Auntie Temp (_enters at left and goes to side of_ Mrs. Mortimer): O, now, Miss' Em'line! Doan, honey, doan do dat, pore soul. Yore ole mammy knows jes' how't feels--come, now, obah heah on de sofi, an' hab a good rest. (_Puts arms about her and leads her to sofa, putting pillow under her head, etc., while talking to her._) Dere, dere, honey, doan ye feel bad any moah. We-all tak de bes' caah of ye an' make ye des's happy as we kin. Des tink, Miss' Em'line, dere's Miss Sally Car'line, de lubliest angel anybuddy eber seed; she done tak des de bes' caah of ye, so des chirk up, chirk up, Miss' Em'line. Come, now, honey, tu'n obah an' go a-sleep, yore ole mammy covah ye up. Mrs. Mortimer: And, Auntie Temp, don't ever let those children play Yankee Doodle around the house again. Auntie Temp: Dat I won't, honey, I'll go this minnit an' see 'bout it. (_Comes down stage._ Sally _enters at right. They meet at right-front._) Sally (_in excited undertone_): Auntie Temp, what do you think? (_Catches her by the arm and dances and jumps around in glee._) Father is coming across the field from the west! Your children have gone to meet him. And as I was looking around, I saw another figure coming slowly from the south. I took the glass, which was lying on the porch, and it is Albert! Auntie Temp (_excitedly_): Laws honey, ye doan mean it? Sally: Hush! I am afraid the excitement will be too much for mother. O, what shall we do? They may come rushing in any minute. (_Fife and drum heard._ Mrs. Mortimer _groans._) Auntie Temp: See to yore pore ma, Miss Sally Car'line, I got ter make dem niggahs shet up. (_Exit at right. Music ceases in a moment._) Mrs. Mortimer (_sitting up_): O, good Auntie Temp! What a comfort she is to me; she promised to make those children stop that tune and she has done it. (_Sighs._) Sally (_kneeling beside her_): But, mother dear, wouldn't you like to hear the fife and drum playing Yankee Doodle if it was played for joy? Mrs. Mortimer (_jumping up_): For joy? What can you mean, Sally Caroline? Sally (_rising and throwing arms about_ Mrs. Mortimer): Don't get excited. It means, dearest mother, that you are to be happy again. Mrs. Mortimer: O, Sally Caroline, don't deceive me! Do you mean---- Sally (_interrupting_): Yes, yes, it means that they (_leads her slowly toward right exit_) are both coming across the fields: one from the west and one from the south, and, even now, they may be in the door-yard. (Mrs. Mortimer _hurries._) There, there, dear, do not overtax your strength. Remember, too, they are much changed, and you mustn't give 'way when you meet them. (_Exeunt at right._) Clementina (_enters at right, waving fife, followed by_ George, _carrying drum_): Golly, wa'n't that fine? Seems lak I cu'd jes' dance mah feet off. George: Well, ye jes' keep still, ye good-foh-nuthin' niggah gal. Nebah seed sich a crazy gal nowahs, Dere, dey's comin' now, ye better go hide.