_Enter_ HANNAH JONES, R., _extravagantly dressed, with a red chignon, followed by_ MRS. LOFTY.
_Hannah._ Come right in, marm; this is our setting-room, where we receive callers. Take a seat.
_Mrs. Lofty._ Will you please call your mistress at once?
_Hannah._ My mistress? Law, neow, I s'pose yeou take me for a hired gal. Yeou make me laugh! Why, my pa's richer than all the rest of 'em's pas put together. I deon't look quite so scrumptious as the rest o 'em, p'r'aps, but I'm one of the scholars here.
_Mrs. L._ I beg your pardon. No offence was intended.
_Hannah._ Law, I don't mind it. Yeou see our folks come from deown east, and we haven't quite got the hang of rich folks yit. That's why I'm here to git polished up. Miss Precise is the schoolmarm, but she's so stiff, I don't expect she'll make much of me. I do hate airs. She makes the girls tend tu door, because she's too poor to keep help.
_Mrs. L._ Will you please speak to her? I have not much time to spare, as this is my charity day.
_Hannah._ Charity day! Pray, what's that?
_Mrs. L._ I devote one day in the week to visiting poor people, and doing what I can to alleviate their misfortunes.
_Hannah._ Well, marm, that's real clever in you. I do like to see rich folks look arter the poor ones. Won't you please to let me help you? I don't know the way among the poor yit, but I'm going to find out. Here's my pocket-book; there's lots uv money in it; and if you'll take and use it for the poor folks, I'll be obleeged. (_Gives pocket-book._)
_Mrs. L._ O, thank you, thank you! you are very kind; I will use it, for I know just where it is needed. Can you really spare it?
_Hannah._ Spare it? Of course I can. I know where to git lots more; and my pa says, 'What's the use of having money, if you don't do good with it?' Law, I forgot all about Miss Precise. You just make yourself to home, and I'll call her. [_Exit_, L.
_Mrs. L._ A rough diamond. She has a kind heart. I hope she'll not be spoiled in the hands of Miss Precise. (_Opens pocket-book._) What a roll of bills! I must speak to Miss Precise before I use her money. She may not be at liberty to dispose of it in this wholesale manner.
_Miss P._ My dear Mrs. Lofty, I hope I have not kept you waiting. (_Shakes hands with her, then sits in chair_, C.)