1 - 31

myself to try to get really acquainted with you for a long time.

Bina

(Sticking her head through the door)

You folks might just as well set down and -

(Then, noticing Julie)

For land's sake - Julie. And she's went and changed her
dress!

Julie

Well, what of it? We don't see the Dunhams every day.

It's an event. They're going to stay the night, too. Aren't
you, Opal?

Opal

It looks that-a-way.

Bina

(Flabbergasted)

Well, I don't know... never!

(Then)

You can all go in and set down. Pig's on the table 'th an
apple in his mouth. Paw can start carvin'.

Julie

Oh, Bina - here's something for you.

(She holds out Clabe's brooch, which
she has been carrying in her hand)

Bina

Clabe's brooch!

Julie

It's yours if you want it.

Bina

You mean I can have it for keeps?

Julie

Yes, of course.

Bina

Julie!

(Then suspiciously)

You think I won't wear it, but I will.

Julie

Of course wear it. Put it on right this minute.

Bina

Pin seems to be bent. It won't fasten.

1 - 32

Julie

Easy enough to straighten.

Bina

(Who has been struggling with it)

 Yep, now it's comin'. Looks like it had been banged up
hard against sump'n.

(She puts it on)

Or more like you took it off and throwed it on the floor.

Julie

I wouldn't do anything so childish.

(Butting her arm about Opal)

Come on, Opal. You poor thing, you must be starved.

(She goes out with Opal; Mr. Sawters
and Gard follow; Bina puts out a
restraining hand to her mother)

Bina

(In open-eyed puzzlement)

What's come over her? Why, she was even nice to Opal --
nice as pie!

Mrs. Sawters

(With her quiet mockery)

You said there were two kinds of pie. Which?

Bina

(Completely puzzled)

What?

Mrs. Sawters

I mean - the evening's just started, child.

Curtain

End of Scene 1

2 - 4

Mr. Sawters

The way he touched things, throwed his belongings on the
floor.

Mrs. Sawters

Yes. I never could get him not to.

(They consider this a moment. His
presence is very real)

Mr. Sawters

(To throw off the mood)

I better light the fire.

Mrs. S.

Might as well. Make it more cheerful.

(He does)

You ought to get on to bed, Dave. You're tired. The
Dunhams won't mind.

Mr. S.

I still got to put the mules out in the corral.

Mrs. S.

Let 'em stay in the barn one night. Won't hurt 'em.

Mr. S.

They tromp and rear so. And chew the troughs to pieces.
You'd think they'd ruther eat wood than oats, the way they
carry on.

Mrs. S.

Well. You know best. If Gard went with you -- maybe you'd
get a chance to sound him out.

Mr. S.

Ummmm.

Mrs. S.

(Becoming conscious that there are
footsteps approaching, the sound of
a door opening)

I guess they're going to bed. Here's someone. It's Julie.

(Julie comes in from her room. She
looks at them sharply, not liing their
being there.)

Julie

Everything was ready. I got it ready right after dinner.

Mrs.S.

Your Paw lit a fire.

Julie

Oh. I forgot that.

2 - 6

Julie

Leave me alone! I can't bear to be looked through, and questioned and accused!

Mrs. Sawters

And understood, eh, Julie? You can't bear that, can you?

Julie

You don't know a thing about me!

Mrs. Sawters

(With aloof sincerity)

I know a lot about myself. Some day, maybe I'll tell you. I'm not what you'd call a good woman, especially. But there are things in me that make me respect good. That's why I have to make a stand against what I think is bad.

(Satirizing herself)

It's called character.

Julie

(Jeering, impatient)

Yes, of course!

Character I know!

Mrs. Sawters

(Heatedly)

It's called something else, too! It's called being a man - or a woman - a member of the human race.

(Quieter)

Anyway, I've warned you.

(Pointedly)

And you understand.

(She is going. She pauses.)

Why did you want lake water this afternoon?

Julie

(Reluctantly)

I -- For the flowers. They keep better in lake water.

Mrs. S.

Maybe so. Time will tell.

(She goes out)

2-8

Julie
Goodness, don't be afraid, Opal! Nothing's going to hurt you.

Opal
(Too emphatically)
I'm not afraid!

Julie
Well, I've often thought - in spite of the chill and how lonely a way to die - if things ever got too bad, you could easily row out in the middle and jump out of the boat.

Opal
(On edge)
Don't say, that! Please, Julie!

Julie
Why, Opal. I'm not talking about you. I'm talking about myself.

(Opal's thin little mouth is getting under control. Her really savage will comes to her rescue in time)

Opal
I think you mean me.

Julie
You think I - ?

Opal
And why shouldn't you mean, me? Why not? If ever anybody had a cause to hate another human - I guess you got it, far 's I'm concerned. I got even with you, Julie. And they's few that has.

Julie
You at home? Of course, you realize I don't know what you mean. It sounds crazy to me.

Opal
(Who can't stand the word)
It's not crazy! I'm the only one. You couldn't do me a dirty trick and expect me to jist lay down and let you. I'll bet you feel sick ever' time you think of it. And I bet you think of it often, too.

(Maddeningly childishly triumphant, she sits)
Yes, we're even now. So it's your next move. If you can think of one.