Marthy.  Cose I ain’t.  Go on, nigger, wid de silber.

[Exit Cupid with silver.

Hit’s somethin’ ter git de minds off de trouble; It’ll do um a power er good.

[Enter Fair from the hall; she is very pale and tired looking: 
she wears a simple little black dress; her hair tied with
a black ribbon; all her youthful gaiety is gone; she seems
suddenly to have become a woman.  Her voice has a tired,
pathetic sound, as though she were constantly fighting for
her self-control.

Fair (timidly looking around her, as though afraid).  I have been afraid to come in here before.  It’s very bad, isn’t it, Marthy?

Marthy.  I was jes tryin’ ter get hit lookin’ little better fo’ you seed it.

Fair (wearily).  No matter, Marthy; leave it as it is.  I’ll help you to-morrow.

Marthy.  I rekon I better git dem pictures up in de attic fo’ your mar see um.

[She takes up one picture, mutilated beyond recognition, and tries
to cover it with her apron.

Fair.  What is it, Marthy?

Marthy.  ‘Tain’t nothin’, honey.  You go on back ter your mar and let old Marthy get things straight.

Fair (with an effort).  Let me see it—­I’d rather, please. (She holds out her hand; Marthy gives her the picture).  Oh, Marthy, not even this.  They couldn’t even leave his picture.

Marthy.  Dar, my lamb; don’t you cry when you bin so brave.  Dars a nother picture of Mars George in yo’ mar’s room. (She draws Fair’s head down upon her knee, stroking her hair).  My blessed chile—­my lamb!

Fair (raising her face and trying to stop her tears).  There, there, that was very foolish, and I won’t any more.  Take this away and hide it.

[Marthy takes picture, rolls it in her apron, and starts to door.

[Enter Bev from the hall.  He, too, is very changed.  All his
boyish gaiety is covered with a deep sorrow.  He tries to
speak cheerfully to comfort her.

Fair.  Oh, Bev, I’ve been wishing so you’d come.

[She goes quickly to him.  He puts his arm around her, comforting
her.

Marthy.  Why don’t you chullen go out fer a little walk.  Mars Bev’ll tek good care of you.  It ud do you good, honey.

Fair (looks towards the window).  Oh, no; not out there.

Bev.  We’ll be all right here; don’t you worry, Marthy.

[Exit Marthy.

Fair.  Bev, have you spoken to Charlotte?

Bev.  Yes; she and mother seem so much better now.  She’s taken off the white dress and put on the black one.  Mother said they both had so much left to live for.  And Charlotte smiled and called me to her, and asked if the soldiers were still here, and if my uniform was finished, and begged me not to be unhappy.  And she told me George was just as much ours as he had ever been, and told me how proud she was when all the soldiers told her he had been the first one in the fight.