AUNT CANDACE. [Noticing the silence, looks at Mary.] What's de trouble wid you, gal? What's de trouble, chile? Oh, Lawdy me! [Passing her hand across her forehead.
MARY. [Raising her head.] Nothin', nothin'. I'm tickled at Jim. [To Jim.] Go on, play her piece about the hearse. Play it!
Jim. [Strums his guitar, tunes it, and begins.]
Hearse done carried somebody to de graveyard.
Lawd, I know my time ain't long.
Hearse done carried somebody to de graveyard.
Lawd, I know my time ain't long.
[He sings louder, syncopating with his feet.]
Preacher keeps a-preachin' an' people keep a-dyin'.
Lawd, I know my time ain't long.
[Aunt Candace begins swaying rhythmically with the music, clapping her hands, and now and then exclaiming.
AUNT CANDACE. Jesus! Lawdy, my Lawd!
[She and Jim begin to sing alternately, she the first verse and Jim the refrain. While this is going on Mary, unobserved, goes to the window, pulls open the curtain and looks out, stretching her clenched hands above her head. She turns to the mirror, smooths back her heavy hair, shakes her head, snatches off the ribbon and throws it on the floor. Then she pulls off her cloak and lays it on the bed. She picks up the ribbon and puts it in the bureau. Meanwhile the music has continued.
Hammer keep ringin' on somebody's coffin.
JIM. Lawd, I know my time ain't long.
[They repeat these lines.
AUNT CANDACE. Gwine roll 'em up lak leaves in de judgment.