The Southern Cross | Page 5

all day. She just come out smilin' ter herself, like she ant
smile since fo' de war brek out. I reckon de supper kin wait.

[Exit by side of the house.
[Enter from the house Fair, Bev, and Charlotte Hillary. She is a young
girl of some twenty-two or three years, tall, slender, and very pretty,
with somewhat premature dignity. She is dressed in a soft blue cotton
dress, much like Fair's. She enters smiling and evidently inspired by the
gay mood of Fair and Bev.
Charlotte (laughing). So I'm to be told the great secret, am I? What can
it be? A new dress for Fair, or have some of your soldier friends made
you happy with some trophy of the fight. Bev?
Fair. She came near it, didn't she, Bev? But you couldn't really guess,
not if you tried all night.
Bev. Remember you promised not to say a word to any one.
Char. I promise. But really I can't wait another minute; do tell me,
quick.
Bev (who is searching behind a bush near the house). I say, Fair,
where'd you put it? 'Twas here last night.
Fair. I found Cupid digging round that bush and I knew he'd find it and
tell, so I hid it here. (She reaches under the steps, drawing out a small
paper parcel. She unrolls the paper, drawing out the half finished coat
of a boy's uniform. It is made from pale-blue flannel, very soft, and
evidently from some dress of her own. The armlets are embroidered in
red cotton). Here it is. Now guess, Charlotte, before we tell you?
Char. I've seen the cloth before--the dress you had last winter. But
what--I don't quite see--what is it now?
Bev (who has been trying to contain himself, comes nearer, speaking in
a glad, excited voice). It's my uniform. I'm going to fight before so very
long, and Fair is making it for me.
Char (taking the little coat tenderly in her hands). But your mother,

Bev!
Fair. Oh, we're going to tell her, but not now. She'll let Bev go when he
is needed, and so I am making this to have it ready. It isn't very nice, I
know. You see, I never made a coat before, and the cloth is old and thin
and not the right color; but it's all I have. I wish I had the finest uniform
in the world for Bev, but this will have to do. (Her voice falters for a
second). And--I'm making it myself.
Bev. Why, Fair, you know I wouldn't wear any uniform but this, even if
I had a dozen. The buttons are those the boys gave me off their coats,
and the rank on the sleeve is all embroidered. I wouldn't trade with any
of them--not even General Morgan.
Char. (putting her arm around Fair). You precious little Fair, there's not
a better uniform in all the South than this, but can't I help you with it?
I'd love to; may I, dear?
Fair. If you'll show me how to put in the sleeve, I'd love it; but I'd
rather do the work all by myself, please. You see, Bev's going to be
such a great, brave soldier in this coat. I'd like to think I'd made it all
myself.
[She begins to sew on the coat.
Char. I suppose I needn't ask in whose command you are going? I know
you will say Morgan's. But how about your rank--will you be just a
private?
Bev. Not just a private; though, of course, I'll be that if I can be nothing
else. George told me when all was ready and my mother said I might,
that I could come with him. I'd be one of the scouts, the color bearer;
that's the place I want--(he grows more and more excited)--to hold the
flag; to feel it was my own, my very own; to feel and touch and carry.
Do you know, Charlotte, I believe I'd think George most as great a man
as Morgan if he'd take me with him in his company and let me have the
flag.

Char. Perhaps he will. I'll speak for you; he loves to do the things I
want; and, yes, I'm sure he'll take you for his color-bearer.
Bev. Where's father, Fair? I must go tell him now before he goes away.
He'll say that I can go; I know he will. And mother: I'll tell her, too.
Where are they?
Fair (quietly). I think they're in the garden by Phil's grave. They always
go there near this time.
[Exit Bev through gate.
Char. Oh, Fair, it's hard, hard for us all, and most of all for you. I
sometimes wonder how you can be so brave. We've given Phil, and
now your father and