Part 26

MAGGIE. He's starving--I'm starving----

HETTY. I'm going to take him away from you----

MAGGIE. I want your money--and your influence.

HETTY and MAGGIE. I'm going to rob you--rob you.

MARGARET [quietly to HARRIET]. I've had such a delightful afternoon.

HARRIET [offering her hand]. It has been a joy to see you.

MARGARET [sweetly to HARRIET]. Good-bye.

HARRIET [sweetly to MARGARET as she kisses her]. Good-bye, my dear.

Curtain.

IV. HELENA'S HUSBAND

An Historical Comedy

By Philip Moeller

Copyright, 1915, by Philip Moeller

"Helena's Husband" was produced by the Washington Square Players, under the direction of Philip Moeller, at the Bandbox Theatre, New York City, beginning October 4, 1915.

In the cast, in the order of their appearance, were the following:

HELENA, Queen of Sparta. Noel Haddon TSUMU, her slave. Helen Westley MENELAUS, the King. Frank Conroy ANALYTIKOS, his librarian. Walter Frankl PARIS, a shepherd. Harold Meltzer

The scene was designed by Paul T. Frankl and the costumes by Robert Locker.

"Helena's Husband" was subsequently revived by the Washington Square Players at the Comedy Theatre, New York City, beginning June 5, 1916, with Margaret Mower playing the part of Helen.

CHARACTERS

HELENA, the Queen TSUMU, a black woman, slave to Helena MENELAUS, the King ANALYTIKOS, the King's librarian PARIS, a shepherd

SCENE: Is that archeolological mystery, a Greek interior. A door on the right leads to the KING'S library, one on the left to the apartments of the QUEEN. Back right is the main entrance leading to the palace. Next this, running the full length of the wall, is a window with a platform, built out over the main court. Beyond is a view of hills bright with lemon groves, and in the far distance shimmers the sea. On the wall near the QUEEN'S room hangs an old shield rusty with disuse. A bust of Zeus stands on a pedestal against the right wall. There are low coffers about the room from which hang the ends of vivid colored robes. The scene is bathed in intense sunlight.

TSUMU is massaging the QUEEN.

HELENA. There's no doubt about it.

TSUMU. Analytikos says there is much doubt about all things.

HELENA. Never mind what he says. I envy you your complexion.

TSUMU [falling prostrate before HELENA]. Whom the Queen envies should beware.

HELENA [annoyed]. Get up, Tsumu. You make me nervous tumbling about like that.

TSUMU [still on the floor]. Why does the great Queen envy Tsumu?