a tender

spot. Henceforth I am a model wife, else I don't deserve the dearest,

best man ever born'; and being in a dramatic mood, Mrs Juno tenderly

embraced her excellent Jove in the moonlight, to the great amusement of

sundry lingerers behind them.

So all three plays might be considered successes, and that merry

Christmas night a memorable one in the March family; for Demi got an

unspoken question answered, Josie's fondest wish was granted, and,

thanks to Professor Owlsdark's jest, Mrs Jo made Professor Bhaer's busy

life quite a bed of roses by the keeping of her resolution. A few days

later she had her reward for this burst of virtue in Dan's letter, which

set her fears at rest and made her very happy, though she was unable to

tell him so, because he sent her no address.