=Wheeler.= (_calls_) Deacon, Deacon. (_DEACON rouses up with a start, brushes coat off L. upon floor with arm_) I must leave you now to attend to some business. I will send some one to direct you to Mrs. Thornton's. (_goes R. near door, DEACON protesting_)
Enter _POLICEMAN L. U. E.; passes through gate. WHEELER walks down R. motioning POLICEMAN to follow. Stands R. 1 E._
=Deacon.= No, don't go. Don't. All right--I'll--get ready--(_slowly rises, looks for coat. Does not notice WHEELER and POLICEMAN_) Never had so glorious a time--before--(_places hand on head_) Oh,--my--head! Where's--my--coat? (_sees it on floor. Bis. of attempting to pick it up; finally falls in a heap beside it. Picks it up and examines it_) Blast it, some--boy--been--fooling--with it--turned it inside out. (_turns coat_) I've--had--another-- sun--stroke--wish--I--was--home--in--bed--I'm--sick--
=Wheeler.= (_to officer. Talks through scene_) If you detain that man here for two hours, and then take him to Mrs. Thornton's residence, I will make it well worth your trouble. Will you do it? (_OFFICER bows head_) Very well; now go and assist him. (_OFFICER goes to DEACON, who has coat turned inside out and one sleeve on. OFFICER tries to take it off, but the DEACON protests and finally has his own way_) A pretty plight for one's father-in-law to be in! Perhaps if he knew me he would reconsider the opinion he expressed about me a moment ago. (_smiles_)
Enter BILLY L. U. E., _with large carpet-bag, half crying. Talks as he comes to gate. PETE follows him and beckons L. as though urging others to follow._
=Billy.= Now leave me alone. Dog-gone your ugly pictures! I didn't do nuffin to amongst you. (_leans on gate. Faces R. C. PETE sneaks up and pinches him. BILLY kicks and yells. Cries. OFFICER assisting DEACON to feet, sees PETE_)
=Officer.= Leave that boy alone, you black rascal, or I'll arrest you.
=Pete.= Well, make him take in his sign, if he don't want de boys to hab any fun wid him. You can't scare me, ole fiddle strings, I knows yo'. (_OFFICER feints to start for him. PETE pulls off hat and runs off L. U. E._)
=Deacon.= (_authoritatively_) Come here, Billy. (_BILLY opens gate and goes down to DEACON, sniffling. DEACON looks steadily at him a moment_)