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    • MRS. PRETTIPET, Young Widow .
    • MORTIMER BRIEFBAG, Counsellor-at-Law .

THE MOUSE-TRAP was first played in August, 1886, at the Sea Urchins, Bar Harbor. It was repeated at matinées of amateur theatricals, given for the Island Mission and other charities, January 13th and 14th, 1887, at the Madison Square Theatre in New York, when Miss Elsie de Wolfe played Mrs. Prettipet, Mr. Edward Fales Coward, Mr. Briefbag. This comedietta requires but one interior scene, with a practicable window facing audience. Both characters wear modern morning dress. As "patter" parts, the lines committed to Mrs. Prettipet and Mr. Briefbag should be spoken rapidly and with spirit.

(The scene is the parlor of a flat; facing audience a window, practicable, C.; sofa, work-table, fireplace R., door L., two arm-chairs.)

(As the curtain rises, Mrs. Prettipet comes running through door L. in great excitement. In her arms she holds a basket of crewel-work and wools, which she throws upon the table, then closes and tries to lock door, finds key gone, pushes chair against door, sharply calls off.)

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 161 words in 17 sentences using 808 chars.

Note: Contains 109 words in 6 sentences using 565 chars.

Note: Contains 51 words in 9 sentences using 249 chars.

Bridget's voice
( , outside.)

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 23 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 24 chars.

Bridget's voice
( , outside.)

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

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 21 chars.

Bridget's voice
( , outside.)

Note: Contains 12 words in 1 sentence using 58 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(excitedly) .

Note: Contains 25 words in 5 sentences using 132 chars.

(Bridget's voice.)

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

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 143 words in 21 sentences using 680 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(without) .

Note: Contains 26 words in 5 sentences using 141 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 28 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(mopping his brow) .

Note: Contains 45 words in 3 sentences using 243 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 48 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(putting one leg over sill) .

Note: Contains 16 words in 3 sentences using 80 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

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

BRIEFBAG
(putting other leg over sill) .

Note: Contains 35 words in 2 sentences using 195 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(coquettishly) .

Note: Contains 14 words in 1 sentence using 72 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 28 words in 3 sentences using 147 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(aside) .

Note: Contains 14 words in 3 sentences using 84 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(slipping into room) .

Note: Contains 49 words in 4 sentences using 247 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 24 words in 5 sentences using 108 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 8 words in 2 sentences using 42 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 30 words in 3 sentences using 140 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 43 chars.

(Fumbles in pocket; takes out law-paper, keys, pipe, etc., fails to find handkerchief, look distractedly at umbrella, gives that up, seizes a tidy from a chair-back, and wipes widow's eyes. Mrs. Prettipet's hysterics gradually subside.)

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

MRS. PRETTIPET
(rejecting the arm he attempts to put around her waist) .

Note: Contains 5 words in 2 sentences using 32 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 38 words in 4 sentences using 211 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(shrieks) .

Note: Contains 13 words in 3 sentences using 60 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 30 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(with a strong effort) .

Note: Contains 29 words in 3 sentences using 132 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 39 words in 5 sentences using 231 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(draws back) .

Note: Contains 6 words in 3 sentences using 44 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

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

MRS. PRETTIPET
(haughtily) .

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 29 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(stiffly) .

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 54 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(wildly, aside) .

Note: Contains 22 words in 4 sentences using 118 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(relenting, aside) .

Note: Contains 18 words in 3 sentences using 108 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(aside) .

Note: Contains 39 words in 6 sentences using 207 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 34 words in 4 sentences using 202 chars.

Bridget's voice
( , outside.)

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 23 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 17 chars.

(Bridget's voice.)

Note: Contains 20 words in 2 sentences using 95 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 4 words in 3 sentences using 31 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(getting up from knees, bewildered) .

Note: Contains 52 words in 3 sentences using 286 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(running in) .

Note: Contains 32 words in 5 sentences using 160 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 3 words in 2 sentences using 29 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(counts balls) .

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 24 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 48 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(nervously) .

Note: Contains 18 words in 5 sentences using 92 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 30 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 21 words in 5 sentences using 116 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 18 words in 2 sentences using 73 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 33 words in 5 sentences using 201 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(sits on sofa) .

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 39 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 53 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 50 words in 4 sentences using 284 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 88 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 28 words in 3 sentences using 147 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 10 words in 3 sentences using 53 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 168 words in 15 sentences using 960 chars.

(He opens umbrella. At this moment a mouse springs from Mrs. Prettipet's basket, crosses her lap, and runs across the floor.)
MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 2 words in 1 sentence using 14 chars.

(Mrs. P. utters a piercing shriek, and faints. Briefbag turns, closing and dropping umbrella.)
BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 76 words in 12 sentences using 427 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(reviving) .

Note: Contains 46 words in 11 sentences using 222 chars.

(She springs up on chair gathering her skirts tight about her. Enter Briefbag, holding a large plated water-pitcher in his hand.)
BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 33 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 6 words in 2 sentences using 34 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(putting chair between them) .

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

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 32 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 30 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 7 words in 1 sentence using 42 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 19 words in 2 sentences using 79 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 25 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 62 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 34 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 36 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(hysterically) .

Note: Contains 9 words in 1 sentence using 42 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 53 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 13 words in 3 sentences using 65 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 22 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 3 words in 1 sentence using 20 chars.

(Brief bag jumps to one side, then stoops, making lunges under chair with umbrella.)
MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 18 words in 3 sentences using 87 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 32 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(distractedly) .

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 58 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(jumping on other chair) .

Note: Contains 6 words in 3 sentences using 38 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

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

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 56 words in 2 sentences using 303 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 38 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 6 words in 1 sentence using 30 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 26 words in 2 sentences using 127 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 36 words in 2 sentences using 179 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 11 words in 2 sentences using 55 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 4 words in 1 sentence using 25 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 40 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(taking drink out of water-pitcher) .

Note: Contains 9 words in 1 sentence using 48 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 21 words in 3 sentences using 106 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 47 words in 2 sentences using 239 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 16 words in 3 sentences using 87 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 3 words in 2 sentences using 19 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 6 words in 3 sentences using 36 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(puts up umbrella to shield himself) .

Note: Contains 11 words in 3 sentences using 47 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 10 words in 2 sentences using 51 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 21 words in 4 sentences using 108 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(jumps down, claps hands) .

Note: Contains 9 words in 3 sentences using 56 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(getting down, stiff in joints) .

Note: Contains 24 words in 3 sentences using 136 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 25 words in 5 sentences using 141 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 18 words in 2 sentences using 87 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 13 words in 2 sentences using 61 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 23 words in 3 sentences using 135 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(rapidly) .

Note: Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 48 chars.

BRIEFBAG
(walking to window, looks out) .

Note: Contains 54 words in 4 sentences using 273 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(holding to his coat) .

Note: Contains 12 words in 2 sentences using 52 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 25 words in 3 sentences using 143 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(beseechingly) .

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

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 5 words in 1 sentence using 43 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

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

BRIEFBAG
(aside) .

Note: Contains 37 words in 7 sentences using 192 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET
(holds out hand) .

Note: Contains 8 words in 1 sentence using 39 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 7 words in 2 sentences using 47 chars.

Bridget's voice
( outside.)

Note: Contains 29 words in 2 sentences using 153 chars.

BRIEFBAG.

Note: Contains 21 words in 3 sentences using 106 chars.

MRS. PRETTIPET.

Note: Contains 9 words in 1 sentence using 52 chars.

CC-BY-4.0
Lizenzvertrag
Holder of rights
Mathias Göbel
Citation Suggestion for this Object
TextGrid Repository (2024). American Drama. The Mouse-Trap. The Mouse-Trap. American Drama Corpus. Mathias Göbel. https://hdl.handle.net/21.11113/0000-0014-A706-7