Mrs. L. (with emotion). What is it?
Edward. I cannot leave you. Keep me here, for pity's sake! I will be your servant. I will wait on your son. I will obey him. I will obey every one in the house. Let me stay!—oh! let me stay!
Morris (kneeling by him). Oh! since you are my mother, be his mother, too! do not send him away. See! we ask it on our knees! You will have two sons, and he shall be the best.
Mrs. L. (aside to Mr. Sherwood). This is killing me. I cannot bear it! I must speak! (She covers her face, sobbing).
Enter Andrew, Jane, and Patrick.
Andrew. Mrs. Langdon, we come to make you an offer, which we beg you to agree to, or else we shall all three feel obliged to quit your service.
Mrs. L. Well—what is it, Andrew?
Andrew. Well, ma'am, it is that you will keep this poor little fellow, Morris, with you, and give us leave to treat him the same as Master Edward; and as we do not want any one to lose by this, we offer to have a third of our wages taken off, which you will please give to Mary and big Peter every month, to make up to them for the loss of their son's services.
Edward. Oh, my kind, generous friends! never will I forget this proof of your love!
Mrs. L. But only this morning you all three made terrible complaints about him.