=Pete.= (_laughing_) I wonder if dat gal thinks she hurt my head. I'd butt ag'in a stone wall wid it all day for fifty cents. Poor Billy! He's not feelin' well to-day. He ran against a tree las' night, an' bruised hisself mighty bad. So he stayed abed. But he didn't blow on me. He knowed better. Said he fell from a tree an' hurted hisself. I's takin' his place an' lookin' after de Deacon's interests. De Deacon is takin' a nap. I was to call him at 2 sharp. He had a 'ticular 'pintment wid Miss 'Melia. It must be nigh about dat time now. (_starts to go_) No, I won't call him, eider. I'll let de ole man sleep while he can. (_footsteps, L._) Oh, Lor', here comes Miss 'Melia now.
Enter _MISS AMELIA, L. 2 E.; goes down C. PETE re-appears at door C. and listens_.
=Miss A.= I declare, my heart's all in a flutter. The Deacon has requested a private interview. I know he is going to propose. I feel it; I am sure of it; and, oh, dear, I know I'll refuse him. What shall I do! (_PETE shakes finger at her in a knowing way and disappears_) The dear man has eaten scarcely anything since he entered this house. He sits at the table pretending to eat, but all the while he is looking at me, and wondering if I love him. His eyes literally devour me with their lustrous flame of love----
Enter _DAISY, L. 2 E. MISS AMELIA is startled._
=Daisy.= Miss Amelia, Mrs. Thornton would like to see you a moment in the dining-room.
=Miss A.= Tell her she must excuse me. I'm engaged for the next half hour.
=Miss A.= (_affectedly_) How am I looking to-day?
=Daisy.= Indeed I do. To see you now, no one would suppose you were a day over thirty. (_aside_) Horrid thing! She's fifty if she's a day.
=Miss A.= I fear you are a flatterer. Now, you don't think I'm too old to marry, do you?
=Daisy.= Why, no ma'am. Lots of people get married who are much older than you. (_aside_) And big fools they are, too.
=Miss A.= That will do, Daisy. You are a nice, well-behaved girl. So sensible.
=Miss A.= Daisy, stop a moment. If you see the Deacon enter this room, please be sure and see that we are not disturbed for the next half hour, and I'll make you a present of that handsome silk dress of mine I saw you admiring yesterday. (_goes R._)