David Ballard Book

Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: ACT III Scene.?The Ballards' Drawing-room, Pimlico. (As In Act I.) The room is exectly the same as in Act I, except that near the sofa there is a hooded wickerwork cradle, and hanging above the bamboo table, an enlarged photograph, painted in oils, by Darwin Snodge, of Mr. Ballard. Seated at the centre table is Mrs. Ballard, looking very little older but for the fact that her glasses are now permanently upon her nose; her hands are folded and a newspaper is on her lap. Gladys, untidily and even sloppily dressed, sits in the rocking-chair, sewing, with a workbasket and a litter of linen and calico upon the floor beside her. Louisa, looking precisely the same, is at the fireplace, engaged in putting coals on the fire out of the scuttle. Mercy is seated at the sofa, a book in one hand and gently rocking the cradle with the other. Although still slight and girlish of figure, Mercy has now passed into the age of womanhood. She is dressed neatly in a simple black skirt and red blouse and is altogether beautiful, though she looks even a shade more sad and thoughtful than before. Both Gladys and Mrs. Ballard are silently eyeing Louisa at her operations. Mrs. Ballard. Not all them small pieces now, Louisa. [Louisa continues her task; and having finished it, limps in her old spiritless fashion towards the door.] Gladys [as Louisa reaches the door]. Now, I meant what I said, Louisa. If you can't get dressed by tea- time on Saturdays, you'll have to go. Mrs. Ballard. She won't be dressed by any tea-time; how can she be ? it's gone half-past now. Gladys. Well, I've warned her; that's all. [She resumes her sewing.] Mrs. Ballard. I suppose she does know that we're all having tea together in the studio this afternoon ? Louisa. Yes'm. [She continues to wait at the door.]...Read More