SERGEANT [has been gazing at her in astonishment; lowers his gun]. Good God, what a clod! Nothing but her own petty existence. [In different voice to MARY.] I'll have to ask you to get us something to eat. We're famished. [With relief, but showing some anger, MARY turns to the stove. She lights the fire, and puts more coffee in the pot.]
SERGEANT. Come, Dick, we better give our poor horses some water. They're all tired out. [In lower voice.] The man isn't here. If he were, he couldn't get away while we're in the yard. [To THADDEUS.] Get us a pail to give the horses some water. [Sees the pails on the bench. Picks one of them up and moves toward the door.]
MARY. That ain't the horses' pail.
SERGEANT [to THADDEUS]. Come along, you can help.
MARY [louder]. That's the drinkin' water pail.
SERGEANT. That's all right.
[The SERGEANT, DICK, and THADDEUS go out back. MARY needs more wood for the fire, so she follows them in a moment. When she has disappeared, the NORTHERNER drags himself from the cubby-hole. He looks as though he would fall with exhaustion. MARY returns with an armful of wood.]
MARY [sees the NORTHERNER. Shows no sympathy for the man in this speech, nor during the entire scene]. Ye git back! Them soldiers'll see ye.
NORTHERNER. Some water. Quick. [Falls into chair at left of table.] It was so hot in there.
MARY [gives him water in the dipper]. Don't ye faint here. If them soldiers git ye, they'll kill me an' Thad. Hustle an' git back in the cubby-hole. [MARY turns quickly to the stove. The NORTHERNER drinks the water; puts dipper on table, then, summoning all his strength, rises and crosses to MARY. He touches her on the shoulder. MARY is so startled, that she jumps and utters a faint cry.]