MANDY (_cheerfully_). Oh, yes, sir. She powerful mad when she see dem beads on Miss Betty’s neck. And when she frowed dem out de window---- WILL. Who? Not Miss Betty? MANDY. Oh, yes, sir. She got mad, too, an’ frowed de lovely beads out de window. We ain’t never found dem, neider, sir. (WILL. _looks much cast down_.) _Enter_ MISS B. _and_ BETTY _with bandboxes and bags. They wear bonnets. They stare dumbfounded at the_ JUDGE _and_ WILL. MISS B. (_going to_ JUDGE _at_ L.). Stephen Ingram, thank God! (_They clasp hands._) BETTY (_flying to the side of_ WILL.). Oh, William! (_He tries to rise, but sinks back._) Your wound, how fares it? (_She hangs over him and_ MANDY _brings pillows_.) JUDGE (_laughing_). Do I look like a man about to be executed, Lavinia? Mandy has told us of the false report. MISS B. _’Twas_ false! I knew it! But how--why---- JUDGE. Another Ingram, but not from Hartfield, was the spy. He has met his punishment ere this, poor fellow. BETTY. Aunt Lavinia, William craves the fresh air. May we go into the garden? MISS B. (_absently_). Yes, child. [_Exit_ WILL., _leaning on_ BETTY, _at_ R. JUDGE. Lavinia, I could not be a traitor to the patriot cause, for I am with it heart and soul. Your example did help to win me over. MISS B. Mine? How so? JUDGE. When you practiced such self-denial and gave up your tea. (_Playfully._) I knew you were wedded to it. MISS B. (_humbly_). Oh, Stephen, you shame me. I did not keep my vow. I confess I have been drinking tea in secret. The habit was too strong for me. But now your patriotism has kindled mine. I, too, adopt the patriot cause. To it I will give myself and all I have, even my tea! Look! I break the pot in token that I break the habit. (_She takes the teapot from the cupboard and is about to shatter it on the hearth when_ MANDY _springs forward_.) MANDY. Oh, missy, don’ smash de little teapot! Give it to old Mandy. (_She holds out her hands for it._ MISS B. _puts the pot into them_. MANDY _clasps it to her breast_.) MISS B. Well, take it and get you to the kitchen. You can brew naught but “Liberty Tea” in it now. (MANDY _starts to go but is loath to lose any of the conversation, so lingers by the door at_ L.) JUDGE. Lavinia, it rejoices me that you so heartily embrace the glorious cause of independence. ’Tis noble---- MISS B. Say not so, Stephen. You must, in your heart, despise me for my weakness. JUDGE. Despise you! I could not. Come, tell me. Were you about to journey to Boston in my behalf? MISS B. Yes, I had so purposed. I would have wrested you from prison and execution, if need be! JUDGE. What a friend you are, Lavinia! MISS B. (_looking at him tenderly_). I have but now learned your worth to me, Stephen. JUDGE. And I yours. Our friendship shall endure while life lasts. ’Tis above passion. MISS B. (_faintly_). Yes, Stephen. JUDGE. I see now how exalted is our relation. ’Tis an ideal. MISS B. (_downcast_). True, ’tis an ideal--but----