The southern cross : $b A play in four actsDaingerfield, Foxhall
History
The southern cross : $b A play in four acts
Daingerfield, Foxhall
American drama -- 20th century; United States -- History -- Civil War, 1861-1865 -- Drama
Col. S. We'll walk down through the garden; we must go there.
Mrs. S. I left that for the last. I knew you wanted to go down
to--the grave.
Col. S. (quiet for a moment, then with an effort). He loved this
home, didn't he, mother?
Mrs. S. Yes, he was very happy here. That tree near by the
gate--the one we call "Phil's tree"--is the place I love best now.
[She takes his hand and quietly they exit (Right) by gate leading
to graveyard.
[Enter from the house Aunt Marthy with a small bell in in her
hand. She looks about as though to ring the bell. Stops,
as she glances toward the graveyard.
Aunt M. Dey's down dar by Mars Phil's grave. I know'd
dey'd go dar las' thing, fo' de come in fo' de night. 'Pears like Mistis
got ter go dar every evenin' 'bout sunset. 'Pears like hit comfort
her mightily, arter she set dar fer a while by de grave and smove
down the grass wid her hands and spred out de fresh flowers she
bring him. It seems like she happier den she bin all day. She just
come out smilin' ter herself, like she ant smile since fo' de war brek
out. I reckon de supper kin wait.
[Exit by side of the house.
[Enter from the house Fair, Bev, and Charlotte Hillary. She is
a young girl of some twenty-two or three years, tall,
slender, and very pretty, with somewhat premature dignity.
She is dressed in a soft blue cotton dress, much like
Fair's. She enters smiling and evidently inspired by the
gay mood of Fair and Bev.
Charlotte (laughing). So I'm to be told the great secret, am I?
What can it be? A new dress for Fair, or have some of your soldier
friends made you happy with some trophy of the fight. Bev?
Fair. She came near it, didn't she, Bev? But you couldn't really
guess, not if you tried all night.
Bev. Remember you promised not to say a word to any one.
Char. I promise. But really I can't wait another minute; do tell
me, quick.
Bev (who is searching behind a bush near the house). I say, Fair,
where'd you put it? 'Twas here last night.
Fair. I found Cupid digging round that bush and I knew he'd find
it and tell, so I hid it here. (She reaches under the steps, drawing out
a small paper parcel. She unrolls the paper, drawing out the half
finished coat of a boy's uniform. It is made from pale-blue flannel,
very soft, and evidently from some dress of her own. The armlets are
embroidered in red cotton). Here it is. Now guess, Charlotte, before we
tell you?
Char. I've seen the cloth before--the dress you had last winter.
But what--I don't quite see--what is it now?
Bev (who has been trying to contain himself, comes nearer,
speaking in a glad, excited voice). It's my uniform. I'm going to fight
before so very long, and Fair is making it for me.
Char (taking the little coat tenderly in her hands). But your
mother, Bev!
Public-domain text, read in full here on John Shaqi.
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