AUNT CANDACE. [Guessing at the truth, half rises from her seat.] What you mean? Huh! What you talkin' 'bout?
MARY. [Wearily sitting down.] Nothin', aunty, jes' talkin'.
AUNT CANDACE. Jes' talkin'? Chile ... chile ...
MARY. Aunty, did you ever wish you was white?
AUNT CANDACE. [Troubled.] Laws a mercy! Huh! White! Wish I's white? Lawdy, no! What I want to be white foh? I's born a nigger, an' I's gwine die a nigger. I ain't one to tear up de work o' de Lawd. He made me an' I ain't gwine try to change it. What's in yo' haid, chile? [Sadly.] Po' thing, don't do dat. Yo' po' mammy useter talk lak dat ... one reason she ain't livin' to-day. An' I ain't done prayin' foh 'er nuther. Chile, you git such notions ra't out'n yo' haid. [She shakes her head, groaning.] Oh, Lawdy! Lawdy! [Then, screaming, she puts her hands to her head. She grasps her stick and begins striking about her, shrieking.] Dey's after me! Dey's after me! [She continues beating around her.] Open de do'! Open de do'!
[Mary puts her arms around her and tries to soothe her, but she breaks away from her, fighting with her stick. Then Mary runs and opens the door, and Aunt Candace drives the imaginary devils out.
MARY. They're gone now, they're gone.
[She closes the door and leads her back to her seat. Aunt Candace sits down, mumbling and groaning. The spell passes and the wild look dies from her face.
AUNT CANDACE. [Looking up.] I's had another spell, ain't I, honey?
MARY. Yes'm, but you're all right now.