The Two Story Mittens and the Little Play Mittens Part 11

MR. S. You weep because you are only the son of Mary and big Peter, a poor country farmer.

EDWARD. Oh no, sir! if they are my father and mother, I will try to respect them, but to leave Mrs. Langdon--to be no longer her son--that is what is driving me to despair. Oh, I shall die! I shall die!

MR. S. Do not be so distressed. Mrs. Langdon will still be very kind to you. She will love you still.

EDWARD. If she will only think of me sometimes. Will you speak, sir, of me to her, after I am gone? Will you tell her that my greatest grief, is leaving her; that I shall never, never, never forget her? Will you do this, dear Mr. Sherwood?

MR. S. (_with agitation_). Yes, my dear boy, I will.

EDWARD. And will you forgive me for having profited so little by your lessons; and being so often disrespectful? Please forgive me, sir.

MR. S. Willingly, my child. This is a great change of fortune. An hour ago, you were rich and well born, now you are the son of a poor farmer.

Try to do your part well in this altered sphere; be gentle and good, and G.o.d will not desert you. Good-by.

[_Exit._

_Enter_ JANE, _with a coa.r.s.e cap and jacket_, PATRICK _following_.

JANE (_ironically_). How do you do, Mr. Morris?

PATRICK. (_ditto_). Your humble servant, Mr. Morris.

JANE. Will Mr. Morris allow me to show him his new dress?

PATRICK. Will Mr. Morris give me leave to help him on with his jacket?

JANE. Dear me! it fits him to a hair! and the cap too! My! I'm a thinking you won't be so proud after this; you can't treat _me_ any more as a servant.

PATRICK. Nor me! You won't beat a double tattoo about my s.h.i.+ns again in a hurry!

JANE. I shan't be snubbed all day long, and told that my nose is as red as my hair, and my eyes as green as my understanding. What a comfort!

PATRICK (_cutting a caper in the air, and singing_). Hi fol-de-rol! how happy we shall all be! tide-o riddle rol-de-da!

JANE. What are you crying for, Master Morris?

EDWARD. Oh, how you treat me!

JANE. Why! Is not that the way to read the proverb? "As you have done to others, they shall do to you."

PATRICK. You don't seem to see it. We are only giving t.i.t for tat.

EDWARD. You are right, I deserve it all! Jane, Patrick, forgive me! I beg your pardon.

JANE (_looking very sorry_). Poor child! poor little fellow!

PATRICK. After all, he has not a bad heart!

EDWARD. Please forget all the injuries I have done to you, and try not to hate me when I am gone. Will you, dear Jane? will you Patrick?

JANE (_bursting out crying_). Oh! oh! what a pity, what a pity!

PATRICK. It is dreadful!

JANE. He will have to plough and hoe in the ground!

PATRICK. And kill pigs, and drive the cow!

JANE. Why couldn't that stupid Mary hold her tongue after keeping the secret thirteen years, and settle down for life with that clumsy Edward.

I hate the sight of him! I don't believe, but what it is all a trick she is trying to play off.

PATRICK. I'll bet my head, it is!

EDWARD. Don't insult my mother. She is poor, but honest. I cannot hear you accusing her.

_Enter_ ANDREW _with a basket, shovel, and rake._

ANDREW (_whistles_). Wheugh! Is it true then, that Master Edward is not Mrs. Langdon's son?

JANE. Yes, indeed! Just look at the poor boy; we are so sorry for him!

and though he has teazed us a great deal, we feel for him with all our hearts.

ANDREW. Just so with me. He has put me in a rage no end of times, and when I was scolded before you all, this morning, I was as mad as a wasp with the toothache. But since I have heard of his great misfortune, I am sure, I would not bear him malice for the world; so I have come to make friends with him, before he goes away.

EDWARD. Dear Andrew! (_He weeps again._)

ANDREW. Here! I have brought you a basket and some tools; they will be useful to you in your new situation; and here is my silver watch, it goes splendidly! but you must not wear it every day, you must save it for Sundays. I give it to you, that you may remember me, and say, "My friend Andrew gave me this watch, because he loved me."

EDWARD. How kind you are to me, who have deserved it so little! Pray forgive me, and forget my bad conduct.

ANDREW. I forgive you with all my heart! and now that you are in trouble, I remember nothing. I will come to see you next Sunday evening, and bring you some nice little present. Keep up a stout heart, and a stiff upper lip; you are not used to work, and at first it will come very hard; ploughing is not quite so easy as playing cat's cradle, and backgammon in the parlor. You will have no dancing, unless a mad bull gallops after you, when, no doubt, you will practise double quickstep to perfection. All the gay pleasures you have now, will be lost to you; but there is one happiness, worth all the rest, which you can keep if you please; and _that is a clear conscience_. Serve G.o.d, love your parents, and work faithfully, and you will be sure to possess this great blessing, and consequently be happy.

EDWARD. Thank you, Andrew, for such good advice; but will you all love me when I am gone?

ALL THREE AT ONCE. Yes, indeed! Always!

EDWARD. Will you then promise, sometimes to speak kindly of me to Mrs.

Langdon?

ANDREW. We promise.

JANE (_crying bitterly_). Oh! oh! this is too much. I can't bear it.

Good-by, dear Master Morris.

EDWARD. Won't you kiss me, Jane?

JANE. Oh, yes, with all my heart. (_Kisses him._)