LAURA. Give it to me [Reads] Ah!--Noejd, have you taken all the
cartridges out of the guns and pouches?

NOEJD. Yes, Ma'am.

LAURA. Good, wait outside while I answer the Colonel's letter.
[Noejd goes. Laura writes.]

NURSE. Listen. What in the world is he doing up there now?

LAURA. Be quiet while I write.

[The sound of sawing is heard.]

NURSE [Half to herself]. Oh, God have mercy on us all! Where will
this end!

LAURA. Here, give this to Noejd. And my mother must not know
anything about all this. Do you hear?

[Nurse goes out, Laura opens drawers in desk and takes out papers.
The Pastor comes in, he takes a chair and sits near Laura by the
desk.]

PASTOR. Good evening, sister. I have been away all day, as you
know, and only just got back. Terrible things have been happening
here.

LAURA. Yes, brother, never have I gone through such a night and
such a day.