JIM.  Yes, the girl goes too. [Pause and smile.] It’s your say, Joe. [Foot on chair.] Well, Joe, it’s up to you.

JOE. [Giving up.] Well, I can’t help it.

JIM. [Passing the approval to DAVE and LIZBETH.] There’s your girl.  And you’ve got a stiddy job! [DAVE and LIZBETH half embrace.] What do you think of that? [To JOE, who is mechanically looking at gumbo.] Thirty dollars per car.

JOE. [Glad to change the subject.] Thirty, eh?

JIM.  Every per car—­and see here—­Joe—­

JOE.  What?

JIM. [Draws second paper from pocket.] I’ve fixed up a kind of a resignation here.

JOE.  Resignation?

JIM.  Yes.  I can’t tend to this new business and do much work as sheriff, so I’m goin’ to resign the sheriff part of it.

JOE.  You mustn’ do it, Jim—­why, you’ve been keepin’ the district like a prayer-meeting!

JIM.  Well, somebody else kin sing the Doxology—­you turn that into the council fur me.

Enter KATE and MRS. VERNON.

MRS. VERNON.  I’ve put my foot down, Kate,—­you can’t go.

KATE.  I am going.

MRS. VERNON.  Joe Vernon, it’s time you took a hand a-managin’ this family.

JOE.  What’s the matter?

MRS. VERNON.  I’ve told Kate she can’t go out.

JOE.  Well, ma,—­Kate ain’t a child.

MRS. VERNON.  Your carelessness’ll make her disgrace the whole family.

JOE.  Hol’ on, ma.

MRS. VERNON.  I know what I’m talking about.  I see that nigger give
Kate a letter.

JOE.  Why, he don’t know how to write.

MRS. VERNON.  You don’t suppose I think the nigger wrote it!  It’s from someone else.

JOE.  Who is it from, Kate?

KATE.  I don’t care to tell.  I’m going out. [Starts.

MRS. VERNON. [Interposes.] No, Kate, you ain’t.

JOE.  Why, ma—­if Kate wants to go walkin’—­

MRS. VERNON.  All right, she kin walk.  But getting letters sneaked to her, and going out to meet a man’s another thing. [Persuasively going to her.] Why don’t you tell, Kate?

KATE. [Down to end of table.] No one has a right to my letters.

JOE.  Of course not.  No right, Kate, but your ma’s naturally anxious, and she’s only tryin’ for your good.

KATE. [Ready to weep.] I’m awfully tired of it.

JOE.  But you kin tell me—­you ain’t ashamed of it, air you?

KATE.  No, I’m not!

MRS. VERNON.  It’s Travers, ain’t it?

JOE. [Coaxing.] Is it, Kate?

KATE.  Yes, it is.

JOE.  Well, there, ma—­see. [Walks away as though matter were closed. 
Crossing left.

MRS. VERNON.  Air you losin’ your senses, Joe Vernon?

JOE. [Irritated.] The girl’s tole you, ain’t she?