The Faith Healer Part 19

MRS. BEELER.

Are there many of them?

RHODA.

Many! Many! It's as if the whole world knew.

MRS. BEELER.

The more there are, the greater will be the witness.--_Pause._ When do you think he will go out to them?

RHODA.

They believe he is waiting for Easter morning.

_Martha enters from kitchen, with bonnet and shawl on, and a large basket in her hand._

MARTHA.

Mary, you'd ought to be abed. You're tempting Providence.

_She takes off her bonnet and shawl, and deposits the basket._

I saw your doctor down in the village, and he allowed he'd come up to see you this afternoon. He was all on end about your bein' able to walk.

RHODA.

I didn't know till to-day you had a doctor.

MRS. BEELER.

Yes. He's a young man who's just come here to build up a practice.

MARTHA.

_To Rhoda._

You better finish packin' the basket. There's a lot o' hungry mouths to feed out yonder.

_Exit by hall door. Rhoda continues the preparation of the basket, taking articles from the cupboard and packing them. Annie has climbed on a chair by the picture of Pan and the Pilgrim. She points at the figure of Pan._

ANNIE.

Uncle Abe, tell me who that is.

UNCLE ABE.

_Glancing at Mrs. Beeler and Rhoda._

H's.h.!.+

ANNIE.

What's he doing up there in the bushes, blowing on that funny whistle?

UNCLE ABE.

Look hyah, chil', you jus' wastin' my time. I got frough wif dis hyah fool pictuh long 'go!

_He tries to draw her away; she resists._

ANNIE.

_Petulantly._

Uncle Abe! Who is it?

UNCLE ABE.

_Whispers, makes big eyes._

That thah's Ole Nick, that's who that thah is! That thah's de Black Man!

_Annie, terror-stricken, jumps down and retreats to her mother's chair. Mrs. Beeler rouses from her revery and strokes her child's head._

MRS. BEELER.

Oh, my child, how happy you are to see this while you are so young! You will never forget, will you, dear?

ANNIE.

_Fidgeting._

Forget what?

MRS. BEELER.

Tell me that whatever happens to you in the world, you won't forget that once, when you were a little girl, you saw the heavens standing open, and felt that G.o.d was very near, and full of pity for His children.

ANNIE.

I don't know what you're talking about! I can't hardly breathe the way people are in this house.

MRS. BEELER.

You will understand, some day, what wonderful things your childish eyes looked on.

_Annie retreats to Uncle Abe, who bends over the child and whispers in her ear. She grows amused, and begins to sway as to a tune, then chants._