Our Town Lines (Mrs. Webb)

JG: “…go away some place and take a rest. I think it would do you some good.” (1)

Emily! Time to get up! Wally! Seven O’ Clock!"

DG: Don’t you hear your mother calling you? (1)

Walleee! You’ll be late for school!

DG: Guess I’ll go upstairs and take forty winks. (1)

Walleee! You wash yourself good or I’ll come up and do it myself.

SM: “…Cartwrights own it, and it’s brung ‘em a fortune.” (1)

Children! Now I won’t have it! Breakfast is just as good as any other meal, and I won’t have you gobblin’ like wolves! It’ll stunt your growth. That’s a fact. Wally, put away your book!”

W: “Oh Ma! By ten o’clock I got to know all about Canada” (1)

You know the rule’s as well as I do — no books at the table. As for me, I’d rather have my children healthy than bright.

E: “I’m the brightest girl in school for my age. I have a wonderful memory.” (1)

Eat your breakfast.

Reb: “There’s the first bell, I gotta go.” (1)

Now walk fast, but you don’t have to run. Wally, pull up your pants at the knee.

JG: “Good morning Myrtle. How’s your cold?” (1)

Well, I still get that tickling feeling in my throat. Told Charles I didn’t know as I’d go to choir rehearsal tonight.

JG: “Have you tried singing over your voice?” (1)

Yes, but somehow I can’t do that and stay on the key. While I’m resting myself, I thought I’d string some of these beans.

JG: “…Beans have been good this year.” (1)

Aya, I decided to put up forty quarts if it kills me. Children say they hate em, but I notice they’re able to get ‘em down all winter.

JG: “…because if I don’t tell somebody, I’ll burst.” (1)

Why, Julia Gibbs!

JG: “…come to see you last Friday?” (1)

No-o.

JG: “…three hundred and fifty dollars for Grandmother Wentworth’s highboy, as I’m sitting here!” (1)

Why Julia Gibbs!

JG: “…and I almost have it to Cousin Hester Wilcox.” (1)

Well, you’re going to take it aren’t you?

JG: “I don’t know.” (1)

You don’t know? Three hundred and fifty dollars? What’s come over you?

JG: “…that if we ever had the chance—” (1)

How’s Doctor feel about it?

JG: “—that’s the way I put it— I’d make him take me.” (1)

M-m-m— What did he say?

JG: “…and that’s enough treat for anybody, he says.” (1)

Well, Mr. Webb just admires the way Doctor Gibbs knows everything about the Civil War. Mr. Webb’s a good mind to give up Napoleon and move over to the Civil War, only Doctor Gibbs being one of the greatest experts in the country just makes him despair.

JG: “…every bush and pacing it out, like was going to buy it.” (1)

Well, if that second-hand man’s really serious about buying it, Julia, you sell it. And then you’ll get to see Paris, all right. Just keep droppin’ hints from time to time—that’s how I got to see the Atlantic Ocean, y’know!

SM: Now the political and social report: Editor Webb— Oh, Mr. Webb? (beat) (1)

(poke head in) He’ll be here in a minute— He just cut his hand whilst eatin’ an apple.

SM: “Thank you, Mrs. Webb.” (1)

(Off SR) Charles! Everybody’s waitin’.

G: (enter) “Thanks for the talk, Emily. Good afternoon, Mrs. Webb” (1)

Good afternoon, George!

E: “So long, George!” (1)

Emily, come and help me string these beans for the winter. (beat) Well, George Gibbs let himself have a real conversation. Why, he’s growing up. How old would George be?

E: “Oh, I don’t know.” (1)

Let’s see. He must be almost sixteen.

E: “Mama, I made a speech in class today and I was very good.” (1)

You must recite it to your father at supper. What was it about?

E: “Mama, are these big enough?” (1)

Try and get them a little bigger if you can.

E: “Mama, will you answer me a question, serious?” (1)

Seriously, dear, not serious.

E: “Seriously, will you?” (1)

Of course, I will.

E: “Mama, am I good looking?” (1)

Yes, of course you are. Both my children got good features. I’d be ashamed if they hadn’t.

E: “What I mean is:—am I pretty?” (1)

I’ve already told you, yes. Now that’s enough of that. You have a nice young pretty face. I never heard of such foolishness.

E: “Oh, Mama, you never tell us the truth about anything.” (1)

I am telling you the truth.

E: “Mama, were you pretty?” (1)

Yes, I was, if I do say it. I was the prettiest girl in town nest to Mamie Cartwright.

E: “…to get anybody— to get people interested in me?” (1)

Emily, you make me tired! Now stop it! You’re pretty enough for all normal purposes. Come along now and bring that bowl with you.

STAGE DIRECTION: SM: Now we’ll get back to Grover’s Corners. It’s evening. (1)

Enter for choir scene

MS: “Goodnight, Martha. Goodnight, Mr. Foster.” (1)

I’ll tell Mr. Webb; I know he’ll want to put it in the paper.

JG: “Real night choir practice wa’n’t it?” (1)

Um-m!

MS: “But it’s getting worse!” (1)

No, it isn’t, Louella. It’s getting better. I’ve been in that choir twice as long as you have. It doesn’t happen anywhere near so often. My, I hate to go to bed on a night like this. Gracious, I’d better hurry. Those children’ll be sittin’ up till all hours. Goodnight, Louella—Julia—

H: Good morning, M’s Webb. (2)

Oh, good morning, Mr. Newsome. I told you four quarts of milk, but I hope you can spare me another.

H: “Yes’m—and two'-a-cream.” (2)

Will it start raining again, Howie?

H: “…as how we hope they’ll be happy, M’s Webb—know they will.” (2)

Thank you, and thank Mrs. Newsome; and we’re counting on seeing you at the church.

G: “Good morning, Mother Webb.” (2)

Good morning, George. Goodness! You frightened me. Now, George—I hate to say it—you can stand here a minute out of the rain—but really— you understand, George, I can’t ask you in.

G: “Why not—?” (2)

Why, George, you know’s well as I do—the groom can’t see his bride on his wedding day, not until he sees her in church.

G: “Good morning, Mr. Webb.” (2)

Good morning, George.

MW: “There’s a lot of common-sense in superstition, George.” (2)

Millions have folla’d it, George, and don’t you be the first to fly in the face of custom.

G: “How is Emily?” (2)

She hasn’t waked up yet. I haven’t heard a sound out of her.

G: “Emily’s asleep!!” (2)

No wonder! We were up til’ all hours sewing and packing. Now, I’ll tell you what I’ll do, George; you set down here a minute with Mr. Webb and drink this cup of coffee; and I’ll run upstairs and see she don’t come down and surprise you. There’s some bacon too. But don’t be long about it.

MW: (enter) “I’m going to put an incubator in the cellar—” (2)

Charles Webb, are you talking about that incubator again? I thought you two’d be talking about things worth while!

MW: “…give the boy some good advice, I’ll go upstairs.” (2)

George, Emily’s got to come down and eat her breakfast! She sends her love, but she doesn’t want to lay her eyes on you. Goodbye.

MW: “…guess you didn’t know about that older superstition.” (2)

What do you mean, Charles?

STAGE DIRECTION: SM: “Well, now we’ll get on to the wedding.” (2)

Bring on chair for wedding scene

SM: “Well, that’s all my sermon. ‘Twan’t very long anyway.” (2)

I don’t know why on earth I should be crying. I suppose there’s nothing to cry about. This morning at breakfast, it came over me. There was Emily eating her breakfast, as she’s done for seventeen years—and she’s going out of my house. I suppose that’s it— And Emily! She suddenly said: I can’t eat another mouthful. And she put her head on the table and she cried. Oh, I’ve got to say it— You know, there’s something downright cruel about sending girls out into marriages like that. It’s—it’s cruel, I know; but I just couldn’t get myself to say anything— I went into it as blind as a bat myself. The whole world’s wrong, that’s what’s the matter. There they come.

STAGE DIRECTION: Joe: “I see they’re comin’.” (3)

Enter with umbrellas in front of Emily (funeral group)

STAGE DIRECTION: “I always liked that hymn.” (3)

Peel off SL

CW and H: “Mornin’, Joe.” (3)

Wally! Emily! Time to get up!

E: “I didn’t know Mama was ever that young—” (3)

You can come and dress by the kitchen fire, if you like, but hurry. Good mornin’, Mr. Newsome.

H: “Mornin’, Mis’ Webb.” (3)

Whhh—it’s cold.

H: “Ten below my barn, Mis’ Webb.” (3)

Think of it! Keep yourself wrapped up!

E: “Mama, I can’t find my blue hair-ribbon anywhere!” (3)

Just open your eyes dear, that’s all, I laid it out for you special on the dresser, there. If it were a snake, it’d bite you.

MW: “Everything all right here?” (3)

Yes—can’t think of anything that’s happened, special. Been right cold. Howie Newsome says it's ten below over to his barn.

MW: “Paper have any mistakes in it?” (3)

None that I noticed. Coffee’s ready when you want it. Charles! Don’t forget, it’s Emily’s birthday. Did you remember to get her anything?

MW: “Where’s my birthday girl?” (3)

Don’t interrupt her now, Charles. You can see her at breakfast. She’s slow enough as it is. Hurry up, children! Seven o’clock, Now i don’t want to call you again.

E: “Good morning, Mama.” (3)

Well, now, dear, a very happy birthday to my girl and many happy returns. There are surprises waiting for you on the kitchen table.

E: “I can’t! I can’t!” (3)

But birthday or no birthday, I want you to eat your breakfast good and slow. I want you to grow up and be a good, strong girl. That in the blue paper is from your Aunt Carrie and I reckon you can guess who brought the post card album. I found it on the doorset when I brought in the milk—George Gibbs— must come over in the cold pretty early—right nice of him.

E: “Oh George! I’d forgotten that—Oh!” (3)

Chew on that bacon good an’ slow. It’ll help keep you warm on a cold day.

E: “Let’s look at another!” (3)

That in the yellow paper is something I found in the attic among your grandmother’s things. You’re old enough to wear it now, and I thought you’d like it.

E: “…and it’s just what I wanted. It’s beautiful!!” (3)

Well, I hoped you’d like it. Hunted all over. Your Aunt Norah couldn’t find one in Concord so I had to send all the way to Boston. Wally has something for you, too. He made it at Manual Training class and he’s very proud of it. Be sure you make a big fuss about it. Your father has a surprise for you, too; don’t know what it is myself. Shh—here he comes.

STAGE DIRECTION: MW: “Where’s my girl? Where’s my birthday girl?” (3)

Exit SL final time