=Helen.= Cousin, no one can ever be more grateful to you than I am for the life of misery you have saved me from. What could have been that _fiend's_ motive in trying to bring disgrace upon us all, baffles my comprehension.
=Graef.= His desire to be revenged upon Minnie and all her relatives, for the fancied insult he received in uncle's disinheriting her for marrying contrary to his wishes, has been the motive that actuated him. (_PARSON, MISS AMELIA and DEACON cross to GRAEF_)
=Parson.= (_shaking GRAEF'S hand_) Bless you, my son, bless you.
=Miss A.= George, you are a son worthy of your mother. I always said you would yet make a man of yourself----
=Graef.= (_interrupting_) There, there! you are all showering your thanks upon me and forgetting Pete, to whom most of the glory belongs.
=Pete.= Yo' just bet it does. I'se done my share ob keepin' up de 'spectability ob de family.
=Helen.= Yes, Pete, you have, and we are all very grateful to you for it.
=Deacon.= (_advancing and extending hand_) George, my boy, you will at least let me extend to you my hearty congratulations. You have acted nobly.
=Graef.= (_refusing hand_) Excuse me uncle, but----
=Deacon.= Why! why! what's the matter? Refuse to shake hands with me? Why--ah--I can't understand it.
=Graef.= Pardon me, uncle for my plainness of speech. But I'll never shake hands with a father who has disowned his motherless child, until he forgives her and acknowledges her as his own flesh and blood.
=Pete.= (_aside_) Dat's de noblest t'ing he ever said or done.
=Graef.= I can't help it, Minnie. I mean it. (_the DEACON turns back_)
=Pete.= Dat's right, Massa George, make him toe de scratch.
=Nellie.= Where's mamma? Oh, there you are! (_runs to her_)
=Graef.= (_approaches DEACON; lays hand upon his left shoulder_) Uncle, your daughter and child await your forgiveness.
=Deacon.= (_doggedly_) I have no daughter!
=Pete.= Miss 'Melia, please come here a minnit. (_MISS A. goes to PETE, who is down R._) Yo' tackle de Deacon, he'll refuse yo' nuffin'.
=Miss A.= Go long with you! (_returns to former position_)
=Parson.= Brother, the good book says, "Forgive, and we shall be forgiven." (_MRS. D. and NELLIE approach DEACON and kneel at his L. side_)