Curtain
Here may be introduced a short drill of the Blue and the Gray if desirable. It would certainly have a pleasing effect and would tend to add variety and spice to the entertainment.
ACT II
Fife and drum heard playing YANKEE DOODLE, behind scenes. Auntie Temp discovered dusting the furniture.
Auntie Temp: Never seen nuthin' lak dem chilluns. Dat dere Clementina Diana she's jes' nuthin' but a no-'count shif'less niggah eber sence dem Linkum sojas come 'round heah. She found dat ole fife somewha's 'round an' she jes' blow on it all day long (puffing in her excitement); cain't get nuthin' else out'n her, an' Gawge Washington Augustus! (laughing) golly, he's jes' 's bad, he des poun' de old drum. O, deah, mighty queah times when niggahs jes' tinks dey's got nuthin' to do but stan' 'round and make jig music.
Mrs. Mortimer (enters at right): Aunt Temp, those children of yours can make pretty good music. I think we'll have to send them to that new Fisk University, just founded. (Sits in rocking-chair at right-front.)
Auntie Temp: Lan' sakes alive, Miss' Em'line! what de wo'ld you-all do dat foh? Suah dem chilluns ain't done nuthin' foh to shet dem up in de what ye call it, tentiarity.
Mrs. Mortimer: O, Aunt Temp, I didn't say the Penitentiary. I said the University; that's where they educate the darkies, you know, and when they are natural musicians like your children, they teach them all the branches of music.
Auntie Temp: What! eddicate de niggahs! I hain't nevah seen no good come o' dat. I'll eddicate that Gawge Washington Augustus to saw wood, and Clementina Diana has jes' nachually got to lea'n to make a hoe-cake 's good 's her mammy kin. I cain't see no use o' nuthin' else. Lan' sakes, I reckon what's good enough for dere ole niggah mammy 's good enough for dem two black niggahs. (Placing arms akimbo and holding head up proudly.)