SIDE 1

MRS. TIBBS

Yesssss?

JACK

(putting on a formal tone)

Ah, good day, madam. We've come to call on Charles Dickens.

MRS. TIBBS

Indeed. And who are you?

ANNIE

We're Jack and An-

JACK

Andrew!

ANNIE

Right!

(lowering her voice)

Right. We're Jack and Andrew from Frog Creek. And who are

you?

MRS. TIBBS

I? Why, I am Mrs. Tibbs, housekeeper for Mister Charles Dickens! And it is my sad but deliberate duty to inform you that Mister Charles Dickens will be seeing no visitors today. No callers of any kind.

ANNIE

But we've traveled so far, Mrs. Tibbs-

MRS. TIBBS

Young man, I am afraid that right now Mister Dickens needs every minute he can spare for his writing. Surely you know how important Mister Dickens' work is.

ANNIE

Yes, ma'am, surely we do.

JACK

Yes, surely... but...

MRS. TIBBS

I am terribly sorry, young gentlemen. It grieves me so to turn you away, but, I must. And I pray that you will bear no grudge against Mister Charles Dickens.