Elnora Comstock, 14, is speaking to her Aunt Maggie, sharing how she's recently had some success paying for her high school books (true to the play's 1909 era) by collecting moths and butterflies. Hopeful about her future, Elnora wants to play the violin—which, unbeknownst to her, her father (who died when she was young) once played.
(Warning: Using this monologue without permission is illegal, as is reproducing it on a website or in print in any way.)
(Pause.)
Maybe my going to school will turn her around. Maybe Mother will...soften. I'm thinking maybe.
I heard the orchestra play at school last week—the music was so beautiful. Especially the violins.
(Pause.)
I'd like to learn to play.
I had a dream last night that father was playing the violin. I can still see him plain as life. There he was.
(A pale man dressed in green enters silently and mimes playing the violin.)
It was summer and all the flowers were in bloom. He wore gray trousers and a blue shirt, and his eyes were smiling. He held a violin. His bow went back and forth above the strings, his head was bent above them...and when he played—it was like the music of the Limberlost...like the wind or the sound of birds.
(Pause.)
And his face was beautiful.
I'd like to make music like that. Do you think I could? Would it be wrong for me to take part of my money and buy a cheap one? Would it? Would it, Aunt Maggie?