The Templeton Teapot Part 2

(_HILDA disappears._)

MR. B. (_sitting down_). Now, f.a.n.n.y had always planned Hilda for Eric--her brother, you know. By the way, we've just received a wire saying that he was coming this evening. I don't know just what time to expect him, for he comes and goes like a streak of lightning. I'll be glad to bring him over and introduce him.

MR. T. Do, by all means. I know him well by reputation. His collection of antiques is very valuable.

MR. B. Finest private collection in Ma.s.sachusetts. Eric will hardly leave it. He's never even been to see us since we moved here. But come over to see my burglar alarm. I've just set it. It's going to revolutionize the catching of burglars in this country.

_Enter MRS. f.a.n.n.y BURNETT, R., hurriedly._

MRS. B. Oh, Leon, Leon, the burglar alarm is going off! I am sure there's a burglar in the pantry.

MR. B. We'll see about this. Come, Templeton.

(_MR. T. takes a revolver from a drawer in the desk._)

MR. T. We'll catch him in the act!

[_Exeunt MR. T., MR. B. and MRS. B., R., hurriedly._

_Enter HILDA, L., in street costume, carrying a letter and a suit-case.

She places letter on desk, goes to door R., pauses irresolutely, then goes to desk, sits down and buries her face in her hands. Enter ERIC DEAN, R., with overcoat and suit-case. Drops both, and approaches HILDA softly._

DEAN. Who do you think----?

HILDA (_springing up with a little scream_). What--who----?

DEAN (_drawing back in confusion_). I--er--beg your pardon. (_Takes off his hat._)

HILDA. Why, it's _you_!

DEAN. You?

HILDA. Don't tell me that you're a burglar. How dare you come here?

DEAN (_politely_). I'm not a burglar. My name is Dean--of Boston. I'm Mrs. Burnett's brother. I thought this was her house, and, as the door was open, I walked in. I took you for f.a.n.n.y. (_Looks about._) I guess I'm in the wrong place.

HILDA (_laughing_). Mrs. Burnett lives next door. Mr. Dean, I've often heard of you, and I'm glad to know you. (_Extends her hand._) Let me thank you again for your promptness in rescuing me from that brute and saving my money.

DEAN (_taking her hand_). It was my privilege. I wish that I might be always near when you are in danger, Miss----

HILDA. Hilda Templeton.

DEAN (_in delight_). So you're Hilda. f.a.n.n.y has often told me of you.

What a dear old-fas.h.i.+oned name!

HILDA (_bitterly_). Yes; everything about me is old-fas.h.i.+oned. I was born in the Middle Ages, Mr. Dean.

DEAN. You hardly look it.

HILDA. But to-night ends it all. To-morrow I shall be free, free to do as I please for the first time in my life.

DEAN (_looking at her suit-case_). You're not going just as I'm coming?

I'd hoped that we'd be such friends.

HILDA. I'm going to my cousin's in New York--to stay--forever, I guess.

DEAN (_anxiously_). What will you do there?

HILDA (_with enthusiasm_). Something worth while. I'll be an actress, or a settlement-worker, or a suffragette--I don't care what.

DEAN. And your parents?

HILDA. Hus.h.!.+ They do not know that I'm going. (_Goes to door L. and listens, tiptoes back. Speaks hurriedly._) My father is a collector of antiques. I've been brought up in the stifled atmosphere of tradition.

I've never had anything that wasn't at least a thousand years old, or a friend that didn't belong to a family as ancient as that of Noah. I'm sick of it----

DEAN. But, my dear girl, you can't----

HILDA (_excitedly_). Listen! Now father is planning to marry me to a man twice my age, who cares nothing for me, except as a means of acquiring the teapot--that is, all that the teapot stands for: a family-tree, prestige, that sort of thing.

DEAN (_incredulously_). The teapot?

HILDA. Don't you know about our teapot? (_Takes teapot from mantel._) Here it is. (_Sarcastically._) It belonged to somebody when tea was first introduced into Europe; it was seized by the Puritans under Cromwell; it was brought to this country in 1680, and has been in our family for over two centuries. It's what the teapot stands for that I'm running away from.

DEAN (_taking the teapot and examining it with the eye of an expert_).

It's a beauty--rather a harmless looking object to drive one away from home.

HILDA (_indignantly_). Don't you dare to make fun of me!

DEAN (_setting down teapot_). I was never more serious in my life.

Listen, Miss Templeton, if you will postpone your departure--just a little--I will try to adjust matters. There are ways. Will you give me a trial?

HILDA (_reluctantly_). I've been ready for days----

DEAN (_coming very near_). Will you?

HILDA. I've telegraphed my cousin----

DEAN (_taking her hand_). Will you?

HILDA (_taking teapot_). If you'll take this thing and carry it where I'll never see it again, I'll not go--yet.

DEAN (_drawing back_). I can't----

HILDA. I won't stay in the house with it another day.

DEAN. But your father----

HILDA (_picking up her suit-case_). Very well. Please let me pa.s.s, Mr.

Dean.