Vermont (crosses to Mother). Widder!
Mother. Vermont! (They fall into each other's arms.)
Silas (astonished). Deacon Steele! (Vermont, in confusion, drops the Widow; Tom, Dick, Agnes, Jube, and Win-Kye go C., and shake hands with Nevada and Moselle. Silas beckons Vermont down C.)
Silas. Ain't you rather going it with the widow?
Vermont. What do you mean?
Silas. Well, you see, I'm not used to the customs of this part of the country; and I don't know how to break it to mother.
Vermont. Break what?
Silas. This new departure of yours. By the way, how many have you?
Vermont. How many what?
Silas. Well, it's rather a delicate question for a son to ask his father; but how many wives have you?