Lucy

[Haltingly, after a pause.] How—you like—de stove?

Williams

[Entering more vigorously than before.] Well’m, befo’ we goes any furder we betteh come neareh de real p’int an’ question. I didn’ come fo’ no stove dis night. [Madison shrinks back into the shadows.]

Lucy

[Slowly.] Yo’—don’—wan’—

Williams

No’m. To be sho’, I might tek de stove one er dese days, but dat ain’ my erran’ now. Hit’s dis; does you know when we mek de bargum about you buyin’ dis heah house?

Lucy

Twelve yeah ago.