ACT TWO

Scene VII

INT. HOWELL PARLOR—TEN YEARS LATER

Eliza and Jem, who has a cane in his hand, are sitting on a settee. Eliza has her head on Jem's shoulder, and they are talking quietly. In run two children—William, age nine, and Charlotte, age seven. William is brandishing a toy sword and riding a stick horse. Charlotte is running after him.

CHARLOTTE

Willie, please! I want to play, too! Why can't I play?

Willie stabs an invisible enemy.

WILLIAM

Take that!

CHARLOTTE

Pa!

JEREMIAH

All right, you rascals, what's going on here?

CHARLOTTE

Willie's playing soldier, and I wanna play, too, but he won't let me!

WILLIAM

(scoffs) Don't be silly, Charlotte, girls don't fight!

CHARLOTTE

Ma!

ELIZA

(warningly) William Robert Howell…

WILLIAM

(sheepishly) Yes, Ma?

Eliza gives him a look, and together she and Jeremiah get to their feet.

JEREMIAH

Will, you be nice to your sister and let her play.

WILLIAM

(sighs) Yes, Pa. Here, Charlotte.

He gives her the hobbyhorse, and she takes it with a smile. Together, they begin playing.

ELIZA

All right, you two, go and vex your uncle Johnny and aunt Sally for a while. We'll be along directly.

WILLIAM

(as they exit) You know, Charlotte, girls can't fight in heroic battles, like us men.

CHARLOTTE

I know. But I like to pretend.

They exit. Jem and Eliza look at each other with knowing faces.

JEREMIAH

They have no idea, do they?

ELIZA

Let's not tell them.

They chuckle together and exit arm-in-arm. Lights fade out. End scene VII. End Act II.

The End.