BRODIE (_putting pistol on bench_). I give in. I will do your work for you once more. Leslie's to-night and the Excise to-morrow. If that is enough, if you have no more ... orders, you may count it as done. MOORE. Fen larks. No rotten shirking, mind. BRODIE. I have passed you my word. And now you have said what you came to say, you must go. I have business here; but two hours hence I am at your ... orders. Where shall I await you? MOORE. What about that woman's place of yours? BRODIE. Your will is my law. MOORE. That's good enough. Now, Dook. SMITH. Bye-bye, my William. Don't forget. SCENE IX BRODIE. Trust me. No man forgets his vice, you dogs, or forgives it either. It must be done: Leslie's to-night and the Excise to-morrow. It shall be done. This settles it. They used to fetch and carry for me, and now ... I've licked their boots, have I? I'm their man, their tool, their chattel. It's the bottom rung of the ladder of shame. I sound with my foot, and there's nothing underneath but the black emptiness of damnation. Ah, Deacon, Deacon, and so this is where you've been travelling all these years; and it's for this that you learned French! The gallows ... God help me, it begins to dog me like my shadow. _There's_ a step to take! And the jerk upon your spine! How's a man to die with a night-cap on? I've done with this. Over yonder, across the great ocean, is a new land, with new characters, and perhaps new lives. The sun shines, and the bells ring, and it's a place where men live gladly; and the Deacon himself can walk without terror, and begin again like a new-born child. It must be good to see day again and not to fear; it must be good to be one's self with all men. Happy like a child, wise like a man, free like God's angels ... should I work these hands off and eat crusts, there were a life to make me young and good again. And it's only over the sea! O man, you have been blind, and now your eyes are opened. It was half a life's nightmare, and now you are awake. Up, Deacon, up, it's hope that's at the window! Mary! Mary! Mary! SCENE X BRODIE, MARY, OLD BRODIE _BRODIE has fallen into a chair, with his face upon the table. Enter MARY, by the side door, pushing her father's chair. She is supposed to have advanced far enough for stage purposes before BRODIE is aware of her. He starts up and runs to her._ BRODIE. Look up, my lass, look up, and be a woman! I.... O, kiss me, Mary! give me a kiss for my good news. MARY. Good news, Will? Is it changed?