Sally: No, mother, not until Albert promises me that he will not molest this picture.
Mrs. Mortimer: Molest that picture! Why should he? Your father paid ten good dollars of United States money for that picture and I reckon Albert doesn't want to waste money like that. Come here, Albert. (She sits in rocking-chair at right-front.) Do come away from that picture, Sally Caroline; how ridiculous you look spread out there. Come away, I say!
Sally: No, mother; not until Albert promises me that he will not harm this picture.
Mrs. Mortimer: Of course he will not harm it. I can answer for that. Harm a picture which his father loves so well? I cannot imagine my son doing a deed like that. Albert, come to me.
Albert (rising): Mother, I see that I have no place here. I will get across the line some way this very day, and join the Confederate Army. (Sally runs to him.)
Mrs. Mortimer (rises): What! My son fight against the old flag?
Sally: Albert, Albert; O, you cannot mean it!
Albert: Mother, you are a Southern woman; you ought to bid me godspeed.
Mrs. Mortimer: Yes, I am a Southern woman, but I am the descendant of men who helped to bind these States together, and no child of mine shall, with my consent, help to sever them. You shall not go, Albert.
Albert: Mother, I must! I shall—go. (Exit at right, running. Sally and Mrs. Mortimer throw their arms about each other and sink upon the sofa.)