THURSDAY EVENING
A Comedy in One Act
By Christopher Morley
Copyright, 1922, By Christopher Morley
CHARACTERS
Gordon Johns, a Young Business Man
Laura, Mrs. Gordon Johns
Mrs. Sheffield, Lauras Mother
Mrs. Johns, Gordons Mother
THURSDAY EVENING
SCENE
A small suburban kitchen in the modest home of Mr. and Mrs. Gordon Johns. A meal has recently been cooked, as is shown by a general confusion of pots and pans and dish-cloths. At the rear, an icebox standing in the corner. Rear, center, two shelved cabinets, one containing groceries and household sundries, the other dishes and glassware. Rear, L, an oil range. Some baby linen and very small shirts (such as would be suitable for a child of about ten months') are hanging on a clothes-horse near the stove. Boor R leads out to back porch; there are two windows in R wall, one each side of door. Door L to diningroom. At the corner in the rear, L, door opening on back stairs, which ascend to upper parts of the house. Down stage, L, against side wall, a sink and oil-cloth covered drain-board or shelf beside it. In the center of stage a small table covered with oil-cloth. A kitchen chair in corner, down R.
When the scene opens, GORDON and LAURA are carrying in soiled dishes through door, L. They come in and out several times, making methodical arrangements for cleaning up. They pile the dishes on the shelf by the sink. Gordon takes dishpan from a hook under the sink, and fills it with hot water from the kettle on the stove. LAURA, who is an attractive little person, aged about twenty-three, is in that slightly tense condition of a young hostess who has had a long and trying day with house and baby, and has also cooked and served a dinner for four.
GORDON
All right, Creature, just wait till I light my pipe and we'll polish this up. (Lights pipe and rolls up shirtsleeves.)
LAURA
(taking an apron from chair in corner)
Put this on first. That's the only decent pair of trousers you've got.
(Enter Mrs. Sheffield, carrying dishes.)
MRS. SHEFF
Now you children run along and take it easy. I'll do all this.
LAURA
No, no, mother. You go and talk to Mrs. Johns. (Pointedly.) Don't let her come in here. mrs. sheff (ultramaternally)
Poor baby, she's tir