24 ALINE. Oh, Alexis do you hear that ? Are you not delighted ? ALEXIS. (R.) Yes. I confess that a union between your mother and my father would be a happy circumstance, indeed. (Grossing to DR. DALY.) My dear sir tho news that you bring us is very gratifying. DR. D. Yes still, in my eyes, ifc has its melancholy side. This universal marrying recalls the happy days now, alas ! gone forever when I myself might have but tush ! I am puling. I am too old to marry and yet, within tho last half hour, I have greatly yearned for companionship. I never remarked it before, but the young maidens of this village are very comely. So, likewise, are the middle aged. Also, the elderly. All are comely and (with a deep sigh) all are engaged ! ALINE. (Up stage R.) Here comes jour father. Enter SIR MARMADUKE wiih MRS. PAHTLET, arm in arm. L. u. E. % ALINE and ALEXIS. (Aside.) Mrs. Partlet! SIR M. (c.) Dr. Daly, give me joy. Alexis, my dear boy, you will, I am sure, be pleased to hear that my declining days are not un- likely to bo solaced by the companionship of this good, vir- tuous and amiable woman. ALEXIS. (R. c.) (Rather taken aback.) My dear father, this is not alto- gether what I expected. I am certainly taken .>mewhatby surprise. Still it can hardly be necessary to assure you that any wife of yours is a mother of mine. (Aside to ALINE.) It is not quite what I could have wished. MRS. P. (Crossing to ALEXIS.) Oh, sir, I entreat your forgiveness! I am aware that socially I am not everything that could bo desired, nor am I blessed with an abundance of worldly goods, but I can at least confer on your estimable father tho great and priceless dowry of a true, tender and loving heart. ALEXIS. (Coldly.) I do not question it. After all, a faithful lovo is the true source of every earthly joy. SIR M. I knew that my boy would not blnmo his poor father for acting on the impulse of a heart that has never yet misled him. Zorah is not, perhaps, what tho world calls beautiful DR. D. (L.) Still she is comely distinctly comely 1 (Sighs.) (Retires up.) ALINE. Zorah is very good, and very clean, and honest ; and quite, quite sober in her habits, and that is worth far more than beauty, dear Sir Marmaduke. DR. D. (Coming down c.) Yes; beauty will fade and perish, but personal cleanliness is practically undying, for it can be renewed when- ever it discovers symptoms of dcca} r . My dear Sir Marma- duke, I heartily congratulate you. (Sighs.) QUINTETTE. ALEXIS, ALINE, SIR MARMADUKE, ZOEAII and DR. DALY. ALEXIS. I rejoice that it's decided, Happy now will*be his life, For my father is provided
With a true and tender wife I
