MRS. BEELER.

Are there many of them?

RHODA.

Many! Many! It's as if the whole world knew.

MRS. BEELER.

The more there are, the greater will be the witness.--_Pause._ When do you think he will go out to them?

RHODA.

They believe he is waiting for Easter morning.

_Martha enters from kitchen, with bonnet and shawl on, and a large basket in her hand._

MARTHA.

Mary, you'd ought to be abed. You're tempting Providence.

_She takes off her bonnet and shawl, and deposits the basket._

I saw your doctor down in the village, and he allowed he'd come up to see you this afternoon. He was all on end about your bein' able to walk.

RHODA.

I didn't know till to-day you had a doctor.

MRS. BEELER.

Yes. He's a young man who's just come here to build up a practice.

MARTHA.

_To Rhoda._

You better finish packin' the basket. There's a lot o' hungry mouths to feed out yonder.

_Exit by hall door. Rhoda continues the preparation of the basket, taking articles from the cupboard and packing them. Annie has climbed on a chair by the picture of Pan and the Pilgrim. She points at the figure of Pan._

ANNIE.

Uncle Abe, tell me who that is.

UNCLE ABE.

_Glancing at Mrs. Beeler and Rhoda._

H'sh!

ANNIE.

What's he doing up there in the bushes, blowing on that funny whistle?

UNCLE ABE.

Look hyah, chil', you jus' wastin' my time. I got frough wif dis hyah fool pictuh long 'go!

_He tries to draw her away; she resists._

ANNIE.

_Petulantly._

Uncle Abe! Who is it?

UNCLE ABE.

_Whispers, makes big eyes._

That thah's Ole Nick, that's who that thah is! That thah's de Black Man!

_Annie, terror-stricken, jumps down and retreats to her mother's chair. Mrs. Beeler rouses from her revery and strokes her child's head._

MRS. BEELER.

Oh, my child, how happy you are to see this while you are so young! You will never forget, will you, dear?

ANNIE.

_Fidgeting._

Forget what?

MRS. BEELER.

Tell me that whatever happens to you in the world, you won't forget that once, when you were a little girl, you saw the heavens standing open, and felt that G.o.d was very near, and full of pity for His children.

ANNIE.

I don't know what you're talking about! I can't hardly breathe the way people are in this house.

MRS. BEELER.

You will understand, some day, what wonderful things your childish eyes looked on.

_Annie retreats to Uncle Abe, who bends over the child and whispers in her ear. She grows amused, and begins to sway as to a tune, then chants._