It had to come, grandmother. The King was taking all.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
It had to come. Men were no wiser than that. To make this of the land!
One Cain, as your father says.

_Bridget:_
It's as though life were different, suddenly. Do you feel it,
grandmother?

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
I know. There are times when wrath comes, and beauty is forgotten. But
it must be.

_Bridget_
(from the letter):
"This is God's service, and all must be given."

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
Yes. Even that.

_Bridget:_
But you do think father is right?

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
Yes, child. He could do no other. That's his tribute to necessity. We
all pay it. He will pay it greatly. We may be sure of that.

(Horses are heard outside.)

Here they are.

(BRIDGET goes out to meet CROMWELL and IRETON, with whom she returns in
a moment. IRETON'S right arm is in a sling. MRS. CROMWELL has put her
book aside, and is standing. She embraces OLIVER.)

_Cromwell:_
Well, mother. Almost before our own tidings, eh?

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
Bless you, son. How d'ye do, Henry Ireton?
(Shaking hands with him.)
Is it Colonel Ireton yet?

_Ireton:_
No, ma'am.

_Cromwell:_
Soon, mother. He is marked.

_Bridget:_
Is the arm--

_Ireton:_
No, nothing.

_Cromwell:_
The mayor has not come yet?

_Bridget:_
No. You expect him?

_Cromwell:_
Yes. We must work at once.

(A bell rings.)

_Bridget:_
That may be the mayor. I will bring him.

(She goes out.)

_Cromwell:_
Elizabeth sends her devotion to you, mother.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
Thank her, truly. Well, boy, it has begun?

_Cromwell:_
We must dispute it to the end now.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
May England prosper by you.

_Cromwell:_
With God's help, amen.

(BRIDGET returns with the MAYOR of Ely.)

_Cromwell:_
Welcome, Mr. Mayor.

_The Mayor:_
Your good-day, Captain Cromwell.
(To MRS. CROMWELL.)
Ma'am.
(To IRETON.)
Sir.

_Cromwell:_
Will you sit?

(They all sit, MRS. CROMWELL, BRIDGET, and IRETON by the fire. CROMWELL
and the MAYOR at the table.)

_The Mayor:_
At Edgehill in Warwickshire, I hear?

_Cromwell:_
Yes.

_The Mayor:_
The issue was left uncertain, it is said?

_Cromwell:_
Of that battle, yes. But I think the issue was there decided, some few
of us there learning what must now be done. Those few held firmly at
Edgehill, keeping us as far from defeat as we were, though that was
little enough. For our troops are most of them old decayed serving-men,
and tapsters, and such