_Ireton:_ Yes, Mr. Cromwell. _Cromwell:_ Quite so. Mr. Cromwell. That's very interesting now, isn't it? _Ireton:_ By your leave I would marry Bridget. _Cromwell:_ I dare say. You would be a very foolish young man else. And, what of Bridget's leave? _Bridget:_ He has that. _Cromwell:_ I should think so, too. Well? _Ireton:_ You consent? _Cromwell:_ I could do nothing more gladly. You have chosen well, both of you. I rejoice for you. But you must wait until this business we have in hand is gathered up a little. _Bridget:_ Yes, father. It is better so. _Cromwell:_ Let your mother know of the betrothal. I will write as well. _Bridget:_ To-night. _Cromwell:_ Seth asked to see you, Henry. _Ireton:_ Shall we go? _Bridget:_ Yes. (BRIDGET and IRETON go.) (CROMWELL lights a candle, gets paper and pen, and sits at the table writing. After a few moments MRS. CROMWELL comes in. She carries a large bunch of keys. CROMWELL looks up, and continues writing. She unlocks a large wooden chest, and takes some parchment deeds from it. Then she comes to CROMWELL at the table.) _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Oliver. _Cromwell:_ Yes, mother. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ These are my five Ely houses, and the Huntingdon farmlands. Use them. _Cromwell:_ But it's all you have. _Mrs. Cromwell:_ My needs are few, and I have not many days. _Cromwell_ (rising): I will use them, mother, worthily, with God's help. (He kisses her.) _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Bless you, my son. Bless you always. And may the mercy of God be upon England. _Cromwell:_ Upon England--Amen. (He places the deeds on the table before him, and resumes his writing. MRS. CROMWELL closes the chest, and sits at a spinet, playing.) _Mrs. Cromwell:_ Mr. Lawes makes beautiful music, Oliver. _Oliver:_ Yes, mother. (She plays again for a few moments. Then BRIDGET and IRETON return.) _Bridget:_ Amos and Seth want to speak to you, father. The men are coming. _Cromwell:_ Yes. (She beckons them in.) _Cromwell:_ Bridget has news for you, mother. (BRIDGET and IRETON go to MRS. CROMWELL.) _Amos:_ I meant to speak when you were down there, sir. But I'm a bit slow. There's two things, so to say. _Cromwell:_ Yes, Amos. _Amos:_ There's to be great wars and spending, I know. _Cromwell:_ Yes, Amos. _Amos:_ I should like to give the little I've saved. You'll spend it well, sir, I know. It's a matter of two pound. It's not a deal, but it might help by way of an example, as it might be. (He offers a small bag of money.) _Cromwell:_ In such measure it shall be taken from all who will give. That is true in spirit, Amos. It shall be used. (He places it with the deeds.) _Amos:_ And then if I might speak for Seth. _Cromwell:_ Yes, what is it? _Amos:_ He's dumb, sir, it's true, but you'll find no better heart nor wits. And he has a fair lot of book-learning now as well, and has come to handle a pen for all his poor hands were treated so. He would be your servant, sir, in the wars.