This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1916 edition. Excerpt: ... HINDLE WAKES ACT I SCENE 1 The scene is triangular, representing a corner of the living-room kitchen of No. 137, Burnley Road, Hindle, a house rented at about Is. Gd. a week. In the left-hand wall, low down, there is a door leading to the scullery. In the same wall, but further away from the spectator, is a window looking on to the backyard. A dresser stands in front of the window. About half-way up the right-hand wall is the door leading to the hall or passage. Nearer, against the same wall, a high cupboard for china and crockery. The fireplace is not visible, being in one of the walls not represented. However, down in the L. corner of the stage is an arm-chair, which stands by the hearth. In the middle of the room is a square table, with chairs on each side. The room is cheerful and comfortable. It is nine o'clock on a warm August evening. Through the window can be seen the darkening sky, as the blind is not drawn. Against the sky an outline 9 of roof-tops and mill chimneys. The only light is the dim twilight from the open window. Thunder is in the air. When the curtain rises Christopher Hawthorn, a decent, white-bearded man of nearly sixty, is sitting in the arm-chair smoking a pipe. Mrs. Hawthorn, a keen, sharpfaced woman of fifty-five, is standing gazing out of the window. There is a flash of lightning and a rumble of thunder far away. mrs. Hawthorn. It's passing over. There'll be no rain. Christopher. Ay! We could do with some rain. [There is a flash of lightning. Christopher. Pull down the blind and light the gas. mrs. Hawthorn. What for? Christopher. It's more cosy-like with the gas. Mrs. Hawthorn. You're not afraid of the lightning? Christopher. I want to look at that railway guide. mrs. Hawthorn. What's the good? We've looked...