Lesson One - THE ART SCHOLARSHIP

Lesson One

TEXT

THE ART SCHOLARSHIP
Scene I

Principal's office,Sommerset High School,Philadelphia.
When the curtain rises,MISS OGDEN,Principal,is sitting at her desk, and MISS DIETRICH, a young teacher, in an armchair near the fireplace. MISS OGDEN is looking at a water-colour painting and appears quite interested.

MISS OGDEN：It's a rather good picture, isn't it? I must really congratulate you, Miss Dietrich. You have a bright pupil there.What's her name?
MISS DIETRICH：Nancy Lee Johnson.The girl has real talent in drawing. And she is good at other subjects, too.[ Looks at her watch ]She ought to be here by now.
MISS OGDEN：I understand the girls are very friendly with Nancy Lee
MISS DIETRICH： Why shouldn't they be?
MISS OGDEN： Why not indeed? And of course I wouldn't allow race discrimination in my school. But you know, there have always been those silly prejudices.
MISS DIETRICH： Miss Ogden, I wonder how long such things will last. It's a shame.
[There is a knock at the door.]
MISS OGDEN： Hush! Here she comes! Come in!
[NANCY LEE comes in. She looks like a girl of 14 or 15. Her eyes are big and a little shy, her voice is soft, her skin a light brown colour.]
NANCY： Good morning, Miss Ogden. [To MISS DIETRICH] Good morning, Miss Dietrich.
MISS OGDEN： Sit down, my child. We've something to tell you. But I must ask you to promise me not to tell anyone yet.
NANCY： I won't, Miss Ogden.
MISS OGDEN： Miss Dietrich, will you explain why we wanted to see Nancy Lee?
MISS DIETRICH： Yes, Miss Ogden. Nancy Lee, your picture has won the Artist Club award.
NANCY： [Unable to believe her ears, because the news seems too good to be true.] The award? Oh, Miss Dietrich!
MISS OGDEN： It's a great honour, Nancy Lee. [They shake hands.]
NANCY： I'm sure this will be great news to my mother—she has been saving every cent to send me to an art school.
MISS DIETRICH： You'll have famous painters for teachers and become a real artist yourself. Accept my congratulations, Nancy. We're so proud of you.
MISS OGDEN： Listen, Nancy Lee. The Committee will be here to-morrow morning. You will have to make a speech of thanks, when the award is given you.
NANCY： Do I have to make a speech before all those important peo-ple? Oh, I couldn't!
MISS OGDEN： Don't get over-excited. Think of what you are going to say.
NANCY： May I ask Mother to come with me?
MISS OGDEN： Your mother? Oh, I don't know. It might be...
MISS DIETRICH： I'm sure Nancy can invite her mother. After all...
MISS OGDEN： All right, I'll think it over. You may go now, Nan-cy Lee, and remember to get your speech ready.
NANCY： I will, Miss Ogden. [To MISS DIETRICH] Miss Die-trich, you taught me how to draw, and I really feel most grateful to you. [Goes out.]
MISS DIETRICH： A very sweet girl, isn't she? I hope the Commit-tee won't change its mind. I hope nothing will happen be-fore Nancy gets the scholarship.
MISS OGDEN： I hope not.
MISS DIETRICH： [Taking Nancy's picture] It's just a simple scene in the city park. The grass fresh and green, a flag on a tall pole in the centre, children playing, and a Negro woman looking at it with so much hope! It seems Nancy is very proud of her people.
MISS OGDEN： Proud of being an American, Miss Dietrich.
MISS DIETRICH： I hope she'll always feel like a daughter of Ameri-can, and not like a stepchild.
MISS OGDEN： I hope so too!