The Night of the Hunter

GUARD: He never told about the money.

BART: No.

GUARD: What do you figure he done with it?

BART: He took the secret with him when I dropped him.

GUARD: Any trouble?

BART: No.

GUARD: He was a cool one, that Harper. Never broke.

BART: He carried on some; kicked.

PREACHER: That Sword has served me through many an evil time, Ben Harper.

BEN HARPER: What religion do you profess, Preacher?

PREACHER: The religion the Almighty and me worked out betwixt us.

BEN HARPER: I'll bet.

PREACHER: Salvation is a last-minute business, boy.

BEN HARPER: Keep talkin', Preacher.

PREACHER: If you was to let that money serve the Lord's purposes, He might feel kindly turned towards you.

BEN HARPER: Keep talkin', Preacher.

PREACHER: Think of it, Ben! With that cursed, bloodied gold!

BEN HARPER: How come you got that stickknife hid in your bed-blankets, Preacher?

PREACHER: I come not with Peace but with a Sword.

BEN HARPER: You, Preacher?

PREACHER: You killed two men, Ben Harper.

BEN HARPER: That's right, Preacher. I robbed that bank because I got tired of seein' children roamin' the woodlands without food, children roamin' the highways in this year of Depression; children sleepin' in old abandoned car bodies on junk-heaps; and I promised myself I'd never see the day when my youngins'd want.

PREACHER: With that ten thousand dollars I could build a Tabernacle that'd make the Wheeling Island Tabernacle look like a chicken-house!

BEN HARPER: Would you have free candy for the kids, Preacher?

PREACHER: Ben, I'm a Man of God.

BEN HARPER: Tryin' to make me talk about it in my sleep!

PREACHER: No, Ben.

BEN HARPER: What'd I say? What? What? What? What?

PREACHER: You was quotin' Scripture. You said -- you said, "And a little child shall lead them."

BEN HARPER: Hm!

BEN HARPER: You got common sense. She ain't. When you grow up that money'll be yours. Now swear. "I will guard Pearl with my life..."

JOHN HARPER: I will guard Pearl with my life...

BEN HARPER: ..."and I won't never tell about the money."

JOHN HARPER: And I won't never tell about the money.

BEN HARPER: Listen to me son. You got to swear. Swear means promise. First swear you'll take care of little Pearl. Guard her with your life, boy. Then swear you won't never tell where that money's hid. Not even your Mom.

JOHN HARPER: Yes, Dad.

BEN HARPER: You understand?

JOHN HARPER: Not even her?

BEN HARPER: Here they come.

JOHN HARPER: Dad, you're bleeding...

BEN HARPER: Where's your Mom?

JOHN HARPER: Out shopping -- you're bleeding, Dad --

BEN HARPER: Listen to me John.

JOHN HARPER: Uncle Birdie!

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Don't!

JOHN HARPER: Hide us Uncle Birdie! He's a-comin' with his knife!

JOHN HARPER: Can we eat him, Uncle Birdie?

BIRDIE STEPTOE: If you got an appetite for bones and bitterness.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Do you mind me cussin', boy?

JOHN HARPER: No.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Tell you why I ask -- your step-pa being' a Preacher an' all...

JOHN HARPER: Won't he bust it, Uncle Birdie?

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Shoot, a horse-hair'll hold a lumpin' whale.

JOHN HARPER: Here's your can o' hooks, Uncle Birdie.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: There hain't nary hook in the land smart enough to hook Mister Gar. What a feller needs is mother-wit -- and a horse-hair.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Leavin', boy?

JOHN HARPER: Yep; gotta watch out for Pearl, Uncle Birdie.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Well goodnight, boy. Come again -- any time.

JOHN HARPER: O, she's all right.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: How's your sister Pearl?

JOHN HARPER: Just fine.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: 'Twas down at Cresap's Landing, Along the River Shore, Birdie Steptoe was a Pilot in the good old days of yore. Now he sets in his old wharf-boat...

JOHN HARPER: When'll Dad's skiff be ready?

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Can't hear ye, boy. ...So the big boats heave a sigh, They blow for Uncle Birdie...

JOHN HARPER: When'll the skiff be ready?

BIRDIE STEPTOE: And the times that are gone by. I'll have her ready inside of a week; and then we'll go fishin'. How's your Maw?

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Ain't seen you in a coon's age, Johnny.

JOHN HARPER: I been mindin' Pearl.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Pshaw now! Ain't it a caution what women'll load onto a feller's back when he ain't lookin'?

BIRDIE STEPTOE: She don't put in at Cresap's Landing no more, but she still blows as she passes. Come on in and have a cup of coffee.

JOHN HARPER: Ain't nobody stole Dad's skiff.

BIRDIE STEPTOE: Ain't nobody goin' to neither, long as Uncle Birdie's around.

RACHEL COOPER: Where's Ruby?

CLARY: She went.

RACHEL COOPER: And when little King Jesus' Ma and Pa heard about that plan, what do you reckon they went and done?

CLARY: They hid in a broom closet!

CLARY: I'll light the lamp.

RACHEL COOPER: It's more fun hearin' stories in the dark.

RACHEL COOPER: Here's what you owe me. One, two, three, four, five... where's the other basket? Where's Ruby?

CLARY: She went.

RACHEL COOPER: John: you go fetch Ruby. Big Ruby's my problem girl. She can't gather eggs without bustin' 'em; but Ruby's got mother hands with a youngin, so what're you to say?

WILLA HARPER: And the Lord told that man --

CONGREGATION: Yes! Yes!

WILLA HARPER: The Lord said, Take that money and throw it in the River!

CONGREGATION: Yes! Yes! Hallelujah!

WILLA HARPER: Throw that money in the River! In THE RIVER!

CONGREGATION: IN THE RIIV-ER!

CONGREGATION: AAA-MENN!

WILLA HARPER: You have all sinned!

CONGREGATION: Yes! Yes!

WILLA HARPER: But which one of you can say as I can say: I drove a good man to murder because I kept a-houndin' him for clothes and per-fumes and face paint!

GROCER: See ye got two more peeps to your brood.

RACHEL COOPER: Yeah, and ornerier than the rest.

GROCER: How's your own boy, Miz Cooper?

RACHEL COOPER: Ain't heard from Ralph since last Christmas. Don't matter -- I've got a new crop. I'm a strong tree with branches for many birds. I'm good for something in this old world and I know it, too! We know that she will rout the Devil.

GROCER: Got a good buy in soap, Miz Cooper.

RACHEL COOPER: Don't need no soap. I'm boilin' down the fat from my hog.

ICEY SPOON: He lied!

WALT: Tricked us!

ICEY SPOON: He taken the Lord's name in vain and he trampled on His Holy Book!

WALT: String that Bluebeard up to a pole!

ICEY SPOON: He's Satan hiding behind the Cross!

ICEY SPOON: Draggin' the name of the Lord through the evil mud of his soul!

WALT: Come on!

ICEY SPOON: Lynch him! Lynch him!

ICEY SPOON: Bluebeard!

WALT: Twenty-five wives!

ICEY SPOON: And he killed every last one of 'em!

WALT: Dear Walt and Icey: I bet you been worried and gave us up for lost. Took the kids down here with me for a visit to my sister Elsie's farm. Thot a little change of scenery would do us all a world of good after so much trubble and heartache. At least the kids will git a plenty of good home cooking. Your devoted Harry Powell

ICEY SPOON: Now ain't you relieved, Walt?

WALT: Sure, but you was worried too, Mother; takin' off with never a word of goodbye. I even got to figurin' them gypsies busted in and done off with all three of 'em.

ICEY SPOON: You and your gypsies! They been gone a week!

WALT: Not before one of 'em knifed a farmer and stole his horse. Never caught the gypsies nor the horse.

WALT: What can we do, Mother?

ICEY SPOON: I thought if you went and talked to him -- another man --

WALT: There's a little peach brandy -- maybe a sip?

ICEY SPOON: A man of the Cloth?

WALT: Is he hit pretty bad?

ICEY SPOON: All to pieces!

WALT: Just went?

ICEY SPOON: She took out some time durin' the night, -- in that old Model-T --

WALT: Who?

ICEY SPOON: Mr. Powell! Willa has run away!

WALT: I'll be switched!...

WALT: What's wrong, Mother?

ICEY SPOON: Sshhh! He's in there.

WALT: Icey, I'm worried about Willa.

ICEY SPOON: How do you mean?

WALT: I'm figurin' how I can say it so's you won't get mad.

ICEY SPOON: Say what, Walt Spoon!

WALT: There's somethin' wrong about it, Mother.

ICEY SPOON: About what!

WALT: About Mr. Powell. All of it!

ICEY SPOON: Walt!

WALT: Now, Mother, a body can't help their feelin's.

ICEY SPOON: May the Lord have mercy on you, Walt Spoon!

WALT: Mother, I only --

ICEY SPOON: Plan on a longer visit next time.

WALT: You don't hardly get settled till you're frettin' to git home again.

ICEY SPOON: It's a mighty good man would come out of his way to bring a word of cheer to a grieving widow!

WALT: So you ain't with the State no more?

WILLA HARPER: That boy's as stubborn and mulish as a sheep!

ICEY SPOON: It's a shame!

ICEY SPOON: You go set down by the River.

WILLA HARPER: Oh, Icey, I'm a sight!

ICEY SPOON: Get along with you.

ICEY SPOON: That feller's just achin' to settle down with some nice woman and make a home for himself.

WILLA HARPER: It's awful soon after Ben's passing.

ICEY SPOON: If ever I saw a Sign from Heaven!

WILLA HARPER: John don't like him much.

ICEY SPOON: Pearl dotes on him.

WILLA HARPER: The boy worries me. It's silly, but it's like there was something still between him and his Dad.

ICEY SPOON: What he needs is a dose o' salts!

WILLA HARPER: There's something else.

ICEY SPOON: What?

WILLA HARPER: The money, Icey.

ICEY SPOON: I declare, you'll let that money haunt you to your grave, Willa Harper!

WILLA HARPER: I would love to be satisfied Harry Powell don't think I've got that money somewhere.

ICEY SPOON: You'll come right out and ask that Man of God! Mr. Paow-well! Clear that evil mud out of your soul!

ICEY SPOON: Willa Harper there is certain plain facts of life that adds up just like two plus two makes four and one of them is this: No woman is good enough to raise growin' youngsters alone! The Lord meant that job for two!

WILLA HARPER: Icey, I don't want a husband.

ICEY SPOON: Fiddlesticks!

ICEY SPOON: Just look at you! Dust and filth from top to toe!

ICEY SPOON: Want me to take 'em up and wash 'em good?

PREACHER: Thank you, no. Thank you, dear Icey. I'll tend to them. Thank you.

PREACHER: I tried to save her.

ICEY SPOON: I know you did, Reverend. Oh, I know how you tried!

PREACHER: The devil wins sometimes!

PREACHER: Ain't no sense in it, neither. I figured somethin' like this was brewin' when she went to bed last night.

ICEY SPOON: How?

PREACHER: She tarried around the kitchen after I'd gone up, and when I went downstairs to see what was wrong...

ICEY SPOON: What!

PREACHER: She'd found this fruit jar of dandelion wine that the husband -- Harper -- had hid somewheres in the cellar. She was drinking.

PREACHER: I burned it. I tore it up and burned it -- it stank so strong of hellfire.

ICEY SPOON: Amen.

PREACHER: The pitcher has went to the well once too often, my friends.

ICEY SPOON: What could have possessed that girl!

PREACHER: Satan.

ICEY SPOON: Ah.

PREACHER: My dear, dear friends! Whatever would I do without you!

ICEY SPOON: Mister Powell!

ICEY SPOON: Amen! Amen!

PREACHER: She lieth in wait as for a prey. And increaseth the transgressors among men.

PREACHER: My, that fudge smells yummy!

ICEY SPOON: It's for the pick-nick. And you won't get a smidgen of my fudge unless you stay for the pick-nick!

PREACHER: I must wend my way down River on the Lord's work.

ICEY SPOON: You ain't leavin' in no hurry if we can help it!

PEARL HARPER: Are we goin' home, John?

JOHN HARPER: Ssh...

JOHN HARPER: Get in the skiff, Pearl, goodness, goodness, hurry!

PEARL HARPER: That's Daddy!

JOHN HARPER: Please be quiet -- Oh please, Pearl!

PEARL HARPER: John, where are we g --

JOHN HARPER: Hush.

PEARL HARPER: John?

JOHN HARPER: Hush, Pearl. Come on.

PEARL HARPER: I'm hungry, John.

JOHN HARPER: We'll steal somethin' to eat.

PEARL HARPER: It'll spoil our supper.

PEARL HARPER: Where are we goin', John?

JOHN HARPER: Somewheres. I don't know yet.

JOHN HARPER: Someone is after us, Pearl.

PEARL HARPER: I want to go upstairs. It's cold and spidery down here. I'm hungry.

JOHN HARPER: Now listen to me, Pearl. You and me is runnin' off tonight.

PEARL HARPER: Why?

JOHN HARPER: If we stay here somethin' awful will happen to us.

PEARL HARPER: Won't Daddy Powell take care of us?

JOHN HARPER: No, that's just it. No.

PEARL HARPER: Where's Mom?

JOHN HARPER: She's gone to Moundsville.

PEARL HARPER: To see Dad?

JOHN HARPER: Yes, I reckon that's it.

PEARL HARPER: It's all here.

JOHN HARPER: Pearl! Oh, Pearl!

JOHN HARPER: Pearl! You ain't --

PEARL HARPER: John, don't be mad! Don't be mad! I was just playing with it! I didn't tell no one!

PEARL HARPER: You'll get awful mad, John. I done a Sin!

JOHN HARPER: You what?

JOHN HARPER: You swore, Pearl!

PEARL HARPER: John! Don't!

JOHN HARPER: You promised Dad you wouldn't never tell!

PEARL HARPER: Now can I tell?

JOHN HARPER: Hm?

PEARL HARPER: When Mr. Powell's our Daddy then I can tell him about --

PEARL HARPER: John...

JOHN HARPER: Sshhh...

JOHN HARPER: Just a man. Goodnight Pearl, sleep tight; and don't let the bedbugs bite.

PEARL HARPER: 'Night Miss Jenny; don't let the bedbugs bite.

PEARL HARPER: Tell me a story, John.

JOHN HARPER: Once upon a time there was a rich king... ...and he had him a son and a daughter and they all lived in a castle over in Africa. Well, one day this King got taken away by bad men and before he got took off he told his son to kill anyone that tried to steal their gold, and before long these bad men come back and --

PEARL HARPER: The Blue Men?

PEARL HARPER: Hing, hang, hung.

JOHN HARPER: You better not sing that song.

PEARL HARPER: Why?

JOHN HARPER: 'Cause you're too little.

PEARL HARPER: You, Pearl. You swear too.

PEARL HARPER: Who's them Blue Men yonder?

JOHN HARPER: Blue men.

PEARL HARPER: Stand still, Miss Jenny!

JOHN HARPER: There! What's so hard about that!

JOHN HARPER: This watch is the nicest watch I ever had.

RACHEL COOPER: A feller can't just go around with run-down, busted watches.

JOHN HARPER: I'll see to Pearl.

RACHEL COOPER: I'll make coffee.

RACHEL COOPER: John, when your Dad says 'come', you should mind him.

JOHN HARPER: He ain't my Dad.

RACHEL COOPER: Story, honey? Why, what story?

JOHN HARPER: About them Kings. That the Queen found down on the sandbar in the skiff that time.

RACHEL COOPER: Kings! Why, honey, there was only one.

JOHN HARPER: I mind you said there was two.

RACHEL COOPER: Well, shoot! Maybe there was!

RACHEL COOPER: Where ye from?

JOHN HARPER: Up river.

RACHEL COOPER: I didn't figger ye rowed that skiff from Parkersburg!

RACHEL COOPER: John, where's your folks?

JOHN HARPER: Dead.

RACHEL COOPER: Dead.

RACHEL COOPER: I'm butcherin' my hog myself, smokin' the hams, and cannin' the sausage. You-all have your work cut out!

JOHN HARPER: She talks to herself.

JOHN HARPER: Don't you hurt her!

RACHEL COOPER: Hurt her nothin'! Wash her's more like it! Ruby!

JOHN HARPER: Nothin'.

PREACHER: Come to me, boy!

JOHN HARPER: Pearl, shut up! Pearl, you swore!

PREACHER: You could save him, little bird.

PREACHER: Now: Where?

JOHN HARPER: Under the stone in the floor.

PREACHER: Now where, boy? Mind; no tricks. I can't abide liars.

JOHN HARPER: Yonder.

PREACHER: You don't reckon I'd leave you.

JOHN HARPER: Don't you believe me?

PREACHER: Why sure, boy, sure.

PREACHER: All right... Come along.

JOHN HARPER: What?

PREACHER: Go ahead of me -- the both of you.

PREACHER: All right boy: where's the money?

JOHN HARPER: In the cellar. Buried under a stone in the floor.

PREACHER: Now! Where's it hid, honey?

JOHN HARPER: I'll tell.

PREACHER: I thought I told you to keep your mouth shut --

JOHN HARPER: NO, -- it ain't fair to make Pearl tell when she swore she wouldn't. I'll tell.

PREACHER: She thinks that money's in the river, but you and me, we know better, don't we, boy?

JOHN HARPER: I don't know nothin'!

PREACHER: The summer is young yet, little lad. Pearl?

PREACHER: Your mother says you tattled on me, boy. She says you told her that I asked you where that money was hid.

JOHN HARPER: Yes. Yes.

PREACHER: That wasn't very nice of you, John. Have a heart, boy.

PREACHER: What are you doing, boy?

JOHN HARPER: Getting Pearl to bed. I --

PREACHER: What's taking you so long about it?

JOHN HARPER: It -- she --

PREACHER: What's that you're playing with, boy?

JOHN HARPER: Pearl's junk. Mom gets mad when she plays out here and don't clean up afterward.

PREACHER: Come on, children!

PREACHER: Tell me what, boy?

JOHN HARPER: Nothin'!

PREACHER: Are we keeping secrets from each other, little lad?

JOHN HARPER: No. No.

PREACHER: Did you hear what I said, son?

JOHN HARPER: Huh?

PREACHER: Married! We have decided to go to Sistersville tomorrow, and when we come back --

JOHN HARPER: You ain't my Dad! You won't never be my Dad!

PREACHER: -- and when we come back, we'll all be friends -- and share our fortunes together, John!

JOHN HARPER: You think you can make me tell! But I won't! I won't! I won't!

PREACHER: Why, he told me what fine little lambs you and your sister both was.

JOHN HARPER: Is that all?

PREACHER: Just tell me now; where's the money hid?

PEARL HARPER: But I swore. I promised John I wouldn't tell.

PREACHER: JOHN -- DOESN'T -- MATTER! Can't I get that through your head, you poor, silly, disgusting little wretch!

PREACHER: About our secrets.

PEARL HARPER: No.

PREACHER: Why, pray tell?

PEARL HARPER: Because John said I mustn't.

PEARL HARPER: I'm hungry.

PREACHER: Why, sure. And there's fried chicken and candied sweets and cornsticks and apple cobbler!

PEARL HARPER: Can I have my supper please?

PREACHER: Naturally.

PEARL HARPER: Can I have milk too?

PREACHER: Yes. But first of all we'll have a little talk.

PEARL HARPER: John's bad.

PREACHER: Where's the money hid? Tell me, you little wretch, or I'll tear your arm off!

PREACHER: O no! Your turn!

PEARL HARPER: All right.

PREACHER: Where's the money hid.

PREACHER: Yes; John's bad.

PEARL HARPER: Tell me another secret about my Dad.

PREACHER: You see? We can't have anything to do with John. You and me will go down to the parlor.

PEARL HARPER: Miz Jenny! Miz Jenny!

PREACHER: Sure, that's no secret.

PREACHER: What's your name?

PEARL HARPER: You're just foolin'! My name's Pearl.

PREACHER: Tst-tst! Then I reckon I'll have to try again! Where's the money hid?

PREACHER: John's a feller who likes to keep secrets.

PEARL HARPER: Mm-hm.

PREACHER: I'll tell you a secret.

PEARL HARPER: Yes?

PREACHER: I knowed your Daddy. And do you know what your Daddy said to me? He said, "Tell my little girl Pearl there's to be no secrets between her and you."

PEARL HARPER: Yes?

PREACHER: Now it's your turn.

PEARL HARPER: What secret shall I tell?

PREACHER: How old are you?

PEARL HARPER: That's no secret. I'm five.

PREACHER: What's their names?

RUBY: Pearl and John.

PREACHER: Ahhh. And is there -- a doll?

RUBY: Only she won't never let me play with it.

PREACHER: Ahh!

PREACHER: Why, you're the purtiest girl I've seen in all my wandering. Didn't nobody never tell you that, Ruby?

RUBY: No. No one never did.

PREACHER: There's two new ones over at your place, ain't there Ruby?

PREACHER: You're Ruby, ain't you, my child?

RUBY: Can I have this?

PREACHER: Surely. I'd like to talk to you, my dear.

RUBY: Will you buy me a choclit sody?

PREACHER: O' course.

WALT: She'll come draggin' her tail back home.

PREACHER: She'll not be back. I reckon I'd be safe in promisin' you that.

WALT: Maybe she's just run off on a spree.

WALT: That's mighty brave of you, Reverend.

PREACHER: I reckon it's been ordained this way, Brother Spoon.

WALT: Didn't -- didn't she leave no word?

PREACHER: A scrawl. On a piece of notepaper on the bureau.

WALT: What do you figure to do?

PREACHER: Do? Why stay and take care of them little kids. Maybe it was never meant for a woman like Willa to taint their young lives.

WALT: Didn't you have no inkling?

PREACHER: Yes; from the first night.

WALT: The first night?

PREACHER: Our honeymoon.

WALT: How's that?

PREACHER: She turned me out of the bed.

WALT: Is there anythin' -- anythin'...?

PREACHER: It is my shame -- my crown of thorns. And I must wear it bravely.

WALT: Mister Powell?

PREACHER: A strange woman is a narrow pit!

PREACHER: You were listening outside the parlor window.

WILLA HARPER: It's not in the river, is it Harry?

PREACHER: Answer me!

WILLA HARPER: Ben never told you he throwed it in the river? Did he?

PREACHER: Are you through praying?

WILLA HARPER: I'm through, Harry.

PREACHER: Do you want more children, Willa?

WILLA HARPER: I -- no, I --

PREACHER: It's the business of our marriage to mind those two you have now -- not to beget more.

WILLA HARPER: Yes.

PREACHER: Get up, Willa.

WILLA HARPER: Harry, what --

PREACHER: Get up.

PREACHER: You thought, Willa, that the moment you walked in that door I'd start in to pawing you in the abominable way men are supposed to do on their wedding night. Ain't that right, now?

WILLA HARPER: No, Harry! I thought --

PREACHER: I think it's time we got one thing perfectly clear, Willa. Marriage to me represents a blending of two spirits in the sight of Heaven.

WILLA HARPER: Harry!

PREACHER: I was praying.

WILLA HARPER: Oh, I'm sorry, Harry! I didn't know! I thought maybe --

WILLA HARPER: John, Mr. Powell has got something to tell you.

PREACHER: Well, John, the night before your father died, he told me what he did with that money.

WILLA HARPER: John: take that look offen your face and act nice.

PREACHER: He don't mean no impudence; do you, boy? Do you, boy? Ah, many's the time poor Brother Ben told me about these youngins.

RACHEL COOPER: What do you want?

PREACHER: Them kids!

RACHEL COOPER: What are you after them for?

PREACHER: None of your business, Madam.

RACHEL COOPER: I'm givin' you to the count of three to get out that screen door; then I'm a-comin' across this kitchen shootin'!

RACHEL COOPER: What's wrong, John?

PREACHER: Didn't you hear me, boy?

PREACHER: The Lord is merciful! What a day is this! -- And there's little John!

RACHEL COOPER: What's wrong, John?

PREACHER: Gracious, gracious! You are a good woman, Miz Cooper!

RACHEL COOPER: How you figgerin' to raise them two without a woman?

PREACHER: The Lord will provide.

PREACHER: She run off with a drummer one night. Durin' prayer-meetin'.

RACHEL COOPER: Where's she at?

PREACHER: Somewheres down river! Parkersburg, mebbe! -- Cincinnati! -- One of them Sodoms on the Ohio River.

RACHEL COOPER: She took them kids with her?

PREACHER: Heaven only knows what unholy sights and sounds those innocent little babes has heard in the dens of perdition where she dragged them!

RACHEL COOPER: Right funny, hain't it, how they rowed all the way up river in a ten- foot john-boat!

PREACHER: Shall I tell ye the little story of Right-Hand-Left-Hand -- the tale of Good and Evil?

PREACHER: It was with this left hand that old brother Cain struck the blow that laid his brother low --

RACHEL COOPER: Them kids is yours?

PREACHER: My flesh and blood!

RACHEL COOPER: Where's your Missus?

PREACHER: You're Miz Cooper, I take it.

RACHEL COOPER: It's about that John and that Pearl?

PREACHER: Mornin', ladies.

RACHEL COOPER: How'do.

RUBY: Miz Cooper!

RACHEL COOPER: What?

RUBY: The man! The man!

RACHEL COOPER: What'd you all talk about?

RUBY: Pearl and John.

RACHEL COOPER: John and Pearl!

RUBY: This gentleman warn't like them! He just give me a sody and the book.

RACHEL COOPER: Now who was this?

RUBY: He never asked me for nothin'.

RACHEL COOPER: He must have wanted somethin', Ruby. A man don't waste time on a girl unless he gets something.

RUBY: I been bad!

RACHEL COOPER: Ruby, you didn't have no money to buy this.

RUBY: You'll whip me!

RACHEL COOPER: When did I ever?

RUBY: This man down at the Drugstore...

RACHEL COOPER: The Drugstore?

RUBY: Miz Cooper. I never went to sewin' lessons all them times.

RACHEL COOPER: What you been up to?

RUBY: I been out with men.

RUBY: Pearl and John!

RACHEL COOPER: Not this time! It was just one youngin -- a little boy babe. And do you know who he was, children?