Boy. You don’t want to read that printin’. It ’s the writin’ below that 's to read.
Mrs. R. [With cold stare] I don’t want to? Who ’s to know as well as I what I want?
Mrs. T. [Motions to Boy not to interfere. Aside to Boy] Don't aggervate her or she might n’t read it, and there ’s nobedy else in the house can read telegraphs till some a’ the children gets home.
Mrs. R. [Drawing Herself up in offended manner| To you wish to hear all the telegraph, Mrs. Tubbs, or only part of it?
Mrs. T. Let me hear it all. I am perpared for the worst. You tell me it ’s from Roweny, and she ain’t dead. I only hope she ain't crippled. [With sudden fear] Oh, Mrs. Raven, it ain’t that; is it?
Mrs. R. No, no, no. In fact, this telegraph as much as says she never will be crippled.
Mrs. T. [Moans] But that shows there ’s been an accident or they would n’t be sayin’ anything about her bein’ or not bein’ crippled.
Mrs. R. Now I'll wait until you are calm again. [Mrs. T. motions to Mrs. R. to proceed]
Mrs. R. [Reads] “All messages are received by this company for transmission subject to the terms and conditions printed on their blank form No. 2, which terms and conditions have been agreed to by the sender of the following message.” [To Mrs. Tubbs] You see, Roweny had to agree to all this [Points to top of telegram], and it is only proper [Looks severely at Boy] we should know what she ’s agreed to. You understand, Mrs. Tubbs, they told Roweny all this, and she was willin’ to agree to it all?
Mrs. T. [Wiping her eyes] Roweny was allus a good girl. She ’d be willin’ to agree to it if they told her it was all for the best.
Mrs. R. [Reads] “This is an unrepeated message, and is delivered by request of the sender under these conditions.” That ’s Roweny, you know. She ’s the “sender.” You understand all that, don’t you, Mrs. Tubbs?
Mrs. T. I don’t think I quite understand about its bein’ an “unrepeated message,” or somethin’ like that.
Mrs. R. You could n’t be expected to understand that with your nerves all unstrung as they be, It means this; [Significantly] Roweny did n’t want this telegraph repeated all over New York; she just wanted it to you from her.
Mrs. T. Roweny was allus so considerate.
Mrs. R. So even this boy did n't know what it was till I told him. Did you, boy?
Boy. No, ma'am; I did n’t,
Mrs. R. It’s a great deal nicer to have ‘em come unrepeated. Prob’ly they cost a good deal more, but Roweny would n’t mind that.
Mrs. T. I allus told Roweny she was far too ready to spend her money tn little ways on me. She ’d really ought to sent it cheaper.
Mrs. R. Well, evidently Roweny ain’t stoppin’ for money these days. [Looks closely at telegram] And she ’s got the name of the superintendent of the telegraph works on here, and about six other names—all of ‘em great persons from the way their names read.
Mrs. T. Roweny was allus a great hand for gettin’ people’s names. She got the Sunday-school superintendent and a lot of other names on her recommend papers when she went away.
Mrs. R. I don’t know as there ’s any need o’ readin’ all these names. They ‘re sort o’ foreign-lookin’ and hard to pronounce, not but what I could pronounce ’em if I took time to it, but we ’ve seen enough to know the telegraph is all right.
Mrs. T. I thik I ’m strong enough now to hear what Roweny has wrote, Mrs. Raven.
Mrs. R. Well, you do look better. [Regards her critically] Your countenance is better.
Mrs. T. If there ain’t any answer the boy ought n’ ter wait. You ’ve told him the news, and Tommy, you give him another doughnut. [Tommy runs for doughnut and presents as before. Exit Boy]
Mrs. R. I ’ll tell you one thing at a time, Mrs. Tubbs, and see how you take it. Roweny’s got three children.
Mrs. T. [Gasps and clutches Mrs. R.] Roweny—three children!
Mrs. R. She don’t say whether they ‘re girls or boys, She just says: [Consults telegram] Three children.”
Mrs. T. I don’t see why Roweny should be adoptin’ children. She ain’t got no home for ‘em and they can’t come here. Can you understand it, Mrs. Raven? I ’m sure I can’t.
