think of it! My poor mother's dream fulfilled,--I, her daughter,
the mistress of affluence, the queen of social power! What a
temptation! Ah, Miss Mary, WAS it a temptation? Was there nothing
in your free life here that stiffened your courage, that steeled
the adamant of your refusal? or was it only the memory of your
mother's wrongs? Luxury and wealth! Could you command a dwelling
more charming than this? Position and respect! Is not the awful
admiration of these lawless men more fascinating than the perilous
flattery of gentlemen like Col. Starbottle? is not the devotion of
these outcasts more complimentary than the lip-service of perfumed
gallantry? (Pause.) It's very odd he doesn't come. I wonder if
that conceited old fool said anything to him. (Rises, and then
seats herself, smiling.) He HAS COME. He is dodging in and out of
the manganita bushes below the spring. I suppose he imagines my
visitor still here. The bashful fool! If anybody should see him,
it would be enough to make a petty scandal! I'll give him a
talking-to. (Pause.) I wonder if the ridiculous fool has gone to
sleep in those bushes. (Rises.) Well, let him: it will help him
to recover his senses from last night's dissipation; and you, Miss
Mary, it is high time you were preparing the lessons for to-morrow.
(Goes to schoolhouse, enters door, and slams it behind her; after a
moment reappears with empty bucket.) Of course there's no water,
and I am dying of thirst. (Goes slowly to left, and pauses
embarrassedly and bashfully, presently laughs,--then suddenly
frowns, and assumes an appearance of indignation.) Miss Mary
Morris, have you become such an egregious fool that you dare not
satisfy the ordinary cravings of human nature, just because an
idle, dissipated, bashful blockhead--nonsense! [Exit, brandishing
pail.