Enter Dr. Gaines, R.
Dr. G. What's all this noise here?
Cato. Nuffin', sir; only jess I is puttin' things to rights, as you tole me. I didn't hear any noise except de rats.
Dr. G. Make haste, and come in; I want you to go to town. [Exit Dr. Gaines, R.
Cato. By golly, de ole boss like to cotch me dat time, didn't he? But wasn't I mad? When I is mad, nobody can do nuffin' wid me. But here's my coat, tore to pieces. Cuss dat nigger! [Weeps.] Oh, my coat! oh, my coat! I rudder he had broke my head den to tore my coat. Drat dat nigger! Ef he ever comes here agin, I'll pull out every toof he's got in his head—dat I will. [Exit, R.
Scene 3.—A Room in the Quarters.
Enter Glen, L.
Glen. How slowly the time passes away. I've been waiting here two hours, and Melinda has not yet come. What keeps her, I cannot tell. I waited long and late for her last night, and when she approached, I sprang to my feet, caught her in my arms, pressed her to my heart, and kissed away the tears from her moistened cheeks. She placed her trembling hand in mine, and said, "Glen, I am yours; I will never be the wife of another." I clasped her to my bosom, and called God to witness that I would ever regard her as my wife. Old Uncle Joseph joined us in holy wedlock by moonlight; that was the only marriage ceremony. I look upon the vow as ever binding on me, for I am sure that a just God will sanction our union in heaven. Still, this man, who claims Melinda as his property, is unwilling for me to marry the woman of my choice, because he wants her himself. But he shall not have her. What he will say when he finds that we are married, I cannot tell; but I am determined to protect my wife or die. Ah! here comes Melinda.
Enter Melinda, R.
I am glad to see you, Melinda. I've been waiting long, and feared you would not come. Ah! in tears again?
Melinda. Glen, you are always thinking I am in tears. But what did master say to-day?
