Part IV, Chapters 23–24: "Mulatto" by Langston Hughes

Rear center of the room, a vestibule with double doors leading to the porch; at each side of the doors, a large window with lace curtains and green shades; at left a broad flight of stairs leading to the second floor; near the stairs, downstage, a doorway leading to the dining room and kitchen; opposite at right of stage, a door to the library.

He's learned nothing in college but impudence, and he'll stay here on this place and work for me awhile before he gets back to any more schools.

Just tryin’ to get Miss Sallie's valises down to de yard so's we can put 'em in de Ford, sah.

HIGGINS: [Testily, sitting down puffing and blowing in a big chair] I'm in no mood for fooling, Tom, not now.

NORWOOD: What the hell? [Perturbed]

Damn it, I hope no ruffians'll break up my new Ford.

And that Eleanor Roosevelt, she ought to been muzzled.

No, he ain't. Leastwise, he ain't understood him. [Musing sadly in a low voice] Time Bert was 'bout seven, warn't it?

WILLIAM: [Resentfully] I ain't playin', boy.

NORWOOD, in an impotent rage, crosses the room to a small cabinet right, opens it nervously with a key from his pocket, takes out a pistol, and starts toward the front door.

Six o'clock. Most nigh that now.

ROBERT: [Sullenly] This was the day I ought to have started back to school—like my sister.

The boy, half afraid, half defiant, yet sure of himself, rises.

He takes out a cigar, cuts off the end and lights it, and in a voice of mixed condescension and contempt, he speaks to his son.

Do what they choose long as they know their places and it don't hinder their work.

Should've gotten rid of you before this. But you was Cora's child. I tried to help you. [Aggrieved] I treated you decent, schooled you. But tonight you'll get the hell off this place and stay off.

Warn everybody to be on the lookout. Call your deputies! Yes! Spread a dragnet. Get out the dogs. Meanwhile we'll start after him.

UNDERTAKER: Reckon there won't be no orders to bring his corpse back out here, Sam.

[The deep baying of the hounds is heard at a distance through the night.]

Good-looking, and kind, and headstrong, and strange, and stubborn, and proud like you, and de one I could love most 'cause he needed de most lovin'.