The Sweet Girl Graduates Part 9

(Jack dashes in, essay in hand.)

_Jack_ Here it is, but don't practice now.

_Maude_ (pacing the floor). "As a traveler, among the mighty mountains, fails to realize--to realize the heights to which he has climbed, so we, in Life's dusty pathway, cannot estimate the distance we have--we have,--cannot estimate the distance we have--" There, I knew I didn't know it! What shall I do?

_Jack_ (brilliantly). Open your ma.n.u.script.

(Katherine enters, with letters and small package.)

_Maude_ (unseeing, resumes). "Deep, deep are the mysteries of nature, infinite are--are--"

_Mrs. De S._ Maudie, here is a letter from Uncle John. (withholds package).

_Maude_ (drops essay). O, I wonder what he sent! Is this all!

_Mrs. De S._ Why, Maudie! Read it.

_Maude_ (tears it open; reads). "My dearest Niece: Hail to the happy day! 'Way down here in South Africa, 'mong monkeys and Boers, I feel the excitement. We don't graduate down here, but we know people who do. Never, I know, has the house of De Smythe been so shaken. In honor thereof, I am sending a--a--" O, goodness, I can't--"a diamond ring,"--a diamond! Hasn't it come?

_Mrs. De S._ Does he say when?

_Maude_ (referring to the letter). He says "I am sending--" Katherine is such a stupy! (calls). Katherine--

_Mrs. De S._ Maybe this is it. (gives package).

(Katherine comes with pink roses.)

_Maude_ O, O. O.! Isn't it a beauty! Jack, look!

_Jack_ (just glancing). Umph! Yes, I see.

_Maude_ Dear Uncle John! Everybody is so good! It's bigger than _Valeria_'s. Must I wear gloves? I don't care, I just won't.

_Mrs. De S._ Your roses, Maudie.

_Maude_ O, your roses, Jack! They're lovely!

_Jack_ (slowly). The red weren't pretty, so I got pink. I hope you'll--

_Maude_ (rapturously). I just love pink roses!

(Katherine comes in with a big package.)

_Maude_ (tearing away pink ribbons and tissue papers). "With Valeria's dearest love." A bonbon dish! Isn't it lovely! And violets on it!

_Jack_ (with a grimace). It will hold two pounds!

_Maude_ It isn't a bit too big! If you won't fill it--well, there are others. I'm forgetting my piece. "Deep, deep are the mysteries--"

_Jack_ Are you going to say it?

_Maude_ No, but I must really know it, you know, so I can look up often.

_Jack_ "O, I see clearly," said the blind man.

_Mrs. De S._ Dear, dear, this is just as if you were getting married!

(sinks into a chair; she has been examining the flowers). The presents and the flowers and the carriages and--and everything. O, suppose you were--suppose you were!

_Maude_ (with intense indignation). But I'm not! I'm graduating!

_Jack_ (disconsolately). I don't think they're much alike!

_Mrs. De S. But where is Papa?

_Jack_ As I came, I saw him at the drug store.

_Mrs. De S._ The drug store! Why in the world--oh, I remember now,--I sent him. We'll never get off.

(Miss Hoppenh.o.e.r's voice is heard from somewhere, "O Jennie!")

_Mrs. De S._ (rising and collecting things dropped). I wonder what's happened now? I hope Papa isn't killed! (hurries out).

_Maude_ (gazing at her ring). Aren't my presents pretty?

_Jack_ Yes, but you are prettier.

_Maude_ (archly). Thank you, Mr. Hamilton, but aren't you a little rash?

(holds roses to her face by way of contrast.)

_Jack_ (critically). No, I think not, on mature consideration. Your hair looks like gold--California gold, and those lovely lilies! Who gave you those lilies-of-the-valley? (suddenly).

_Maude_ (evasively). Why California gold?

_Jack_ O, it's redder, and then, it is a native product. You'd be mad if I said antique gold.

_Maude_ But do you like antique gold better?

_Jack_ That isn't the point. Who gave you those lilies?

_Maude_ Aren't they dear?

_Jack_ (cruelly). Don't know,--didn't buy 'em. Whose tribute are they?

_Maude_ "Tribute" sounds like a funeral.

_Jack_ (with awful meaning). There may be a funeral. Whose are they?

_Maude_ (demurely). Mine.