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      CHARACTERS REPRESENTED.
    • Alec McLaren .
    • Karen Demar .
    • Mrs. Pennypacker .

Was first produced at a benefit performance, at the Bijou Theatre, Boston, on the evening of January 18, 1898. On this occasion, "Karen" was played by Miss Minnie Dupree; "Alec" by Mr. Horace Lewis; and "Mrs. Pennypacker" by Miss Kate Ryan.

The scene is Alec McLaren's lodging room, in Mrs. Pennypacker's house. The time is midnight of a stormy November night.

The scene is a large, bare room in a city lodging-house. A fire is burning on hearth, R. C. A couch is drawn up before it with a pillow or two covered in bright chintz, and a dilapidated buffalo robe thrown over it. A table, C., is littered with books, newspapers, pipes, etc. A battered arm-chair stands beside it. Other chairs in various stages of disrepair stand about the room. There is a wall-cupboard, with doors left, back. At the left, back, a large, low window with curtain half drawn on its string. The walls are ornamented with rough sketches, pictures from illustrated papers, etc., unframed; a pair of gloves and of foils; pipe rack, etc. On a row of hooks, back, left, hang various fancy costumes, odd hats, etc. A door, L. 4. As the curtain rises the wind is heard shrieking without; the door is pushed open and Mrs. Pennypacker, a thin, gaudily-dressed Cockney, enters. She carries a candle. She is speaking to some one on the stairs without .
Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 58 words in 3 sentences using 257 chars.

( Karen Demar staggers in on the verge of fainting. Mrs. Pennypacker catches her in her arms and half carries her to the couch, where she drops her, lying helpless, none too gently; she says as she goes .)
Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 123 words in 9 sentences using 564 chars.

( She pours out a finger of whisky and drinks with relish. As she wipes her mouth on her apron, she sees that Karen has faintly struggled to an upright position against the cushions, and is looking at her bewilderedly .)
Karen .

Note: Contains 14 words in 5 sentences using 66 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 99 words in 6 sentences using 528 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 20 words in 4 sentences using 96 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 65 words in 3 sentences using 315 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 111 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 41 words in 3 sentences using 190 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 2 words in 2 sentences using 11 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 603 words in 57 sentences using 3314 chars.

( Karen has raised herself on her cushions as Mrs. P. proceeds; and as she finishes, falls back against them in hysterical laughter and crying .)
Karen .

Note: Contains 29 words in 4 sentences using 117 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 98 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 26 words in 2 sentences using 134 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 53 words in 7 sentences using 241 chars.

Karen .
( Rises staggeringly .)

Note: Contains 34 words in 6 sentences using 182 chars.

Mrs. P.
( Hastens to window sill and takes tin can, bringing it to Karen .)

Note: Contains 18 words in 3 sentences using 103 chars.

Karen .
( Pours out a little tremulously in glass .)

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 35 chars.

Mrs. P.
( Pulling up her skirts .)

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 24 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 27 words in 4 sentences using 123 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 4 words in 2 sentences using 26 chars.

Karen .
( Drinks the milk at first daintily, then with a sudden passionate greediness .)

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 27 chars.

( She reaches out half-unconsciously for the can Mrs. P. extends to her. Before she touches it a voice is heard singing stentorianly, but evidently very far below stairs, "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!" Karen lays down the glass and moves more steadily, though still feebly, toward the door .)
Karen .

Note: Contains 18 words in 5 sentences using 96 chars.

( She goes out, catching at the door-post as she passes. McLaren's voice sounds more and more loudly in "Glory, Glory, Hallelujah!" as he approaches the landing .)
Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 30 words in 3 sentences using 167 chars.

( She agitatedly puts whisky-bottle to her lips as McLaren enters. He wears an ancient theatrical cloak and slouch hat. His arms are full of cans, bottles, bundles and the like. He is still jovially singing. He pauses at sight of Mrs. P. )
McL.

Note: Contains 23 words in 4 sentences using 123 chars.

( He puts down bundles, takes off cloak and hat, warms himself at fire, etc., as the scene proceeds .)
Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 13 words in 3 sentences using 59 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 81 words in 8 sentences using 451 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 12 words in 3 sentences using 62 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 15 words in 4 sentences using 70 chars.

Mrs. P.
( Slightly maudlin .)

Note: Contains 17 words in 1 sentence using 84 chars.

McL.
( Drops his pipe on table .)

Note: Contains 5 words in 2 sentences using 27 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 33 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 64 words in 10 sentences using 334 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 97 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 20 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 18 words in 1 sentence using 83 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 10 words in 4 sentences using 48 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 62 words in 2 sentences using 316 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 26 words in 1 sentence using 145 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 36 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 27 words in 6 sentences using 142 chars.

Mrs. P.

Note: Contains 49 words in 3 sentences using 223 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 30 words in 2 sentences using 173 chars.

Mrs. P.
( Goes bewilderedly toward door .)

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 19 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 21 words in 3 sentences using 115 chars.

Mrs. P.
( At threshold .)

Note: Contains 27 words in 4 sentences using 122 chars.

McL.
( Goes back to table, absently takes up pipe; crosses to fire; leans on mantel .)

Note: Contains 240 words in 31 sentences using 1199 chars.

( He rushes out. After a pause he brings Karen in, in his arms, very tenderly. Her hair is loose. She is deathly white. He lays her on the sofa, covers her with the buffalo robe, chafes her hands, etc .)
McL.

Note: Contains 59 words in 11 sentences using 274 chars.

Karen .
( Opening her eyes; faintly .)

Note: Contains 2 words in 3 sentences using 20 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 37 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 21 words in 7 sentences using 111 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 56 words in 4 sentences using 257 chars.

Karen .
( Bewildered .)

Note: Contains 2 words in 2 sentences using 12 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 43 words in 4 sentences using 202 chars.

Karen .
( Faintly .)

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 13 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 54 words in 8 sentences using 256 chars.

( She mechanically obeys: and presently eats with mad eagerness. He watches her with growing emotion: and at last turns his back, unable to bear her hunger .)
Karen .
( She sets down the bowl with a long sigh, and speaks wistfully, after a little pause .)

Note: Contains 21 words in 3 sentences using 91 chars.

McL.
( Coming forward .)

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 24 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 64 words in 7 sentences using 308 chars.

McL.
( With a sob .)

Note: Contains 5 words in 2 sentences using 23 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 53 words in 3 sentences using 231 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 362 words in 30 sentences using 1733 chars.

Karen .
( Tremblingly begins to put up her loosened hair .)

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 73 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 6 words in 3 sentences using 28 chars.

Karen .
( Rises, steadying herself tremulously against the sofa .)

Note: Contains 42 words in 1 sentence using 212 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 88 words in 12 sentences using 425 chars.

Karen .
( Begins to beat up the pillows .)

Note: Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 52 chars.

McL.

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 11 chars.

Karen .

Note: Contains 35 words in 1 sentence using 170 chars.

( McL. sits, dropping his face on his arms. Karen goes to the window, and raises the shade .)
Karen .

Note: Contains 42 words in 3 sentences using 194 chars.

McL.
( Starts up; opening arms .)

Note: Contains 34 words in 8 sentences using 170 chars.

( He buries his face in his bent arm, leaning against the door and sobbing .)
( Curtain .)
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Holder of rights
Mathias Göbel
Citation Suggestion for this Object
TextGrid Repository (2024). American Drama. In Far Bohemia. In Far Bohemia. American Drama Corpus. Mathias Göbel. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0014-9FD7-5