All rights reserved by Charles Recht and John Biro, 47 West 42nd Street, New York. Applications for permission to produce THE GRANDMOTHER must be made to Mr. Charles Recht.
[_There is only this notable thing to be said about Grandmother--her hair is snow white, her cheeks rosy and her eyes violet blue. She is the most youthful and enthusiastic, best and most cordial grandmother ever beloved by her grandchildren._
_The scene opens on a broad, sunny terrace furnished with garden furniture, chairs, small tables and chaises longues. Back of the terrace is the beautiful summer residence of Grandpa. Behind it is a large English garden in its lenten blossoms. The Disagreeable Young Man enters; yawns; stretches discontentedly; slouches here and there; picks up a volume from the table, then falls into a couch at right and, lighting a cigarette, begins to read. The other grandchildren enter in groups of two and three and seat themselves._]
THE JOVIAL YOUNG MAN. My word, children, I am too full for utterance. What a spread! Now for a good cigar and a soft chair and I am as rich as a king.
THE BLOND YOUNG LADY. We are having such charming weather. Is not this park like a paradise?
THE BRUNETTE YOUNG LADY. How did you like the after-dinner speeches?
THE VIVACIOUS GIRL. Uncle Heinrich was splendid. [_There is great laughter._]
THE POLITE YOUNG MAN. Uncle Heinrich was never strong in speechmaking, but in the beginning even Demosthenes stuttered.
THE JOVIAL YOUNG MAN. The trouble is that Uncle Heinrich stopped where Demosthenes began. Besides a manufacturer has no time to parade on the sea shore with pebbles under his tongue.
THE POLITE YOUNG MAN. Children, who wants a cigarette?
THE POLITE YOUNG MAN [_handing them cigarettes and lighting a match for them. He speaks to the Bride_]. Aren't you going to smoke?
THE JOVIAL YOUNG MAN. Lord, no! She must not! The noble bride must not permit tobacco smoke to contaminate her rosy lips. [_They all laugh._]
THE VIVACIOUS GIRL. May I have a cigarette, too?
THE JOVIAL YOUNG MAN. You be careful or the same misfortune may happen to you at any minute that happened to Lucy [_pointing to the Bride, he hands the Vivacious Girl a cigarette._]
THE VIVACIOUS GIRL. If my bridegroom shall object to tobacco smoke, he can pack his things and--off.