The Stonemason Read Online Free PDF Page B

like a baby. I ain't ashamed to tell it.
    They sit quietly. Papaw is moved even now.
    B EN What did they do with the white man?
    P APAW He left this country and he stayed gone a long time. They was fixin to law him and he just left out. The boss of that job was goin to testify against him and he told that boss man, said: You take a nigger's part against a white man's? That's what he said. And Uncle Selman laid out dead. Said: You take a nigger's part against a white man's? and that boss man—his name was Johnson—he never even answered him.
    B EN But he came back?
    P APAW Yes. He come back.
    B EN And what happened then?
    P APAW Nothin. He stayed gone I guess it was six or seven year and then he come back and there was nothin ever done about it. I lawed him myself and it costed me a right smart but it was too late to bring him to justice.
    They sit. Papaw stirs and rises and takes his cup and his hat and coat.
    P APAW I guess I better change out of these clothes.
    He goes to the sink.
    B EN What was the man's name?
    P APAW That killed Uncle Selman?
    B EN Yes.
    P APAW Well. That's been a long time ago, Benny. Been a long time ago.
    B EN But you remember his name.
    Papaw puts his cup in the sink and turns.
    P APAW Oh yes. He has children livin in this town. Children and grandchildren. Great grandchildren.
    B EN What was his name?
    P APAW Well. I guess I'd rather not to say it.
    He goes to his room door and exits.

SCENE IV
    The kitchen, night. The supper dishes are washed and in the drain board. Ben is asleep at the kitchen table with his head cradled in his arms. There are steps on the basement stairs and Maven enters in her bathrobe. She goes to Ben and strokes the back of his head. He sits up and looks at her.
    M AVEN Baby why don't you take your shower.
    B EN He hasn't come in has he?
    M AVEN No.
    B EN What time is it?
    M AVEN Quarter of eleven.
    Ben leans back and looks up at the ceiling.
    M AVEN Why don't you take your shower.
    B EN I'm going to kill him.
    M AVEN ( Smiling ) Come on.
    Ben rises and gets his coat from the chair.
    B EN I'll be back in a little bit.
    M AVEN Oh Ben.
    B EN I'll be back in a little bit.

SCENE V
    A dimly lit door stage right. Ben knocks at the door and turns and looks out at the street. He turns and knocks at the door again. The door opens and MRS RAYMOND— a middleaged woman in a chenille robe with her hair up in a plastic cap—opens the door and looks out.
    B EN Mrs Raymond I hate to bother you so late but I wonder if Emmett knows anything about Soldier. He hasn't been home since last night.
    Mrs Raymond looks down and shakes her head.
    B EN Is he still up?
    M RS R AYMOND ( Turning toward inside of house ) Emmett, you see Soldier today?
    E MMETT ( Offstage ) I don't know nothin bout Soldier.
    M RS R AYMOND Say he don't know nothin bout him.
    B EN Was he in school Friday?
    M RS R AYMOND ( To Emmett ) Soldier in school Friday?
    E MMETT I ain't seen him.
    M RS R AYMOND Say he ain't seen him.
    B EN What about Jeffrey. Was Jeffrey in school?
    M RS R AYMOND ( To Emmett ) Jeffrey in school on Friday?
    They wait. Emmett doesn't answer.
    M RS R AYMOND ( To Emmett ) JEFFREY IN SCHOOL ON FRIDAY?
    E MMETT I don't know nothin bout Soldier and I don't know nothin bout Jeffrey.
    M RS R AYMOND Say he don't know nothin bout neither one of em.
    Ben looks offstage right. He looks at Mrs Raymond.
    B EN Well. Thank you Mrs Raymond.
    M RS R AYMOND Well.
    She shuts the door.

SCENE VI
    The kitchen, morning. Mama is fixing breakfast and Carlotta is setting the table. Big Ben is on the telephone. He is dressed in overalls and a work shirt with long underwear showing at his collar and cuffs. There is a knocking at the door, OSREAU is peering in through the glass.
    B IG B EN ( On telephone ) You tell him call Topcat or one of them Williams boys. Well you call him then. Tell him he don't want his job we got people standin in line.
    Big Ben holds the receiver to one side and turns to the table.
    B IG B EN Sister let