arts
and take them too. Oh, surely, there is something you can do. Speak now,
for those who are your kinsmen and have loved you await your answer.

[Winthrop has stood gazing off before him, his hands clenched
at his side. Breathing heavily he turns to them.

Winth. My duty to the country that has put her trust in me must
give your answer, not my heart, for that seems dead (slowly). He must go
with me.

Char. Ah!

[Winthrop, after his answer, has stood gazing off before him.
Fair comes timidly forward, but he does not hear her. She
softly lays her hand upon his arm. He looks down, sees her,
and suddenly a radiant glow of happiness crosses his face,
then vanishes, leaving it cold as before. Fair looks up
into his face, then softly lays her other hand in his.

Fair. But--if--I love you, Steve?

Winth. (softly takes her in his arms, bending close over her).
Even though you love me (Fair shrinks away from him. He turns to
Hopkins: when he speaks his voice has a mechanical, hollow sound). Back
to the camp; Mr. Hillary will accompany us.

Hillary. I am ready sir.

[He goes to the door with Hopkins. Charlotte, with a wild cry of
"No, no!" rushes to him, throwing her arms around his neck.
He softly kisses her, then hands her over to Mrs. S., who
takes her in her arms. He then turns to Hopkins, making a
sign of assent, and together they leave the room, followed
by Winthrop.

Cupid (coming slowly forward, a haggard look on his face). Mistis
(almost pleading) Mistis! Kin you forgib dis old fool nigger? I thought
hit ud cheer you ter see um. Fo Gaud I never thought of Marster Carter
coming here. Fo Gaud I never!

Mrs. S. We do not blame you. How could we have known. How could we?

Char. (raising her face). There's father yet and Gordon. They may
come at any minute. We must save them. How, How; what can we do; what
can we do?

[She crosses to the window, her hands pressed to her head.

Bev. Mother, if they come, it's sure to be across the orchard,
then up the road through the wood. Cupid, you go and watch: and if you
see a sign of any one, come tell us. Quick!

Mrs. S. If it's your Master, bring him here--in through the
window of Bev's room. Keep away from the front of the house.

Cupid. Yes, Mistis. Dis ole fool nigger can do dat.