POLLY. Don't be so mysterious, Bijah; you don't know everything in this world. BIJAH. No, and I don't want to. Let me be sure that the heart of Miss Polly Primrose beats for me alone, and that will satisfy my cravings for knowledge. Come, let us depart to the charms of the culinary department. Methinks I see visions of your pies, Polly. There in each other's genial society we will partake of pie, and talk over that coming wedding in Oldtown. (_Exeunt_ POLLY _and_ BIJAH, R.; _enter_ COLONEL _and_ KILROY, L.) COL. Tell your master, Mr. Newcomb, that I will see him this evening. KIL. Indade, sir, he shall have your orders. (_Aside._) Faith, it's a foine pie they be afther baking for Newcomb. By me powers, I wouldn't loike to be here at the cutting of it. (_Exit_ KILROY, C.) COL. (_sinks into chair at table_). It is hard to believe in Newcomb's treachery; he has always seemed so warm a friend. (_Enter_ RUTH, R.) RUTH (_goes to_ COLONEL). Gordon, what did that messenger want? Who sent him? COL. Randolph Newcomb. RUTH. I thought as much; what was the message? COL. Asking permission to see me! RUTH. You did not consent? COL. Yes, Ruth, I am to see him this evening. RUTH. He shall not see you. COL. Ruth! RUTH (_kneels and takes_ COLONEL'S _hand; music_). Gordon, why will you let him poison your heart against Roger? He is wily and cunning; you have proof of his treachery, yet your heart, once loyal to your friend, cannot without a struggle believe in his dishonor. Think no more of this man, but tell me of Roger, and that night in camp. COL. Poor fellow, his experience has been a bitter one. Shall I tell you the whole story, little one? RUTH. Yes, Gordon, every word. COL. (_holding_ RUTH'S _hand_). When the call for volunteers was heard throughout the country, Roger's heart responded to the call. Entering the service as a private, he tried to forget his wrongs in earnest work. Knowing the attempt upon my life, he sought the man who fired the shot. Dowling was confined as prisoner, awaiting sentence. Roger promised to help him, if he would confess the name of the instigator of the crime. Dowling at last did so, and you know who the guilty one proved to be. Oh, Ruth, to think a tried and old friend could be so base. (_Covers face with hands._) RUTH. Never mind, Gordon; perhaps better now to learn his falseness than later; go on. COL. Roger, knowing that Newcomb would not stop at one attempt, determined to place himself in his way and act the knave. Assuming a disguise, he so completely lost his identity that Newcomb was well deceived, and before many meetings employed Roger to finish the work which had proved a blunder in the beginning. It was, as you know, planned for the night that Roger would act as my sentinel: the time after taps. Newcomb, always solicitous for my welfare, was a daily visitor in camp, and that night was on the watch to be sure that there was no blundering in the work.