Quality Street
1
The time -- late afternoon.
The place -- Green Willow
Village, England. The state
of mind - intensely curious.
The reason -- --?
2
"Judging by the excitement
of the Willoughby sisters,
Dr. V. B. is on his way."
3
"Sister Phoebe, when a
certain individual appears,
do not forget yourself -"
4
"- follow my example -
remain cool, calm and
indifferent -"
5
"Phoebe, your behavior
is not ladylike."
6
"Retire to your room
and when you hear
him close the door -
count one hundred."
7
"FORTY!"
8
"Sixty!"
9
"Eighty!"
10
"NINETY!"
11
"One Hundred!"
12
"Go back! He has not
yet arrived."
13
"Do my eyes behold
Miss Phoebe?"
14
"I'm vastly sorry I
dismayed you."
15
"The door was ajar, and
we just popped in."
16
"Susan, a wedding dress!"
17
"Then Dr. V. B. has
declared?"
18
"No, not yet - but we
expect it hourly."
19
"Miss Phoebe, your pulse
- is fluttering."
20
"What does that indicate,
Dr. Brown?"
21
"Could it be -- your
heart?"
22
"You are uncommonly
flushed, Miss Phoebe!"
23
"I am credibly informed
there is a breeze in the
garden - -"
24
"'Tis the first time
we've been alone
this evening."
25
"'Tis most agreeable to
be alone, isn't it?"
26
"I think -- I've been
kissed!"
27
"We think so too!"
28
"Of course, he declared?"
29
"No, not yet!"
30
"How can I ever explain
to them?"
31
"He loves me, Susan, he
loves me -- -- and I'm
the happiest girl in the
world."
32
"-- and Napoleon and his
army of 120,000 men are
preparing to invade
England!"
33
"Your country needs
MEN!"
34
"Who'll be the first?"
35
"A missive from Dr. V. B.!"
36
"I'd best be getting some
mutton chops for the
betrothal luncheon."
37
"I have a happy surprise
for you."
38
"I always knew he
would offer."
39
"The choicest you have -
'tis for a betrothal
luncheon -"
40
"Why, Miss Susan, don't
you wish to hear what
I have to say?"
41
"I know --"
42
"I mean - I think -
I guess -"
43
"Are you angry with me for
my unseemly violence of
last evening?"
44
"I'm glad. It would be
hard to leave if you
were angry with me."
45
"Leave?"
46
"That's what I came to
tell you -- I am going
to the wars --"
47
"In these stirring times,
Miss Phoebe -- -- he is
but half a man who
stays at home!"
48
"We leave immediately for
the barracks -- so this is
good-bye."
49
"I -- I'll tell Susan --"
50
"Dr. V. B. came to tell
us -- he is going to
the wars --"
51
"You understand -- do
you not?"
52
"I never realized it would
be so difficult to say
good-bye."
53
"-- good-bye --"
54
"Happy congratulations!"
55
Then for many years the
genteel ladies of Quality
Street were forgotten in
the thunder of Napoleon's
armies --
56
"Willie and Georgie are
fighting! I can't separate
them!"
57
"Unhappy boy, why did
you fight?"
58
"He wrote in my book."
59
"I intend to solicit her
hand in marriage -- if
she will have me."
60
"Hard times, Captain Brown
- we keep school."
61
"Oh, Captain Brown --
you were wounded --"
62
"Where's Miss Phoebe?"
63
"How have you been,
Captain Brown?"
64
"Quite well, thank you.
And how are you?"
65
"Quite well, thank you."
66
"I have not worn well,
have I, Captain Brown?"
67
"I fear we are both
older --"
68
"It was kind of you to
call -- I trust we shall
see you again --"
69
"Phoebe - Phoebe -- you
must not give way. 'Tis
not ladylike -"
70
"I am tired of being
ladylike!"
71
"He thinks I am old,
does he?"
72
"I'll show him if I
am old!"
73
"Phoebe!"
74
"Not Phoebe -- -- but
Phoebe's niece -- --
Miss Livvy!"
75
"Oh, Patty, allow me to
introduce Miss Phoebe's
niece, Miss Livvy!"
76
"I -- I ask your pardon --
is Miss Phoebe hereabouts?"
77
"Captain Brown, allow me
to introduce Miss Phoebe's
niece, Miss Livvy --"
78
"-- daughter of the
excellent Mr. James
Throssel, of London."
79
"Your resemblance to your
aunt is astonishing --"
80
"La, Sir -- everyone says
so -- but I think 'tis no
compliment."
81
"Will someone have the
courtesy to announce
me to Miss Phoebe?"
82
"I am occupied at present.
You'd better ask Miss
Livvy."
83
"Oh, Captain -- you gave
me such a turn!"
84
"Would it disturb you too
much to advertise your
aunt of my presence?"
85
"I wish to invite your aunt
to the ball in honor of
the returned soldiers."
86
"He desires Phoebe to
companion him to the
ball. But I'm sure 'tis
only out of pity."
87
"I shall go with him --
as Miss Livvy!"
88
"And if I learn that a
pretty face is all he
ever cared for -- I'll
never see him again!"
89
"Aunt Phoebe's regrets, Sir -
she has the headache and
cannot go!
90
"I hope she feels better
directly. Good night."
91
"Aunt Phoebe says I may
take her place -- if it is
your pleasure."
92
"Do you really wish to
go to the ball?"
93
"A gray one -- Captain
Brown!"
94
"'Tis scandalous the way
Miss Phoebe's niece
occupies Captain Brown!"
95
"You dance uncommonly
well, Captain Brown --"
96
"--for a man of your
age!"
97
"Captain Brown, your
pulse is fluttering!"
98
"I never felt better!"
99
"I vow you are quite
feverish!"
100
"I am credibly informed
there is a breeze in
the garden --"
101
"'Tis the first time we've
been alone this evening."
102
"'Tis most agreeable to
be alone, isn't it?"
103
"I hate him! I hate
him!"
104
"To think he could so
forget Phoebe! The
beast!"
105
"I'll never see him again.
And he mustn't learn
there is no Miss Livvy."
106
"We are not at home."
107
"I am sorry that Miss
Phoebe and Miss Susan
are not at home, but
I have to come to see
Miss Livvy."
108
"Miss Livvy -- are you
within?"
109
"Phoebe - er - that is -
Livvy - has the head-
ache in here - - and
cannot see you -"
110
"If Miss Livvy cannot
see me - I shall have
to see her."
111
"Please to wait - I - I'll
bring her out in just
a moment."
112
"Oh, why did I ever begin
this dark deception?"
113
"His eyes flashed fire when
he demanded to see Livvy.
Phoebe -- -- you must
produce her."
114
"Talk and make a noise,
Patty -- -- so he will
believe we are still in
here."
115
"Patty -- why have I
been deceived?"
116
"'Tis all your own fault,
you heartless creature --"
117
"-- but now that she's
started this horrid Livvy,
she can't get rid of her!"
118
"So that's the reason!"
119
"They'll never believe
she's gone, unless
they see her go."
120
"I am sorry you are so
ill, Miss Livvy."
121
"Cough, please."
122
"I'll see your tongue,
please."
123
"Fetch Miss Livvy's wraps
- I am sending her home.
She is very ill."
124
"Will you bring Miss
Livvy's wraps -- --
or must I fetch them
myself?"
125
"Miss Phoebe says her
niece is not to leave
the house."
126
"In that case, I shall
speak to Miss Phoebe
myself!"
127
"Aha -- there you are,
Livvy -- -- you little
rascal --"
128
"Your Aunt Phoebe just
told me she'll be glad
to get rid of you!"
129
"If you think you -- or
any other bold Miss --
can come between me
and your Aunt Phoebe,
you're mistaken!"
130
"While a pretty face alone
may ensnare a man for a
moment -- 'tis the noble
qualities of heart and
mind that hold him
forever!"
131
"Take good care of her,
Patty -- -- and tell her
father 'tis nothing
serious!"
132
"Well -- I've sent that
bad girl home."
133
"'Tis most agreeable to
be alone, isn't it?"
134 [superimposed]
-- and They
Lived Happily
Ever After.
135
The End
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