o her._

You don't know how happy that makes me!

_They go out by the hall door, Martha, as she lowers the lid of the
window-seat, points derisively at the heap._

MARTHA.

That's a good riddance of bad rubbish!

_She comes to the table and continues packing the basket._

You'd better help me with this basket. Them folks will starve to death,
if the neighborhood round don't give 'em a bite to eat.

_Rhoda fetches other articles from the cupboard._

I'd like to know what they think we are made of, with butter at
twenty-five cents a pound and flour worth its weight in diamonds!

RHODA.

All the neighbors are helping, and none of them with our cause for
thankfulness.

MARTHA.

That's no sign you should go plasterin' on that butter like you was a
bricklayer tryin' to bust the contractor!

_She takes the bread from Rhoda and scrapes the butter thin._

RHODA.

_As the clock strikes five._

It's time for Aunt Mary to have her tea. Shall I make it?

MARTHA.

You make it! Not unless you want to lay her flat on her back again!

_As she flounces out, Annie enters from the hall. She points with
one hand at the retreating Martha, with the other toward her
mother's room._

ANNIE.

_Sings with sly emphasis._

"Mary an' a' Martha's jus' gone along,
Mary an' a' Martha's jus' gone along,
Mary an' a' Martha's jus' gone along,
Ring dem charmin' bells."

_She climbs upon a chair by the table, and fingers the contents of
basket as she sings._

RHODA.

What's got into you, little imp?

ANNIE.

_Brazenly._

I've been peeping through mamma's keyhole.

RHODA.

That's not nice.

ANNIE.

I know it, but the minister's in there and Dr. Littlefield.

RHODA.

_Startled._

Who?

ANNIE.

You know, mamma's doctor.--Oh, he's never come since you've been here.

RHODA.

_In a changed voice, as she takes the child by the shoulders._

What does he look like?

ANNIE.

Don't, you're hurting me!--He's too red in the face, and looks kind
of--insulting--and he wears the most _beautiful_ neckties, and--

_Exhausted by her efforts at description._

Oh, I don't know!

_She sings as she climbs down, and goes out by the kitchen door._

"Free grace, undyin' love,
Free grace, undyin' love,
Free grace, undyin' love,
Ring dem lovely bells."

_Dr. Littlefield enters from Mrs. Beeler's room. He s