DR. MACPHERSON. A scene took place, eh? Was William present?
FREDERIK. Yes. She held him in her arms.
DR. MACPHERSON. And then?
FREDERIK. I left the house.
DR. MACPHERSON. Then it's all true. [FREDERIK is silent.] What are you going to do for William?
FREDERIK. Nothing. I'm a rich man now—and if I recognize him—he'll be at me till the day he dies. His mother's gone to the dogs and under her influence, the boy—
DR. MACPHERSON. Be silent, you damned young scoundrel. Oh! What an act of charity if the good Lord took William, and I say it with all my heart. Out of all you have—not a crumb for—
FREDERIK. I want you to know I've sweat for that money, and I'm going to keep it!
DR. MACPHERSON. You've sweat for—
FREDERIK. [Showing feeling.]—Yes! How do you think I got the money? I went to jail for it—jail, jail. Every day I've been in this house has been spent in prison. I've been doing time. Do you think it didn't get on my nerves? I've gone to bed at nine o'clock and thought of what I was missing in New York. I've got up at cock-crow to be in time for grace at the breakfast table. I took charge of a class in Sabbath-school, and I handed out the infernal cornucopias at the church Christmas tree, while he played Santa Claus. What more can a fellow do to earn his money? Don't you call that sweating? No, sir; I've danced like a damned hand-organ monkey for the pennies he left me, and I had to grin and touch my hat and make believe I liked it. Now I'm going to spend every cent for my own personal pleasure.