King Arthurs Socks and Other Village Plays | Page 2

drawing-room. The two celestial figures stand
aside and look. A man and woman are sitting on a sofa, kissing each
other. From time to time, in intervals between the kisses, they speak_.
THE MAN. No! No! I must not!
But he does.
THE WOMAN. No! No! We must not!
But they do.
THE MAN. We must not--
_The second celestial figure turns 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