rm around her, comforting
her.

Marthy. Why don't you chullen go out fer a little walk. Mars
Bev'll tek good care of you. It ud do you good, honey.

Fair (looks towards the window). Oh, no; not out there.

Bev. We'll be all right here; don't you worry, Marthy.

[Exit Marthy.

Fair. Bev, have you spoken to Charlotte?

Bev. Yes; she and mother seem so much better now. She's taken off
the white dress and put on the black one. Mother said they both had so
much left to live for. And Charlotte smiled and called me to her, and
asked if the soldiers were still here, and if my uniform was finished,
and begged me not to be unhappy. And she told me George was just as much
ours as he had ever been, and told me how proud she was when all the
soldiers told her he had been the first one in the fight.

Fair. I am so glad. Oh, Bev, it broke my heart! I felt as though
we couldn't give George, too.

Bev. But we must think first of the South. We've given Phil and
George now--father, if it must be--and then I'll go; but he and I'll
come back to you.

[Enter at the back Mrs. S. and Charlotte; they walk hand in hand.
Charlotte wears a black dress like Fair's. Mrs. S. wears
the costume she wore in Act I. Charlotte's color has come
back, and she seems almost herself save for a slightly
strained note in her voice.

Char. We are so glad to find you here. We came to see what had
been left us--not very much. Well, we four are still together, and we
have the home.

Mrs. S. This does not matter; we must not think of little things.
But we have father yet, and Carter and Gordon. God willing, we will have
them safe again with us.

Char. (softly, with deep, tender emotion). And George, mother,
we have him still; he is not gone. I tell you, my own sweetheart is not
away, and every day that passes brings me nearer to him. For he is still
my own true George; he's with me now; yes, now. And I may keep him ever
with me, here.

[She softly lays her hand over her heart.

Mrs. S. (gently drawing her nearer). My own dear daughter, may we
have strength to feel he is not gone. Dear child, you have shown us all
how George would have us live.

[She kisses her.

Char. There, mother, there. Now what can we do to make things