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Lorraine Hansberry<br />
MAMA: Oh, that's the little country that was founded by slaves<br />
way back . . .<br />
BENEATHA: No, Mama—that's Liberia.<br />
MAMA: I don't think I never met no African before.<br />
BENEATHA: Well, do me afavor<br />
and don't ask him a whole lot of<br />
ignorant questions about Africans. I mean, do they wear clothes<br />
and all that—<br />
MAMA: Well, now, I guess if you think we so ignorant 'round here<br />
maybe you shouldn't bring your friends — here<br />
BENEATHA: It's just that people ask such crazy things. All anyone<br />
seems to know about when it comes Africa to is — Tarzan<br />
MAMA (indignantly): Why should I know anything about Africa?<br />
BENEATHA: Why do you give money at church for the missionary<br />
work?<br />
MAMA: Well, that's to help save people.<br />
BENEATHA: You mean save them from heathenism —<br />
MAMA (innocently): Yes.<br />
BENEATHA: I'm afraid they need more salvation from the British<br />
and the French.<br />
RUTH comes in forlornly and off pulls her coat with dejection. They<br />
both turn to look at her.<br />
RUTH (dispiritedly): Well, I guess from all the happy faces—everybody<br />
knows.<br />
BENEATHA: You pregnant?<br />
MAMA: Lord have mercy, I sure hope it's a little old girl. Travis<br />
ought to have a sister.<br />
BENEATHA andRUTH<br />
give her a hopeless lookfor<br />
this<br />
grandmotherly enthusiasm.<br />
BENEATHA: How far along are you?<br />
RUTH: Two months.<br />
BENEATHA: Did you mean to? I mean did you plan it or was it an<br />
accident?<br />
MAMA: What do you know about planning or not planning?<br />
BENEATHA: Oh, Mama.<br />
RUTH (wearily): She's twenty years old, Lena.<br />
BENEATHA: Did you plan it, Ruth?<br />
RUTH: Mind your own business.<br />
BENEATHA: It is my business—where is he going to live, on the
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