Doctor B. Trust me, Mrs. Clemm, I shall perform no ceremony without your full consent.
Mrs. C. O, I am sure of that! But must I consent? If I refuse him he may take her away from me. And Nelson will make trouble if we wait. Edgar will let no one oppose him.
Doctor B. I should not attempt it, Mrs. Clemm.
Mrs. C. If it is to be, it is better to let it be now. What makes me so helpless is the fact that Virginia is against me. She loves him.
Doctor B. Naturally, Mrs. Clemm, naturally.
(They enter the cottage)
Zu. Wha’ dat man talk so now? He better quit preachin’ ef he can’t hep folks no more ’n dat! Sho’, ol’ Zurie hussef know dat much!
(Enter from the road a swarm of girls. They wear graceful organdie gowns, and large ricestraw hats trimmed with bows and streamers. Some carry baskets, which they drop, and all troop about the yard)
Gertrude. Where ’s Virginia, Mum Zurie?
Zu. (Hesitating) She wa’ in de house ’bout so long ago.