A MODERN
by Oliver Herford
Lily and Ben's Breakfast Plan
The phone rang loudly. It was a very loud sound. Lily was still asleep in her bed. She was dreaming. Ben called Lily. Lily was sleeping in her soft, warm bed. She slowly woke up. Her eyes fluttered open.
Lily picked up the phone. She yawned softly. Her voice was sleepy. "Oh, hello, Ben!" she said. Ben said, "Hi, Lily! I waited a long, long time. It felt like forever! I was so eager to talk."
Lily giggled softly. She rubbed her sleepy eyes. She said, "Ben, it is so early! I was sleeping soundly." Ben said, "It is 10:30! That is not early. You were up very late. Were you?" Lily said, "Yes, very late! I read a good book."
Ben said, "I played outside at 8 AM. The sun was bright and warm. I thought you were awake. I thought you were playing too. It was a fun morning."
Ben said, "You made a promise. You made it last night!" Ben's voice was firm. He sounded serious. Lily remembered. Lily said, "Oh, silly promise! I forgot it. I was so sleepy then. My mind was fuzzy."
Ben said, "Let us have breakfast! Me, you, and Peg. We will go to the yummy cafe. It is a nice place. We will go at noon. Just come as you are. Wear your comfy clothes! They are very soft."
Lily laughed out loud. She thought it was very funny. She said, "It is a phone call. That is good. Not a video call! My hair is messy. It looks like a bird's nest!"
Lily said, "Can we eat at 1:30 PM? Not at noon? I need to get ready. I need to wash my face. I need nice clothes. I want to look good."
Ben was very happy. His voice was bright and cheerful. He asked, "You will really come? You promise? This is great news! I am so excited!"
Lily laughed again. She felt very happy. She said, "Yes, I promise! You can count on me, Ben! See you later!" She hung up the phone. She smiled brightly.
Original Story
A MODERN
DIALOGUE
Scene—*On Manhattan Island*. *Time—To-day. Hour—Ten-thirty. Persons of the play*:
Sibyl. *A dream of beauty, half-awake,*
*In filmy disarray—about to take*
*Her morning tub. In speech with her the while*
*Is* Robert. *He is dressed in riding style.*
Sibyl—Why, Bob, it’s *you*! They got your name all wrong.
I’m sorry that I made you wait so long.
Bob—Only six minutes by my watch—it’s true
A minute seems a year, awaiting you!
But Time is merciful and I rejoice
That I am still alive to hear your voice.
Sibyl—A very pretty speech, for you, indeed.
But what extenuation can you plead
For waking ladies at the break of day
From peaceful slumbers, sir!
Bob— Oh, come, I say!
It’s half past ten!
Sibyl— Well, it was nearly three
Before I got to bed!
Bob— Good gracious me!
I’m sure I’d no idea it was so late.
Why, I was riding in the Park at eight
And looked for you. I own I felt abused;
Last night you said——
Sibyl— I beg to be excused
From keeping foolish promises, when made
At two A.M., by moonlight. I’m afraid
My memory’s no better than a sieve.
So you expected me? The Lord forgive
Your trusting soul!
Bob— It is His *métier*!
Sibyl—Don’t be outrageous, or I’ll run away.
Bob—Ah, no; don’t go. I will be good, I swear!
’Twas a quotation, Heine, or Voltaire,
Or some fool cynic fellow. By the way,
If you have nothing on, what do you say
To breakfasting with Peg and me at noon
At the Casino?
Sibyl— Well, that’s rather soon;
I can’t be ready for an hour or more.
Bob—Come as you are, you know that I adore
Your ladyship in any sort of gown;
Besides, there’s not another soul in town.
Come as you are; there’ll only be we three.
Sibyl—Well, I like that! It’s fortunate for me
This is a telephone and not that new
Invention one can talk and *see* through, too!
What’s that you said?
Bob— I didn’t speak at all
I only *thought*.
Sibyl— Well, *don’t*! Suppose we call
The breakfast half past one instead of noon?
Bob (*joyously*)—
Then you will come?
Sibyl— I swear!
Bob— Not by the moon?
Sibyl (*laughing*)—
No, you may count on me. Now I must fly.
One-thirty—don’t forget—Good-by!
Bob— Good-by!
(*They ring off.*)
---
Characters
Sibyl ★ protagonist
A slender, graceful young woman, described as a 'dream of beauty.' Her build is delicate, suggesting a lifestyle of leisure rather than strenuous activity. Her complexion is likely fair, given the context of a 'dream of beauty' and the era.
Attire: When first encountered, she is in 'filmy disarray,' implying delicate, sheer sleepwear or a negligee, possibly made of silk or fine lace, in a light color like cream, white, or pale pink. Later, she would dress in fashionable early 20th-century American attire, likely a stylish day dress or a tailored suit suitable for a casual breakfast at a casino, made of fine wool, silk, or linen, with a matching hat and gloves.
Wants: To enjoy life's pleasures, maintain her social standing, and engage in lighthearted romantic pursuits without too much commitment.
Flaw: Procrastination and a tendency to make promises she doesn't intend to keep, especially when made 'by moonlight.' She can be somewhat unreliable.
She remains largely unchanged, confirming her established personality and lifestyle. The interaction reinforces her playful nature and Bob's devotion.
Flirtatious, witty, somewhat self-indulgent, and charmingly forgetful. She enjoys playful banter and has a casual disregard for strict schedules.
Robert ◆ supporting
A man of athletic build, suggested by his 'riding style' attire and his early morning ride in the Park. He is likely of average to above-average height, with a confident posture.
Attire: Dressed in 'riding style,' which in early 20th-century Manhattan would mean a tailored tweed or wool riding jacket, jodhpurs or riding breeches, tall leather riding boots, and possibly a cravat or ascot. The colors would be earthy tones like brown, green, or grey.
Wants: To spend time with Sibyl and win her affection, despite her capricious nature.
Flaw: His devotion to Sibyl makes him easily manipulated by her charm and excuses.
He remains consistent in his devotion to Sibyl, accepting her playful excuses and adapting to her schedule.
Patient, devoted, romantic, and slightly exasperated but ultimately forgiving. He is persistent in his affections and enjoys Sibyl's company.
Locations
Sibyl's Apartment
A luxurious, private residence on Manhattan Island, likely a bedroom or dressing area, where Sibyl is just waking up. The atmosphere suggests comfort and a leisurely, affluent lifestyle.
Mood: Relaxed, intimate, slightly playful, with a hint of morning disarray.
Sibyl is awakened by Robert's call and they have a playful conversation about their missed rendezvous and a breakfast invitation.
Central Park
A vast urban park on Manhattan Island, specifically a riding path or bridle trail, where Robert was riding his horse earlier in the morning.
Mood: Fresh, invigorating, active, suggesting the start of a day for outdoor pursuits.
Robert was riding here at eight o'clock, expecting to meet Sibyl, who failed to show up.
The Casino (Central Park)
A fashionable restaurant or social venue within Central Park, where Robert proposes they have breakfast with Peg.
Mood: Social, elegant, leisurely, a place for fashionable New Yorkers to gather.
Robert invites Sibyl to breakfast here, initially at noon, then rescheduled to half past one.
Story DNA
Plot Summary
Sibyl, a beautiful woman, is awakened by Robert's phone call while she's preparing for her morning bath. They engage in a witty dialogue, with Sibyl playfully chiding Robert for his early call given her late night, and Robert reminding her of a forgotten promise. He invites her to breakfast, suggesting she 'come as she is,' which she finds amusing. After some negotiation, Sibyl agrees to meet him and a friend for breakfast at a later time, ending their flirtatious call on a high note.
Themes
Emotional Arc
playful banter to affectionate agreement
Writing Style
Narrative Elements
Cultural Context
The play's title 'A MODERN' and the reference to a 'new invention one can talk and see through, too!' (foreshadowing video calls) firmly place this in an era where new technologies were emerging and social norms were shifting, particularly for women.
Plot Beats (10)
- Robert calls Sibyl, who is still in bed and preparing for her bath.
- Sibyl apologizes for making him wait, and Robert compliments her, saying a minute feels like a year.
- Sibyl playfully scolds Robert for waking her at 'break of day', despite it being 10:30 AM, explaining she was up until nearly 3 AM.
- Robert expresses surprise, mentioning he was riding in the park at 8 AM and expected to see her.
- Sibyl dismisses any promises made at 2 AM by moonlight as foolish and forgotten.
- Robert quotes a cynic, then invites Sibyl to breakfast with him and Peg at noon at the Casino, suggesting she 'come as she is'.
- Sibyl finds the 'come as you are' suggestion amusing and expresses relief it's a phone call, not a visual one.
- Sibyl proposes moving breakfast to 1:30 PM instead of noon.
- Robert joyously confirms she will come, asking if her promise is 'by the moon'.
- Sibyl laughs and assures him he can count on her, then ends the call.
