SISTER THOMAS: Reverend, look like you headed de wrong way. It's
almost time for de trial an' youse all de dependence we got.

SIMMS: I know it. I'm tryin' to find de marshall so we kin go after
Jim. I wants a chance to talk wid him a minute before court sets.

SISTER TAYLOR: Y'think he'll come clear?

SIMMS: (Proudly) I _know_ it! (Shakes the Bible) I'm goin' to law 'em
from Genesis to Revelation.

SISTER THOMAS: Give it to 'em, Elder. Wear 'em out!

SIMMS: We'se liable to havea new Mayor when all dis dust settle. Well,
I better scuffle on down de road. (Exits, left.)

SISTER THOMAS: Lord, lemme gwan home an' put dese greens on. (Looks
off stage left) Here come Mayor Clark now, wid his belly settin' out
in front of him like a cow catcher! His name oughter be Mayor Belly.

SISTER TAYLOR: (Arms akimbo) Jus' look at him! Tryin' to look like a
jigadier Breneral.

(Enter CLARK hot and perspiring. They look at him coldly.)

CLARK: I God, de bear got me! (Silence for a moment) How y'all
feelin', ladies?

SISTER TAYLOR: Brother Mayor, I ain't one of these folks dat bite my
tongue an' bust my gall--whut's inside got to come out! I can't see to
my rest why you cloakin' in wid dese Baptist buzzards 'ginst yo' own
church.

MAYOR CLARK: I ain't cloakin' in wid _none_. I'm de Mayor of dis whole
town I stands for de right an' ginst de wrong--I don't keer who it
kill or cure.

SISTER THOMAS: You think it's right to be runnin' dat boy off for
nothin'?

CLARK: I God! You call knockin' a man in de head wid a mule bone
nothin'? 'Nother thin; I done missed nine of my best-layin' hens. I
ain't sayin' Jim got 'em, but different people has tole me he burries
a powerful lot of feathers in his back yard. I God, I'm a ruint man!
(He starts towards the right exit, but LUM BOGER enters right.) I God,
Lum, I been lookin' for you all day. It's almost three o'clock. (Hands
him a key from his ring) Take dis key an' go fetch Jim Weston on to de
church.

LUM: Have you got yo' gavel from de lodge-room?

CLARK: I God, that's right, Lum. I'll go get it from de lodge room
whilst you go git de bone an' de prisoner. Hurry up! You walk like
dead lice droppin' off you. (He exits right while LUM crosses stage
towards left.)

SISTER TAYLOR: Lum, Elder Simms been huntin' you--he's gone on down
'bout de barn. (She gestures)

LUM BOGER: I reckon I'll overtake him. (Exit left.)

SISTER THOMAS: I better go put dese greens on. My husband will ki