(laughs). I hears hit all de same.

Cupid (drops hat in astonishment). Hi! ef dey ant not one er my
kerrige hosses! Hi, dar! Mars Bev! Mars Bev!

[Enter at the back by the road Fair and Bev. She is riding on
a big brown horse with a bag of meal before her. She is
a beautiful young girl of about eighteen, simply dressed
in a pink cotton gown; her hair hangs in loose curls about
her face: her hat is carried loosely in one hand; with the
other she is guiding the old horse. Bev walks at her side,
with one hand on the bridle. He is a very handsome boy of
about fourteen, with a gay, happy manner. He is barefoot,
dressed in a soft white cotton shirt and blue homespun
trousers. He is without hat or coat, and seems in the best
of spirits. They stop at the gate, laughing.

Fair (from her place on the horse). Take me down, Bev. Here,
Cupid, you take the meal.

[Cupid comes forward too surprised to speak, lifts down the bag,
then Bev takes her hands and lifts her to the ground.

Cupid. Whar you git dis hoss?

Bev (laughs and winks at Fair). Why, out of the second stall near
the door. Where'd you think?

[Marthy and Fair laugh.

Cupid. Dis hoss ant never pack no meal fo' in his life; he's er
kerrige hoss.

Fair. Well, Cupid, we had to get the meal, and Jack is so old and
stiff I thought Tony here would enjoy the trip, and he did, all except
the ferry. I don't believe he ever crossed a stream before, not with me
on his back and a bag of meal. Was'nt he funny, Bev? Dear old Tony! (She
throws her arms around his neck). I wish I had some sugar for you.

Marthy. Go'long, child! You talkin' 'bout givin' sugar to dat old
hoss, when we all has to put 'lasses in de coffee and proud ter git hit.

Cupid. You tell Mistis and Marster dey's come.

[He leads horse off (Left) carrying the meal.

Marthy. Yo' pa bin askin' 'bout you; he say he gwine way ter morrow.

Fair (anxious). To-morrow!

Bev. Where is he?

Marthy. He an' you ma done gone for walk round de quarters.

[Exit Marthy into the house.

Bev. Fair, did you know father was going back to his regiment
to-morrow?

Fair. I was afraid of it. The wound is almost healed, but mother