King Arthurs Socks and Other Village Plays | Page 2

to look inquiringly at the first, and boundless space falls like a blue curtain between them and the scene_.
THE SECOND CELESTIAL FIGURE. It is strange. I've seen nothing like that anywhere in the universe. But why do you suppose--
THE FIRST CELESTIAL FIGURE. Oh, as to that, I really cannot say. It's what is called "Human nature."
THE SECOND CELESTIAL FIGURE. Oh!
They walk off thoughtfully.

THE CHASTE ADVENTURES OF JOSEPH
A COMEDY
"The Chaste Adventures of Joseph" was first produced at the Liberal Club, New York City, in 1914, with the following cast:
Madam Potiphar ....... Louise Murphy Asenath .............. Marjorie Jones Potiphar ............. Berkeley Tobey Joseph ............... Floyd Dell Slave ................ Maurice Becker
_A room in Potiphar's house. It is sparingly furnished with a table, two stools, and a couch, all in the simpler style of the early dynasties.... The table, which is set at an angle, is piled with papyri, and one papyrus is half-unrolled and held open by paper-weights where somebody has been reading it.... There is a small window in one wall, opening on the pomegranate garden. At the back, between two heavy pillars, is a doorway.... Two women are heard to pass, laughing and talking, through the corridor outside, and pause at the doorway. One of them looks in curiously_.
THE LADY. Such a lovely house, Madam Potiphar!--But what is this quiet room? Your husband's study?
MADAM POTIPHAR. (_coming in_) Oh, this is nothing--merely the room of one of the slaves. Come, dear Cousin Asenath, and I will show you the garden. The pomegranates are just beginning to blossom.
ASENATH. The room of a slave? Indeed! He seems to be an educated person!
MADAM POTIPHAR. Educated? Oh, yes--he is a sort of book-keeper for Potiphar. At least, that is what he is supposed to be. But he is never on hand when he is wanted. If he were here, we might get him to show us through the vineyard.
ASENATH. Why not send for him? I would love to see the vineyard before your husband takes me out in the chariot.
MADAM POTIPHAR. (_ironically_) Send for Joseph? It would be useless. Joseph has affairs of his own on hand, always.
ASENATH. (_startled_) Joseph! Is that his name?
MADAM POTIPHAR. Yes--"Joseph." An ugly, foreign-sounding name, don't you think?
ASENATH. It is rather an odd name--but I've heard it before. It was the name of a youth who used to be one of my father's slaves in Heliopolis.
MADAM POTIPHAR. Heliopolis? I wonder--what was he like?
ASENATH. Oh, he was a pretty boy, with nice manners.
MADAM POTIPHAR. I thought for a moment it might be the same one. But this Joseph is an ill-favoured creature--and insolent. . . . What colour was his hair?
ASENATH. I really don't remember. It's been a year since he was there.... You have a lovely house, my dear. I'm so glad I came to see you!
MADAM POTIPHAR. (_also willing to change the subject_) It's nice to see you again, dear Asenath. We haven't seen each other since we were little girls. Do you remember how we played together in the date-orchard? And the long, long talks we had?
ASENATH. Don't let's be sentimental about our childhood! MADAM POTIPHAR. Do you remember how we talked about being married? (Asenath goes to the little window.) We hated all men, as I remember.
ASENATH. I was eight years old then. . . . Who is that handsome young man I see out there?
MADAM POTIPHAR. In the garden?
ASENATH. Yes.
Madam Potiphar comes to the window.
MADAM POTIPHAR. That--that is the slave we were speaking of. . . .
ASENATH. Joseph? . . . I wonder if it is the same one? . . .
MADAM POTIPHAR. Well--and what if it were?
ASENATH. He was really a very interesting young man. . . .
MADAM POTIPHAR. If you are so anxious to find out, why don't you go and talk to him?
ASENATH. (_coolly_) I think I shall.
She starts toward the door.
MADAM POTIPHAR. (_shocked_) Asenath! You, a daughter of the High Priest of Heliopolis--
ASENATH. As such, I am quite accustomed to doing as I please.
She goes out.
MADAM POTIPHAR. (_looking amusedly after her_) Silly little thing! (She stands there thinking.) There's no doubt of it! Joseph did come from Heliopolis last year. But what have I to be afraid of? (_She sees a pair of sandals on the floor by the table. She picks one of them up, and kisses it passionately, whispering_)--Joseph!
_Enter Potiphar. Madam Potiphar puts the sandal behind her back_.
POTIPHAR. (_a dull, dignified gentleman_) Oh, here's where you are! I was looking everywhere for you. But where's your cousin?
MADAM POTIPHAR. She will be back in a moment. I brought her here to show her the educated slave of whom you are so proud, at work. But he is away somewhere, as usual.
POTIPHAR. (_defensively_) He has other duties.
MADAM POTIPHAR. Oh, yes, no doubt!
POTIPHAR. What's the matter now?
MADAM POTIPHAR. Nothing new. You know what I