ACT ONE: Scene 1 (A middle-west farm house and yard. The child, Beth, is dancing by herself, acknowledging a doll as a partner. Ma Moss is seated on the porch rocker and is sewing.) [BETH] When I grow up will you take me To live in a big house? With a big lawn? I'd like a big fountain and a pool A pool with lots of carrot-fish I'd like that,...Learn More

[GRANDPA MOSS] (off stage) Halloo halloo [TOP] Who's that? LAURIE - Grandpa's coming home Be polite to him. He's not used to strangers (Grandpa enters.) [GRANDPA] Laurie, Laurie my graduation girl (He goes to embrace her but suddenly sees the boys.) Oh! we've got visitors [LAURIE] They want to see you, Grandpa [MARTIN] Yes sir My name's...Learn More

Act 1: Scene 4 (Martin and Top enter. They have small bundles and wear old work clothes. Top leans on the fence and sniffs the air.) [TOP] Do you suppose they're makin' food in there? (He sniffs again.) Don't know if I'd recognize food ev'n if I smelled it Ah! If I close my eyes I can almost smell my ex-wife's stew a boilin' away Damn my wife...Learn More

[BETH] Did you ever have a dress like this? [MA] Like this… like this This is like the dress I never had The pretty, velvet bows… Oh heaven knows how much I've missed The years have gone so fast And now my own sweet child will wear the dress That yesterday I might have worn It seems as if she just was born Where all the years have gone I'll never...Learn More

[MA MOSS] Two little bits of metal My needle and my thimble A woman has to sew her fam'ly's clothes Against the cold, cold weather Two larger bits of metal My wood-stove and my kettle A woman has to stew her fam'ly's food Against the cold, cold weather [BETH] I'll race you to the porch (She rushes up the steps.) Look, Danny… Did you ever see...Learn More

(Beth runs in, pulling Mr. Splinters by the hand.) [BETH] The package from Chicago, it's here! It's Laurie's dress that's come [SPLINTERS] Goodday Missus Moss Here's the box you've been pesterin' me for so long These catalogue orders used to come quicker; The post was fast twenty years ago Or so it seemed when I was younger — Maybe it's me that's...Learn More

[TOP] That's crazy! Hoppin' the freight After it's late Sleepin' in a railroad crate Is that how you see Laurie? Livin' on the run Burnin' in the sun Wantin' food and havin' none Is that how you see her? Drifting around Town after town Worried 'cause your luck is down! Is that how you see Laurie? Think, Martin, think! Our kind's no good for a...Learn More

[GRANDPA] I need a couple of men But I don't know I keep shy of strangers They bring no good somehow [MARTIN] A stranger may seem strange that's true But did it ever occur to you That you seem strange to a stranger Seem strange to a stranger Seem strange to a stranger too? [MARTIN, TOP] We've come quite a ways Through these wide lands We've...Learn More

(Laurie picks up her books and heads towards the house.) [MA] That you? Laurie? (She comes out of the house.) Why are you so late? Grandpa's almost home. You know how mad he gets When you're not here on time [LAURIE] Please, Mother, it was such a Summer afternoon [MA] You've been getting very dreamy lately There's better use for your time Than...Learn More

[MARTIN] We've been north [TOP] -we've been south [MARTIN] We're goin' east [TOP] - we're goin' west [MARTIN] We've been here [TOP] We're goin' there [MARTIN, TOP] That's what we've been doin' and that's where we're goin' [MARTIN] We're from the big north: The great sprawling cities The harbour ports with their big ships Sailing in and...Learn More