_Rowell_ (_aside_). Oh, curse the girl! she has outwitted me. _Gaylie._ You sought to keep him down; and so I decoyed you here, believing that your presence, hateful as it had become, was necessary to the exaltation of Rob Trueworth. I have used a woman's art, coquetry; but the end justifies the means. So you see, colonel, the Home Guard has a right to claim the victory. Home Guard, attention! fall in! (_She stands_ L. HIRAM _takes his place next her, and_ CRIMP _next up stage_. GAYLIE _then faces them_.) _Gaylie._ Comrades, your general, ahem! is proud of you; we have fought together; we have conquered. Now let us march to meet the returning heroes. (_Steps back beside_ HIRAM.) Home Guard, attention! Eyes right! eyes left! Salute! (_They salute. Chorus repeated outside, "Marching through Georgia," nearer. Enter_ ROB, _in full uniform of a colonel_.) Ah! Rob, Rob! he's come, mother, he's come! (_Runs into_ ROB'S _arms_.) _Mrs. T._ (_springing up_). O Rob, boy! welcome, welcome, welcome! _Rob._ Dear, dear mother! (_Enter_ MATTIE, L.) _Mattie._ Where is he? O Brother Rob! (_Runs into his arms._) This is glorious! _Rob._ Thanks for your hearty welcome. Ah, Hiram! (_Shakes hands._) And Crimp! _Crimp._ Yaas, indeed! how is yer? an' how is Boxer? an'—an' ole smoke-jack? Gay times in ole Virginny, two years ago. I'm obleeged to you. _Rob_ (_comes down to_ L., _where_ ROWELL _stands with his back to him, and his arms folded_). Wilder Rowell, the regiment with which you set out for the battle-field has returned under command of its new colonel, myself. _Rowell_ (_turns round_). You the colonel of the 10th? _Rob._ I am happy to say I have won that distinction. Won it! do you hear? You would have kept me in the ranks; but thanks to woman's wit, and military justice, you were removed in time. I now return to claim my bride. (_Turns up stage._) _Rowell_ (_turns away_). Oh, I have failed,—miserably failed! I cannot bear to see their happiness. (_All are gathered about_ ROB, _up stage_.) I was so sure of her! and she has been laughing at me all this time. I wish I could hate her; but no, no, it's impossible. I played for her fortune, and I ended in loving her as I can never love again. They are busy: I'll slip away. Oh! this may be justice for them: 'tis ruin, utter ruin, for me. [_Exit_ L. _Hiram_ (_leads_ MATTIE _down_ R.) Now, Mattie, Rob has returned, and Gaylie is true to him. Col. Rowell, of course, is in the market. _Mattie._ I don't care if he is: I don't want him! _Hiram._ But you want Trueworth Farm. _Mattie._ Not if I must take its owner. _Hiram._ No? not when his name is Hiram Jenks? It's mine, Mattie: I bought it to-night. Come, let's kiss and make up: do, now, do! (_Kiss and retire up, arm in arm._ ROB _and_ GAYLIE _come down_.)