With the exception of a few minor points introduced to help along the dialogue, the material embodied in the play is historically accurate.
The Play
Scene I—Dr. Cogswell's yard at Hartford.
Persons—Thomas H. Gallaudet, a young divinity student; Alice Cogswell, a little deaf girl; Dr. Cogswell, her father; several children.
The children run in upon the stage as if from another part of the yard and begin asking each other what they shall play; someone suggests drop-the-handkerchief and they arrange themselevs in a circle and begin to play; Alice follows them in, more leisurely and as they form a circle to play she stands at one side and refuses to join the game.
Gallaudet enters, stops to watch them a moment, and seeing Alice, goes over to her and in natural gestures, pointing to her and at the group inquires why she does not play; she shakes her head; he then tries to talk to her and taking off his hat and some paper from his pocket teaches her to write h-a-t and to identify the object.
Dr. Cogswell enters; Alice runs to him and he puts his arm around her, as they approach Gallaudet who turns to meet the doctor.
Gallaudet—Good afternoon, Doctor; I have been much interested in your daughter Alice. I have noticed her several times from our house next door and often wondered whether she could not be sent to school.
Cogswell—God knows I would be glad to send her to school and have her educated if I could. She is very dear to me and I hate to think of her going
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