If it wasn’t for you, I’d want to die; that’s what I did want. I was afraid of that prison, just a coward about it. Now I’m a free man, with a big life openin’ out ahead of me—I got everything in the world right here in my two hands, everything—and I owe it to you!
JUDGE
I am very glad to say that you don’t owe me anything. I don’t like you, I haven’t forgiven you for what you did to your mother’s life. Nor for a worse thing, one you haven’t brains enough to even know you’ve done. Don’t be grateful to me, Ben, please. I think nothing could distress me more than that.
BEN
You’ve been a good friend to me.
JUDGE
I haven’t meant to be, as I said I don’t like you. I haven’t any faith in you. I don’t believe in this new life of yours. You made a mess of the old one, and I think you will of the new.
BEN
No matter what you say, you can’t get away from me. I’ll be grateful till I die. But for you I’d have gone to that damned prison!
JUDGE