Hep. My land! I’ve been all over town. I’m beat out. He didn’t go to school and I ain’t seen him since he was over to Cynth’s this morning.
Obad. By tunket, I don’t blame the kid. He will run away some o’ these days an’ never come back, an’ it’ll serve Lem durned right.
Lem. (angrily). What in thunderation would I do? Let him grow up to be a teetotal liar?
Obad. Gosh all fog horns, yes, if he wants ter be! Half the world gets their living that way!
(All exeunt but Ariel. Abner comes back.)
Abner. You are going to stay up here, Arey?
Ariel. I think so, dad, a little while. I haven’t been up here since last summer.
Abner (uneasily). You—you were always happy up here, little girl?
Ariel. Yes, dad, and happiest when I knew you were down-stairs.
Abner. And I was happy when I knew you were up here. Arey, I have tried to be a good father to you and give you a happy home.