Gawd-a-massy! Chick Avery, how is yo’? CHICK Fine and dandy. (_She steps into the room. Chick closes the door._) AUNT REBECCA Still on de Norfolk boat? CHICK Yas, indeedy. AUNT REBECCA Makin’ good money? CHICK Would’n’ be dere ef I was’n’. AUNT REBECCA Whar’s Lucy Belle? CHICK In dere. (_He inclines his head toward the room, off Left._) AUNT REBECCA Drap in ter say howdy. (_Chick, who has stood with his hand on the knob, opens the door again._) Yo’ ain’ gwine--? CHICK On mah way. See yo’ some mo’. AUNT REBECCA (_shortly_) Goodbye. (_He goes out, closing the door after him._) AUNT REBECCA (_somewhat peeved by the abruptness of his departure_) Humph! No-count, like all de res’ dem yallow niggahs (_Calling._) Lucy Belle--oh, Lucy Belle! LUCY BELLE (_off stage, Left_) Dat yo’, Aun’ Becky--? AUNT REBECCA Sho’ is, honey! LUCY BELLE Come on in yere. (_Aunt Rebecca goes out, Left. A moment or two later the door, Back, opens a foot or two and Slim sticks his head in and looks about. Seeing no one, he enters stealthily and closes the door slowly and with extreme care. He moves cautiously to the chair, Left Center, on which Lucy Belle’s coat lies. He picks up the coat--or jacket--and goes rapidly through the pockets in search of her pocket book. Unable to find it in them, he drops the coat and stands in tense thought. His eyes wander over to the cupboard, Left. With quick, cat-like movements he goes to it, opens one of the top doors, removes the lid from a crockery jar, peers into it, sees nothing, removes the lid from the next one, peers into it, discovers the pocket book, reaches in and takes it out. He quickly extracts the four one-dollar bills, counts them and stuffs them in his pocket. He then drops the pocket book back in the jar, replaces the lid, and closes the door of the cupboard. He slips quickly across to the door, Back, opens it and goes out. In his hurry to get out he gives the door a little bang as he shuts it. A moment later Lucy Belle enters, Left, with a startled, inquiring look and glances about._) AUNT REBECCA (_off stage, Left_) W’at’s de mattah? LUCY BELLE Thought I yered somebody come in. (_Aunt Rebecca enters, Left._) AUNT REBECCA (_glancing about_) Jes’ now? LUCY BELLE Yas. AUNT REBECCA Go ’long! LUCY BELLE Reckon I mus’ been dreamin’. AUNT REBECCA W’at yo’ yere? LUCY BELLE Soun’ like de do’ shettin’. AUNT REBECCA Sho’ don’ see nobody. LUCY BELLE (_glancing at the clock on the cupboard. The hands point to half-past one_) Um! Got ter hussle. AUNT REBECCA Wukkin’ dis afternoon? LUCY BELLE (_nodding_) Lot-a ironin’ ter do. Got ter git some dinnah fust, dough. AUNT REBECCA (_in surprise_) Ain’ yo’ had yo’ dinnah? LUCY BELLE No. AUNT REBECCA Gawd-a-massy! LUCY BELLE Waste a lot-a time chewin’ de rag wid Chick. AUNT REBECCA Go ahaid! Don’ lemme stop yo’. LUCY BELLE (_with a sigh, as she picks up her jacket_) Gawd--! (_Draws a hand across her forehead._) AUNT REBECCA