ering half her dinner; the
others follow, offering theirs. The two children begin to
smile, and reach eagerly for the lunch and eat as though
very hungry.

A Girl. Come on, let's have a party.

[They all gather round the box, laying the lunch out on it.
They have little, mostly corn pone and bacon.

The Baby Girl (who has watched them eagerly). Me do have party,
too. (She comes to the box, laying her half-eaten corn pone with the
rest). I dot 'lasses on mine.

[Charlotte sits watching them. She smiles as the little child
joins them.

A Girl. We must ask the blessin'. Mamma says we must.

The Baby. Me say blessin'. Me knows how.

[All the children bow their heads around the box. The baby stands
with eyes tight closed.

Dood Lord, we thank Thee. A--amen.

[The children raise their heads and begin to eat very fast.

A Boy. My, it's good!

Char. (coming over to where they are). Aren't you getting cold?

A Boy. No, no; not a bit; and besides, we want to skip stones.

The Baby. Me skip stones, too.

[At the suggestion, they all jump up from the box, still eating,
and run to the back of scene.

A Boy. Bet I can throw across the river.

Another Boy. Bet you can't.

[They both try.

The Boy. I did. See where it hit!

The Younger Boy. Well, I most did.

Baby Girl (tries to throw). Me throw.

Char. Come, children, we must go back now.

Boy. Just a little minute more.

[They throw again.

A Girl. Come on, teacher's tired; we must go back.

[They start off (Left).

Baby Girl. Me tired, too. (Runs to Charlotte; holds up arms). Please?

Char. (lifts her). And when we get back, teacher will tell a story.

A Boy. Come on, come on; it's going to be a story.

[They all start off, followed by Charlotte carrying the little
girl. As she is nearly off, enter Winthrop (Right). He is
very changed and seems much older than before. His step
is less alert, as he walks slowly, his arms folded on his
breast. He looks up, sees Charlotte, and starts as though
to withdraw.

The Baby. Dare's a pine cone--wants it.

[Charlotte puts h