Only jes’ ’roun’ de corner. Be right back. (Rising and moving toward, Left.) Reckon I bettah bring dat baby out yere. No tellin’ w’at dem chillen liable ter do ter it while I’se gone.
(She goes out, Left, and returns immediately carrying a very young Negro baby.)
AUNT REBECCA (exclaiming)
Mah soul, dat’s a fine baby! Ain’ he dough? Yo’ wan’ me ter hol’ him?
LUCY BELLE
Ef yo’ don’ min’—till I gits back.
AUNT REBECCA
Sho’! Sho’! (Lucy Belle places the baby in Aunt Rebecca’s arms and the old woman gazes down at him admiringly.) Gawd-a-massy! Bless yo’ heart! Ain’ yo’ mah lil’ honey-boy? Smile at me—dat’s it—smile! Ootchum-kootchum! Ootchum—kootchum!
(Fanny and Israel run in, Left. Both wear nightgowns.)