The Faith Healer - LightNovelsOnl.com
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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._
