Corrine just looks down at them. She hold herself stiffly to hide her pain.

OLIVIA [offstage]. Stop their screaming, Corrine.

The twins pause and look behind Corrine. Olivia steps out of the shadows, approaching. They cringe.

OLIVIA. I won’t permit this behavior in my house. Corrine, show them what happens to those who disobey.

CORRINE. They’re quiet now, Mother. They’ll be good.

OLIVIA. Show them, or take them and yourself out of here now. Well?

Corrine looks at Christopher and then starts to unbutton her blouse. All the children stare, terrified. Corrine peels off her blouse and turns so they can see her back, ripped with trauma from whipping.

Christopher steps forward, shocked. Cathy turns away and covers the twins’ eyes so they can’t see.

CHRISTOPHER. What did they do to you?

Corrine quickly puts her blouse back on, buttoning.

CHRISTOPHER [to Olivia]. What did you do?

OLIVIA. Don’t dare question me, boy. What was done had to be done. Make sure you follow my rules. [To Corrine.] If they don’t, you’ll be out. Come down and help prepare the rest of their food for the day. And don’t forget to lock the door behind you.

She turns, picks up the carton, and leaves. The others watch silently, and then Corrine sinks into a chair. Cathy rises and goes to her. Christopher does so, too, and the twins, still terrified, sit and watch.

CATHY. What did they do to you, Momma?

CORRINE. It was just a willow-switching. Believe me, I’ve been willow-switched many times before. It looks worse than it is.

CHRISTOPHER. What did you put on it? You could get infected.

CORRINE. It’s fine. I’m all right.

CATHY. Why did they do this to you?

CORRINE. My father thinks the devil can be beaten out of you.

CHRISTOPHER. There’s no devil in you just because you fell in love with your half uncle. People often marry within the family.

CORRINE. I know, dear Christopher, but my father believed that if I had children, they would all be ugly and deformed. [Smiles.] Look how wrong he was. [To Cory and Carrie.] Come here, children. Don’t be afraid. I’m fine.

They rush to her, and she embraces them and sits them on her knees.

CHRISTOPHER. We oughta just walk out of here, Momma.

CORRINE. No! [Then more calmly.] No, not after all this. We’re close. I’ve done my penance. Soon—soon my father will see his way to forgive me and include me in his will again. Then it will all be worth it, because I’ll be able to do so much for all of you.

CATHY. But how long can we live like this, with your mother looking at us and treating us as if we were filth? We can’t stay here. It won’t work! It won’t!

CHRISTOPHER [softer]. She’s right, Momma.

CORRINE [nodding]. Cathy’s always thinking more clearly than I do. [Drops her head.] I guess I was fooling myself thinking my mother had become more loving and merciful. She sees your father in you, Christopher, and she sees me in Cathy, and she can’t get past that. If I only had more time.