NUNKIE (Laughs sheepishly--puts money down--TUSH HAWG pushes stack of chips toward him. Bus.) I didn't put it down because I knew you all goin' to be puttin' it right back in my pocket. BECKERWOOD Aw, Y'all go ahead and play. (to TUSH HAWG) Deal! (TUSH HAWG begins to deal for draw poker. The game gets tense. SACK DADDY is first man at TUSH's left--he throws back three cards and is dealt three more) SACK DADDY My luck sure is rotten! My gal must be cheatin' on me. I ain't had a pair since John Henry had a hammer! BLACK BABY (Drawing three new cards) You might be fooling the rest with the cryin' you're doin' but I'm squattin' for you! You're cryin' worse than cryin' Emma! TOO-SWEET (Studying his three new cards) (Sings) When yo' cards gets lucky, oh Partner, you oughter be in a rollin' game. *[Handwritten: get you foot offa my chair etc] AUNT DILSEY (Enters through portieres--stands and looks disapprovingly) You all oughter be ashamed of yourself, gamblin' and carryin' on like this! BLACK BABY Aw, this ain't no harm, Aunt Dilsey! You go on back to bed and git your night's rest. AUNT DILSEY No harm! I know all about these no-harm sins! If you don't stop this card playin', all of you all goin' to die and go to Hell. (Shakes warning finger--exits through portieres--while she is talking the men have been hiding cards out of their hands and pulling aces out of sleeves and vest pockets and shoes--it is done quickly, one does not see the other do it) NUNKIE (Shoving a chip forward) A dollar! SACK DADDY Raise you two! BLACK BABY I don't like to strain with nobody but it's goin' to cost you five. Come on, you shag-nags! This hand I got is enough to pull a country man into town. *[Handwritten: Last sentence crossed through in pencil.] TOO-SWEET You all act like you're spuddin'! Bet some money! Put your money where your mouth is *[Handwritten: els my fist where yo mouf is.] TUSH HAWG Twenty-five dollars to keep my company! Dog-gone, I'm spreadin' my knots! SACK DADDY And I bet you a fat man I'll take your money--I call you. (Turns up his cards--he has four aces and king)