WASHINGTON

Will you see who it is, Colonel.

REED

Yes, sir--(_mumble at a distance, then out loud_) General, there's a man
here who wants to see you.

WASHINGTON

Who is it?

REED

He refuses to give his name, and says his business is private.

WASHINGTON

Tell him to come in.

REED

Yes, sir--(_off_) Come on in, the General will see you.

HONEYMAN

Thankee--thankee, sir. I'm obleeged to ye, sir. (_in_) Be ye General
Washington?

WASHINGTON

I am, and what can I do for you?

HONEYMAN

Wal'--General--if ye don't mind--er--er--

WASHINGTON

Yes?

HONEYMAN

I'd like to see ye alone--sir--it's important!

WASHINGTON

Alone? Oh, very well, Colonel--

REED

I'll go, sir.

WASHINGTON

Write that letter to Lee.

REED (_going_)

Yes, sir. (_door closes_)

WASHINGTON

Now, what is it?

HONEYMAN

Wal', here I be, General--

WASHINGTON

Yes?

HONEYMAN

An' I've had tarnation's own time gittin' here--I cal'ate half yer army
stopped me an' wanted to know my name an' my business--an' they wasn't
goin' to let me in when I wouldn't tell 'em. But it takes more'n that to
stop John Honeyman when he gits sot on doin' something.

WASHINGTON

Your name is John Honeyman?

HONEYMAN

That's me, sir, an' I promised Marthy--that's my wife, sir--that I'd
come to see ye--and I come, an' here I be!

WASHINGTON

And what can I do for you, Mr. Honeyman?

HONEYMAN

Nary a thing, General Washington.

WASHINGTON

Then what--?

HONEYMAN

I come to make ye an offer.

WASHINGTON

Well?

HONEYMAN

I'm in a way to find out a lot o' things that's goin' on in the British
Army.

WASHINGTON

So?

HONEYMAN

Aye, ye see, I'm a butcher.

WASHINGTON

Well?

HONEYMAN

An' I've got a contract to supply the redcoats with beef. Now they think
I'm a good Tory! But General, I ain't!

WASHINGTON

I'm glad to hear that!

HONEYMAN

An' I figgered that mebbe I could find out things an' tell ye about
'em--if we could fix things up.

WASHINGTON

How much do you want for your information?

HONEYMAN

No! No! General! I ain't tryin' to sell ye nothin'!

WASHINGTON

I beg your pardon, Mr. Honeyman. But I have so many insincere offers.

HONEYMAN

I know--I know! I hear folks talk. They think I'm a Tory! Wal', sir, I
want they should keep on a-thinkin' it! I cal'ate if I'm a-goin' to be
any use to ye, nobody must know I ain't a rip-roarin' all-fired Tory.

WASHING