at way himself, the wicked, dissolute, godless-- (she suddenly stops;
her voice fails; and she asks, with evident dread) Did Timothy see him?

ANDERSON. Yes.

MRS. DUDGEON (holding her breath). Well?

ANDERSON. He only saw him in the crowd: they did not speak. (Mrs.
Dudgeon, greatly relieved, exhales the pent up breath and sits at her
ease again.) Your husband was greatly touched and impressed by his
brother's awful death. (Mrs. Dudgeon sneers. Anderson breaks off to
demand with some indignation) Well, wasn't it only natural, Mrs.
Dudgeon? He softened towards his prodigal son in that moment. He sent
for him to come to see him.

MRS. DUDGEON (her alarm renewed). Sent for Richard!

ANDERSON. Yes; but Richard would not come. He sent his father a
message; but I'm sorry to say it was a wicked message--an awful message.

MRS. DUDGEON. What was it?

ANDERSON. That he would stand by his wicked uncle, and stand against
his good parents, in this world and the next.

MRS. DUDGEON (implacably). He will be punished for it. He will be
punished for it--in both worlds.

ANDERSON. That is not in our hands, Mrs. Dudgeon.

MRS. DUDGEON. Did I say it was, Mr. Anderson. We are told that the
wicked shall be punished. Why should we do our duty and keep God's law
if there is to be no difference made between us and those who follow
their own likings and dislikings, and make a jest of us and of their
Maker's word?

ANDERSON. Well, Richard's earthly father has been merciful and his
heavenly judge is the father of us all.

MRS. DUDGEON (forgetting herself). Richard's earthly father was a
softheaded--

ANDERSON (shocked). Oh!

MRS. DUDGEON (with a touch of shame). Well, I am Richard's mother. If
I am against him who has any right to be for him? (Trying to conciliate
him.) Won't you sit down, Mr. Anderson? I should have asked you before;
but I'm so troubled.

ANDERSON. Thank you-- (He takes a chair from beside the fireplace, and
turns it so that he can sit comfortably at the fire. When he is seated
he adds, in the tone of a man who knows that he is opening a difficult
subject.) Has Christy told you about the new will?

MRS. DUDGEON (all her fears returning). The new will! Did Timothy--?
(She breaks off, gasping, unable to complete the question.)

ANDERSON. Yes. In his last hours he changed his mind.

MRS. DUDGEON (white with intense rage). And you let him rob me?

ANDERSON. I had no power to prevent him giving what was his t