PLAYS AT PLUMFIELD As it is as impossible for the humble historian of the March family to write a story without theatricals in it as for our dear Miss Yonge to get on with less than twelve or fourteen children in her interesting tales , we will accept the fact , and at once cheer ourselves after the last afflicting events , by proceeding to the Christmas plays at Plumfield ; for they influence the fate of several of our characters , and can not well be skipped . When the college was built Mr Laurie added a charming little theatre which not only served for plays , but declamations , lectures , and concerts . The drop-curtain displayed Apollo with the Muses grouped about him ; and as a compliment to the donor of the hall the artist had given the god a decided resemblance to our friend , which was considered a superb joke by everyone else . Home talent furnished stars , stock company , orchestra , and scene painter ; and astonishing performances were given on this pretty little stage . Mrs Jo had been trying for some time to produce a play which should be an improvement upon the adaptations from the French then in vogue , curious mixtures of fine toilettes , false sentiment , and feeble wit , with no touch of nature to redeem them . It was easy to plan plays full of noble speeches and thrilling situations , but very hard to write them ; so she contented herself with a few scenes of humble life in which the comic and pathetic were mingled ; and as she fitted her characters to her actors , she hoped the little venture would prove that truth and simplicity had not entirely lost their power to charm . Mr Laurie helped her , and they called themselves Beaumont and Fletcher , enjoying their joint labour very much ; for Beaumont 's knowledge of dramatic art was of great use in curbing Fletcher 's too-aspiring pen , and they flattered themselves that they had produced a neat and effective bit of work as an experiment . All was ready now ; and Christmas Day was much enlivened by last rehearsals , the panics of timid actors , the scramble for forgotten properties , and the decoration of the theatre . Evergreen and holly from the woods , blooming plants from the hothouse on Parnassus , and flags of all nations made it very gay that night in honour of the guests who were coming , chief among them , Miss Cameron , who kept her promise faithfully . The orchestra tuned their instruments with unusual care , the scene-shifters set their stage with lavish elegance , the prompter heroically took his seat in the stifling nook provided for him , and the actors dressed with trembling hands that dropped the pins , and perspiring brows whereon the powder would n't stick . Beaumont and Fletcher were everywhere , feeling that their literary reputation was at stake ; for sundry friendly critics were invited , and reporters , like mosquitoes , can not be excluded from any earthly scene , be it a great man 's death-bed or a dime museum . ` Has she come ? ' was the question asked by every tongue behind the curtain ; and when Tom , who played an old man , endangered his respectable legs among the footlights to peep , announced that he saw Miss Cameron 's handsome head in the place of honour , a thrill pervaded the entire company , and Josie declared with an excited gasp that she was going to have stage fright for the first time in her life . ` I 'll shake you if you do , ' said Mrs Jo , who was in such a wild state of dishevelment with her varied labours that she might have gone on as Madge Wildlife , without an additional rag or crazy elf-lock . ` You 'll have time to get your wits together while we do our piece . We are old stagers and calm as clocks , ' answered Demi , with a nod towards Alice , ready in her pretty dress and all her properties at hand . But both clocks were going rather faster than usual , as heightened colour , brilliant eyes , and a certain flutter under the laces and velvet coat betrayed . They were to open the entertainment with a gay little piece which they had played before and did remarkably well . Alice was a tall girl , with dark hair and eyes , and a face which intelligence , health , and a happy heart made beautiful . She was looking her best now , for the brocades , plumes , and powder of the Marquise became her stately figure ; and Demi in his court suit , with sword , three-cornered hat , and white wig , made as gallant a Baron as one would wish to see .
XXXXX was the maid , and looked her part to the life , being as pretty , pert , and inquisitive as any French soubrette .
Alice Demi Fletcher Josie Marquise brocades colour declamations elf-lock toilettes