Chapter V: Act I

SCENE: _The scene shows the dining-room of the John Grier Home. A bare,
dreary room with plastered walls. Main entrance at C. leading into a
bare hall outside. R. of C. is a large cupboard; partly opened;
shelves covered with cheap fringed paper and filled with plates;
dishes and earthenware crocks. On the lowest shelf is a black
paste-board box containing white muslin caps and aprons. R. of
cupboard is an entrance leading into the pantry, at back a low shelf
on which are various kitchen pans. At lower R. is an entrance
leading to children’s department. Above it another entrance with
door leading to kitchen. Entrances lower R., back R. and C. are open
entrances. At L. are two large windows through which is seen the
porch outside and the yard beyond._

_The room is furnished with four long tables, two R. of C. are
placed across stage R. to L. Two L. of C. are placed up and down
stage. Table L. of C. is lower, for the smaller children.
Dimensions, 8 × 2, stand 22 inches high, other tables 8 × 2 stand 28
inches high, benches on each side of tables, and stools at end, 18
in. high. Benches and stools for small table 14 in. high. The tables
are covered with white marble oil-cloth and rest on horses. The
tables are set for the next meal. A large soup-plate, cup and
soup-spoon at each plate. 14 at a table. On each table a large
salt-cellar. Table L. of C. down stage is cleared and a dish-pan
with polishing rags and soap placed there for the orphans to clean
the teaspoons for the Trustees’ tea. On lower table R. at L. end is
a tray containing cups, saucers and sugar bowl to be sent to the
Trustees’ room. Salt-cellar on this table filled with sugar, not
salt._

_The only decoration in the room is a large lettered illumined
text, painted over door at C. “The Lord will provide.”_

_The light at rise is of late afternoon dimmed at cue to dark
evening and coming up a little as MRS. LIPPETT turns on bracket
lights. Off stage at R. 2 E. is a table. On table a tray containing
two plates of bread sandwiches for Judy, also napkins and dish of
sliced lemons for MRS. LIPPETT._