Adam and Eva
Act I (Library of the King home on Long Island. Morning.) Appalled by the stack of bills brought in by Corinthia, James King tries to reason with his extravagant daughter Julie and her husband Clinton about clothing purchases. They are unmoved by his sarcasm, as are Aunt Abby with club bills, and daughter Eva about the expenses of horse-riding with Lord Andrew. King suggests the family will go to the Newark farm instead of a fashionable resort this season. The others come up with a plan to get Dr. Delamarter to prescribe a solitary vacation for father, leaving them free. Meanwhile, Adam Smith comes to plead for a re-assignment; he is so lonely on the rubber plantation in South America. The solitary life up the Amazon stirs King's fancy. He decides to exchange positions with Adam, whose honesty and resourcefulness he admires. Adam will take over managing the family finances, while King goes up the river. Uncle Horace tips King to the medical plot, but he satisfies the family with his proposed Amazon voyage. They eye Adam speculatively, particularly Eva, who announces she will call him "Father". (Curtain) Act II (Scene 1:Same as Act I. Ten days later, 5:30 pm.) Adam quickly realizes that no amount of reasoning or cajolery will divert the family from its spendthrift ways. He incurs resentment from Julie and Eva for denying them money. Lord Andrew, sincere about Eva, gives up his title to show his commitment to staying in America. Dr. Delameter, however, proves to be a mere fortune-hunter. Adam is working at the headquarters of King Rubber Company while serving in loco parentis. When Dr. Delameter suggests a scheme to get rid of Lord Andrew by faking a bankruptcy, Adam turns the tables by saying it has really happened. Dr. Delameter, convinced of the disaster, now awkwardly backs out of the running for Eva. Adam burgles the old safe so the girls' will not try to sell their jewels. (Quick curtain) (Scene 2:Same as Act I. One hour later.) Adam now plays a touching scene for the family. He tells them that James King has gone bankrupt, and they must immediately relocate to the New Jersey farm where King grew up, so the Long Island home can be sold. He pleads with them not to mention the ruin in their letters to King, and insures the office also co-operates. Surprisingly, Andrew (no longer a Lord) decides to go with the family; it appears he has more money than they realized. (Curtain) Act III (The King farm, near Newark, New Jersey. Thanksgiving Day, three months later.) The family rallies to the working farm life, with Eva, Corinthia, and Julie managing the apple trees, chickens and eggs, and beehive honey, for sale to local markets. Uncle Horace becomes a life insurance salesman, Andrew has started a livery business, while Clinton sells neckties at a local store. Aunt Abby has married a wealthy old man and moved away. Adam gets covert assistance from Corthinia, who though she herself likes him, decides to help win Eva from Andrew. King, returning from the Amazon, is surprised at the family's productivity and embrace of the work ethic, but horrified when he hears of the supposed ruin. Adam confesses it was merely a trick. Andrew tells Adam and Eva they are in love with one another, and gracefully withdraws as they embrace and kiss. (Curtain)