care of you. [_She continues to rub her cheek and forehead until the
spell passes._] Set still till I git in a turn of light-wood. It's goin'
to be a terrible cold night an' looks like snow.
[_After a moment_ AUNT CANDACE _quiets down and begins eating
again_. MARY _goes out and brings in an armful of wood which she
throws into the box. She takes a bottle and spoon from the mantel,
and starts to pour out some medicine._
AUNT CANDACE. I's better now, honey. Put it back up. I ain't gwine take
none now. D'ain't no use ... d'ain't no use in dat. I ain't long foh dis
world, ain't long. I's done my las' washin' an' choppin' an' weighed up
my las' cotton. Medicine ain't no mo' good.
MARY. You're allus talkin' like that, aunty. You're goin' to live to be
a hundred. An' this medicine----
AUNT CANDACE. I ain't gwine take it, I say. No, suh, ain't gwine be
long. I's done deef. I's ol' an' hipshot now. No, suh, I don't want no
medicine. [_Childishly._] I's got a taste o' dese heah spareribs an'
sausages, an' I ain't gwine take no medicine. [MARY _puts the bottle and
spoon back on the mantel and sits down_. AUNT CANDACE _stops eating and
looks at_ MARY'S _dreaming face_.] Honey, what makes you look like dat?
[_Excitedly._] Mr. Henry ain't said ... he ain't said no mo' 'bout us
havin' to leave, has he?
MARY. [_Looking up confusedly._] No'm, he ... no'm, he said ... he said
to-day that he'd 'bout decided to let us stay right on as long as we
please.
AUNT CANDACE. Huh, what's dat?
MARY. He said it might be so we could stay right on as long as we
please.
AUNT CANDACE. [_Joyously._] Thank de Lawd! Thank de Lawd! I knowed he's
gwine do it. I knowed. But I's been pow'ful feared, chile, he's gwine
run us off. An' he ain't never liked Mr. Hugh's takin' up foh us. But
now I c'n rest in peace. Thank de Lawd, I's gwine rest my bones rat whah
I loves to stay till dey calls foh me up yander. [_Stopping._] Has you
et?
MARY. Yes'm, I et up at Mr. Henry's. Mr. Hugh ... [_hesitating_] he said
'twas a shame for me to come off without eatin' nothin' an' so I et.
[AUNT CANDACE _becomes absorbed in her eating_. MARY _goes to the
chest, opens it, and takes out a faded cloak and puts it on. Then
she goes to the bureau, takes out a piece of white ribbon, and ties
it on her hair. For a moment she looks at her reflection in the
mirror. She goes to the chest and stands looking down in it. She
makes a movement to close it. The lid falls with a bang._ AUNT
CANDACE _turns quickly around_.
AUNT CANDACE. What you want, gal? You ain't botherin' de li'l box, is
you?
MARY. [_Coming back to the fire._] Botherin' that box! Lord, no, I don't
worry about it no more ... I'm just dressin' up a little.
AUNT CANDACE. Ah-hah, but you better not be messin' 'round de chist too
much. You quit puttin' you' clothes in dere. I done tol' you. What you
dressin' up foh? Is Jim comin' round to-night?
[_She wraps up the remainder of her supper and puts it in the
chimney corner._
MARY. [_Not noticing the question._] Aunty, don't I look a little bit
like a white person?
AUNT CANDACE. [_Taking out her snuff-box._] Huh, what's dat?
MARY. I don't look like a common nigger, do I?
AUNT CANDACE. Lawd bless you, chile, you's purty, you is. You's jes' as
purty as any white folks. You's lak yo' mammy what's dead an' gone.
Yessuh, you's her very spit an' image, 'ceptin' you's whiter. [_Lowering
her voice._] Yes, suh, 'ceptin' you's whiter. [_They both look in the
fire._] 'Bout time foh Jim to be comin', ain't it?
MARY. Yes'm, he'll be comin', I reckon. They ain't no gittin' away from
him an' his guitar.
AUNT CANDACE. _What_ you got agin Jim? Dey ain't no better nigger'n Jim.
He's gwine treat you white, an' it's time you's gittin' married. I's
done nussin' my fust chile at yo' age, my li'l Tom 'twas. Useter sing to
'im. [_Pausing._] Useter sing to 'im de sweetest kin' o' chunes, jes'
lak you, honey, jes' lak you. He's done daid an' gone do'. All my babies
is. De Marster he call an' tuck 'em. An' 'druther'n let 'em labor an'
sweat below, he gi'n 'em a harp an' crown up dere. Tuck my ol' man from
'is toil an' trouble, too, an' I's left heah alone now. Ain't gwine be
long do', ain't gwine be long. [_Her voice trails off into silence. All
is quiet save for the ticking of the clock._ AUNT CANDACE _brushes her
hand across her face, as if breaking the spell of her revery_.] Yessuh,
I wants you to git married, honey. I told you, an' told you. We's lived
long enough by ourselves. I's lak to nuss yo' li'l uns an' sing to 'em
fo' I go. Mind me o' de ol' times.
MARY. [_Lost in abstraction, apparently has not been listening._] Aunty,
you ought to see him now. He's better to me than he ever was. He's as
kind as he can be. An' he wears the finest clothes! [_She stares in the
fire._
AUNT CANDACE. Dat he do. Dey ain't no 'sputin' of it. I allus said he's
de best-lookin' nigger in de country. An' dey ain't nobody kinder'n Jim.
No, suh.
MARY. An' to-day he said 'twas a pity I had to work an' wash like a
slave for a livin'. He don' treat me like I was a nigger. He acts like
I'm white folks. Aunty, you reckon ...
AUNT CANDACE. [_Gazing at her with a troubled look of astonishment._] I
knows it, honey, I knows it. Course dey ain't no better nigger'n Jim an'
I wants you to marry Jim. He's awaitin' an' ...
MARY. [_Vehemently._] I ain't talkin' 'bout Jim. What's Jim? He ain't
nothin'.
AUNT CANDACE. [_Guessing at the truth, half rises from her seat._] What
you mean? Huh! What you talkin' 'bout?
MARY. [_Wearily sitting down._] Nothin', aunty, jes' talkin'.
AUNT CANDACE. Jes' talkin'? Chile ... chile ...
MARY. Aunty, did you ever wish you was white?
AUNT CANDACE. [_Troubled._] Laws a mercy! Huh! White! Wish I's white?
Lawdy, no! What I want to be white foh? I's born a nigger, an' I's gwine
die a nigger. I ain't one to tear up de work o' de Lawd. He made me an'
I ain't gwine try to change it. What's in yo' haid, chile? [_Sadly._]
Po' thing, don't do dat. Yo' po' mammy useter talk lak dat ... one
reason she ain't livin' to-day. An' I ain't done prayin' foh 'er nuther.
Chile, you git such notions ra't out'n yo' haid. [_She shakes her head,
groaning._] Oh, Lawdy! Lawdy! [_Then, screaming, she puts her hands to
her head. She grasps her stick and begins striking about her,
shrieking._] Dey's after me! Dey's after me! [_She continues beating
around her._] Open de do'! Open de do'!
[MARY _puts her arms around her and tries to soothe her, but she
breaks away from her, fighting with her stick. Then_ MARY _runs and
opens the door, and_ AUNT CANDACE _drives the imaginary devils
out_.
MARY. They're gone now, they're gone.
[_She closes the door and leads her back to her seat._ AUNT CANDACE
_sits down, mumbling and groaning. The spell passes and the wild
look dies from her face._
AUNT CANDACE. [_Looking up._] I's had another spell, ain't I, honey?
MARY. Yes'm, but you're all right now.
[_She pours out some medicine and gives it to her._
AUNT CANDACE. Some dese days I's gwine be carried off by 'em, chile; I's
ol' an' po'ly, ol' an' po'ly now. Dem debbils gwine git me yit. [_She
mumbles._
MARY. No, they ain't, aunty. I ain't goin' to let 'em.
[_There is a knock at the door, and stamping of feet._
AUNT CANDACE. What's dat?
MARY. Nothin'. Somebody at the door. [_The low strumming of guitar is
heard._] That's Jim. Come in!
[JIM MATTHEWS _enters. He is a young negro about twenty-two years
old, and as black as his African ancestors. He carries a guitar
slung over his shoulders, wears an old derby hat, tan shirt with a
dark tie, well-worn blue suit, the coat of which comes to his
knees, and tan shoes, slashed along the sides to make room for his
feet. As he comes in he pulls off his hat and smiles genially,
showing his white teeth. With better clothes he might call himself
a spo't._
JIM. Good even', ladies. [_He lays his derby an the bed._
AUNT CANDACE. [_Turning around in her chair._] What does he say?
MARY. He says good evenin'.
AUNT CANDACE. _Ah_-hah! Good even', Jim. Take a seat. I's sho glad you
come. Mary's been talkin' 'bout you. [_He smiles complacently._] We's
sho glad you come.
[_He takes a seat between_ AUNT CANDACE _and_ MARY.
JIM. Yes'm. An' I's sho glad to be wid you all. I's allus glad to be wid
de ladies.
AUNT CANDACE. What's he say?
JIM. [_Louder._] I's glad to be wid you all.
AUNT CANDACE. Ah-hah! [JIM _pulls out a large checkered handkerchief
from his breast-pocket, wipes his forehead, and then flips the dust from
his shoes. He folds it carefully and puts it back in his pocket._] Any
news, Jim?
JIM. No'm, none 'tall. Any wid you?
AUNT CANDACE. Hah? No, nothin' 'tall, 'ceptin' Mr. Henry done said ...
said ...
[_Here she groans sharply and puts her hand to her head._
JIM. What's that she's sayin'? [_As_ AUNT CANDACE _continues groaning_.]
Still havin' them spells, is she, Miss Mary?
MARY. Yes, she has 'em about every night.
[_Making a movement as if to go to_ AUNT CANDACE. _She stops and stares
in the fire._
AUNT CANDACE. Ne' min' me. I's all right now. An' you chillun go on wid
yo' cou'tin'. I's gwine peel my 'taters.
[_Raking the potatoes from the ashes, she begins peeling them. Then
she takes a piece of sausage from the package in the corner._ JIM
_smiles sheepishly and strums his guitar once or twice. He moves
his chair nearer to_ MARY. _She moves mechanically from him, still
gazing in the fire._
JIM. Er ... Miss Mary, you's lookin' 'ceedin' snatchin' wid dat white
ribbon an' new cloak. I's glad to see you thought I's comin' 'round.
Yes'm, I tells all de gals you got 'em beat a mile. [_He stops._ MARY
_pays no attention to him_.] From here slam to France an' back, I ain't
seed no gals lak you. Yes'm, dat's what I tells 'em all, an' I oughta
know, kaze I's an ol' road nigger. I's seen de world, I has. But I's
tired of 'tall, an' I wants to settle down ... an' ... you knows me....
[_He stops and fidgets in his chair, strums his guitar, feels of his
necktie, takes out his handkerchief and wipes his forehead._] Miss Mary,
I's ...
MARY. Jim, I done tol' you, you needn't come messin' 'round here. I
ain't lovin' you. I ain't goin' to marry--nobody, never!
JIM. [_Taken aback._] Now, Miss Mary ... er ... honey. I knows jas' how
you feels. It's kaze I been a rounder, but you'll hadder forgive me. An'
I's gwine 'form, I is. I's quit all dem tother gals, near 'bout broke
dey hearts, but I hadder do it. Dey's only one foh me, you know. To-day
I's talkin' to dat young feller, Hugh Mawgin, an' ...
MARY. Hugh what! What you sayin', Jim Matthews! Mr. Hugh, you mean.
JIM. [_Hurriedly._] Yes'm, I said "Mr. Hugh." Didn't you hear me, Miss
Mary?
MARY. What'd you say to him?
JIM. I told 'im I's callin' 'round here 'casionally, an' he said ... he
...
MARY. [_Looking straight at_ JIM.] He said what?
JIM. He axed me if I's a-courtin', an' I told 'im I mought ... er ... be
...
MARY. Go on; tell me. Did he say I ought to marry you?
JIM. [_Eagerly._] Yes'm.... [MARY _gasps_.] No'm, not ezzactly.... He
said as how it was a pity you had nobody to take care o' you, an' had to
work so hard lak a slave every day. An' he said you's most too purty an'
good to do it. An' I tuck from 'is talk dat he meant he thought you's
good enough foh me, an' wanted me to take care o' you, so's you wouldn't
hadder work.
MARY. _Oh!..._ Yes, I reckon so. [_She is silent._
JIM. He's a eddicated boy, an' he knows. Dey teaches 'im how to know
everything out yander at dat college place. He sees my worf', he does.
Co'se I ain't braggin', but de gals all do say ... oh, you know what dey
says.
MARY. [_Jumping up from her chair._] Jim Matthews, you think I'd marry a
... oh, I'd ...
AUNT CANDACE. [_Turning around._] What's you sayin', gal?
MARY. [_Sittin' down._] Oh, aunty! I ... I ... was just askin' Jim to
play a piece. [_To_ JIM _in a lower voice_.] For the Lord's sake play
somethin'....
[_She hides her face in her apron._
AUNT CANDACE. Ah-hah.... Play us a piece on yo' box, Jim.
[JIM, _at a loss as to the meaning of_ MARY'S _tears, but feeling
that they are somehow a further proof of his power with the ladies,
smiles knowingly, tunes his guitar, and begins strumming a chord.
After playing a few bars, he starts singing in a clear voice, with
"Ohs" and "Ahs" thrown in._
JIM. Oh, whah you gwine, my lover?
Gwine on down de road.
Oh, whah you gwine, my lover?
Gwine on down de road.
(_Bass_) Gwine ... on ... gwine on down de road.
She th'owed her arms aroun' me
An' cast me silver an' gold.
Said, "Whah you gwine, my lover?"
Gwine on down de road.
(_Bass_) Oh, Lawd! ... Oh, Lawd!
Gwine ... on ... down ... de ... road.
[MARY _still leans forward, with her face in her hands_. JIM _stops
playing and speaks softly_.
JIM. Miss Mary, I's sho' sorry I made you cry. Honey, I don't want you
to cry 'bout me lak dat ...
[_She remains silent. He smiles in self-gratulation, but utters a
mournful sigh for her benefit. Pulling his guitar further up on his
lap, he takes out his pocket-knife, fits it between his fingers in
imitation of the Hawaiians, clears his throat and strikes another
chord._
AUNT CANDACE. [_Noticing the silence, looks at_ MARY.] What's de trouble
wid you, gal? What's de trouble, chile? Oh, Lawdy me! [_Passing her hand
across her forehead._
MARY. [_Raising her head._] Nothin', nothin'. I'm tickled at Jim. [_To_
JIM.] Go on, play her piece about the hearse. Play it!
JIM. [_Strums his guitar, tunes it, and begins._]
Hearse done carried somebody to de graveyard.
Lawd, I know my time ain't long.
Hearse done carried somebody to de graveyard.
Lawd, I know my time ain't long.
[_He sings louder, syncopating with his feet._]
Preacher keeps a-preachin' an' people keep a-dyin'.
Lawd, I know my time ain't long.
[AUNT CANDACE _begins swaying rhythmically with the music, clapping
her hands, and now and then exclaiming_.
AUNT CANDACE. Jesus! Lawdy, my Lawd!
[_She and_ JIM _begin to sing alternately, she the first verse and_
JIM _the refrain. While this is going on_ MARY, _unobserved, goes
to the window, pulls open the curtain and looks out, stretching her
clenched hands above her head. She turns to the mirror, smooths
back her heavy hair, shakes her head, snatches off the ribbon and
throws it on the floor. Then she pulls off her cloak and lays it on
the bed. She picks up the ribbon and puts it in the bureau.
Meanwhile the music has continued._
Hammer keep ringin' on somebody's coffin.
JIM. _Lawd_, I know my time ain't long.
[_They repeat these lines._
AUNT CANDACE. _Gwine_ roll 'em up lak leaves in de judgment.
JIM. Lawd, I know my time ain't long.
[_After these lines have been repeated_, JIM, _noticing_ MARY'S
_absence from his side, stops and looks around_. AUNT CANDACE
_keeps on singing a verse or two. She stops and looks around, seas_
MARY _standing in an attitude of despair_. JIM _speaks_.
JIM. Miss Mary!
AUNT CANDACE. What is it, honey?
[_There is a stamping of feet outside._ MARY _raises her head with
an expectant look an her face. She runs to the door and opens it.
Her expression changes to one of disappointment and fear as_ HENRY
MORGAN _enters. He is a man of powerful build, about fifty years
old, rough and overbearing. A week's growth of grizzled beard
darkens his face. He wears a felt hat, long black overcoat, ripped
at the pockets and buttoned up to his chin, big laced boots, and
yarn mittens. In his hand he carries a package, which he throws
contemptuously on the bed. He keeps his hat on._ MARY _closes the
door and stands with her back to it, clasping the latch-string_.
AUNT CANDACE _and_ JIM _offer their seats_. JIM'S _look is one of
servile respect, that of Aunt Candace one of troubled expectancy_.
MORGAN. [_In a booming voice._] Dad burn you, Jim. Still a-courtin', eh?
Set down, Candace. I ain't goin't to stay long.
AUNT CANDACE. [_Querulously._] What's he say?
MARY. [_Coming to the centre of the room._] He says for you to set down.
He ain't goin' to stay long.
AUNT CANDACE. [_Sitting down._] Ah-hah ... Oh, Lawdy! Lawdy!
MORGAN. [_Coming closer to_ AUNT CANDACE.] How you gettin' 'long now,
Candace?
AUNT CANDACE. Po'ly, po'ly, Mr. Mawgin. Ain't got much longer down here,
ain't much longer.
MORGAN. [_Laughing._] Aw come on, Candace, cut out your foolin'. You
ain't half as bad off as you make out. [JIM _moves his chair to the
corner and sits down_.] I understand you. If you'd git up from there an'
go to work you'd be well in a week.
AUNT CANDACE. Oh, Lawd, Mr. Mawgin, I sho' is po'ly! I hopes you'll
never have to suffer lak me.
[_Mumbling, she shakes her head, rocks to and fro without taking
her feet from the floor, punctuating her movements by tapping with
her stick._ MORGAN _sees_ MARY _looking at the package_.
MORGAN. That's for Mary. I was comin' down this way an' caught up with
John. He said he was comin' here to bring it. An' so I took an' brought
it, though he acted sort of queer about it, like he didn't want me even
to save him a long walk. Wonder what that nigger can be givin' you.
[MARY _starts toward the bed_.] No, you ain't goin' to see it now, gal.
We got a little business to 'tend to first. Did you tell Candace what I
said?
MARY. Mr. Morgan, how could I?... I couldn't do it, not to-night.
MORGAN. Uh-huh ... I knowed it. Knowed I'd better come down here an'
make sure of it. Durn me, you been cryin', ain't you? [_His voice
softens._] What's the trouble, gal?
MARY. Nothin', nothin'. I ... I been tickled at Jim.
JIM. Tickled at Jim?
AUNT CANDACE. What does he say?
MORGAN. [_Turning to her._] Keep quiet, can't you, Candace; I got a
little business with Mary. [AUNT CANDACE _becomes silent and begins
watching the package. She half starts from her chair, then settles back,
staring hard at the bundle._ MORGAN _speaks to_ MARY.] You ain't been
cryin' about what I told you this evenin', have you?
MARY. No, sir. I was tickled at Jim. It wan't nothin', honest it wan't.
MORGAN. Well, go on lyin' if you want to.
MARY. Mr. Morgan, I was jes' ...
MORGAN. No matter. [_Brusquely._] Well, what you goin' to do about what
I said? [_He looks at her squarely._ JIM _watches them both with open
mouth_. AUNT CANDACE _keeps staring at the bundle on the bed, and now
and then glancing around to see if any one is watching her. She is
oblivious of the conversation._ MARY _stands with bowed head_.] Well,
what about it? I've done told you you got to get out at the first o' the
year if you ain't a mind to marry Jim. [JIM _straightens up_.] At least
you've got to marry somebody that can come here and work. I told you to
tell Candace to look out for it. Why didn't you tell her like I said?
MARY. I couldn't do it. It'd kill her to leave here. You know it. She's
been good to me all my life. Oh, I can't do it.
[AUNT CANDACE _stealthily slips across the room and picks up the
package from the bed, unseen by any one but_ JIM.
MORGAN. Can't do it? Well, what you want me to do? Lose money on you
till the end of time! You ain't earned enough to keep you in clothes for
the last three years since Candace got down, an' ...
[_A terrible cry rings out._ AUNT CANDACE _stands by the bed,
holding a white dress up before her_. MORGAN _looks perplexed.
Suddenly he starts back in astonishment._
MARY. [_Starting forward._] It's for me! [_Joyously._] It's mine!
MORGAN. [_Catching_ MARY _by the arm_.] What--what is it?... Heigh!
Don't you move, gal! Wait a minute!
[_He pulls her back._ AUNT CANDACE _looks at_ MORGAN. _Gradually he
lowers his head._
AUNT CANDACE. I's a-feared on it. I knowed it ... I knowed it. [_She
throws the dress back on the bed and hobbles to the fire, groaning._]
Oh, Lawdy! Oh, Lawdy! My po' li'l gal! My po' li'l gal!
[_She rocks to and fro._ MORGAN'S _hand falls from_ MARY'S
_shoulder, and she runs to the bed_.
MARY. He sent it to me! He sent it to me! I knowed he wouldn't forget.
[_She hugs the dress to her._
MORGAN. [_Turning to her._] Well, and what nigger's sending you presents
now? [_With suspicion fully aroused._] Who give you that, Mary!
MARY. He did!
MORGAN. [_Sternly._] Who?
MARY. [_Impetuously._] It was him! An' I don't care if you do know it!
MORGAN. Who? You don't mean ...
MARY. I do too--an' ...
MORGAN. God a'mighty, my ... it can't be so.
[MARY _goes to the window and holds the dress in front of her_.
MARY. It is, too. Mr. Hugh sent it to me. [MORGAN _groans_.] He told me
to-day he's sorry for me. I knowed he'd remember me; I knowed it. An',
after all, I ain't been workin' the whole year for nothin'. He's got a
heart if nobody else ain't.
MORGAN. What in the devil! I wonder ... Lord!
[AUNT CANDACE _still looks in the fire. For a moment_ MORGAN
_stands lost in abstraction, then he speaks fiercely_.
MORGAN. Mary, put them damned things up. Put 'em up, I say. [_He goes
toward her. She shrinks back; holding the dress to her. He snatches it
from her and throws it on the bed, then he pushes her out in the middle
of the floor. She wipes the tears from her eyes with her apron._] You
listen here, gal. We're goin' to settle it right here and now, once and
for all. You're goin' to marry Jim?
MARY. Mr. Morgan ... oh ... I can't marry him. I can't! I won't! Let me
stay. Don't drive her out; she'll die. I'll work, I'll hoe an' wash, day
an' night. I'll do anything, I'll ...
MORGAN. [_Fiercely._] You've tole me that a thousand times, an' you've
got to say one or the other right now. Right now! Do you hear! Marry
Jim, I tell you, and it'll be all right. He's smart and he'll take care
of you ...
MARY. I can't do it, I tell you. I can't! I'd rather die. Look at me.
Ain't I almost white? Look at him. He's black and I hate him. I can't
marry no nigger. Oh, don't make me do it.
MORGAN. White! What's that got to do with your marryin'? Ain't you a...?
You don't think you can marry a white man, do you? I tell you you've got
to decide to-night. I've been after you now for two years and, gal,
you've got to do it!
MARY. Don't make me do it! I hate him. I ain't black. Oh, Lord!...
MORGAN. [_Desperately._] Candace!
MARY. [_Clutching at his arm._] Don't tell her. I ain't goin' to see her
drove out in the cold from her home. Don't tell her.
[AUNT CANDACE _still looks in the fire_. JIM _sits lost in
amazement, idly strumming his guitar_.
MORGAN. Well?
MARY. [_Looking wildly around, as if seeking help._] Oh!...
MORGAN. [_Wiping his face._] Gal, I don't want to be too hard on you.
But use common sense. I've been good to you. They ain't another man in
the county that would have kept you for the last three years, an' losin'
money on you every year. I'm done of it, gal, I'm done. Marry Jim.
MARY. He wouldn't let you do it if he was here. He wouldn't.
MORGAN. Who? Who you talkin' about?
MARY. Mr. Hugh, your boy. He's got feelin's, he has. If he was here ...
MORGAN. [_Hoarsely._] I know it. I know it. Don't you see? He's all I
got. I can't run the risk of his ... Oh, Mary, I can't tell you. For
God's sake, marry Jim. Can't you see? You've got to marry him! Hugh's
gone off for a week, an' I'm goin' to settle it before he ever gets
back. And when he gets back, you and Candace will be clean out of this
country, if you don't marry Jim. They ain't nobody else 'round here
will take you in, and keep you like I have.
MARY. Where ... where's he gone?
MORGAN. He's gone to see his gal. The one he's going to marry. And by
God, you've got to marry Jim.
MARY. [_Half sobbing._] They ain't no use tryin' to change it. I've
tried and tried, but they ain't no use. I jus' as well do it. Yes, yes,
I'll marry him. I'll marry him. They ain't no way to be white. I got to
be a nigger. I'll marry him, yes. I'll marry him, an' work an' hoe an'
wash an' raise more children to go through it all like me, maybe other
children that'll want to be white an' can't. They ain't nobody can help
me. But look at him. [_Pointing to_ JIM.] He's a nigger an' ... yes ...
I'm a nigger too.
[_She throws her arms out, letting them fall at her side._
MORGAN. [_Almost gently._] All right, Mary ... I'll send for the
preacher and the license in the morning and have him marry you and Jim
right here. You needn't think about leavin' any more. And you and Jim
can live here as long as you please. Is that all right, Jim?
JIM. [_Uncertainly._] Yes-suh, yes-suh, Mr. Mawgin! An' I thanks you
'specially.
MORGAN. [_Going up to_ AUNT CANDACE.] Mary and Jim are going to be
married to-morrow, Candace. It'll be a lucky day for you. [_She makes no
answer, but continues her trancelike stare in the fire._ MORGAN _comes
to_ MARY _and offers his hand. She fails to see it._] Child, what I've
had to do to-night has hurt me a whole lot worse'n you.... Good-night,
Mary.
[_He stands a moment looking at the floor, then goes out quietly._