=Pete.= (_examining chair_) I dunno. I'se jest tryin' to find out. (_picks up pin; conceals bent part, displaying point_) Daisy nebber half dusted de chairs. Jest see, she left a pin on dat chair, an' it stuck Billy. She nebber does her work right. (_lays his hand on BILLY'S shoulder and consoles him_)
=Mrs. T.= Brother, this is my daughter Helen.
=Deacon.= (_looks at HELEN_) She inherits her beauty from Bill. Helen, my dear, I'm _de_lighted to see you are so pretty. You will kiss your old uncle, won't you? I knew you would. Everything lovely admires _me_.
=Mrs. T.= And here is my sister Amelia. But you need no introduction to her.
=Deacon.= Bless me, no. Miss Amelia, I'm delighted, filled with joy unspeakable to behold you again. (_advances quickly with arms outstretched as though to embrace her. MISS. A. dodges him and crosses R., MRS. T. following her and expostulating. The DEACON stops suddenly, reels and clasps hand to head_) Oh, my head, my head!
=Miss A.= (_sharply_) Deacon, you're drunk.
=Mrs. T.= (_startled; expostulating_) Sister!
=Miss A.= Don't "sister" (_imitating MRS. T._) me! I can manage him. I never saw the man yet I was afraid of.
=Pete.= (_aside, quickly_) Dat's so; cross-eyed, bow-legged, big, little, great or small, dey's all de same to her. He's nebber been created.
=Deacon.= (L.) Miss Amelia, I protest, I sincerely, most emphatically protest against the injustice of your charge. I've had another sunstroke. (_places hand upon brow_) My head, my head! I'm--sick-- deathly--sick! (_advances a step C., unsteadily_)
=Pete.= (_aside_) Yes, he's got de spirits yell infantum!
=Miss A.= You're beastly drunk. A pretty figure you must have cut, staggering along the streets, disgracing our whole family. (_DEACON in front of sofa, raises his hand deprecatingly_) Now, don't deny it; I'm ashamed of you.
Re-enter _DAISY L. 2 E.; she stands near door._
=Miss A.= (_sharply_) Pete! (_PETE trembles and seems frightened_) Take him to his room, give him a hot foot bath, apply mustard plasters to both temples and back of his neck, drench him with strong soda water, wrap him in woolen blankets----
=Deacon.= (_sinks to sofa with hopeless expression_) Oh, Lord, kill me at once, and be done with it.