Why, children, what is it? What's wrong? The Sentimental High School Girl. Why, grandma, just think of it! Curt said that grandpa made his fortune by questionable means. The Disagreeable Young Man. I did not say exactly that— The Polite Young Man. Yes, you did. The Others (chiming in). You said that. Yes, you said that. Grandmother (as energetically as possible for her). I think you are in error, Curt. In the entire fortune of your grandpa there is not a single copper that was not earned by him in the most honest way. The Disagreeable Young Man. But look, grandma,—what I said was—generally in those cases no one— Grandmother (hurt). When I tell you this, boy, it is so . When I tell you anything, my child, you should never doubt it. The Disagreeable Young Man. Yes, grandma, you are quite right. But I maintain that human learning and experience have proved— The Polite Young Man. Why don't you stop? Do you perhaps want to insult grandma? You are taking too great an advantage of our good nature—I'll tell you that! The Disagreeable Young Man. If you folks had any sense— The Polite Young Man. Don't you know enough.... The Other Grandchildren. ... to shut up. (Attacks him.) Indeed. He's right. Stop—shut up! (The Disagreeable Young Man, in spite of this scene, wants to continue, but the protests of the others drown his voice. He casts a contemptuous look at them, shrugs his shoulders, throws himself on the sofa and begins to read.) The Polite Young Man. Now don't trouble yourself about him any longer, grandma dear. Here, rest yourself nicely in this chair among us. The Jovial Young Man. There, grandma! The old folks are there at table. We young people are here in the fresh air. We lacked only the youngest one of us all. And here you are. (There is a glad assent as the Grandmother sits down.) The Vivacious Girl. Are you quite comfortable, grandma dear? Would you like something to rest your feet on?

Grandmother Monologue from The Grandmother

Rehearse Grandmother's monologue