.

PRUDENCE

Well, I'm mighty glad you weren't there today to vote for it.

RODNEY

Why?

PRUDENCE

You'd just have put a rope around your neck.

RODNEY

My dear, I've done that long ago. [_knocking_] See who's at the door,
dear.

PRUDENCE

All right. [_knocking_] Yes, yes, I'm coming. [_door opens_]

URIAH [_off_]

Does Caesar Rodney dwell here?

PRUDENCE

Yes, what's wanted?

URIAH

Kin I see him, ma'm?

PRUDENCE

He's just out of a sick bed and not very strong.

URIAH

Et's very important, ma'm.

RODNEY [_calling_]

Ask him to come in, Prudence.

PRUDENCE

Well, just a minute--and don't excite him. Right in this way.

URIAH

Be ye Caesar Rodney?

RODNEY

Yes.

URIAH

Here's a letter fer ye.

RODNEY

A letter--where from?

URIAH

Philadelphia. I fetched et all the way since noon today.

RODNEY

Indeed! [_sound of tearing paper_]

PRUDENCE

Now, Caesar, do you think you ought to read that?

RODNEY

Why not?

PRUDENCE

It might be something exciting--something you oughtn't to read--it might
upset you--let me read it first!

RODNEY

Oh, nonsense! [_rattle of paper_]

PRUDENCE

I do wish people could leave a sick man alone--always bothering you!

RODNEY

Quiet! What's this--what's this? They haven't voted on the Lee
Resolution yet! They need me! Prudence, my riding boots!

PRUDENCE

Your riding boots! Have you gone crazy, Caesar?

RODNEY

Don't stand and argue! Please get my boots--there isn't a moment to
lose! I've got to be in Philadelphia before nine o'clock tomorrow
morning!

PRUDENCE

You can't go! It'll kill you!

RODNEY

Where's my riding coat? Hurry up--get my boots!

PRUDENCE

You shan't go--I won't let you!

RODNEY

I've got to go--I'm needed. If you won't get the boots, I will!

PRUDENCE

Oh, please, sir, whoever you are--

URIAH

I'm Uriah Clarke, ma'm--at yer service.

PRUDENCE

Please, please, don't let him go! He can't stand it--he's too weak. He's
been terribly ill--the physician told him he must rest--he could never
stand a trip like that!

URIAH

But, ma'm, he's got to git thar. And I give my word thet I'd hev him
thar tomorrow mornin'.

PRUDENCE

Your word--what's your word to a man's life!

URIAH

What's a man's life to the life of his country!

RODNEY [_coming in_]

All right, I'm ready--let's start!

PRUDENCE

Caesar!

RODNEY

Good-bye, Prudence.

PRUDENCE

If I can't per