Now, right ’way, she got ter come mixin’ in agin. (_Fiercely._) I done took all I’se gwine ter off her! (_Moving about agitatedly._) ’Deed, I is! W’at she anaway? Stuck up kase she got straight hair. Nevah done a lick-a wuk in her life. AUNT REBECCA Hush, honey! Ain’ no use ter git all wukked up! LUCY BELLE (with an hysterical laugh) Ha! Ha! She think she kin keep Sam ’way from me! I like ter see her! I like ter see her! AUNT REBECCA Nevah yo’ min’! Nevah yo’ min’! (_A knock on the door, Back. Lucy Belle and Aunt Rebecca start._) LUCY BELLE (_calling out in tremulous tones_) Who dat? SAM (_off, Back_) Me--! LUCY BELLE (_with a gasp_) It Sam--! (_She motions to Aunt Rebecca to leave the room. The old woman goes off hurriedly, Left. Lucy Belle stands hesitant. A look of dire fear comes over her face, and she appears to be on the verge of collapse. However, with an effort she controls herself and goes uncertainly to the door, Back, and opens it. Sam steps in. He looks older and thinner than in Act I and his hair is streaked with gray, and his shoulders are a trifle more stooped than before. He wears a dark suit of clothes--the sort furnished to prisoners on the occasion of their release--a collar, but no tie, and he carries a small bundle under one arm. In one hand he carries his hat._) SAM (_springing forward with a cry of joy_) Gal--! LUCY BELLE (_rushing to him_) Sam! (_He tosses his hat and the bundle on the table, takes her in his arms and smothers her with kisses._) SAM Honey-baby! Honey-baby! LUCY BELLE (_murmuring softly_) Baby! Baby! SAM Yo’ ain’ fo’got yo’ ole Sam, is yo’? LUCY BELLE No, no! Oh, Sam, Sam! Mah ole Sam-boy! (_Clinging tightly to him._) Oh, I’se so glad ter see yo’! Gawd bless yo’! SAM Honey-baby! Honey-baby! LUCY BELLE Ole Sam-boy! Mah honey-baby buddy-boy! I’se so glad ter see yo’! SAM Yo’ all did’n’ ’spec’ me, did yo’? LUCY BELLE No, no! Did’n’ have no idea in de worl’ I’se gwine ter see yo’ so soon. Not till jes’ a minute ago. Slim come an’ tol’ me. He say Mink Hall tol’ him. SAM (_nodding_) Yas--I seen Mink uptown. LUCY BELLE Ah, Sam-boy! Mah budigee lovah! Yo’ ain’ nevah gwine ter leave me agin, is yo’? SAM Nevah, honey! No, indeedy! Not ’less dey takes me ’way in a box. LUCY BELLE Yo’s de bes’ ole buddy in de worl’! SAM Seem ter me like I only had ter shet mah eyes--night or day--an’ see yo’ face. Only thinkin’ ’bout yo’ kep’ me from killin’ ev’body in sight w’en I’se breakin’ mah back on dem rock piles. Yo’ don’ know w’at kin’-a hell I been th’u’, gal. Kin’-a hell dat sets a man crazy--’less he’s careful. LUCY BELLE I knows, I knows. Mus’-a been turrible! Turrible! Oh, Gawd! SAM Yo’ all stay right on yere--all de time? LUCY BELLE Yas, yas. Calc’lated ter move two or free times but could’n’ fin’ nuffin’ ter suit me. SAM (_glancing about the room and noting that the cupboard and large easy chair are missing_) Whar’s de cupboard--an’--an’ dat ole easy chaiah?