[_At this word MRS. ROOT is unable to bear more and hides her face in her handkerchief._ UNCLE GEORGE [_As one saving the situation._] Genealogy is interesting. One is democratic, of course, but when there is behind one what there is behind us, Senator, it enhances one’s powers--responsibility--obligation. [_He has taken up the book and been running through the pages._] Descendants of John Peyton. Here, Peyton, are some things about your ancestors. Read them. Perhaps then instead of tearing down you will have an impulse to build up. I commend this book to you young people for study. It will do you no harm to think a little of those worthy men from whom you come. [_Marks the place with a card and gives the book to PEYTON._ JHANSI [_Springing up._] I shall waste no time thinking of the worthy men from whom I come! If I am related to a law-maker--I owe it to my soul to become a law-breaker! MRS. ROOT You see, Bessie, what you have done. JHANSI When I thought there was in me no taint of civilization, I could put up with your silly conventions, but if in a material sense I am part of your society, then I have a spiritual obligation to fulfil in leaving it! Peyton, respectability threatens to wall us in and stifle us. Are you ready to walk from this house with me tonight, entering upon a free union that says that--[_A snap of the finger_] for law? PEYTON Why--certainly. MRS. BYRD _Well_, if it comes to a matter of not caring to claim relationship, _we_ certainly hesitated some time. Those Harrisons were not all they should be. JHANSI [_A note of hope in her voice._] No? MRS. BYRD I said to Senator Byrd, now that the girl is marrying into one of the best families in the state--not that that influenced us especially, but I said, if she is trying to make something of herself, we must stand by her, and we will mention only pleasant things. We will not allude to what her grandfather did! JHANSI What did he do? SENATOR BYRD He burned down his neighbor’s house because that neighbor chased home his pigs. JHANSI _Really?_ Yes!--my grandfather would do that! PEYTON Were any of the family found in the charred remains? SENATOR BYRD The family, I believe, escaped. MRS. BYRD But no thanks to old man Harrison. JHANSI No!--I’m sure grandfather _meant_ them to burn. [_Seizing book._] I wonder if grandfather’s protest is recorded in this book! MRS. BYRD That book does not emphasize unfortunate occurrences. MRS. ROOT And how right it is! One should think only of the _good_ in human nature. PEYTON [_Looking with JHANSI._] What is this fine print at the bottom of the page? MRS. BYRD [_Hastily._] That is not important. SENATOR BYRD It is in fine print because it is not important. PEYTON One of the descendants of Peter Byrd. [_To JHANSI._] The leg at Bull Run, you know. He-- MRS. ROOT Peyton, remember that you are in your own house. PEYTON