Page:Under the Gaslight.djvu/19



(Green Cloth down.) SCENE I.—''Interior of a Basement. Street and railings seen through window at back. Entrance to''. from. Stove with long pipe in fire-place, ''Table between two windows at back, with flowers, &c. Humble furniture. Table''. three chairs. Closet.

is discovered polishing stove —a slip-shod girl a la Fanchon.

Peach. (Talking while working?) The stove won't shine. It's the fault of the polish I know. That boy that comes here, just fills the bottles with mud, and calls it stove polish. Only let me catch him. Ah! Ah! (threatning gesture with brush.) I declare I'd give it up if I didn't want to make everything look smart, before comes in. is the only friend I ever had, since I ran away from. I wonder where old is now? I know she's drunk; she always was; perhaps that's why she never tried to find out what became of me. If she did she could not take me away. begged me off a policeman. I belong to her. I wonder why she ain't got any other friends? She's awful mysterious. Tells me never to let any strangers see her. She's afraid of somebody, I know. It looks just as if she was hiding. I thought only bad girls, such as I, had to hide. If I was good and pretty like her, I wouldn't hide from the President. (Still polishing.) ( appears at window with basket of ornaments, &c.)

Judas. Hum! Is your ma in my dear?

Peach. (Starting.) Oh! (aside.) Old ! She's found me out at last. No she h'aint, or she'd have got me by the hair before she spoke. That's her way.

Judas. (Coming in at door. keeps her back towards her.) Any old clothes to change for chany, my dear? Where's your ma's old skirts and shawls, my pet. Get 'em quick before mother comes in, and I'll give you a beautiful chany mug or a tea-pot for them. Come here, my ducky—see the pretty—(recognizes .) Eh! why you jail-bird, what are you doing here? Are you sneakin' it? Answer me, or I'll knock your head agin the wall. (Catches her by the hair.)

Peach. You just leave me be? I'm honest I am! I'm good.

Judas. You're good? Where's my shoe? I'll take the goodness out oof [sic] you.

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