d as at some unspoken
thought, while Rhoda arranges the flowers in a vase._

MRS. BEELER.

Rhoda!

RHODA.

Yes, Aunt Mary?

MRS. BEELER.

Come here.

_Rhoda approaches. Mrs. Beeler speaks low, with suppressed
excitement._

What is the news, outside?

RHODA.

You mustn't excite yourself. You must keep your strength.

MRS. BEELER.

I shall be strong enough.--Are the people still gathering from the
town?

RHODA.

Yes, and they keep coming in from other places.

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 yo