ELIZABETH.

Perhaps my husband can advise thee further where best to look for work upon the morrow.

FRANKLIN.

I thank you. I will hear him gladly. He that cannot be counseled cannot be helped.

[Footnote: From Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanac".]

ROGER.

Thee means to seek for work at once, I see.

FRANKLIN.

Lost time is never found again, and since time is of all things the most precious, I am loth to lose it.

[Footnote: From Franklin's "Poor Richard's Almanac".]

ROGER.

There is a wise head upon thy shoulders, friend. (Indicates table, and rises.) Sit thee down, lad. Sit thee down.

ELIZABETH (hurrying to hearth where kettle stands).

Alas! I have forgotten the kettle! The tea is not yet ready. (To Roger.) Do thee and Benjamin Franklin talk while I prepare it. Show him the volumes lately come from London. Thee knows the print and paper is most pleasing.

[Roger Burchard and Benjamin Franklin sit at right in the high-backed chairs, the volumes upon their knees. That they are true book-lovers is instantly apparent. They are lost to everything that goes on about them. They sit with their backs towards the door at left, quite screened from the view of any one entering there. There is a pause.

Then Deborah Read taps softly at the door at left. Elizabeth turns and opens the door.

DEBORAH (finger on lip).

S-ssh! Not a word! (Glances towards the back of Roger's chair.) I've crept up the stairs on tip-toe!

ELIZABETH.

Sweet rogue! Thee startled me to the point of dropping the kettle!

Yonder is my husband so deep in a book that the crack o' doom would scarce rouse him. And with him is a young printer whom we have bid to be our guest. Roger and I have finished our evening meal, so perhaps thee will keep our young guest company while I prepare for meeting.

DEBORAH (holding up warning finger).

Primp not too much for meeting, fair friend Elizabeth! A grave demeanor goes with Quaker bonnets! (Laughs.) Yes, yes, I'll serve your printer, play hostess, or aught else that will please you, and you can call me when 'tis time to leave him. (Throws off her cloak, and sits by hearth on footstool.) La! such a day! This very morn I saw the strangest sight! I went to the door to get a breath of air, and as I stood there what should I see approaching down the street but a lad with dusty clothes and bulging pockets--nay, wait, Elizabeth! The drollest part is yet to come! I vow he had stuffed one pocket full of stockings, and from the other protruded a loaf of bread! And in his hand was a great fat roll, and he was eating it! Gnawing it off, an you please, as if there were no one to see him! Then he looked up, and----

ELIZABETH (shocked).

Deborah! Thee did not laugh at him! Thee did not mock at him!

DEBORAH (wiping tears of mirth from her eyes).

Mock at him? Oh, lud! I laughed till my sides ached! (Rises, as she happens to see that Roger Burchard and his guest are rising, yet continues gaily.) And when he caught sight of my face----

[Just as Deborah utters these words she and Franklin perceive each other. Deborah is utterly taken aback and quite speechless.

ROGER (seeing nothing amiss).

Welcome, Deborah Read. I present to thee Benjamin Franklin.

[Franklin bows. Deborah drops a fluttering courtesy, and then clings to Elizabeth Burchard.

DEBORAH (quaveringly).

I--I feel somewhat faint, Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH (seeing nothing amiss).

Then sit at the table, dear Deborah, and a cup of tea will revive thee.

DEBORAH (protesting).

No--! No--! I--I will help you to dress.

ELIZABETH.

Then who will serve Benjamin Franklin? Thee promised that thee would be hostess, so unless aught is amiss----

DEBORAH (recovering herself, and suddenly displaying a haughty self- possession).

Naught is amiss, Elizabeth. I will serve tea if you bid me.

[Deborah sits at one end of the table, Franklin at the other.

ELIZABETH.

Thee knows the Friends' special meeting to-night is at the same hour as that of the other churches, so when thee hears the church-bells ringing 'twill be time to prepare, sweet Deborah.

DEBORAH (with a gleam).

I'll not forget the time. I promise you that, Elizabeth.

ELIZABETH.

Come, Roger. Thee must wear a fresh neck-cloth.

[Roger and Elizabeth exeunt left. There is a very long pause.

DEBORAH.

Will you have tea, Master Franklin?

FRANKLIN.

If it pleases you, Mistress Read.

DEBORAH.

Cream? Sugar?

FRANKLIN.

I thank you.

[She pa.s.ses him his cup. There is another long pause.

FRANKLIN (with a great sigh).

'Tis a silent place, Philadelphia!

[Another pause.

FRANKLIN.

Will you have some bread, Mistress?

DEBORAH (coldly).

I thank you, no.