[_GRANNY stands staring down at the child in her arms for some time. She then goes over to the bed and lays the child upon it, bending over it and striving to see. At last she turns, goes swiftly over to the red-covered chest and taking from its top the two charred sticks, turns, lights them at the fireplace, comes forward to the middle of the room and holding the flaming faggots before her face peers steadily at them._] GRANNY [_Suddenly in a loud voice with upraised face._] Sam—ask Gawd tuh give back my sight dis night er all nights an’ leave me look at de noo man w’ut bin handed down ter us. Fer we kep’ de blood puore. Ask an’ we shill receive— [_In a still louder tone, stretching upward her hands._] Lawd, I believe. [_She suddenly sways, turns, drops the sticks on the hearth, puts her hands before her eyes and staggers forward. After a moment she takes her hands from her face and looks tremblingly about._] Yes—he give hit back—I sees—Oh, my black babe! [_She moves swiftly to the bed and bends over the child. There is a moment’s pause._] W’ut dis? Cain’ I see yit? De wrong coloh. [_She turns swiftly, seizes a white cloth from a chair and a black one from another, holds them up and looks at them alternately._] W’ite—black. [_Then turning to the bed she stares again at the child. After a moment she straightens and reaching her hands upward she gives a cry._] W’ite! Debbils! [_SAPPHIE and PEARL appear in doorway. GRANNY bends over the child with clawlike fingers raised as though she were about to strangle it. SAPPHIE darts forward and snatches the child. GRANNY turns and looks at SAPPHIE and PEARL in turn._] PEARL She sees! SAPPHIE Granny Maumee, the babe’ll be ouah’n an’ we can raise him right. He’s a good baby and don’t cry none. I don’t want live’n town. I want to live here with you and Puhl. Baby’ll love you. And we won’t be no trouble to keep ’caze I got money. Look—take this. [_She draws from her bosom a crumpled handful of bills which she stuffs into GRANNY’S hands._] GRANNY Wheah you git dis? [_She stands immovably staring before her._] SAPPHIE _He_ give it to me. GRANNY [_Shaking off the money onto the table._] W’ite man money. SAPPHIE He des would have his way, but he’s good to me and he takes care of me. He’s comin’ heah tonight to see me. GRANNY W’ut de name? SAPPHIE Young Lightfoot. GRANNY De gran’pap er dat man tetch off de fieh w’ut bu’n up my Sam. SAPPHIE But this’n ain’t that away, Granny Maumee. He’s always kind. GRANNY W’en’s de man comin’? SAPPHIE He’ll be here soon and if you’ll only listen he’ll sure talk you round. GRANNY [_Pointing to the baby._] Hit wants out. Take it out an’ come yer.