iled together, as though for moving; the pictures, down from their
places, stand against the wall; some cut through with sabers. Many of
the chairs are broken and overturned. A large sofa is against the wall;
this has been slit open and all the bedding torn out. A table left near
it, and by the sofa a large fire chair. At the back and near the right
stands the great cedar chest. It, as well as the other things, was
carried out by the soldiers in Act I. On the right, a desk with writing
materials. On the left (back) a door. At back (center) double doors,
with heavy curtains, leading to the hall where may be seen a large
"grandfather clock," the face smashed in, as though with an ax. On the
right, a large bay window with two steps leading up to it, looking out
on the moonlit garden. It is after dusk, three days later than Act I.
The curtain rises on an empty stage. There is a dreary half light over
everything.

[Enter from the hall Cupid and Marthy. He has a candle in a heavy
iron candlestick in his hand. She carries a large woolen
blanket. They speak in subdued voices, very low.

Cupid (placing candle near the chest). Missus say ter bring the
silber up stairs ter her room. She feard it ain't safe down here.

Marthy (spreads the blanket she carries on the floor, and
together they lift out the silver during the following dialogue).
'Tain't nothin' safe round here, now dem Yankees is come.

[Cupid pauses a moment.

Cupid. I sho was glad when mistus sent for me and speak rite out
'bout de silber. 'Pears like hit de fust thing she er Miss Charlotte
done notice.

Marthy. Dey ant neither one ob um cry. Dat what worry me. Ef dey
could bof brek rite down and have er good long cry, hit ud do um a power
er good.

[A slight pause.

Cupid. I got um dar in time, please Gaud. He let dis ole nigger
do dat much fer Mars George. He ax bout us all, Old Missus say, in de
few minutes he had lef. He say he powerful glad we git dar.

Marthy. It's de Lord's will, 'nd hits rite, but hit pears like we
don had little mo den our share ob de trouble. Dar de silber, hits
ready. You pack it up to Mistus, and ax her can't I fix her little
somethin' ter eat. I don't know what hits gwine ter be.

Cupid (brightening). Would she eat a piece ob nice young chicken?

Marthy. Go w