RUTH. Here she comes, laughing as usual. If she were wrecked in mid ocean, that silvery laugh of hers would wake echoes on the waves. (_Enter_ DOR. _and_ POTTS; DOR. _does not see_ ROGER, _who stands in window_.) DOR. (_putting arms about_ RUTH, _who is seated by table_). Another ripple on the matrimonial sea. Somebody's engaged. Guess who it is. RUTH. Engaged? I give it up. DOR. Allow me to present Major Pinkerton Potts as the culprit, and his victim is (_turns around; sees_ ROGER, _and rushes into his arms_)—Roger! (_All laugh._) ROGER. That is news to me, major. POTTS. Back again, old man. I am glad to see you. (_Shakes hands with_ ROGER.) DOR. Well, you needn't make fun of me. It's my dearest friend Mollie. COL. Major, I indeed congratulate you. ROGER. Thought you would follow my example, eh, old man? POTTS. Yes; yours was such a lucky prize, thought I would try my hand. RUTH. Mollie is well worth winning, major. POTTS. Thank you, Mrs. Graham. ROGER. Dorothy, what is the best news you could wish for? DOR. Your name cleared, and all happy once more. ROGER. Then it is yours. I am an accused man no longer. DOR. Honor bright? How did you find it out? ROGER. Through that good friend of ours, Bijah Bright. DOR. (_goes to_ BIJAH). Mr. Bright, I come to thank you once more. Polly, you can trust this man. He has proved loyal every time. POLLY. Thank you, Miss Dorothy. It's pleased I am to hear you say so. BIJAH. She has promised to marry me, and we invite you to Oldtown for the wedding. DOR. I accept upon the spot. Be good to him, Polly; he deserves it. BIJAH. That she will. I can trust her for that. (_Enter_ PETE, C.) PETE. O Massa Colonel, such a time; it's jest orful. Massa Newcomb he jests rants and tears like a house afire. Down in de hall am two gennlemen a-talking to him right smart. Shall I ax 'em up? COL. No, Pete. They will settle it amongst themselves. Do you remember what I promised you? That when the war was over I would help you find your mammy. PETE. 'Deed, Massa Colonel, I 'members, but 'specs der ain't no great hurry for dat. Yer's been so good to me, an' de missis, too. I should jes lub to stay wid you. Please massa, don't send me away. (PETE _wipes eyes on sleeve_.) COL. No; no fear of that. As long as you are a good boy, you shall stay with me. I shall not forget what you did for me. PETE. Please, massa, I done de bes I knows. COL. We all know that, and when your mammy does find you, she will be proud of her boy. And now, Pete, for the sake of the good old times in camp, give us one of your songs. (PETE _brings banjo; takes stage_, C., _and sings something pathetic_.) ROGER. Those songs brought the tears to our eyes when we thought of you all at home. DOR. But no more tears now. No more trouble: only sunshine. Just think of it, Roger. Pinky is to be married, you his best man, and I maid of honor. ROGER. I like that. Why not reverse things?