BELLA: She never was brilliant at school. D average, plus a little or minus—you know, passable, never flunked out but once. Refused to go back. Her and Charlie. But Chips was bawn artistic and Cornelius blames me for it. Three children, now reduced to just two. All run home from the school together, raced in the back door, straight to the kitchen, the icebox where I had peanut butter and jelly sandwiches always ready an’ waitin’. Becomes such a habit, like life. Still keep Marches’ Peanut Butter and Ma Smileys jellies in ice-box. Come in several flavors. Each preferred different flavors.

JESSIE [raises receiver to ear]: Why, they hung up. [She dials again.] Operator, would you please get me the Moose Lodge. Moose Lodge? You get me Emerson Sykes on this phone at once, please, his wife speaking. —Emerson, how is—? Hold on? Surely the problems have been straightened out now! Emerson!

BELLA: Joanie’s letter. I don’t want Cornelius to find it.

JESSIE: Don’t worry, Bella, I’ve got it. [Shouting into phone.] EMM-ERR-SONN!— Sounds like terrific confusion, your son’s fiancé is still shouting Jesus! Useless to interfere yet. [Jessie hangs up and slumps exhaustedly back against pillows]

BELLA: Dresses.

JESSIE: What was that Bella?

BELLA: Chips designed such pretty girls’ dresses with colored crayons.

JESSIE: Yes, I remember, Bella. We heard that he used to model them himself with a wig on and it was misunderstood? Correctly.

BELLA: Charlie, youngest. Fine boy, not artistic. His problem was employment.

JESSIE: Oh, I thought it was unemployment.

BELLA: Charlie? Hit? Cornelius?

JESSIE: Fawget it, Bella. I’m sure tomorrow everything will be . . . well, not worse.

BELLA: —Why—cain’t I—git up?

JESSIE: Don’t try to, not necessary. You’re just worn out by the trip but—I will call Dr. Crane. Please connect me with Doc Crane’s.

BELLA: Moose . . . ?

JESSIE: Yais, he’s a Moose, too—ten antlers. —Henry? Jessie Sykes, callin’ from Bella McCorkle’s across the street. You’d better hurry right over, it looks to me like Bella has had a collapse.

[Bella’s eyes are now shut and she is in a sprawled position on sofa.]

BELLA: Old bodies git older, heavy, heavy with—time . . .

JESSIE [rises with phone in hand, eyes wide with excitement]: She is mumbling unconscious. Possibly’s had a stroke. —Bella? Can you hear me?

[Bella begins to snore hoarsely. Jessie screams and shuffles to the door and out, leaving it open: the dog barks feebly. Bella staggering from the sofa, blinks, then turns automatically, and goes to the kitchen where sounds are heard of the fridge door slammed open, articles dropped, etc. She starts back to living room.]

BELLA: Jelly. [She shuffles back slowly.]

DR. CRANE [offstage]: Yes, all right, the ambulance is called.

[The doctor enters in his pajamas, raincoat and with his medicine kit, followed by Jessie.]

JESSIE: Why, the—ambulance must of removed her!