said had
you been worth your salt. But it's blunder, blunder, outside and in
(upstairs, down-stairs, and in my lady's chamber). You women! Did he see
Smith?

JEAN. Ay, and kennt him.

BRODIE. Damnation!----No, I'm not angry with you, but you see what I've
to endure for you. Don't cry. (Here's the devil at the door, and we must
bar him out as best we can.)

JEAN. God's truth, ye are nae vexed wi' me?

BRODIE. God's truth, I am grateful to you. How is the child? Well?
That's right. (_Peeping._) Poor wee laddie! He's like you, Jean.

JEAN. I thocht he was liker you.

BRODIE. Is he? Perhaps he is. Ah, Jeannie, you must see and make him a
better man than his father.

JEAN. Eh man, Deacon, the proud wumman I'll be gin he's only half sae
guid.

BRODIE. Well, well, if I win through this, we'll see what we can dae for
him between us. (_Leading her out, C._) And now; go--go--go.

LAWSON (_without L._). I ken the way, I ken the way.

JEAN (_starting to door_). It's the Fiscal; I'm awa. (BRODIE, L.)

SCENE III

_To these, LAWSON, L._

LAWSON. A braw day this, William. (_Seeing JEAN._) Eh. Mistress Watt?
And what'll have brocht you here?

BRODIE (_seated on bench_). Something, uncle, she lost last night, and
she thinks that something she lost is here. _Voila._

LAWSON. Why are ye no' at the kirk, woman? Do ye gang to the kirk?

JEAN. I'm mebbe no' what ye would just ca' reg'lar. Ye see, Fiscal, it's
the wean.

LAWSON. A bairn's an excuse; I ken that fine, Mistress Watt. But bairn
or nane, my woman, ye should be at the kirk. Awa' wi' ye! Hear to the
bells; they're ringing in. (_JEAN curtsies to both, and goes out C. The
bells, which have been ringing quicker, cease._)

SCENE IV

LAWSON (_to BRODIE, returning C. from door_). _Mulier formosa superne_,
William: a braw lass and a decent woman forbye.

BRODIE. I'm no judge, Procurator, but I'll take your word for it. Is she
not a tenant of yours?

LAWSON. Ay, ay; a bit house on my land in Libberton's Wynd. Her man's
awa, puir body; or they tell me sae; and I'm concerned for her (she's
unco bonnie to be left her lane). But it sets me brawly to be finding
faut wi' the puir lass, and me an elder, and should be at the plate.
(There'll be twa words about this in the Kirk Session.) However, it's
nane of my business that brings me, or I should tak' the mair shame to
mysel.' Na, sir, it's for you; it's your business keeps me frae the
kirk.

BRODIE. My bus