Mrs. Slater :(promptly) I told him to put them on to stretch them; they were that new and hard. Now, Henry.

(Mrs. Slater snatches the slippers from Henry and gives them to Abel,who puts them on and sits in the armchair.)

Mrs. Jordan : (to Ben) Well, I don’t call that delicate, stepping into a dead man’s shoes in such haste.

(Victoria runs across to Abel and sits on the floor at his feet)

Victoria : Oh, Grandpa, I’m so glad you’re not dead.

Mrs. Slater : (in a vindictive whisper) Hold your tongue, Victoria.

Abel : Eh? What’s that? Who’s gone dead?

Mrs. Slater : (loudly) Victoria says she’s sorry about your head.

Abel : Ah, thank you, Vicky, but I’m feeling better.

Abel : Why, Ben, you are in mourning! And Lizzie too. And Amelia, and Henry and
little Vicky! Who‘s gone dead? It’s someone in the family.

(He chuckles.)

Mrs. Slater : No one you know, father. A relation of Ben’s.

Abel : And what relation of Ben’s?

Mrs. Slater : His brother.

Ben :(to Mrs. Slater) Damn it, I never had one.

Abel : Dear, dear. And what was his name, Ben?

Ben : (at a loss) Er-er. (He crosses to front of table.)

Mrs. Slater : (Right side of table, prompting) Frederick.

Mrs. Jordan : (Left side of table, prompting) Albert.

Ben : Er-Fred –Alb-Isaac



pg no.44
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