JOE:  Ah, thank you, Massa, thank you.

(OLD BLACK JOE exits to melody of “Old Black Joe.”)

GOLDIE:  I never could understand, Mr. Maynard, why you always make such a fuss about that nigger, Old Black Joe.

MAYNARD:  Old Black Joe may have a black skin, but he’s got a white heart and I’ll cherish and protect him as long as I have a roof over my head.

GOLDIE:  One would think that he had done you some great favor, Mr. Maynard.

MAYNARD:  He more than did me a favor.  He once saved my life.

CHORUS OF GIRLS:  Tell us about it.

MAYNARD:  (To melodramatic music.) It was during the days of ’61, when brother fought against brother and the Blue was striving to overpower the Grey.  On this very plantation, while hardly more than a lad, I was attacked and badly wounded and would have fallen into the hands of the enemy if it had not been for Old Black Joe, who, at the risk of his own life, carried me to a place of safety and nursed me back to health again.

CHORUS OF LADIES:  Three cheers for Old Black Joe.

(SONG by Ladies—­all exit.)

(Enter CHARLIE at centre.)

CHARLIE:  I’m crazy about Viola, but I know she will never marry me unless her father gives his consent.  If I only knew a way to win him over.  Ah, here comes Chlorinda.  Perhaps she can help me.

(Enter CHLORINDA from house.)

CHARLIE:  Hello, Chlorinda.

CHLORINDA:  Miss Sourgrass, if you please.

CHARLIE:  What’s the matter with Chlorinda?

CHLORINDA:  I only allows gentlemen I’se well acquainted with to call me Chlorinda.

CHARLIE:  Well then, Miss Sourgrass, do you want to earn a dollar?

CHLORINDA:  What’s the matter with it?

CHARLIE:  There’s nothing the matter with it.  You see, I’m in love with Viola Maynard, but her father doesn’t like me.  Now, if you can fix things up so her father will accept me as a son-in-law, I will give you a dollar.

CHLORINDA:  Jes leave it to me and in half an hour he’ll be so tickled to see you that he’ll put his arms around your neck and kiss you.

CHARLIE:  That will be splendid.

CHLORINDA:  The dollar, please.

CHARLIE:  I never pay in advance.

CHLORINDA:  No dollar, no kisses.

CHARLIE:  (Handing her a dollar.) Oh, very well, but see that you do as you promise.

CHLORINDA:  Leave it to me.

(CHARLIE exits at right.)

(MR. MAYNARD enters from house.)

CHLORINDA:  Did you hear what happened to Charlie Doolittle?

MAYNARD:  I suppose he took a pinch of snuff and blew his brains out.

CHLORINDA:  Goodness no; guess again.

MAYNARD:  No, I won’t.  I’m not at all interested in that addlepated, monkey-faced nincompoop.  He’s after my daughter, but he shall never marry her.  Why, if wives could be supported for fifty cents a year, that empty-headed specimen of vacuous mentality couldn’t even keep a cock-roach from starving.