MANDY. Dat am de stuff, sure. Missy drink tea, Mandy drink tea too. No one see me ’cept dat black witch-cat! He can’t tell. (_Sound of the knocker._) Lawsy! Some one’s at de door! (_She grabs the tea things and slams them into the cupboard, locks it and hides the key. She then exits at_ R. _She returns with_ MRS. S. _and_ MRS. C.) Please seat you’selves, ladies, while I tells Missy Boltwood you is here. [_Exit at_ R. MRS. C. ’Tis best that friends should break her the unhappy news, not any chance comer. Think you not so? MRS. S. Truly. A privilege of friendship is to report the disagreeable. I wonder how she will relish such tidings? Stephen Ingram was always a near friend to her, though ’twould take a Solomon to tell whether she cared aught for him. _Enter_ MISS B. MISS B. Good-afternoon, neighbors. MRS. C.} MRS. S.} (_together_). Good-afternoon, Miss Boltwood. MRS. C. We trust we see you well and--and--of good fortitude. Mayhap you will need it. MRS. S. (_eagerly_). Prepare yourself for sad news; very sad news, my dear Miss Boltwood. Judge Ingram--you are aware that he but lately joined our army. MISS B. I pray you go on! MRS. C. The report has but now come that he has been discovered in communication with the British. MRS. S. And that he has been arrested and will be executed as a spy! MISS B. (_incredulously_). Stephen Ingram a spy! Impossible! It is not true. MRS. C. His conversion to patriotism was very sudden, my dear Miss Boltwood, and all know his Tory beliefs. MRS. S. You have our deepest sympathy in that an old, and, mayhap, a dear friend has proved unworthy. True, he was a kind, agreeable man, but he was far too easily influenced, as you well know yourself. MISS B. (_rising in indignation_). Ladies, I will not hear Stephen Ingram traduced. I care not what reports are rife; I know the man. He would never do aught dishonorable. He may be of a yielding disposition, but his principles are adamant! _Enter_ BETTY. _She looks in surprise at her aunt and guests._ MRS. S. (_maliciously_). Miss Betty, your aunt is deeply concerned over the downfall of Judge Ingram. The whole town is buzzing with the news. It seems the Judge joined the patriot army but to furnish information to the British. He has been discovered and is to be executed as a spy! (BETTY _springs to her aunt’s side and puts her arms around her_.) BETTY. Dear aunt, ’tis a false charge--I know it. They would not execute an innocent man. (MISS B. _sinks into a chair as if about to faint_. BETTY _runs and gets wine_. MRS. C. _rushes to the fireplace, seizes a turkey wing and burns it, then holds it under_ MISS B.’S _nose. She waves aside wine and feathers._) MRS. C. Burnt feathers are so reviving! MISS B. (_recovering_). I want no wine, or _sympathy_, so called. If my best friend is unjustly accused, I will journey to Boston and see him righted. Methinks I have some influence on both sides of this quarrel. (MRS. S. _and_ MRS. C. _look at one another_.)