[RACHEL arranges some of the things at back, and bustles off, L. 2 E.

Jenny. If you please, ma'am [growing bolder], I should like to take care of your pigs, and look after the poultry, or nurse your children, or anybody else's, or do any sort of work that would earn my bread, with a little bit of butter on it.

Mrs. R. [Smiling] That is to say, you want a comfortable situation?

Jenny. I am not particular for myself; but I have a little brother, he is too young to do anything for himself yet, and so, you know, ma'am, as I'm his sister, I'm in duty bound to do for him-bless his pretty little heart!

Mrs. R. Ah, Rachel told me nothing of that.

Jenny. [Lowering her voice] Because I told her nothing about it. I did n't wish to be too much of a bother to godmother the first time I saw her. If I had told her about Peter, she might perhaps have thought that I was asking for charity-and I didn't come here for that. As long as I can work, Peter shall need nothing from anybody, except their friendship. I am his elder sister, and he is my child, now poor mother is dead, and little Peter shall find me as good as a mother to him.

Mrs. D. [Interested] You are a worthy girl, Jenny.

Jenny. [Curtseying] Am I, ma'am?

Mrs. R. Then you have no relation living.
Jenny. Yes, I have, ma'am—I've got Peter.

Mrs. R. Is he in this village?

Jenny. Along with Mrs. Britain, who treats him like a prince; and no wonder, for he's a beauty— especially now that he has got my best petticoat made into a new dress-and he is as proud as a peacock, and so loving, and so obedient-never have to speak to him twice, the little dear! He's a perfect angel-only I can't make him keep his nose clean. Mrs. R. And you two are all that are left of your family?

Jenny. [Sadly] Ah, yes!

Mrs. R. Did your parents live in this village? Jenny. No, ma'am! My parents, as I have heard

say, were born a good way off from here, in a village called Frierly.

Mrs. R. In Derbyshire!

Jenny. Yes, ma'am.

Mrs. R. And what was your father's name? Jenny. Roberts, ma'am, Thomas Roberts-and my mother's name was—

Mrs. R. Roberts! Surely that is the name which-Have you no documents that might—

Jenny. No, ma'am, I have n't got any documents, but here are some papers, which Mr. Ruler, the schoolmaster, gave me; they are my character and my birth and parentage, and they tell all about me and little brother Peter.

[Pointing to papers which she has left on the writingtable, L. c.

[Goes to writing-table and commences examining RACHEL re-enters L. 2 E. and

JENNY'S papers.

goes to JENNY.

Rachel.

Did I not tell you there was no occasion to be afraid-nobody has any business to be afraid, as my husband used to say, when he was drummajor of the 99th. [Arranges things. Jenny. [Alone in front] Well, certainly that lady does seem a very nice woman.

Mrs. R. Oh, Heaven! is it possible?

Jenny. [Jumping round hastily] Oh, gracious! what is it?

Rachel. [Turning toward MRS. ROBINSON, R.] A spider, perhaps.

Mrs. R. Ah, my dear child, if it were really true! Little Peter and yourself would never need again to ask for aught.

Mrs. R. A moment! I must be very certain before I speak.

[Unlocks desk, R. C., and examines papers. Rachel. [Aside to JENNY] She will get you a good place, you'll see. [Goes toward MRS. R.

Jenny. Perhaps I shall have to look after the pigs and poultry in some great lord's house. Oh, that would be nice; and little Peter should come and see me; and I would show him how I am getting up in the world. Oh, the very thought of it makes me feel as if I could jump over the moon.

[LADY SPINDLE enters door, L. 1 E., and advances without seeing the others, who are at back.

Lady S. [Aside] Mrs Dwindle is gone, and I am

sole heiress.

Jenny. [Seeing her] Hey! here is some other girl come to look after a place.

[Enter MRS. Dwindle, r. e. Mrs. D. [Aside] Now, then, the entire fortune will fall to me!

Jenny. [Aside] And there's another! Does everybody come here to look after poultry and pigs? [MRS. ROBINSON is up stage, R. C., her back toward

audience, and showing papers to RACHEL, who exhibits great astonishment; JENNY is also toward back of stage, L. C., so that the front of stage is left to the two LADIES, who advance, not seeing each other till they meet, c., when both start back in great amazement.

Mrs. D. What do I see?

Rachel.

Mech. } [Turning toward LADIES] Ah!

Mrs. R.

Mrs. R. [Laughing] I was sure of it!

Rachel. Who are these two queer animals? Mrs. D. Is this the way you keep your promise, madam?

Lady S. This proves how well your word may be depended on!

Mrs. D. You hoped to exclude me from the inheritance!

Lady S. You wished to rob me!

Mrs. D. I am fulfilling the conditions of the will, madam!

Mrs. D. Not before me, madam!

[Both commence dancing ridiculously, both at same time singing a country jig; RACHEL and JENNY shout with laughter; MRS. ROBINSON laughs more moderately; after a while all three advance.

Mrs. R. Enough, ladies, enough!

Lady S. You are a witness, madam, that I have obeyed Mrs. Willis's Will.

Mrs. D. So have I.

Lady S. The inheritance belongs to me.

Mrs. D. Of course I shall have my portion.

Jenny. And have they been jumping about like that for money? [To them] You would get ever so much at our fair next week.

Mrs. R. You have certainly, ladies, earned the right to inherit, if there was no living relative of my poor friend's; but, while thanking you for the de