Deacon. That's nothing, I feel like saying——
Miss A. (quickly) Don't! Please don't, Deacon.
Re-enter Pete hurriedly, L. 2 E.; appears short of breath. Fans himself with hand.
Pete. What's de mattah? (to Deacon) I heard yo' callin'. I was out in de orchard pickin' some apples an' I run myself out of bref. I t'ought de house was a-fire.
Deacon. Why didn't you call me when I told you to?
Pete. I did. I called yo' ag'in an' ag'in, an' yo' said, all right. I t'ought yo' wus awake. 'Spect yo' must agone to sleep ag'in.
(Mrs. T., and Helen cross R.)
Mrs. T. Pete, did you see a colored man or woman pass out of that window this afternoon?
Pete. (in astonishment) Why, no, missus. Dar was none passed out, fo' I were jist over dar (pointing) in de orchard, right opposite de window, an' nobody could pass out widout 'tractin' my 'tention. (Pete goes to D. C. and looks out. The Deacon crosses L. near Miss A.)