LAURA READS ALOUD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1290, 19 November 1896, Page 15

LAURA READS ALOUD.

[By Madeline S. Bridges.]

g cene —A sloping bank near a river. Trees, sunshine, grass, rugs, pillows, booksi Dramatis Personae—Six girls, all more or less in recumbent attitudes. A cow in an adjoining field. Angie—This is blissful, but we ought to improve our minds a little. Laura, won’t you read aloud to us ? Laura—Willingly. Kate (pensively)—l wish my trunk would come. The man said it ought to be here this morning. Marjorie—Do stop about that trunk I You’ve mentioned it six simes since dinner. * Kate—But I haven’t a thing to wear I Angie—Adjust your mind to higher conditions. Laura is going to read something. , . Addie (sleepily)—What sort of a thing ? Laura —When you’re ready— Kate—Wait a minute. I must move farther out of the sun. Marjorie—We ought to get up a little classic course, I think Browning or Homer or St. Beuve. Angie (firmly)—l think so. Something uplifting. Marie (glancing apprehensively at the cow in the near distance) —Oh, don t don’t say that 1 Laura—Well, I’ve brought lUybie’s “ Essays on Literature." The one on Dante—

Angie—(enthusiastically) —Oh, that one is glorious ! Begin. Kate —And, for goodness, don t put on that angelic voice you keep for poetry ! It makes me want to cry. Marjorie— Kate, be still! Go on, Laura. Laura (reading) —“ It is characteristic of a mind of the first order —"

Addie (sitting up suddenly)—Oh, good gracious, oh ! Chorus —What's tho matter ? Addie —Such a horrid-looking, walking thing on the back of my neck. Ugh ! Marjorie—What a fuss you make ! Here, put your head on my rubber pillow. Marie, can’t you move a little bit ? Excuse us, Laura.

Angie (with sarcasm) —Yes, Laura; excuse them if you can.

Laura (reading)—“ It is characteristic of a mind of the- first order —“

Marie (under her breath) —I can’t help it. lam afraid of that cow ! He’s coming over the hedge. I know he is 1 Marjorie (in like manner) —Sh. That’s Mrs Boardem’s cow. It’s one of the family. Laura (reading)—“ That its relations to life are never—"

Marie—lt’s terrific, the way he keeps on chewisg and looking straight at me. Shoo—shoo—sho-o-o 1

Marjorie —Do be quiet, Marie. Laura (reading)—“ Are never at any (time—

Marie (quite aloud) —Oh, he’s co-o* 'Omiag. I told you so. Chase him away, somebody—please I Marjorie—What foolishness! Sit down ; (Energetically to the cow.) Here, get away—go back to your pasture —skit I See how it minds, aa nice as can be. Marie, sit down and be sensible. Angie (with resignation) —Laura, you would better begin again, I think. Laura (reading)—“ It is characteristic of a mind of the highest order —" Kate (excitedly)—There’s a wagon coming over the bridge. Ido believe it’s my trunk, at last!

Marjorie—There is a trunk in the wagon, sure enough. Kate (jumping up)—Oh, I’m so glad ! I must go and scold the man. (Scampers off.) Angie—Well, now perhaps we can settle down to our essay. Will you resume ?

Laura (reading)— 1 life—"

“ That its relations to

Marjorie—Oh, do forgive me, girls, but there comes the boy with the mail. Omnes —Oh, where, where ? General uprising and stampede in the direction of the bcfy. The Essay on Dante" lies face downward in the grass, and the scene closes. —Brooklyn Life.