SCENE III.—Sabbath Morning. The Hall.Marie. Where 's Eva? Ophelia. The child stopped on the stairs, to say something to Mammy. Mar. Eva, what were you stopping for? Eva. I was just stopping to give Mammy my vinaigrette, to take to church with her. Mar. Eva! your gold vinaigrette to Mammy!. When will you learn what 's proper? Go right and take it back, this moment! St. C. I say, Marie, let the child alone; she shall do as she pleases. Mar. St. Clare, how will she ever get along in the world? St. C. The Lord knows; but she 'll get along in heaven better than you or I. Eva. O papa! don't; it troubles mother. Oph. Well, cousin, are you ready to go to meeting? St. C. I 'm not going, thank you. Mar. I do wish St. Clare ever would go to church; but he has n't a particle of religion about him. It really is n't respectable. St. C. I know it. You ladies go to church to learn how to get along in the world, I suppose, and your piety sheds respectability on us. If I do go at all, I would go where Mammy goes; there 's something to keep a fellow awake there, at least. Mar. What! those shouting Methodists? Horrible! St. C. Anything but the dead sea of your respectable churches, Marie. Positively, it 's too much to ask of a man. Eva, do you like to go? Come, stay at home and play with me. Eva. Thank you, papa, but I 'd rather go to church. St. C. Is n't it dreadful tiresome? Eva. I think it is tiresome, some, and I am sleepy, too; but I try to keep awake. St. C. What do you go for, then? Eva. Why, you know, papa, cousin told me that God wants to have us; and he gives us everything, you know; and it is n't much to do it, if he wants us to. It is n't so very tiresome, after all. St. C. You sweet little obliging soul! go along, that 's a good girl; and pray for me. Eva. Certainly, I always do. St. C. [Solus.] O Evangeline! rightly named; hath not God made thee an evangel to me? |