_Woa, Lucindy! Woa, Lucindy! Woa, Lucindy Ann! At de rate dat you are stuffin, you will nebber leave us nuffin; so woa, Miss Sindy Ann!_ _To Lady B._ (_who, after joining in chorus with deep emotion, has burst into tears_). Why, you are _weeping_, dear Grandmother! _Lady B._ Nay, ’tis nothing, child--but have you no songs which are less sad? _Elfie._ Oh, yes, I know plenty of plantation ditties more cheerful than that. (_Sings._) _Oh, I hear a gentle whisper from de days ob long ago, When I used to be a happy darkie slave. [Trump-a-trump! But now I’se got to labour wif the shovel an’ de hoe-- For ole Massa lies a sleepin’ in his grave! [Trump-trump!_ _Chorus._ _Poor ole Massa! Poor ole Massa!_ (Pianissimo.) _Poor ole Massa, that I nebber more shall see! He was let off by de Jury, Way down in old Missouri--But dey lynched him on a persimmon tree._ _Elfie._ You smile at last, dear Grandma! I would sing to you again, but I am so very, very sleepy! _Lady B._ Poor child, you have had a long journey. Rest awhile on this couch, and I will arrange this screen so as to protect your slumbers. [_Leads little_ ELFIE _to couch_. _Elfie_ (_sleepily_). Thanks, dear Grandma, thanks.... Now I shall go to sleep, and dream of you, and the dogs, and angels. I so often dream about angels--but that is generally after supper, and to-night I have had no supper.... But never mind.... Good night, Grannie, good night ... goo’ni’ ... goo ... goo! [_She sinks softly to sleep._ _Lady B._ And I was about to set the bloodhounds upon this little sunbeam! ’Tis long since these grim walls have echoed strains so sweet as hers. (_Croons._) “Woa, Lucindy” &c. “Dey tried him by a Jury, way down in ole Missouri, an’ dey hung him to a possumdip tree!” (_Goes to couch, and gazes on the little sleeper._) How peacefully she slumbers! What a change has come over me in one short hour!--my withered heart is sending up green shoots of tenderness, of love, and hope! Let me try henceforth to be worthy of this dear child’s affection and respect. (_Turns, and sees_ MONKSHOOD.) Ha, Monkshood! Then there is time yet! Those parcels ... quick, quick!--the parcels!---- _Monks_ (_impassively_). Have been left as you instructed, my Lady. [_Chord._ Lady B. _staggers back, gasping, into chair. Little_ ELFIE _awakes behind screen, and rubs her eyes_. _Lady B._ (_in a hoarse whisper_). You--you have left the parcels ... all--_all?_ Tell me--how were they received? Speak low--I would not that yonder child should awake and hear! _Little Elfie_ (_behind the screen, very wide awake indeed_). Dear, good old Grannie--she would conceal her generosity--even from _me_! (_Loudly._) She little thinks that I am overhearing all! _Monks._ I could have sworn I heard whispering.