ter of smoking meat, which she places on the table. Michaelis
bows to her._

MARTHA.

_Snappishly._

Hope you slept well!

_She goes to the outer door, rings the breakfast bell loudly, and
exit to kitchen. Rhoda enters, wheeling Mrs. Beeler in an invalid
chair. Mrs. Beeler is a woman of forty, slight of body, with hair
just beginning to silver. Her face has the curious refinement which
physical suffering sometimes brings. Annie lingers at the door,
looking timidly at Michaelis, as he approaches Mrs. Beeler and
takes her hand from the arm of the chair._

MICHAELIS.

You are better?

MRS. BEELER.

_Speaks with low intensity._

Much, much better.

_He puts her hand gently back on the chair arm. Martha enters with
other dishes. She pours out coffee, putting a cup at each plate.
Mr. Beeler has entered from the kitchen, and the boy from outside.
Beeler, with a glance of annoyance at his wife and Michaelis, sits
down at the head of the table. Rhoda pushes Mrs. Beeler's chair to
the foot of the table and stands feeding her, eating her own
breakfast meanwhile._

_Michaelis sits at Mrs. Beeler's right, Martha opposite. At Mr.
Beeler's right is the Indian boy, at his left Annie's vacant chair.
Martha beckons to Annie to come to the table, but the child, eyeing
the strangers, refuses, taking a chair behind her mother by the
mantelpiece. Mrs. Beeler speaks after the meal has progressed for
some time in silence._

MRS. BEELER.

Mat, you haven't said good morning to our guest.

BEELER.

_Gruffly._

How are you?

_He helps himself to meat and passes it to the others; the plate
goes round the table. There is a constrained silence. Annie tugs at
Rhoda's skirt, and asks in dumb show to have her breakfast given
her. Rhoda fills the child's plate, with which she retreats to her
place by the mantel._

MRS. BEELER.

Why doesn't Annie come to the table?

_She tries to look around. Rhoda whispers to Mrs. Beeler, who looks
at her, puzzled._

_Why_ doesn't Annie come?

RHODA.

She's afraid.

MRS. BEELER.

Afraid! What is she afraid of?

RHODA.

You know how shy she is, before strangers.

MRS. BEELER.

Annie, please come here! Annie!

_The child refuses, pouting, and gazing at Michaelis._

RHODA.

I wouldn't urge her. She doesn't want to come.

MARTHA.

_Trenchantl