easy burgess of about 1780. C., a door; L. C., a second and
smaller door; R. C., practicable window; L., alcove, supposed to
contain bed; at the back, a clothes-press and a corner cupboard
containing bottles, etc. MARY BRODIE at needlework; OLD BRODIE,
a paralytic, in wheeled chair, at the fireside, L.

SCENE I

To these LESLIE, C.

LESLIE. May I come in, Mary?

MARY. Why not?

LESLIE. I scarce knew where to find you.

MARY. The dad and I must have a corner, must we not? So when my
brother's friends are in the parlour he allows us to sit in his
room. 'Tis a great favour, I can tell you; the place is sacred.

LESLIE. Are you sure that 'sacred' is strong enough?

MARY. You are satirical!

LESLIE. I? And with regard to the Deacon? Believe me, I am not
so ill-advised. You have trained me well, and I feel by him as
solemnly as a true-born Brodie.

MARY. And now you are impertinent! Do you mean to go any
further? We are a fighting race, we Brodies. Oh, you may laugh,