WILL. Nay, nay, Betty. ’Tis not dreadful, ’tis glorious to fight for our independence. Your tears are unseemly. Come, look up. I have brought you a keepsake. (_Takes a string of gold beads from his pocket._ BETTY _smiles through her tears_.) When last I was in Boston these confronted me in a goldsmith’s window and straightway I had a vision of them about your fair neck. Let me see the reality. (_He puts the beads around her neck and embraces her._) BETTY. I thank you, William. I will ever wear them hidden thus (_tucking them under her kerchief_) with thoughts of you when you are far away. Would that there were no need for you to go. WILL. But there is need, and I go gladly if I go with your promise to wed me some time. BETTY. But my aunt---- WILL. I know you have ever put me off because of your aunt’s disrelish for my family. But now, dear Betty, give me this comfort as I leave. Do you not love me? BETTY. Indeed I love you with all my heart, William, yet I cannot promise without aunt’s consent. She has been father and mother to me since I was an infant child. ’Twould not be right. WILL. (_impatiently_). You will not promise without her consent and you forbid me to ask it as she will of a surety say “No.” Then it lies with you to obtain it by fair means or foul. BETTY (_firmly_). William, I will do my best to obtain it even by craft. _Enter_ MISS B. _unobserved. She listens._ WILL. Craft would be fair enough. She cannot appreciate true affection. A woman who has flouted one of the best men in the world and yet doth keep him dangling! Bah! If he were not a saint he would betake himself to another woman and be happy. Betty, I love you better than anything in life save honor, but I will not be put off like Judge Ingram. I swear that I will wed you e’en though a dozen frozen-hearted spinsters barred my way. MISS B. Highty-tighty, young man! By what right do you embrace my niece? (_The lovers start apart._) WILL. By the right of the great affection between her and me, madam. I duly crave your permission to marry her. MISS B. (_coldly_). You are a Dickinson. That permission you will never have. WILL. If there is naught against me save my name, I beg of you to reconsider your decision. MISS B. (_positively_). Nay, my mind is made up on that point. (_Sound of drums._) WILL. ’Tis the last call; I must go. Farewell, Betty. (_He gathers her in his arms before_ MISS B. _can come between them_.) Miss Boltwood, I am resolved to wed your niece with your permission or--without it! [_Exit_. (BETTY _runs to the window_.) MISS B. Betty Boltwood, I am amazed that you should permit yourself to become interested in a Dickinson! I forbid you to receive this presumptuous young man again. (BETTY _begins to wave her handkerchief at the window. Her aunt snatches it from her hand. They both stand at the window watching the minutemen._) CURTAIN ACT II