xits (Right) among the trees.

A Little Girl's Voice (nearer). Come on, come on; we're going to
the camp.

[Enter by the road (Left) a little group of children; they are
very small, between the ages of six and ten, all dressed
in poor, home-made garments; some of the girls have shawls
over their heads. They seem happy. Nearly all carry little
parcels wrapped in paper.

A Boy. Ain't you glad it's recess, and we can eat our lunch down
here?

A Girl. Corse we are. We can't stay long, though--it's so cold.

A Boy. Ain't you got any mittens, Susie?

Girl. No, but I'm not cold--not much.

The Boy. Here, you take these. I don't need um--truly.

The Girl. Oh, oh--thank you, Jim. (She puts them on). Oh, me, but
they are nice and warm.

[Enter slowly by the road (Left) Charlotte. She is very pale and
tired looking. She wears a black dress and black scarf over
her hair. She leads a tiny little girl who carries her
package of lunch.

Char. We can't stay long, remember, children. It is very cold.

[The children go the boxes (Right) and begin to open the lunch.

A Boy. We're eatin' same as soldiers.

[A little boy and girl, the poorest dressed of the children,
stand a little apart from the rest watching them. Their
little faces are pinched and thin; they seem very sad.
The little girl by Charlotte begins to open her lunch
with much importance, spreading the paper on Charlotte's
lap, who sits on a stump (Left).

The Baby Girl. Oh, look! Miss Charlotte. I've dot a torn pone wid
'lasses on it.

Char. (affecting great interest). My, what a fine lunch you have,
baby!

The Child (holding half up to her). You dot to have some, too.

Char. (stroking her hair). No, precious; you must eat your nice
lunch. You know Aunt Marthy is going to bring Miss Charlotte hers.

The Baby. Teacher ain't dot no good lunch. Please, eat some of
mine.

[Charlotte breaks off a tiny piece of bread and begins to nibble
it, affecting great enjoyment. The child begins to eat her
own lunch happily.

A Girl by Box (speaking to another nearer). Johnnie and Sue ain't
got no dinner.

A Boy. They's too poor, I speck.

The Girl. Don't you say that. Their papa's killed.

[She goes to the boy and girl, off