Winthrop (in great anger).  You damned cowards!  Get out!  Every one of you shall be court-martialed.

Hopkins.  Fine soldiers, you dogs!  You’ll pay for this.

[The soldiers stand in frightened groups.

Winth.  I was detained.  Who’s in command?

Hop.  Corporal Evans.

[Evans salutes.

Winth.  Consider yourself under arrest.

Hop. (looks toward the house).  The old place, too.

Winth.  An outrage!  Back to your horses and wait there.  Where are the people?

[Exit soldiers.

[They turn and discover the group at the gate.  They quickly advance.

Winth. (delighted).  Mrs. Stuart, how can we say how we regret this intrusion.

[He offers his hand.  Mrs. S. looks at him for a moment as though
she does not recognize him, then draws back.

Mrs. S. My home is yours by right of conquest.

Winth. (stops) No.  I beg of you—­

Mrs. S. We await your pleasure, sir.

Winth. (falling back a step).  Surely you have forgotten; we were once your guests.

Mrs. S. We have not forgotten, sir; nor can we soon forget.

Winth. (greatly grieved).  Once you welcomed us.  I know I wear the uniform—­yet, I am still your friend, your kinsman.

Mrs. S. I claim no kin with those who take up arms against the South.

[Enter Evans, hurriedly.

Evans.  Word has come that our regiment has met the enemy one mile away.  They’re engaging now.  Hark to the guns!

[The distant sound of guns.

Winth.  Boots and saddles, quick!

[Exit Evans on run.

I beg your pardon for intruding, madam.  You shall not be troubled in this way again.

[He and Hopkins exit hurriedly.  The horses hoofs are heard as
they gallop away.  They stand silently listening.  Fair
throws her arms around her mother’s neck, sobbing.

Fair.  Oh, mother! mother!

Char.  We must not fear; there’s no time for that.

Fair.  Oh, I am not afraid.

Bev.  Have our men had time?  They must have reached the camp to give the warning.

Mrs. S. The fighting can’t last long, so few men are engaged.  But those who are will need our aid if they are wounded.  Come in; we’ll be prepared to help.

Char. (at the gate, looking off to where the shots are heard).  I cannot go inside—­I cannot.

Mrs. S. (her arm around Charlotte).  Please God, he’ll come back to you, dear.

[She exits into house with Marthy and Cupid, while Fair and Bev
remain with Charlotte at the gate.

Bev.  The firing’s stopped; ’twas only a skirmish.  Our men ought to be safe by now.  Winthrop had only a few men with him, reconnoitering.

Fair.  He—­didn’t have time to get into the fight, did he?

Bev.  I suppose not.  The men went first.

Fair.  Ah—­