"I can't help it. I can't give up my boys!"
She paused and looked at Doyle.
"And I can't give you up, my man—I just can't!"
"Don't, don't—" the husband commanded. "We've got to be men now."
She fought hard to control her tears. The little girls began to sob. She rushed to the trundle bed and soothed them.
"Keep still, babies. They won't hurt you. Keep still!"
The children choked into silence and she leaped toward Brown and tried to seize his hand. He repulsed her and she went on frantically.
"Please, for God's sake, man, have mercy on a wife and mother, if you ain't got no pity in your heart for my men! Surely you have women home. Their hearts can break like mine. My man's only been talkin' as politicians talk. It was nothing. Surely it's no crime."
Brown drew a notebook from his pocket and held it up.
"I have the record in this book of your husband's words against the men of our party, Madame. He stands convicted of murder in his heart. His sons are not of age. Their opinions are his."