RACHEL (_Perplexed_): Very well--I’m sure.
MRS. LANE (_Bluntly_): What reason have you for being sure?
RACHEL: Why, the little boy I’ve adopted goes there; and he’s very happy. All the children in this apartment-house go there too; and I know they’re happy.
MRS. LANE: Do you know how many colored children there are in the school?
RACHEL: Why, I should guess around thirty.
MRS. LANE: I see. (_Pauses_). What color is this little adopted boy of yours?
MRS. LANE: Do you mind if I send Ethel over by the piano to sit?
RACHEL: N--no, certainly not. (_Places a chair by the piano and goes to the little girl holding out her hand. She smiles beautifully. The child gets farther behind her mother_).
MRS. LANE: She won’t go to you--she’s afraid of everybody now but her father and me. Come Ethel. (_Mrs. Lane takes the little girl by the hand and leads her to the chair. In a gentler voice_) Sit down, Ethel. (_Ethel obeys. When her mother starts back again toward Rachel, she holds out her hands pitifully. She makes no sound_). I’m not going to leave you, Ethel. I’ll be right over here. You can see me. (_The look of agony on the child’s face, as her mother leaves her, makes Rachel shudder_). Do you mind if we sit over here by the sewing-machine? Thank you. (_They move their chairs_).
RACHEL (_Looking at the little, pitiful figure watching its mother almost unblinkingly_): Does Ethel like apples, Mrs. Lane?
RACHEL (_Goes into the kitchenette and returns with a fringed napkin, a plate, and a big, red apple, cut into quarters. She goes to the little girl, who cowers away from her; very gently_). Here, dear, little girl, is a beautiful apple for you. (_The gentle tones have no appeal for the trembling child before her_).
MRS. LANE (_Coming forward_): I’m sorry, but I’m afraid she won’t take it from you. Ethel, the kind lady has given you an apple. Thank her nicely. Here! I’ll spread the napkin for you, and put the plate in your lap. Thank the lady like a good little girl.
ETHEL (_Very low_): Thank you. (_They return to their seats. Ethel with difficulty holds the plate in her lap. During the rest of the interview between Rachel and her mother, she divides her attention between the apple on the plate and her mother’s face. She makes no attempt to eat the apple, but holds the plate in her lap with a care that is painful to watch. Often, too, she looks over her shoulder fearfully. The conversation between Rachel and her mother is carried on in low tones_).