be in de gahden.

Doctor B.
I'll just take a walk in there then.

(Exit, right)

Zu. Wha' make me le'm go in de gahden? My brain it jes all
wool and no sense at all! Wha' now he fin' Mars Edgah
kissin' Miss Babylam'? Well, ain't dey gwine ter be
married? Married! O, lawd! (Throws her apron over her head
and sits on the ground. Re-enter Mrs. Clemm and Doctor
Barlow. He carries his hat in one hand and mops his brow
with the other)

Doctor B.
Well, well, well! Upon my word! Your nephew--pardon
me--is possessed of a rather impetuous spirit--rather
impetuous, pardon me!

Mrs. C. O, Doctor Barlow, what must I do? You heard him! He
wants to be married now--this hour!

Doctor B.
Trust me, Mrs. Clemm, I shall perform no ceremony
without your full consent.

Mrs. C. O, I am sure of that! But must I consent? If I refuse
him he may take her away from me. And Nelson will make
trouble if we wait. Edgar will let no one oppose him.

Doctor B.
_I_ should not attempt it, Mrs. Clemm.

Mrs. C. If it _is_ to be, it is better to let it be now. What
makes me so helpless is the fact that Virginia is against
me. She loves him.

Doctor B.
Naturally, Mrs. Clemm, naturally.

(They enter the cottage)

Zu. Wha' dat man talk so now? He better quit preachin' ef he
can't hep folks no more 'n dat! Sho', ol' Zurie hussef
know dat much!

(Enter from the road a swarm of girls. They wear graceful
organdie gowns, and large ricestraw hats trimmed with bows
and streamers. Some carry baskets, which they drop, and
all troop about the yard)

Gertrude.
Where's Virginia, Mum Zurie?

Zu. (Hesitating) She wa' in de house 'bout so long ago.

Ger. I'll see!

Zu. Wait a minute! Mis' Clemm she an' de minister talkin' on
impo'tant business. Maybe it's dat mortgage, I dunno!
(Grimaces)

Ger. We'll go into the garden then. (All start, right)

Zu. Law, you jes oughter see dat cherry tree hangin' full by
de back gate!

Girls. O! O! O! (They rush off, disappearing behind the cottage.
Re-enter Poe and Virginia from the garden as Mrs. Clemm
appears at the front door)