Dor. Never. Good-by, Pinky.
(Exeunt Dorothy, Polly, and Bijah.)
Potts. Poor Bijah looks unhappy, because the maid of his heart won't smile upon him. He has a good heart, and is “true as steel.”
Roger (hand on Potts's shoulder; music). Indeed he is. No one knows it better than I. He stood my friend in my darkest hours. Ah, Potts! I have a hard battle yet to fight. Newcomb must not win the day. My plan is a bold one. Stand by me, old man; your friendship will be tried. (Taking his hand.) But those honest eyes of yours never failed me yet. This firm pressure of your hand, and the knowledge of Dorothy's faith and love, give me strength and courage to do my duty.
[Scene II.]—Same as Scene I. Evening. Kilroy has been relieved; lights across the river; table removed from the stage, C.
Pete (discovered lighting candle in Colonel's tent). Golly, I feels powerful big, I does, wid dis yer coat ob de colonel's. 'Specs some time, dey will mistook us, and I gets all de salutes. (Comes out of tent.) Dey will 'proach me dis yer fashion. (Imitates Orderly and salutes.) Massa Colonel. (Imitates Colonel.) Yas, sar. (Imitates Orderly.) A 'spatch from de general. (Imitates.) Very well, sar. (Salutes; walks about with dignity; enter Kilroy.)
Kil. Faith, and if it ain't the shmall heathen we saved from the other soide. Luk at the shtyle of him,—parading about wid the colonel's shtripes and buttons. Whist, honey, phat are yees doing wid that coat?
Pete (turning). I's habin' heaps of fun, I is. Massa Colonel gib me dis yer coat, an' I's playin' wid my 'magination, an' tinks I'se de colonel.
Kil. Playin' wid phat is it? The nixt thing you know, it may be powder phat's playin' wid you.
Pete. Does yer 'member, sah, when I comed across de line?