CURTAIN.

ACT IV.

SCENE. Residence of GENERAL BUCKTHORN, in Washington.  Interior.  Fireplace slanting upward.  Small alcove.  Opening to hall, with staircase beyond, and also entrance from out left.  Door up stage.  A wide opening, with portieres to apartment.  Upright piano down stage.  Armchair and low stool before fireplace.  Small table for tea, etc.  Ottoman.  Other chairs, ottomans, etc., to taste.

TIME. Afternoon.

DISCOVERED. MRS. HAVERILL, in armchair, resting her face upon her hand, and looking into the fire. EDITH is on a low stool at her side, sewing a child’s garment.

EDITH.  It seems hardly possible that the war is over, and that General Lee has really surrendered. [Fife and drum, without.] There is music in the streets nearly all the time, now, and everybody looks so cheerful and bright. [Distant fife and drums heard playing “Johnnie Comes Marching Home." EDITH springs up and runs up to window, looking out.] More troops returning!  The old tattered battle-flag is waving in the wind, and people are running after them so merrily. [Music stops.] Every day, now, seems like a holiday. [Coming down.] The war is over.  All the women ought to feel very happy, whose—­whose husbands are—­coming back to them.

MRS. HAVERILL.  Yes, Edith; those women whose—­husbands are coming back to them. [Still looking into fire.

EDITH.  Oh! [Dropping upon the stool, her head upon the arm of the chair.

MRS. HAVERILL. [Resting her arm over her.] My poor little darling! Your husband will not come back.

EDITH.  Frank’s last message has never reached me.

MRS. HAVERILL.  No; but you have one sweet thought always with you.  Madeline West heard part of it, as Gertrude wrote it down.  His last thought was a loving one, of you.

EDITH.  Madeline says that he was thinking of you, too.  He knew that you were taking such loving care of his little one, and of me.  You have always done that, since you first came back from Charleston, and found me alone in New York.

MRS. HAVERILL.  I found a dear, sweet little daughter. [Stroking her head.] Heaven sent you, darling!  You have been a blessing to me.  I hardly know how I should have got through the past few months at all without you at my side.

EDITH.  What is your own trouble, dear?  I have found you in tears so often; and since last October, after the battle of Cedar Creek, you—­you have never shown me a letter from—­from my—­Frank’s father.  General Haverill arrived in Washington yesterday, but has not been here yet.  Is it because I am here?  He has never seen me, and I feel that he has never forgiven Frank for marrying me.

MRS. HAVERILL.  Nonsense, my child; he did think the marriage was imprudent, but he told me to do everything I could for you.  If General Haverill has not been to see either of us, since his arrival in Washington, it is nothing that you need to worry your dear little head about.  How are you getting on with your son’s wardrobe?