_The S._ (_in a passionless tone_). Though sorry to create unpleasantness, I claim the thumbs of this young gentleman, Which these own eyes have marked between his lips. _C.’s M._ (_frantically_). Thou minion of a meddling tyranny, Go exercise thy loathsome trade elsewhere! _The S._ (_civilly_). I’ve duties here that must be first performed. _C.’s M._ (_wildly_). Take my two thumbs for his! _The S._ ’Tis not the law-- Which is a model of lucidity. _Con._ (_calmly_). Sir, you speak well. My thumbs are forfeited, And they alone must pay the penalty. _The S._ (_with approval_). Right! Step with me into the outer hall, And have the business done without delay. _C.’s M._ (_throwing herself between them._) Stay, I’m a Councillor--this law was _mine_! Hereby I do suspend the clause I drew. _The S._ You should have drawn it milder. _Con._ Must I teach A parent laws were meant to be obeyed? [_To Sc._] Lead on, Sir. (_To his Mother with cold courtesy._) Madam,--may I trouble you? [Illustration: “My Conrad!”] [_He thrusts her gently aside and passes out with the_ Sc.; _the door is shut and fastened from without._ C.’s M. _rushes to door which she attempts to force without success._ _C.’s M._ In vain I batter at a senseless door, I’ll to the keyhole train my tortured ear. (_Listening._) Dead silence! ... is it over--or, to come? Hark! was not that the click of meeting shears?... Again! and followed by the sullen thud Of thumbs that drop upon linoleum!... [_The door is opened and_ CONRAD _appears, pale but erect._ _N.B. The whole of this scene has been compared to one in “La Tosca”--which, however, it exceeds in horror and intensity._ _C.’s M._ They send him back to me, bereft of both! My CONRAD! What?--repulse a Mother’s Arms! _Con._ (_with chilling composure_). Yes, Madam, for between us ever more, A barrier invisible is raised, And should I strive to reach those arms again, Two spectral thumbs would press me coldly back-- The thumbs I sucked in blissful ignorance, The thumbs that solaced me in solitude, The thumbs your County Council took from me, And your endearments scarcely will replace! Where, Madam, lay the sin in sucking them? The dog will lick his foot, the cat her claw, His paws sustain the hibernating bear-- And you decree no law to punish _them_! Yet, in your rage for infantine reform, You rushed this most ridiculous enactment-- Its earliest victim--your neglected son! _C.’s M._ (_falling at his feet_). Say, CONRAD, you will some day pardon me? _Con._ (_bitterly, as he regards his maimed hands._) Aye--on the day these pollards send forth shoots!