Soldier.  Daisy, which of us will you ’ave?

The girl. [Covering her face] Oh!  Him!

Soldier.  You see, mate!  Put your ‘ands down.  There’s nothin’ for it but a laugh.  You an’ me know that.  Laugh, mate!

The man.  You blarsted——!

     [The girl springs to him and stops his mouth.]

Soldier.  It’s no use, mate.  I can’t do it.  I said I’d laugh to-day, and laugh I will.  I’ve come through that, an’ all the stink of it; I’ve come through sorrer.  Never again!  Cheerio, mate!  The sun’s a-shinin’!  He turns away.

The girl.  Jack, don’t think too ’ard of me!

Soldier. [Looking back] No fear, my dear!  Enjoy your fancy!  So long!  Gawd bless you both!

He sings, and goes along the path, and the song fades away.

              “I’ll be right there to-night
               Where the fields are snowy white;
               Banjos ringing, darkies singing
               All the world seems bright!”

The man.  ’E’s mad!

The girl. [Looking down the path with her hands clasped] The sun has touched ’im, Jim!

Curtain

PUNCH AND GO

A LITTLE COMEDY

“Orpheus with his lute made trees
And the mountain tope that freeze.....”

PERSONS OF THE PLAY

James G. Frust ..............The Boss
E. Blewitt Vane .............The Producer
Mr. Foreson .................The Stage Manager
“Electrics"..................The Electrician
“Props” .....................The Property Man
Herbert .....................The Call Boy

OF THE PLAY WITHIN THE PLAY

Guy Toone ...................The Professor
Vanessa Hellgrove ...........The Wife
George Fleetway .............Orpheus
Maude Hopkins ...............The Faun

Scene:  The Stage of a Theatre.

Action continuous, though the curtain is momentarily lowered according to that action.

Punchand go

The Scene is the stage of the theatre set for the dress rehearsal of the little play:  “Orpheus with his Lute.”  The curtain is up and the audience, though present, is not supposed to be.  The set scene represents the end section of a room, with wide French windows, Back Centre, fully opened on to an apple orchard in bloom.  The Back Wall with these French windows, is set only about ten feet from the footlights, and the rest of the stage is orchard.  What is visible of the room would indicate the study of a writing man of culture. ( Note.—­If found advantageous for scenic purposes, this section of room can be changed to a broad verandah