(Applause and emotional cheering.)

PHOTOGRAPHER

Mr. Brady. Mr. Brady, a picture?

BRADY

I shall be happy to oblige! (The townspeople, chanting “Go Tell It on the Mountain,” move upstage. BRADY begins to organize a group photograph. To his wife) Sarah…

MRS. BRADY

(Moving out of the camera range)

No, Matt. Just you and the dignitaries.

BRADY

You are the Mayor, are you not?

MAYOR

(Stepping forward, awkwardly)

I am, sir.

BRADY

(Extending his hand)

My name is Matthew Harrison Brady.

MAYOR

Oh, I know. Everybody knows that. I had a speech of welcome ready, but somehow it didn’t seem necessary.

BRADY

I shall be honored to hear your greeting, sir.

(The MAYOR clears his throat and takes some notes from his pocket.)

MAYOR

(Sincerely)

Mr. Matthew Harrison Brady, this municipality is proud to have within its city limits the warrior who has always fought for us ordinary people. The lady folks of this town wouldn’t have the vote if it wasn’t for you, fightin’ to give ’em all that suffrage. Mr. President Wilson wouldn’t never have got to the White House and won the war if it wasn’t for you supportin’ him. And, in conclusion, the Governor of our state…

PHOTOGRAPHER

Hold it! (The camera clicks) Thank you.

(MRS. BRADY is disturbed by the informality of the pose.)

MRS. BRADY

Matt—you didn’t have your coat on.

BRADY

(To the PHOTOGRAPHER)

Perhaps we should have a more formal pose. (As MRS. BRADY helps him on with his coat) Who is the spiritual leader of the community?

MAYOR

That would be the Reverend Jeremiah Brown.

(REVEREND BROWN steps forward.)

BROWN

Your servant, and the Lord’s.

(BRADY and BROWN shake hands.)

BRADY

The Reverend at my left, the Mayor at my right. (Stiffly, they face the camera) We must look grave, gentlemen, but not too serious. Hopeful, I think is the word. We must look hopeful.

(BRADY assumes the familiar oratorical pose. The camera clicks. Unnoticed, the barefoot HOWARD has stuck his head, mouth agape, into the picture. The MAYOR refers to the last page of his undelivered speech.)

MAYOR

In conclusion, the Governor of our state has vested in me the authority to confer upon you a commission as Honorary Colonel in the State Militia.

(Applause.)

BRADY

(Savoring it)

“Colonel Brady.” I like the sound of that!

BROWN

We thought you might be hungry, Colonel Brady, after your train ride.

MAYOR

So the members of our Ladies’ Aid have prepared a buffet lunch.

BRADY

Splendid, splendid—I could do with a little snack.

(Some of the townspeople, at BROWN’S direction, carry on a long picnic table, loaded with foodstuffs, potato salad, fried turkey, pickled fruits, cold meats and all the picnic paraphernalia. RACHEL comes on following the table, carrying a pitcher of lemonade which she places on the table.)

BANNISTER

(An eager beaver)

You know, Mr. Brady—Colonel Brady—all of us here voted for you three times.

BRADY

I trust it was in three separate elections!

(There is laughter. TOM DAVENPORT, a crisp, business-like young man, offers his hand to BRADY.)