that I tip-toed into his greasy privacy. I forced the
strong-box at his ear while he sprawled beside his wife. He was my butt,
my ape, my jumping-jack. And now ... O fool, fool! (Duped by such knaves
as are a shame to knavery, crime's rabble, hell's tatterdemalions!)
Shorn to the quick! Rooked to my vitals! And I must thieve for my daily
bread like any crawling blackguard in the gutter. And my sister ... my
kind, innocent sister! She will come smiling to me with her poor little
love-story, and I must break her heart. Broken hearts, broken lives!...
I should have died before.

SCENE VI

BRODIE, MARY

MARY (_tapping without_). Can I come in, Will?

BRODIE. O yes, come in, come in! (_MARY enters._) I wanted to be quiet,
but it doesn't matter, I see. You women are all the same.

MARY. O no, Will, they're not all so happy, and they're not all Brodies.
But I'll be a woman in one thing. For I've come to claim your promise,
dear; and I'm going to be petted and comforted and made much of,
although I don't need it, and.... Why, Will, what's wrong with you? You
look ... I don't know what you look like.

BRODIE. O nothing! A splitting head and an aching heart. Well! you've
come to speak to me. Speak up. What is it? Come, girl! What is it? Can't
you speak?

MARY. Why, Will, what is the matter?

BRODIE. I thought you had come to tell me something. Here I am. For
God's sake out with it, and don't stand beating about the bush.

MARY. O be kind, be kind to me.

BRODIE. Kind? I am kind. I'm only ill and worried, can't you see?
Whimpering? I knew it! Sit down, you goose! Where do you women get your
tears?

MARY. Why are you so cross with me? O, Will, you have forgot your
sister! Remember, dear, that I have nobody but you. It's your own fault,
Will, if you've taught me to come to you for kindness, for I always
found it. And I mean you shall be kind to me again. I know you will, for
this is my great need, and the day I've missed my mother sorest. Just a
nice look, dear, and a soft tone in your voice, to give me courage, for
I can tell you nothing till I know that you're my own brother once
again.

BRODIE. If you'd take a hint, you'd put it off until to-morrow. But I
suppose you won't. On, then, I'm listening. I'm listening!

MARY. Mr. Leslie has asked me to be his wife.

BRODIE. He has, has he?

MARY. And I have consented.

BRODIE. And...?

MARY. You can say that to me? And that is all you have to say?

BRODI