(Zurie, Tat following, comes out of the side door and sets to work digging up a shrub)
Zu. (Muttering) Wha’ Mis’ Clemm gwine ter say ter all dem young ladies comin’ heah fo’ de picnic? An’ who gwine ter eat dem pies Zurie been two days makin’? An’ sech a poun’ cake! It ought to be a weddin’ cake, deed it ought! (Bony comes out of kitchen with a knife in his hand) Heah, niggah, gimme up dat knife an’ don’ be so slow-back! Dis heah bush done grow an’ bloom till yo’ get heah!
(Enter Poe, left, singing)
Old winter is a lie
As every spring doth prove,
And care is born to die
If we but let in love—
Hey Mum Zurie, what are you doing?
Zu. I ’s diggin’, honey.
Poe. That rosebay is the most graceful shrub in the yard. You kill one leaf of it, if you dare!
Zu. Miss Virginia she say how her bru’r Edgah lub dis heah tree, an’ she want it under her window.
Poe. Oh! Can’t I help you, Zurie? Tenderly now!
Zu. Miss Babylam’ ax me to move it yistiddy but I don’t git no time, an’ I ain’ gwine to leab it now jes cause she ’s gone away.