Brodie. I suppose you know what you’ve done, Jean?
Jean. I had to come, Wullie, he wadna wait another minit. He wad have come himsel’.
Brodie. This is my mistress.
Lawson. William, dinna tell me nae mair.
Brodie. I have told you so much. You may as well know all. That good man knows it already. Have you issued a warrant for me . . . yet?
Lawson. No, no, man: not another word.
Brodie, (pointing to the window). That is my work. I am the man. Have you drawn the warrant?
Lawson (breaking down). Your father’s son!
Leslie (to Lawson). My good friend! Brodie, you might have spared the old man this.
Brodie. I might have spared him years ago; and you and my sister, and myself. I might . . . would God I had! (Weeping himself.) Don’t weep, my good old friend; I was lost long since; don’t think of me; don’t pity me; don’t shame me with your pity! I began this when I was a boy. I bound the millstone round my neck; [it is irrevocable now,] and you must all suffer . . . all suffer for me! . . . [for this suffering remnant of what was once a man]. O God, that I can have fallen to stand here as I do now. My friend lying to save me from the gallows; my second father weeping tears of blood for my disgrace! And all for what? By what? Because I had an open hand, because I was a selfish dog, because I loved this woman.