Lowizy.  What?  To  her?  Why,  she's  young  enough  to
be  his  darter.
Widder.  That  ain't  no  difference  nowadays.  'T  any
rate  he's  takin'  her  to  the  singing  school  tonight.
Lowizy.    He  is?  Honest,  Widder  Bill,  is  he?

Widder.  I  ain't  ever  been  accused  of  tellin'  a  fib,  Lo-
wizy Loviny  Custard.
Lowizy.  But  I'm  so  surprised.  I  thought  he  was  goin'
to  ask  me.  Waal  of  all  things.  Millie  Redfetter  !  Wonder
ef  he's  tryin'  to  run  a  kindergarten.  I  alius  knowed  he
didn't  have  serial  intentions  toward  the  holy  wedlocks  of
matrimony.  The  idea !  I  jest  can't  git  over  it.  And  him
a  widderer  with  seven  children.  I  never  did  like  him  no
how,  him  bein'  a  man  that  wears  eye-glasses  on  his  nose!

Widder.  Waal,  I  got  to  be  gittin'  along.  (Calls.)  Jere-
miah !  Jerry !  Where  be  ye  ?

Jerry  (outside  at  rear).     Here  I  be.
Widder.  Bring  out  my  hoss.  I've  got  to  be  gittin'  along.
Enter  Deborah  from  L.
Deborah.    Going  so  soon,  Widder?

Widder.  I  jest  gotta.  I've  got  to  git  dressed  fer  the
singin'  school.  Maybe  we'll  stop  by  here  and  git  a  warm
on  our  way  to  the  schoolhouse.
Deborah.  Yes,  do.  I'll  be  terribly  lonesome  when  Char-
ley and  Isabel  go.
Widder  (putting  on  her  things).  It's  started  to  snow
agin.     Seems  like  this  winter'll  never  end.
AN   OLD   FASHIONED    MOTHER  43

Enter  Jerry  from  R.
Jerry.  The  hoss  is  all  ready,  Widder.  Say,  air  y'  goin'
to  let  me  sing  a  solo  tonight?  I  kin  sing  "My  Bonnie  Lies
Over  the  Ocean"  so'z  it  'ud  bring  tears  to  your  eyes.
