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      DRAMATIS PERSONÆ.
    • Jack Despard , of the Thalia Company.
    • Mertoun Newbury , of the Best Society.

A BIT OF INSTRUCTION

Was first produced by Mr. Henry Woodruff, at a special performance at Brattee Hall, Cambridge, on February 25, 1898. On this occasion, Mr. Woodruff appeared as " Despard "; and Mr. Harry Gay as " Newbury ."

The play was given by Mr. Woodruff, at the Lyceum Theatre, New York, on April 22, 1898. Mr. Woodruff then played " Newbury ," and Mr. Robert Edeson was the " Despard ."

The play was used by Mr. Woodruff professionally for an extended vaudeville tour, in the autumn of 1898.

The time is the present. The scene is the bachelor apartment of Jack Despard. The time is half-past twelve, of a mid-winter night.

The scene is the bachelor sitting-room, of Jack Despard's lodgings. It is comfortably, even luxuriously furnished, in the manner of a bachelor's "den." There is a large divan, with cushions: a fireplace, R., with a bright fire: — low bookcases, well filled: lounging-chairs: — a table strewn with magazines, etc. The walls are hung with water-color sketches, pipe racks, etc. As the curtain rises, Newbury is discovered, asleep in a large arm-chair, before the fire. The chair is partly concealed from any one entering, by a screen. After a second's pause, Jack enters. He comes in, somewhat wearily. He wears a handsome, fur-lined coat. He does not see Newbury: his attention being concentrated on the fact that, in addition to the lamp, three gas-jets are in full flame .
Jack .

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( Newbury has awaked at the first sound of Jack's voice, and is sitting sleepily up. Jack sees him .)
Jack .

Note: Contains 9 words in 2 sentences using 45 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 41 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 14 chars.

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Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 18 chars.

( During this scene, Jack is taking off his topcoat, warming his hands, changing his coat for a smoking-jacket, etc. )
Jack .

Note: Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 96 chars.

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( Stiffly .)

Note: Contains 9 words in 2 sentences using 49 chars.

Jack .

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( There is an awkward pause .)
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Note: Contains 19 words in 3 sentences using 97 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 28 words in 2 sentences using 132 chars.

( Another awkward pause .)
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( Rather explosively .)

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 26 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 3 words in 2 sentences using 17 chars.

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Note: Contains 22 words in 2 sentences using 93 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 31 chars.

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Note: Contains 22 words in 3 sentences using 100 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 4 chars.

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Note: Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 61 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 31 words in 2 sentences using 180 chars.

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Note: Contains 16 words in 3 sentences using 96 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 22 words in 2 sentences using 97 chars.

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Note: Contains 13 words in 1 sentence using 73 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 26 words in 2 sentences using 115 chars.

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Note: Contains 17 words in 2 sentences using 99 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 28 words in 2 sentences using 141 chars.

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Note: Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 69 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 131 chars.

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( Rather eagerly .)

Note: Contains 4 words in 2 sentences using 18 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 28 words in 2 sentences using 129 chars.

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Note: Contains 20 words in 3 sentences using 112 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 23 words in 2 sentences using 97 chars.

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Note: Contains 22 words in 1 sentence using 114 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 18 words in 2 sentences using 90 chars.

( He takes a riding-whip from the table, as if absent-mindedly, and nervously plays with it .)
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( Indicating whip .)

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 19 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 30 chars.

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Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 126 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 58 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 6 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 15 words in 2 sentences using 59 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 30 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 44 words in 6 sentences using 195 chars.

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Note: Contains 6 words in 4 sentences using 29 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 23 words in 4 sentences using 107 chars.

( He leisurely exchanges boots for slippers .)

Note: Contains 23 words in 1 sentence using 112 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 27 words in 3 sentences using 125 chars.

Jack .
( With polite boredom .)

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 4 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 18 words in 3 sentences using 89 chars.

Jack .
( His exasperation is evidently growing tense. He opens his card-case, and hands Newbury his card .)

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 8 chars.

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( Reads .)

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 70 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 130 chars.

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Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 49 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 106 chars.

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Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 41 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 25 words in 2 sentences using 128 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 42 words in 2 sentences using 204 chars.

Jack .
( Rising .)

Note: Contains 21 words in 2 sentences using 111 chars.

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Note: Contains 2 words in 2 sentences using 13 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 15 words in 1 sentence using 73 chars.

( They face each other, in self-contained anger .)
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Note: Contains 18 words in 1 sentence using 82 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 16 words in 1 sentence using 76 chars.

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Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 26 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 69 words in 1 sentence using 366 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 71 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 40 words in 2 sentences using 200 chars.

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( After a short pause he peels off his right-hand glove, and offers his hand .)

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 6 chars.

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( Amazed .)

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 3 chars.

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Note: Contains 62 words in 5 sentences using 293 chars.

( They shake hands, heartily .)
Jack .

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

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Note: Contains 1 word in 2 sentences using 8 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 20 chars.

( They sit .)
Jack .
( Reaching across table .)

Note: Contains 20 words in 2 sentences using 93 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 45 words in 3 sentences using 209 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 50 chars.

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Note: Contains 13 words in 1 sentence using 51 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 37 words in 6 sentences using 198 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 31 words in 3 sentences using 155 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 13 words in 1 sentence using 69 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 66 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 32 chars.

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Note: Contains 20 words in 1 sentence using 95 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 41 chars.

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Note: Contains 22 words in 1 sentence using 102 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 15 words in 3 sentences using 90 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 39 words in 2 sentences using 188 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 66 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 32 words in 2 sentences using 140 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 38 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 32 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 16 words in 2 sentences using 65 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 53 words in 5 sentences using 248 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 29 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 39 words in 3 sentences using 163 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 5 words in 2 sentences using 29 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 18 words in 1 sentence using 78 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 45 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 11 words in 3 sentences using 45 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 130 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 18 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 6 words in 3 sentences using 48 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 123 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 140 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 36 chars.

( He rubs shoulder .)
Jack .

Note: Contains 6 words in 3 sentences using 32 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 27 words in 2 sentences using 138 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 11 words in 1 sentence using 62 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 59 words in 7 sentences using 307 chars.

Jack .
( In ecstasies of laughter .)

Note: Contains 30 words in 2 sentences using 140 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 72 words in 4 sentences using 335 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 45 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 8 words in 2 sentences using 39 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 68 chars.

New.
( Aggrievedly showing MS. )

Note: Contains 15 words in 2 sentences using 78 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 11 words in 1 sentence using 52 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 21 words in 2 sentences using 107 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 21 words in 2 sentences using 121 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 95 chars.

Note: Contains 41 words in 3 sentences using 229 chars.

Note: Contains 26 words in 4 sentences using 142 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 34 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 65 chars.

Note: Contains 22 words in 5 sentences using 112 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 32 chars.

New.
( Bewildered and aggrieved .)

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 10 chars.

Jack .

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

New.

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 15 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 57 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 12 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 1 word in 1 sentence using 10 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 49 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 132 words in 5 sentences using 634 chars.

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( In a daze .)

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 31 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 108 words in 2 sentences using 547 chars.

Note: Contains 109 words in 4 sentences using 583 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 39 chars.

Jack .
( In his turn bewildered .)

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 10 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 61 words in 5 sentences using 272 chars.

Jack .
( In cold anger and amazement .)

Note: Contains 11 words in 1 sentence using 60 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 9 words in 2 sentences using 51 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 18 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 45 words in 1 sentence using 224 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 53 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 33 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 10 words in 1 sentence using 40 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 64 words in 4 sentences using 321 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 33 words in 1 sentence using 147 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 25 words in 1 sentence using 115 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 12 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 49 words in 4 sentences using 237 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 64 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 40 words in 1 sentence using 202 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 13 words in 4 sentences using 71 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 23 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 72 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 44 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 33 words in 5 sentences using 173 chars.

( Newbury, after a moment's search, selects one, and holds it out to him .)
Jack .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 17 chars.

( Newbury slowly goes to fireplace, and thrusts the letter into the coals. Both men stand silently watching it burn .)
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( Gripping Jack's hand hard .)

Note: Contains 34 words in 4 sentences using 170 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 26 words in 4 sentences using 126 chars.

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( He puts on his coat, and prepares to go out, as he speaks .)

Note: Contains 44 words in 2 sentences using 188 chars.

Jack .
( Opens a locket that hangs at his watchchain, and holds it up .)

Note: Contains 30 words in 3 sentences using 146 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 17 words in 3 sentences using 78 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 26 chars.

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( Musingly .)

Note: Contains 15 words in 1 sentence using 73 chars.

Jack .
( With a dryness of voice .)

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 60 chars.

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( Aghast .)

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 31 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 14 words in 2 sentences using 62 chars.

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( After a pause, strips off both his coats .)

Note: Contains 23 words in 1 sentence using 101 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 18 words in 3 sentences using 81 chars.

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( Fervently .)

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 38 chars.

Jack .

Note: Contains 26 words in 3 sentences using 127 chars.

New.

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 41 chars.

( Newbury goes out. Despard follows him to door: calls "Find your way, all right?" Newbury's voice answers from below, "O, yes, thanks." The lower door closes. Despard closes his own door. He blows out the lamp, leaving only the red glow of the firelight. He crosses slowly to the mantel, and stands looking down into the fire. After a moment's pause, he opens the locket, and stands looking down, musingly, on the pictured face .
( Curtain .)
CC-BY-4.0
Lizenzvertrag
Holder of rights
Mathias Göbel
Citation Suggestion for this Object
TextGrid Repository (2024). American Drama. A Bit of Instruction. A Bit of Instruction. American Drama Corpus. Mathias Göbel. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0014-A4C9-E