Winth.  She—­will come—­here.

Soldier.  Young Stuart—­never fought before—­plucky young ’un, too.  Would ride in front with flag—­no keepin’ him back.  Might have saved him—­bad.

Hop. (stops, gazing off across stream through the falling snow).  She’s coming.

Winth.  The boat!

Hop.  Yes.

Winth.  Alone?

Hop.  No, an old negro is with her; she has a white flag up.  They are very near.

[The snow begins to fall more heavily.  At the back an old boat
comes slowly into view through the trees.  Fair, dressed
in her little black dress, stands in the bow, with a
handkerchief tied on a long wooden staff.  She is without
her hat, her hair blowing about her face, her eyes
straining through the thickly falling snow; she is deadly
pale; she stands erect and very still.  Old Cupid, also
without his hat, is at the other end of the boat rowing. 
They move across stage from (Right) to (Left), disappearing
(Left).

Hop.  They are at the landing.

[All the men stand looking after the boat until it has
disappeared.

Winth.  Where are they now!

Hop.  Coming up the bank.

[All the soldiers are looking off (Left).  Enter Fair, holding the white flag on the staff, followed by Cupid.

Fair (stopping a short distance away).  I have come to claim my dead!

[At the sound of her voice every man takes off his hat.  They
stand:  some looking at her, some looking away.

Hop. (coming forward).  He is here (she looks at him for a second as though in recognition, then her face is cold as before, her eyes shining).  God!

[He turns away.  She looks past him; sees Bev’s body on the coat;
goes quickly to him, dropping to his side, her arms around
him.

Winth. (to Hopkins).  Where—­has she gone?  It seems so dark.

Hop.  I saw her swoop down like a mother bird to her young. (Winthrop tries to speak; his voice fails; he sinks limply back on the blanket).  Steve!  Only fainted.  Ah! (he rises and goes slowly to Fair; when he speaks, his voice is very soft).  Won’t you speak to him.  He may be dying?

[Fair has risen to her feet.  She comes slowly forward.  She sees
Winthrop, and for a second a wild flash of joy crosses her
face.  She starts forward, but stops herself suddenly, her
hands before her eyes.  She stands for a moment, very white
and quiet; when she speaks, her voice is low and very tired.

Fair.  Better so!  Better so!

[She turns once more to the body.  Two soldiers come forward at
a sign from Hopkins, but old Cupid steps before them.

Cupid.  I ax yer pardon, sir, but dis hers my place.  Ole Mistus done told me ter tek ker on him.

[He goes to the body and lays the flag over his arms, lifting
Bev as though he were a child; his arms under him, his head
against his breast.  He starts slowly off (Left), followed
by Fair, who walks as one in a dream. [They exit (Left).