Ward: Whose orders are those?
Mrs. Broderick: What’s that to you, I ask you?
Ward: Isn’t it a pity now a woman to be so unneighbourly and she after getting profit for herself?
Mrs. Broderick: Look now, Mr. Nestor, the way they are going on at me, and you saying no word for me at all.
Ward: How would he say any word when he hasn’t it to say? The only word could be said by any one is that you are a mean grasping person, gathering what you can for your own profit and keeping yourself so close and so compact. It is back to the Court I am going, and it’s no good friend I’ll be to you from this out, Mrs. Broderick!
Mrs. Broderick: Amn’t I telling you I was bidden not to tell?
Sibby: You were. And is it likely it was you yourself bid yourself and gave you that advice, Mrs. Broderick? It is what I think the bird was never bought at all. It is in some other way she got the money. Maybe in a way she does not like to be talking of. Light weights, light fingers! Let us go away so and leave her, herself and her money and her orders! (Timothy Ward goes out, but Sibby stops at door.) And much good may they do her.
Mrs. Broderick: Listen to that, Mr. Nestor! Will you be listening to that, when one word from yourself would clear my character! I leave it now between you and the hearers. Why would I be questioned this way and that way, the same as if I was on the green table before the judges? You have my heart broke between you. It’s best for me to heat the kettle and wet a drop of tea.
(Goes to inner room.)
Sibby: Tell us the truth now, Mr. Nestor, if you know anything at all about it.