plate, back and legs
are put on together; belt fastened around waist first, then legs; next
collar; then arms; last helmet; this done during the following
dialogue._)
RUSTY. Marse Warren, you must think a heap of Miss Princess to go
prowling around in this boogy house in the dark.
JARVIS. What makes you think that?
RUSTY. Marse Warren, I knowed you since you was a baby.
JARVIS. What's that got to do with it?
RUSTY. She 'gin you that jewelry that's hanging round your neck, didn't
she? She's kind of crazy about you, too, ain't she?
JARVIS. How do you know?
RUSTY. Aw--I know, all right.
JARVIS. But how do you know?
RUSTY. Waal, I'm goin' to tell you, and then you'll know how I know.
Just before them horses all jumped on me, when I was waitin' for you in
the road, I heard a window go up, slap, and there was the Princess
a-lookin' at the moon, just like a picture in the moonlight; just
a-lookin' at the moon, and she says--she says----
JARVIS. What did she say?
RUSTY. Well, no lady never talks that way at the moon unless she's in
love.
JARVIS. What did she say?
RUSTY. She says--looking at the moon, she says, "The world has begun all
over again for me." And then she went right on and says, "God be with
you, my American!" I'm the only American around here 'cept you, Marse
Warren.
JARVIS. You heard her say that? God bless you for that, Rusty! (_With
helmet in hand._) Here, put your head into this Stetson.
RUSTY. Oh! Oh!
JARVIS. What's the matter?
RUSTY. Full of spider webs.
(JARVIS _puts helmet on again_.)
JARVIS. Gloves--here. How do you feel?
RUSTY. All in. Do I look like a spook?
JARVIS. You're a wonderful sight! (_Pushing him away._) Now, Rusty, get
over here. Where is your sword? (JARVIS _down steps_; RUSTY _sneezes_.)
I never heard of a ghost sneezing before.
RUSTY. Marse Warren, I'm catching cold.
JARVIS. (_Up steps to_ RUSTY) Now, Rusty, keep your ears and eyes open.
Don't move a muscle. If any one comes, yell your head off, but don't
sneeze.
RUSTY. Marse Warren, I want to go home!
JARVIS. We haven't any home, Rusty.
RUSTY. Marse Warren, I don't ever expect to get out of this boogy house
nohow. (_Call is heard off stage_ L.)
JARVIS. Well, Rusty, there is something. (_Faint call heard; very
indistinct._) What's that? I'd almost swear that was a call or a groan.
(_Another call_; JARVIS _blows out lantern_.) There it is again. (_Light
is thrown on door as by
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