you, John.
I don't know what else you could expect, though. They are the King's
judges, I suppose.

_Hampden:_
That's what we dispute, ma'am. The King says that they should serve him.
We say that they should serve the laws.

_Ireton:_
It was just when Mr. Hampden was being heard. The law they said was the
King's old and loyal servant: that _lex_ was not _rex_, but that none
could gainsay that _rex_ was _lex_.

_Hampden:_
That's what we shall have to decide, and before long, I think.

_Bridget:_
Father says that.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
This house is ready for any kind of revolution, John.

_Ireton:_
But you find it everywhere, ma'am. All along the countryside, in the
markets, in the church porches--everywhere.

_Elizabeth:_
Is the vine doing well this year, John?

_Hampden:_
It's the best year I remember.

_Elizabeth:_
Ours, too.

_Bridget:_
Were you there, Mr. Ireton, when Cousin John's case was tried?

_Ireton:_
Yes.

_Bridget:_
It was splendid, wasn't it--although he lost, I mean?

_Ireton:_
It was the note of deliverance.

_Bridget:_
I wish I could have been there, Cousin John.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
Will you give me my shawl, Henry Ireton.
(He does so.)
There's Oliver coming. Now you can all be thunder.

_Bridget:_
Now, grandmother, you know you don't think it's just that.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
So you have hope for me yet, miss?

_Bridget:_
Grandmother.

(CROMWELL comes in. He is in plain country dress. His age is forty.)

_Cromwell:_
John--it's good to see you. You're an hour before reckoning.
(Taking HAMPDEN'S hand.)

_Hampden:_
Yes, Oliver. Is all well?

_Cromwell:_
Not that--but our courage is well enough. You are very welcome, Henry.
(Taking his hand.)
Was it good travelling?

_Ireton:_
Not a bad mile on the journey.

_Bridget:_
Father, Mr. Ireton heard Cousin John's case tried. Wasn't he lucky?

_Cromwell:_
Whoever heard that heard history being made, John. It was a great
example to set.

_Hampden:_
One works from the spirit, Oliver.

_Cromwell:_
That's what we must do. You've heard about this affair down here?

_Hampden:_
The common? Yes.

_Cromwell:_
There's to be no yielding about that.

_Hampden:_
I'm glad of it, Oliver.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
What will it all come to, John?

_Cromwell:_
There are times, mother, when we may not count the cost.

_Mrs. Cromwell:_
You're very vexatious sometimes, Oliver.

_Cromwell:_
But you know I'm right in this, mot