Yere, Mamma!
(The child hands Lucy Belle the glass of water. She drinks it slowly.)
LUCY BELLE (half to herself)
Gawd, dat tas’ good. (She gradually revives. At length, as she sets the glass on the table.) Listen ter me, yo’ chillen. Wan’ yo’ bof ter run up ter Moy Wing’s. Yo’ yere me? (They nod.) Run up dere—an’ tell him dat Mamma gwine ter be late. Go ahaid, now. Beat it! (They hang back, still sobbing.) Go on! (They run to the door, Back.) Say dat he—he bettah git somebody ter he’p me out—! Understan’—?
FANNY
Yassum.
LUCY BELLE
Beat it now!
(They go out, Back, closing the door after them. Lucy Belle, weak and completely unnerved, sits staring tragically before her. At length a knock sounds on the door, Back.)
LUCY BELLE (half turning and speaking in still feeble tones)