Charity. Staunch friend indeed! He robbed you? I do not believe it. I have cause to mistrust you. I never dreamed you were the friend of Harry. But now I can see your wicked scheme. You have him in your power, but beware! My mission is to save. (Goes up r.)
Thornton (coming to l.). Too late, too late. I do not fear you.
Maynard (outside, r.). Say no more: I will not seek him. (Enter from house, followed by Mrs. Maynard.)
Mrs. Maynard. O John, don't say that! He is our only boy.
Maynard. He has disgraced the name of Maynard. I will not seek, I will never allow him to cross my threshold. He went out a man: he shall never return a brute. (Enter Capt. Bragg, r., through gate.)
Capt. Now, done yer say that, Maynard (hic). It's disgrace-ful to drink. I mean to get full. I never got full. I can drink a gallon, an' walk straight, I can (hic). But I'm a Bragg. I'm Cap'en Bragg of the Horse Marines; no, the ill-ill-lus'rus Lawless Rangers, every man—full—full—six— Now look a' here, look a' me, if your son's gone to the dogs, don't you give him up. Look a' me. I'm Bragg. I had a son: you know him: went off twenty years ago. Do I give him up? Not a bit of it (hic). He'll come back one of these days, rolling in his carriage; I mean in wealth. But then, he's a Bragg. We can't all be Braggs. Come, le's go down, and hunt him up. I know all the places.
Maynard. Not a step will I stir. (Enter Jessie, l.) He has made his bed: let him sleep in it. He shall not disgrace my house with his presence.
Jessie (runs to him, falls on her knees). No, no, father: don't say that. You will not cast him off. Think what a kind son he was: how he loved us all. You will try to save him, father! Don't say you will not; my heart will break.
Maynard. Jessie, you know not how low he has fallen. My son of whom I was so proud! He has disgraced his home. Henceforth he is no longer son of mine. I will not seek him. I have said it, Jessie, and John Maynard never breaks his word.
Jessie (crosses to Mr. Thornton). O Mr. Thornton! you will seek him: you will save him for my sake?