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Read Ebook: Comrades: A Drama in Three Acts by Baker George M George Melville
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Ebook has 642 lines and 20569 words, and 13 pages
MAY. You know his business?
ROY. Yes. He's a drummer.
MAY. A military man. Then you surely should like him.
MAY. To be sure you should. Well, why don't you?
ROY. What! Pin him in a corner, and, like a stern parent, ask him who are his parents, and what are his intentions.
MAY. And what then?
ROY. Ten to one he'll fly into a passion, tell me it's none of my business, and quit the house in disgust.
MAY. Somehow, Roy, I have faith in Marcus Graves.
ROY. Because Bessie loves him. Oh, the warm cloak of affection covers a multitude of sins!
ROY. Deserted you! Fled with your father's friend! It's a sad story, May. Don't speak of it.
MAY. Yes: I was left to the care of strangers. And this kind neighbor, Mrs. Bradley, took pity upon me. She was poor; but, hard as was her lot, I was treated as her own child. O Roy! she was a mother to the friendless little stranger! Heaven knows I am grateful! All the tenderness she bestowed upon me I have tried to repay in love for her child. In days of poverty, Bess and I shared our crusts together; and now that fortune has blessed me with prosperity, her happiness is more than ever, with your dear help, to be the aim of my life. Comrades in adversity should be comrades in prosperity.
ROY. Right, Mary. For her happiness we will strive together. Comrades! ah, that brings back the old days, May! But I forget; you do not like to have me speak of them.
MAY. You do not mean that, Roy. Am I not proud of your war record? Do I not glory in your triumphs, there where brave men fought and fell.
MAY. And you have not seen him since?
ROY. No: one of these days I mean to hunt him up.
MAY. To share with him your fortune?
BESS. Ahem!
ROY . Bother that girl! Well, what now?
BESS. I smell smoke, and where there's smoke there must be fire.
ROY. Not where you are. You're a capital extinguisher.
MAY. Did you find him, Bess?
BESS. No. 'Twas a false alarm. Oh, dear! why don't he come?
ROY. You're right. I nearly caught my death.
BESS. To talk so! You know he left the house before ten.
ROY. This morning, yes. Quite time to be moving.
MAY. Roy, don't torment her. See how anxious she is!
ROY. As anxious as a cat to seize a poor little mouse, that she may tease it.
BESS. Oh, you wicked wretch! You know we never quarrel.
MAR. Oh, here you are, Manning! Call your chickens under their mother's wing; fasten up the hen-roost; barricade your pigpen; call out your troops, and plant your biggest guns upon the ramparts. The enemy is at your door!
ROY. Halloa! Halloa! What's the matter?
MAY. Enemy! what enemy?
BESS. Marcus, have you been drinking?
ROY. I told you he was up late. Well, old fellow, who is the enemy?
ROY. Oh!
BESS. Ah!
MAY. Indeed!
MAR. Yes. I met a true type of the fraternity half a mile below. He stopped my horse, and begged money. I always make short work of these fellows, so tossed him a quarter and rode on. He turned into that shanty set apart for the entertainment of man and beast, and no doubt will pour entertainment down his throat in beastly style. So look out, Manning. He may pay you a visit.
ROY. 'Twill be a short one, then; and I'll give him no quarter.
MAR. Well, how are you all, particularly my bonny Bess?
ROY. Half a mile below. Did he look rough?
MAR. Rough, but good-natured. Dress ragged, face bloated, figure plump. These fellows thrive on their pickings these pests.
ROY. Don't say that, Marcus. The fellow may have been unfortunate.
ROY. Yes: a quality which tramps and drummers possess in a wonderful degree.
MAR. For my part, I never allow myself to be staggered by the blows of fate. When they come, I take a long breath, and hit out straight from the shoulder.
MAY. When did you hear from your father, Mr. Graves?
MAY. He was well when you heard?
ROY . May, what are you doing?
MAY. Pinning him in a corner. You men are so afraid of each other. Woman's curiosity knows no fear. We've found out one thing: he has a father.
ROY. Yes, and one other: he's afraid of him. Did you notice his hesitation?
MAY. Yes. There's some mystery about that father, which I mean to fathom.
MAY . Yes. I want you to look at my heliotropes; they're just splendid!
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