Cupid. Hits bin more'n two years ago; but sometimes hit 'pears
like hit was only yestidy. (Marthy starts toward the gate). Whar you
gwine wid dem flowers?

Marthy. Deys fer Miss Charlotte; she love ter hab um on de table.
'Pears like hit mek hit sorter brighter fer um.

[Cupid goes to gate at back and stands looking anxiously off
down the road (Right).

Cupid. I'm gettin' mighty oneasy 'bout dem chullen. Dey's terbil
careless 'bout demselves.

Marthy (stops on the steps and listens). 'Pears like I hears a hoss.

Cupid. Go on, nigger! Didn't I tell you dey walked to de mill?

[A horse's hoofs are heard.

Marthy (laughs). I hears hit all de same.

Cupid (drops hat in astonishment). Hi! ef dey ant not one er my
kerrige hosses! Hi, dar! Mars Bev! Mars Bev!

[Enter at the back by the road Fair and Bev. She is riding on
a big brown horse with a bag of meal before her. She is
a beautiful young girl of about eighteen, simply dressed
in a pink cotton gown; her hair hangs in loose curls about
her face: her hat is carried loosely in one hand; with the