Curtain.
Index. Another proverb.
[The Locksmith, carrying a three-legged stool, hobbles out, seats himself on stool, draws a file from his bag, and sets to work on a great key. Cupid thrusts his curly head from the book, laughing inaudibly. He tiptoes behind the Locksmith, and tickles his neck with a feather arrow-head. Locksmith brushes at the supposed fly. The tickling continuing, Locksmith gets up and looks right and left, Cupid always dodging him. They gradually reach the book thus. As the cover is about to close, Cupid seizes the bunch of keys, laughing aloud. Locksmith turns to beat him, but the agile boy springs past him into the book, leaving him outside.
The last quotation needs no announcement. It is set to a genuine negro melody, and should be sung with a swing.
A Colored Dude enters with banjo slung across his shoulder by a ribbon. (Sings.)]
Oh let me interjuce myse'f,
A gent'man f'om de Souf,
What nevah wuks while other folks
Puts wittles in his mouf.
Den fetch de 'possum barbacue,
Roas' ches'nuts, an' pop-cawn;
De darkies' hour fer jamboree
Is jes' befo' de dawn.
[As he concludes the verse the Colored Laundress appears and pushes him aside. (She sings.)]
You see a cullud lady here
Dat scrub an' wash all day,
An' ev'ry evenin' fer a res'
She dance de time away.
(Duet and dance.)
So knock it off wid heel an' toe,
De night is almos' gone,
An' don't fergit de darkies' hour
Is jes' befo' de dawn.
They are interrupted by the arrival of a pompous Colored Policeman.
The Policeman.