S.

_In a toneless voice._

No.

_She watches him until the inner door shuts. She and Littlefield
confront each other in silence for a moment across the width of the
room._

RHODA.

_Forcing herself to speak calmly._

Please go.

LITTLEFIELD.

_Drops his professional tone for one of cynical badinage._

You make up well as one of the Wise Virgins, whose lamps are trimmed
and burning for the bridegroom to pass by. I hope that personage won't
disappoint you, nor the several hundred others, out yonder, whose lamps
are trimmed and burning.

_The outer door opens. Mrs. Beeler enters, supported by her
husband, and accompanied by Martha and the Rev. Culpepper, with
Uncle Abe following in the rear. Rhoda hastens to her aunt's side._

MRS. BEELER.

Ah, Rhoda, I wish you had been out there with me. Such beautiful human
faces! Such poor, suffering, believing human faces, lit up by such a
wonderful new hope!

_She turns to the minister._

Wasn't it a wonderful thing to see?

CULPEPPER.

It is wonderful to see human nature so credulous. And to me, very
painful.

MRS. BEELER.

To-morrow you will see how right these poor souls are to lift their
trust so high.--

_To Rhoda._

Where is he now?

_Rhoda points in the direction of her own room._

How happy that young mother's heart will be to-night!

UNCLE ABE.

_Solemnly._

Amen!

CULPEPPER.

_In a dry tone._

We will hope so.

_They move to the hall door, where Beeler resigns his wife to
Rhoda. The two pass out._

_Culpepper, Littlefield, and Beeler remain. During the following
conversation, Martha lights the lamp, after directing Uncle Abe, by
a gesture, to take the provision basket into the kitchen. He does
so._

LITTLEFIELD.

_Pointing through the window._

They're just laying siege to you, ain't they? I guess they won't let
your man give them the slip, this time--even though you do let him run
loose.

BEELER.

_With severity._

You have seen my wife walk alone to-day, the first time in five years.

LITTLEFIELD.

I beg your pardon. I understand how you feel about it.

_Martha goes out into the kitchen._

And even if it proves to be only temporary--

BEELER.

Temporary!

LITTLEFIELD.

Permanent, let us hope. Anyway, it's a very remarkable case.
Astonishing. I've only known one just like it--personally, I mean.

BEELER.