The five daughters of Wardour Grassmere, deceased, have gathered to hear the lawyer read their father's will. Full of greedy anticipation, each is afraid that the others will receive more than their share of his estate. Over in a corner sits a young girl, perhaps 12 to 15 years old. The sisters stare at her, wondering why she's here. The first bequest is $500 cash for the girl. Well, that's a paltry sum, the sisters agree—but why would he leave it to her?...Who is she anyway? As the rest of the will is read, it seems that each daughter has shared equally in their father's considerable wealth. Each expresses her love and joy as fabulous legacies are announced; but then—an unexpected development! Mutual hatred flares when they realize their father died penniless (except for the $500). The girl, daughter of his long-time housekeeper, is helped from the room by the lawyer who calls her "the jewel in Papa's crown."

Like nearly all his plays, The Jewel in Papa's Crown is in the Conkle tradition of folk drama. With the same insight that has made his No Time for Heaven an important and poignant work, Dr. Conkle develops the theme of love vs. greed in this gem of a short play.

E. P. Conkle's name is a distinguished one in the literature of American theatre. Many anthologies include at least one of his plays. With a bachelor's degree from the University of Nebraska, he did graduate work at Yale University and spent a year in Europe as a Guggenheim fellow. He took his Ph. D. degree at the University of Iowa—"the first doctor's degree ever given in the U.S. for playwriting," according to Mrs. Conkle. Dr. Conkle's Prologue to Glory, one of the best of the many plays about Abraham Lincoln, was included in Burns Mantle's volume of the 10 best Broadway plays of 1937-38. His first Broadway production was 200 Were Chosen. His No Time for Heaven was published by I.E. Clark in 1972, and has had innumerable productions throughout the U.S. and Canada.

One act; Set, meeting room; Time, present. Perfect for all-women casts, one or more parts may be played by men.

See also: Plays About Family Relationships