Emma (lighter). Go long, John! (Short pause) ’member how you useter bring me magnolias?
John. Do I? Gee, you was sweet! ’Member how Ah useter pull mah necktie loose so you could tie it back for me? Emma, Ah can’t see to mah soul how we lived all this time, way from one another. ’Member how you useter make out mah ears had done run down and you useter screw ’em up agin for me? (They laugh.)
Emma. Yeah, Ah useter think you wuz gointer be mah husban’ then—but you let dat ole—.
John. Ah aint gonna let you alibi on me lak dat. Light dat lamp! You cain’t look me in de eye and say no such. (He strikes another match and lights the lamp.) Course, Ah don’t wanta look too bossy, but Ah b’lieve you got to marry me tuh git rid of me. That is, if you aint married.
Emma. Naw, Ah aint. (She turns the lamp down.)
John (looking about the room). Not so good, Emma, But wait till you see dat little place in Philly! Got a little “Rolls-Rough,” too—gointer teach you to drive it, too.
Emma. Ah been havin’ a hard time, John, an’ Ah lost you—oh, aint nothin’ been right for me! Ah aint never been happy.
(John takes both of her hands in his.)
John. You gointer be happy now, Emma. Cause Ah’m gointer make you. Gee Whiz! Ah aint but forty-two and you aint forty yet—we got plenty time. (There is a groan from the bed.) Gee, what’s that?
Emma (ill at ease). Thass mah chile. She’s sick. Reckon Ah bettah see ’bout her.