Well den, les’ all shek han’s on de noo nes’ an’ de noo aig. [They shake hands. He puts on his hat and turns to the door.] An’ dat remin’s me, Lucy, you better tell Madison to play on dat guitar a plenty tonight because he’ll need music fer to stan’ up undeh all de lessons I’m goin’ to lay onto him. Well, I wish you good night. I’m er gittin’ kin’er ole an’ I cain’ stay up late no mo’ without bein’ crosser in de mornin’. Good night den an’ far’ you well bofe. Eight o’clock, Madison. Good night.
[He goes, closing the door after him. The pair stand silent for a moment, Madison with hanging head and in deep dejection.]
Lucy
[Throwing her arms around him.] Oh, my husban’, I’ll pray fer you. Don’ sorrer now. Git youah res’ tonight. We kin be hones’ now. We’ve got de house at las’ an heah’s de guitar.
Madison
Yassuh, heah’s de guitar. [He plays it and fondles it. Then his face assumes again its melancholy look.]
Lucy
What’s de trouble?
Madison
I don’ undehstan’ dis worl’. If I wants to make music why cain’t folks lemme alone to make music? If I dream a fine dream why is it I always wake up? Looks to me like somebody’s always tryin’ to crowd me out an’ git me in a tight place.