SCENE XII .— A small Room under the eaves of the garret. A pallet spread upon the floor, strewn with books and bundles. A light burning on the side of the wall. -- CASSY kneeling, with her eye to a knot-hole.Emmeline. What do you see? Cassy. At it again this morning! There 's that old Stokes on the run. He has come over—has he? And Bill Daken, with his dogs! Hear them swear! There he goes, giving brandy round among them—niggers and all! [Listens.] So I am to be shot down—am I? "Save the girl!" Do you hear that, Emmeline? Is n't he kind? [CASSY rises suddenly, clasps her hands, and looks up.] Almighty God, what is this for? What have we done more than all the rest of the world, that we are treated so? [After a pause, she lays her hand on EMMELINE'S shoulder.] If it was n't for you, child, I would go out there, and I 'd thank any one that would shoot me down; for what use will freedom be to me? Can it give me back my children, or make me what I used to be? Em. Poor Cassy! don't feel so! Cas. [Draws it away.] Don't— you get me to loving you; and I never mean to love anything again. Em. You should n't feel so, Cassy. If the Lord gives us liberty perhaps he will give you back your daughter. At any rate, I 'll be like a daughter to you. I know I 'll never see my poor old mother again. I shall love you, Cassy, whether you love me or not. Cas. [Sits down, and puts her arm around EMMELINE.] O, Em, I have hungered for my children, and thirsted for them! My heart is broken in longing for them! Here, here all is desperate, all empty! If God would give me back my children, then I could pray. Em. You must trust him, Cassy. He is our Father. Cas. His wrath is upon us. He is turned away in anger. Em. No, Cassy, he will be good to us. |