[A silence falls on the company. It is broken by Patience, who is frightened, and begins to cry.]
Patience. [Clinging to her mother’s hand.] Mother!
Mrs. Freeman. Yes, what is it, little daughter?
Patience. If we had only stayed in England, we should have had plenty to eat!
[Mrs. Freeman does not answer her, but puts her arm around her, and turns to Winthrop.]
Mrs. Freeman. Is it not hard sometimes, Your Excellency, for all of us to realize how much more precious liberty is than the comforts we gave in exchange for it?
Winthrop. You speak truly, Mistress Freeman. But we have crossed the sea in safety; we have been kept from harm among the savages; we have founded a colony where freedom is to be the birthright of every citizen. I believe that we have a right to expect to receive our daily bread. Whatever happens, we must not give up hope. I will proclaim a day of prayer and fasting for to-morrow. We must not lose faith, for all may yet be well.
[Wilson, who has been standing by the table, crosses to the barrel and glances into it.]
Wilson. See, there is still some corn in the bottom of our last barrel. May not this be a sign that we shall be fed until help comes, even as we read in the Scriptures that the widow’s handful of meal lasted till the famine was past? [As the company nod approval to his words, there is a knock on the front door. Servant enters at left, and opens door to admit Roger Clap. Clap is wild-eyed and shivering, and looks distractedly about until he sees Winthrop. Servant stands at left of door.]
Clap. [Impetuously crossing stage to Winthrop.] Your Excellency, my wife is dying, and my children have been without food for two days. Can you give me nothing for them?