ACT II.
SCENE I.—Interior of a Basement. Street and railings seen through window at back. Entrance to F. from D. F. L. H. Stove with long pipe in fire-place, R. U. E. Table between two windows at back, with flowers, &c. Humble furniture. Table C. three chairs. Closet U. E. L. H..
Peachblossom is discovered polishing stove R. H.—a slip-shod girl a la Fanchon.
SONG—Peach:
A lordly knight and a lovely dame, were walking in the meadow,
But a jealous rival creeping came a-watching in the shadow;
They heeded not, but he whet his knife and dogg'd them in the shadow.
The knight was brave, and the dame was true, the rival fared but badly;
For the knight he drew and ran him through, and left him groaning sadly;
The knight and dame soon wedded were, with bells a-chiming gladly.
Peach. (Talking while working?) The stove won't shine. It's the fault of the polish I know. That boy that comes here, just fills the bottles with mud, and calls it stove polish. Only let me catch him. Ah! Ah! (threatning gesture with brush.) I declare I'd give it up if I didn't want to make everything look smart, before Miss Nina comes in. Miss Nina is the only friend I ever had, since I ran away from Mother Judas. I wonder where old Judas is now? I know she's drunk; she always was; perhaps that's why she never tried to find out what became of me. If she did she could not take me away. Miss Nina begged me off a policeman. I belong to her. I wonder why she ain't got any other friends? She's awful mysterious. Tells me never to let any strangers see her. She's afraid of somebody, I know. It looks just as if she was hiding. I thought only bad girls, such as I, had to hide. If I was good and pretty like her, I wouldn't hide from the President. (Still polishing.) (Judas appears at window with basket of ornaments, &c.)
Judas. Hum! Is your ma in my dear?
Peach. (Starting.) Oh! (aside.) Old Judas! She's found me out at last. No she h'aint, or she'd have got me by the hair before she spoke. That's her way.
Judas. (Coming in at door. Peach keeps her back towards her.) Any old clothes to change for chany, my dear? Where's your ma's old skirts and shawls, my pet. Get 'em quick before mother comes in, and I'll give you a beautiful chany mug or a tea-pot for them. Come here, my ducky—see the pretty—(recognizes Peach.) Eh! why you jail-bird, what are you doing here? Are you sneakin' it? Answer me, or I'll knock your head agin the wall. (Catches her by the hair.)
Peach. You just leave me be? I'm honest I am! I'm good.
Judas. You're good? Where's my shoe? I'll take the goodness out o you.
