Zona Gale

“ Back are two windows with lace curtains, revealing shrubbery or blossoming plants; and a shelf with a clock and a photograph of Ninian Deacon. Over the table is a gas burner in a glass globe. In the center of the table is a pink tulip in a pot. The stage is empty.
(Enter MONONA. She tiptoes to the table, tastes a dish or two, hides a cooky in her frock; begins a terrible little chant on miscellaneous notes.)
(Enter DWIGHT DEACON. )
DWIGHT. What! You don't mean you're in time for supper, baby?
MONONA. I ain't a baby. ”

“ DWIGHT. Just a little? A very little? What is this? Progeny will not eat?
INA. She can eat if she will eat. The trouble is, she will not take the time.
DWIGHT. She don't put her mind on her meals.
INA. Now, pettie, you must eat or you'll get sick.
MONONA. I don't want any.
INA. Well, pettie–then how would you like a nice egg?
MONONA. No.
INA. Some bread and milk?
MONONA. No.
(Enter LULU BETT. She carries a plate of muffins.)
INA. Lulu, Monona won't eat a thing. I should think you might think of something to fix for her.
LULU. Can't I make her a little milk toast? ”

“ INA. Well, if he comes here so very much you know what we may expect.
DWIGHT. What may we expect?
INA. He'll fall in love with Di. And a young girl is awfully flattered when a good-looking older man pays her attention. Haven't you noticed that?
DWIGHT. How women generalize! My dear Ina, I have other matters to notice.
INA. Monona. Stop listening! Run about and play. (MONONA runs her circle and returns.) Well, look at our clock. It's almost your bedtime, anyway.
(Enter LULU.)
MONONA. No.
INA. It certainly is.
MONONA. That clock's wrong. Papa said so.
INA. Mama says bedtime. ”

“ INA. You know how mama is.
(Enter LULU. She takes flowerpot from table and throws it out the window. Exit LULU.)
DWIGHT. I'd better see. (Goes to door and opens it.) Mother Bett!...Come and have some supper.... Looks to me Lulu's muffins go down pretty easy! Come on–I had something funny to tell you and Ina.... (Returns.) No use. She's got a tall one on to-night, evidently. What's the matter with her?
INA. Well, I told Lulu to put the creamed salmon on the new blue platter, and mama thought I ought to use the old deep dish. ”

“ Plain rose paper, oak sideboard, straight chairs, a soft old brown divan, table laid for supper. Large pictures of, say, "Paul and Virginia" and Abbott Thayer's "Motherhood." A door left leads to kitchen; a door right front leads to the passage and the "other" room. ”