BRODIE. Well, well, if I win through this, we’ll see what we can do for him between us. (_Leading her out_, _C._) And now, go—go—go. LAWSON (_without_, _L._). I ken the way, I ken the way. JEAN (_starring to door_). It’s the Fiscal; I’m awa. (BRODIE, _L._). SCENE III _To these_, LAWSON, _L._ LAWSON. A braw day this, William. (_Seeing_ JEAN.) Eh Mistress Watt? And what’ll have brocht you here? BRODIE (_seated on bench_). Something, uncle, she lost last night, and she thinks that something she lost is here. _Voilà_. LAWSON. Why are ye no at the kirk, woman? Do ye gang to the kirk? JEAN. I’m mebbe no what ye would just ca’ reg’lar. Ye see, Fiscal, it’s the wean. LAWSON. A bairn’s an excuse; I ken that fine, Mistress Watt. But bairn or nane, my woman, ye should be at the kirk. Awa wi’ ye! Hear to the bells; they’re ringing in. (JEAN _curtsies to both_, _and goes out C._ _The bells which have been ringing quicker_, _cease_.) SCENE IV LAWSON (_to_ BRODIE, _returning C. from door_). _Mulier formosa superne_, William: a braw lass, and a decent woman forbye. BRODIE. I’m no judge, Procurator, but I’ll take your word for it. Is she not a tenant of yours? LAWSON. Ay, ay; a bit house on my land in Liberton’s Wynd. Her man’s awa, puir body; or they tell me sae; and I’m concerned for her [she’s unco bonnie to be left her lane]. But it sets me brawly to be finding faut wi’ the puir lass, and me an elder, and should be at the plate. [There’ll be twa words about this in the Kirk Session.] However, it’s nane of my business that brings me, or I should tak’ the mair shame to mysel’. Na, sir, it’s for you; it’s your business keeps me frae the kirk. BRODIE. My business, Procurator? I rejoice to see it in such excellent hands. LAWSON. Ye see, it’s this way. I had a crack wi’ the laddie, Leslie, _inter pocula_ (he took a stirrup-cup wi’ me), and he tells me he has askit Mary, and she was to speak to ye hersel’. O, ye needna look sae gash. Did she speak? and what’ll you have said to her? BRODIE. She has not spoken; I have said nothing; and I believe I asked you to avoid the subject. LAWSON. Ay, I made a note o’ that observation, William [and assoilzied mysel’]. Mary’s a guid lass, and I’m her uncle, and I’m here to be answered. Is it to be ay or no? BRODIE. It’s to be no. This marriage must be quashed; and hark ye, Procurator, you must help me. LAWSON. Me? ye’re daft! And what for why? BRODIE. Because I’ve spent the trust-money, and I can’t refund it. LAWSON. Ye reprobate deevil! BRODIE. Have a care, Procurator. No wry words! LAWSON. Do you say it to my face, sir? Dod, sir, I’m the Crown Prosecutor. BRODIE. Right. The Prosecutor for the Crown. And where did you get your brandy? LAWSON. Eh? BRODIE. Your brandy! Your brandy man! Where do you get your brandy? And you a Crown official and an elder! LAWSON. Whaur the deevil did ye hear that?