Oakhurst（startinginastonishment;aside）。SandyMorton，mylostpartner’sfather！Thisisfate。
　　Morton。Youareastonished;butIthoughtso。Ay，youwillhearmenow！Iamyourfather，AlexanderMorton，whodroveyou，ahelplessboy，intodisgraceandmisery。Iknowyourshamelesslife：fortwentyyearsitwasmine，andworse，until，bythegraceofGod，Ireformed，asyoushall。Ihavestoppedyouinadisgracefulact。Yourmother——Godforgiveme！——leftHERhouse，forMYarms，aswickedly，aswantonly，asshamelessly——
　　Oakhurst。Stop，oldman！Stop！Anotherword（seizinghim），andI
　　mayforgetyouryears。
　　Morton。Butnotyourblood。No，AlexanderMorton，Ihavecomethousandsofmilesforonesacredpurpose，——tosaveyou;andI
　　shall，withGod’swill，doitnow。Beitso，ononecondition。
　　Youshallhavethisgirl;butlawfully，openly，withthesanctionofHeavenandyourparents。
　　Oakhurst（aside）。Iseearayofhope。ThisisSandy’sfather;
　　thecold，insensatebrute，whodrovehimintoexile，theonebittermemoryofhislife。Sandydisappeared，irreclaimable，orlivingalone，hatingirrevocablytheauthorofhismisery;whyshouldnotI——
　　Morton（continuing）。Ononecondition。Hearme，AlexanderMorton。
　　Ifwithinayear，you，abandoningyourevilpractices，yourwaywardlife，seektoreformbeneathmyroof，IwillmakethisproudSpanishDongladtoacceptyouasthemorethanequalofhisdaughter。
　　Oakhurst（aside）。Itwouldbeaneasydeception。Sandyhasgivenmethedetailsofhisearlylife。Atleast，beforetheimpositionwasdiscoveredIshallbe——（Aloud。）I——I——（Aside。）Perdition！
　　SHEiscoming！Thereisalightmovingintheupperchamber。DonJoseisawakened。（Aloud。）I——I——accept。
　　Morton。Itiswell。Takethesekeys，openyondergate，andfly！
　　（AsOAKHURSThesitates。）Obeyme。Iwillmeetyoursweetheart，andexplainall。Youwillcomehereatdaylightinthemorning，andclaimadmittance，notasavagabond，ahousebreaker，butasmyson。Youhesitate。AlexanderMorton，I，yourfather，commandyou。
　　Go！
　　OAKHURSTgoestothegate，opensit，asthesoundofDIEGO’Svoice，singinginthefog，comesfaintlyin。
　　Oyer’syourSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
　　Oyer’syourSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
　　Oyer’syourSandyMorton，Forhe’sdrunk，andgoin’a-courtin’。
　　Oyer’syourSandyMorton，Drinkhimdown！
　　OAKHURSTrecoilsagainstgate，MORTONhesitates，aswindowincorridoropens，andDONJOSEcallsfromuppercorridor。
　　DonJose。Concho！（Pause。）’TisthatvagabondDiego，losthiswayinthefog。StrangethatConchoshouldhaveoverlookedhim。I
　　willdescend。
　　Morton（toOAKHURST）。Doyouhear？
　　ExitOAKHURSTthroughgateway。MORTONclosesgate，andreturnstocentre。EnterJOVITAhurriedly。
　　Jovita。Ihaveithere。Quick！thereisalightinDonJose’schamber;myfatheriscomingdown。（SeesMORTON，andscreams。）
　　Morton（seizingher。）Hush！foryourownsake;forHIS;controlyourself。Heisgone，buthewillreturn。（ToJOVITA，stillstruggling。）Hush，Ibeg，MissJovita。Ibeg，Icommandyou，mydaughter。Hush！
　　Jovita（whispering）。Hisvoicehaschanged。Whatdoesthismean？
　　（Aloud。）Wherehashegone？andwhyareYOUhere？
　　Morton（slowlyandseriously）。Hehasleftmeheretoanswertheunansweredquestionyouaskedhim。（EnterDonJoseandCol。
　　STARBOTTLE，R。andL。）IamheretotellyouthatIamhisfather，andthatheisAlexanderMorton。
　　TABLEAUX。
　　Curtain。
　　ENDOFACTI。
　　ACTII。
　　SCENE1。——RedGulch。Canyonofriver，anddistantviewofSierras，snow-ravined。Schoolhouseoflogsinrightmiddledistance。Ledgeofrocksincentre。Onstepsofschoolhousetwolargebunchesofflowers。EnterSTARBOTTLE，slowlyclimbingrocksL。，pantingandexhausted。Seatshimselfonrock，foreground，andwipeshisfacewithhispocket-handkerchief。
　　Starbottle。Thisisevidentlytheer——locality。Herearethe——er——
　　grovesofAcademus——theheightsofer——Ida！Ishouldsaythattheunwillingnesswhichthe——er——divineShakespearepointsoutinthe——
　　er——"whiningschoolboy"isintensifiedin——er——climbingthisheight，andthe——er——alacrityofhisdeparturemustbeinexactratiotohisgravitation。Goodidea。Ged！sayittoschoolma’am。
　　Wonderwhatshe’slike？Humph！theusualthin，weazened，hatchet-
　　facedYankeespinster，withanindecentfamiliaritywithWebster’sDictionary！Andthisisthewoman，Star，you’reexpectedtodiscover，andbringbacktoaffluenceandplenty。ThisisthenewfanaticismofMr。AlexanderMorton，sen。Ged！notsatisfiedwithdragginghisprodigalsonoutofmeritedobscurity，thismiserableoldlunaticcommissionsMEtohuntupanotherofhisabusedrelatives;someforty-fifthcousin，whosemotherhehadfrozen，beaten，orstarvedtodeath！Andallthistopleasehisprodigal！
　　Ged！ifthatprodigalhadn’tpresentedhimselfthatmorning，I’dhavepickedup——er——some——er——reducedgentleman——Ged，thatknewhowtospendtheoldman’smoneytobetteradvantage。（Musing。）Ifthisschoolmistresswerebarelygood-looking，Star，——andshe’ssuretohavefiftythousandfromtheoldman，——Ged，youmightgetevenwithAlexander，sen。，forbetrothinghisprodigaltoDonaJovita，inspiteofthe——er——evidentpreferencethatthegirlshowedforyou。Capitalidea！Ifshe’snotpositivelyhideousI’lldoit！
　　Ged！I’llreconnoitrefirst！（Musing。）Icouldstandoneeye;
　　yes——er——singleeyewouldnotbepositivelyobjectionableinthe——
　　er——presentexperimentsofsciencetowardthe——er——thesubstitutionofglass。Redhair，Star，is——er——Venetian，——thebeautyofGiorgione。（Goesuptoschoolhousewindow，andlooksin。）Tooearly！Sevenemptybenches;sevendeskssplashedwithink。The——
　　er——rostrumoftheawfulMinervaempty，but——er——adornedwithflowers，nosegays——demnme！Andhere，hereonthe——er——verythreshold（lookingdown），floraltributes。The——er——conceitoftheseNewEnglandschoolma’ams，andtheir——er——evidentJesuiticalinfluenceovertheyoung，isfraught，sir，fraughtwith——er——darklypoliticalsignificance。Eh，Ged！there’sacaricatureontheblackboard。（Laughing。）Ha，ha！Absurdchalkoutlineofridiculousfatperson。Evidentlytheschoolma’am’sadmirer。Ged！
　　immenselyfunny！Ah！boyswillbeboys。Likeyou，Star，justlikeyou，——alwaysuptotrickslikethat。Asentencescrawledbelowthefigureseemstobe——er——explanation。Hem！（Takesouteyeglass。）
　　Let’ssee（reading。）"Thisisold"——old——er——old——demme，sir！——
　　"Starbottle！"Thisisinfamous。Ihaven’tbeenforty-eighthoursintheplace，andtomycertainknowledgehaven’tspokentoachild。Ged，sir，it’sthe——er——postingofalibel！Thewoman，the——er——female，whopermitsthiskindofthing，shouldbemaderesponsible——er——personallyresponsible。Eh，hush！Whathavewehere？（Retirestoledgeofrocks。）
　　EnterMISSMARYL。，readingletter。
　　MissMary。Strange！Isitalladream？No！herearethefamiliarrocks，thedistantsnow-peaks，theschoolhouse，thespringbelow。
　　AnhouragoIwasthepoorschoolmistressofRedGulch，withnoambitionnorhopebeyondthismountainwall;andnow——oh，itmustbeadream！Buthereistheletter。Certainlythisisnodelusion：itistooplain，formal，business-like。（Reads。）
　　MYDEARCOUSIN——IaddresstheonlysurvivingchildofmycousinMaryandherhusbandJohnMorris，bothdeceased。ItismydutyasaChristianrelativetoprovideyouwithahome——tosharewithyouthatwealthandthoseblessingsthatakindprovidencehasvouchsafedme。Iamawarethatmyconducttoyourfatherandmother，whileinmysinfulandunregeneratestate，isnowarranteeformypresentpromise;butmylegaladviser，Col。Starbottle，whoisempoweredtotreatwithyou，willassureyouofthesincerityofmyintention，andmylegalabilitytoperformit。Hewillconductyoutomyhouse;youwillshareitsroofwithmeandmyprodigalsonAlexander，nowbythegraceofGodrestored，andmindfuloftheerrorofhisways。Iencloseadraftforonethousanddollars：ifyourequiremore，drawuponmeforthesame。
　　Yourcousin，ALEXANDERMORTON，SEN。
　　Mymother’scousin——so！CousinAlexander！arichman，andreunitedtothesonhedroveintoshamefulexile。Well！wewillseethisconfidentiallawyer;anduntilthen——untilthen——why，wearetheschoolmistressofRedGulch，andresponsibleforitsyouthfulprodigals。（Goingtoschoolhousedoor。）
　　MissMary（stoppingtoexamineflowers）。Poor，poorSandy！
　　Anotheroffering，and，ashefondlybelieves，unknownandanonymous！Asifhewerenotvisibleineverypetalandleaf！
　　Themariposablossomoftheplain。ThesnowflowerIlongedfor，fromthosecoolsnowdriftsbeyondtheridge。AndIreallybelievehewassoberwhenhearrangedthem。Poorfellow！Ibegintothinkthatthedissipatedportionofthiscommunityarethemostinteresting。Ah！someonebehindtherock，——Sandy，I’llwager。
　　No！astranger！
　　Col。Starbottle（aside，andadvancing）。IfIcouldmakeherthinkIleftthoseflowers！（Aloud。）WhenIstatethat——er——Iamperhaps——er——stranger——
　　MissMary（interruptinghimcoldly）。Youexplain，sir，yourappearanceonaspotwhichtherudecourtesyofeventhisrudeminer’scamphaspreservedfromintrusion。
　　Starbottle（slightlyabashed，butrecoveringhimself）。Yes——Ged！——
　　thatis，I——er——sawyouadmiring——er——tribute——er——humbletributeofflowers。Iammyselfpassionatelydevotedtoflowers。Ged！
　　I’vespenthours——in——er——bendingoverthe——er——gracefulsunflower，in——er——pluckingthetimidvioletfromtheoverhangingbutreluctantbough，incollectingthe——er——er——fauna——Imeanthe——er——
　　flora——ofthis——er——district。
　　MissMary（whohasbeenregardinghimintently）。Permitmetoleaveyouinuninterruptedadmirationofthem。（Handinghimflowers。）Youwillhaveampletimeinyourjourneydownthegulchtoindulgeyourcuriosity！
　　HandsSTARBOTTLEflowers，entersschoolhouse，andquietlyclosesdooronSTARBOTTLEasSANDYMORTONenterscautiouslyandsheepishlyfromleft。SANDYstopsinastonishmentonobservingSTARBOTTLE，andremainsbywingleft。
　　Starbottle（smellingflowers，andnotnoticingMISSMARY’Sabsence）。
　　Beautiful——er——exquisite。（Lookingupatcloseddoor。）Ged！Mostextraordinarydisappearance！（Looksaround，anddiscoversSANDY;
　　examineshimforamomentthroughhiseyeglass，andthen，afterapause，inflateshischest，turnshisbackonSANDY，andadvancestoschoolhousedoor。SANDYcomesquickly，and，asSTARBOTTLEraiseshiscanetorapondoor，seizeshisarm。Bothmen，regardingeachotherfixedly，holdingeachother，retreatslowlyandcautiouslytocentre。ThenSTARBOTTLEdisengageshisarm。）
　　Sandy（embarrassedlybutdeterminedly）。Lookyer，stranger。Bytherulesofthiscamp，thisplaceissacredtotheschoolma’amandherchildren。
　　Starbottle（withloftyseverity）。Itis！Then——er——permitmetoask，sir，whatYOUaredoinghere。
　　Sandy（embarrassed，anddroppinghisheadinconfusion）。Iwas——
　　passing。Thereisnoschoolto-day。
　　Starbottle。Then，sir，Ged！permitmeto——er——DEMAND——DEMAND，sir——
　　anapology。Youhavelaid，sir，yourhanduponmyperson——demnme！Notthefirsttime，sir，either;for，ifIamnotmistaken，youarethe——er——inebriatedmenial，sir，whotwomonthsagojostledme，sir，——demnme，——asIenteredtheranchoofmyfriendDonJoseCastro。
　　Sandy（starting，aside）。DonJose！（Aloud。）Hush，hush！Shewillhearyou。No——thatis——（stops，confusedandembarrassed。
　　Aside。）Shewillhearofmydisgrace。Hewilltellherthewholestory。
　　Starbottle。Ishallawaityourapologyonehour。Attheendofthattime，ifitisnotforthcoming，Ishall——er——er——waiveyourmenialantecedents，andexpectthe——er——satisfactionofagentleman。Good-morning，sir。（Turnstoschoolhouse。）
　　Sandy。No，no：youshallnotgo！
　　Starbottle。Whowillpreventme？
　　Sandy（grapplinghim）。Iwill。（Appealingly。）Lookyer，stranger，don’tprovokeme，I，adesperateman，desperateandcrazedwithdrink，——don’tye，don’tyedoit！ForGod’ssake，takeyourhandsoffme！Yedon’tknowwhatyedo。Ah！（Wildly，holdingSTARBOTTLEfirmly，andforcinghimbackwardtoprecipicebeyondledgeofrocks。）Hearme。Threeyearsago，inamomentlikethis，Idraggedaman——myfriend——tothisprecipice。I——I——
　　no！no！——don’tangermenow！（Sandy’sgriponSTARBOTTLErelaxesslightly，andhisheaddroops。）
　　Starbottle（coolly）。Permitmetoremark，sir，thatanyreminiscenceofyour——er——friend——oranyothermanis——er——atthismoment，irrelevantandimpertinent。Permitmetopointoutthe——er——fact，sir，thatyourhandispressingheavily，demnedheavily，onmyshoulder。
　　Sandy（fiercely）。Youshallnotgo！
　　Starbottle（fiercely）。Shallnot？
　　Struggle。STARBOTTLEdrawsderringerfromhisbreast-pocket，andSANDYseizeshisarm。Inthispositionbothpartiesstruggletoledgeofrocks，andCOL。STARBOTTLEisforcedpartlyover。
　　MissMary（openingschoolhousedoor）。IthoughtIheardvoices。
　　（Lookingtowardledgeofrocks，whereCOL。STARBOTTLEandSANDYarepartlyhiddenbytrees。BothmenrelaxgraspofeachotheratMISS
　　MARY’Svoice。）
　　Col。Starbottle（aloudandwithvoiceslightlyraised，toSANDY）。
　　By——er——leaningoverthiswayamoment，asinglemoment，youwill——
　　er——perceivethetrailIspeakof。Itfollowsthecanyontotheright。Itwillbringyouto——er——thesettlementinanhour。（ToMISSMARY，asifobservingherforthefirsttime。）IbelieveI
　　am——er——right;but，being——er——morefamiliarwiththelocality，youcandirectthegentlemanbetter。
　　SANDYslowlysinksonhiskneesbesiderock，withhisfaceavertedfromschoolhouse，asCOL。STARBOTTLEdisengageshimself，andadvancesjauntilyandgallantlytoschoolhouse。
　　Col。Starbottle。In——er——er——showingthestrangerthe——er——way，I
　　perhapsinterruptedourinterview。The——er——observancesof——er——
　　civilityandhumanitymustnotbeforegone，evenfor——er——theladies。I——er——believeIaddressMissMaryMorris。WhenI——er——
　　statethatmynameisCol。Starbottle，chargedonmissionof——er——
　　delicatenature，IbelieveI——er——explainMYintrusion。
　　MISSMARYbows，andmotionstoschoolhousedoor;COL。STARBOTTLE，bowingdeeply，enters;butMISSMARYremainsstandingbydoor，lookingtowardtreesthathideSANDY。
　　MissMary（aside）。IamsureitwasSandy’svoice！Butwhydoesheconcealhimself？
　　Sandy（aside，risingslowlytohisfeet，withhisbacktoschoolhousedoor）。Eventhisconceitedbullyovercomesme，andshamesmewithhisreadinessandtact。Hewasquicktospareher——
　　astranger——thespectacleoftwoangrymen。I——I——mustneedswranglebeforeherverydoor！Well，well！betteroutofhersightforever，thananobjectofpityorterror。[Exitslowly，andwithdowncasteyes，right。
　　MissMary（watchingthetrail）。ItWASSandy！andthisconcealmentmeanssomethingmorethanbashfulness。Perhapsthestrangercanexplain。
　　[Entersschoolhouse，andclosesdoor。
　　SCENE2。——Thesame。EnterCONCHO，lame，cautiously，fromR。
　　PausesatR。，andthenbeckonstoHOPSING，whofollowsR。
　　Concho（impatiently）。Well！yousawhim？
　　HopSing。Meseehim。
　　Concho。Andyourecognizedhim？
　　HopSing。Noshabelikoquize。
　　Concho（furiously）。Youknewhim，eh？Carramba！YouKNEWhim。
　　HopSing（slowlyandsententiously）。MeshabemanyoucalleeDiego。MeshabbeeLedGulcheecallSandy。MeshabbeemanPokerFlatcalleeAlexandleeMolton。Alleesame，John！Alleesame！
　　Concho（rubbinghishands）。Bueno！GoodJohn！goodJohn！AndyouknewhewascalledAlexanderMorton？Andgoon——goodJohn——goon！
　　HopSing。Meplenteewasheeshirtee——MelicanmanPokerFlat。MeplenteewasheeshirtAlexandleeMolton。Alwayslitee，liteeonshirtalleetime。（Pointingtotailofhisblouse，andimitatingwritingwithfinger。）AlexandleeMolton。Melicanmantelleeme——
　　shirtsayAlexandleeMolton——shabbee？
　　Concho。Bueno！ExcellentJohn。GoodJohn。HislinenmarkedAlexanderMorton。Theproofsaregathering！（crossestoC。）——theletterIfoundinhispack，addressedtoAlexanderMorton，PokerFlat，whichfirstputmeonhistrack;thestoryofhiswife’sinfidelity，andherflightwithhispartnertoredGulch，thequarrelandfightthatseparatedthem，hisflighttoSanJose，hiswanderingstothemissionofSanCarmel，totheranchooftheHolyFisherman。Therecordiscomplete！
　　HopSing。AlexandleeMolton——
　　Concho（hurriedlyreturningtoHOPSING）。Yes！goodJohn;yes，goodJohn——goon。AlexanderMorton——
　　HopSing。AlexandleeMolton。Mewasheeshirt，AlexandleeMolton;
　　henopaywashee。Mewasheeflowtydozenhep——fourbittiedozen——
　　twentydollarhep。AlexandleeMoltonnopayee。Hesay，"Gotohellee！"Youpayme（extendinghishand）。
　　Concho。Car——！（checkinghimself）。Pocotiempo，John！Ingoodtime，John。Fortydollar——yes。Fiftydollar！Tomorrow，John。
　　HopSing。Menolikee"to-mollow！"Menolikee"nextime，John！"
　　AlleetimeMelicanmansay，"Chalkeeup，John，""Nosmalleechange，John，"——umph。Plentyfooleeme！
　　Concho。Youshallhaveyourmoney，John;butgonow——youcomprehend。Carramba！go！（PushesHOPSINGtowing。）
　　HopSing（expostulating）。Flowtydozen，hep，John！twentydollar，John。Sabe。Flowty——twenty——（gesticulatingwithfingers）。
　　[ExitHOPSING，pushedoffbyCONCHO。
　　Concho。Thepagandolt！Butheisimportant。Ah，ifhewerewiser，Ishouldnotridmyselfofhimsoquickly！Andnowfortheschoolmistress，——thesweetheartofSandy。Ifthesemenhavenotlied，heisinlovewithher;and，ifheis，hehastoldherhissecretbeforenow;andshewillbeswifttourgehimtohisrights。
　　Ifhehasnottoldher——umph！（laughing）itwillnotbeaDAY——anHOUR——beforeshewillfindoutifherloverisAlexanderMorton，therichman’sson，or"Sandy，"theunknownvagabond。Eh，friendSandy！Itwasawomanthatlockedupyoursecret：itshallbeawoman，MadrediDios！whoshallunlockit。Ha！（Goestodoorofschoolhouseasdooropens，andappearsCOL。STARBOTTLE。）
　　Concho（aside）。Athousanddevils！thelawyeroftheoldmanMorton。（Aloud。）Pardon，pardon！Iamastranger。Ihavelostmywayonthemountain。Iamseekingatrail。Senor，pardon！
　　Starbottle（aside）。Anothermanseekingtheroad！Ged，Ibelievehe’slyingtoo。（Aloud。）Itisbeforeyou，sir，DOWN，——downthemountain。
　　Concho。Athousandthanks，senor。（Aside。）Perditioncatchhim！
　　（Aloud。）Thanks，senor。[ExitR。
　　Starbottle。Ged，I’veseenthatfacebefore。Ged，it’sCastro’smajor-domo。Demnme，butIbelieveallhisdomesticshavefalleninlovewiththeprettyschoolma’am。
　　EnterMISSMARYfromschoolhouse。
　　MissMary（slowlyrefoldingletter）。Youareaware，then，ofthecontentsofthisnote;andyouarethefriendofAlexanderMorton，sen。？
　　Col。Starbottle。Permitmeamoment，asinglemoment，to——er——er——
　　explain。IamMr。Morton’slegaladviser。Thereis——er——senseof——
　　er——responsibility，——er——personalresponsibility，abouttheterm"friend，"thatatthe——er——er——presentmomentIamnot——er——
　　preparedtoassume。Thesubstanceoftheletterisbeforeyou。I
　　amhereto——er——expressitsspirit。Iamhere（withgreatgallantry）toexpressthe——er——yearningsofcousinlyaffection。I
　　amaware——er——thatOURconduct，——ifImayusethe——er——thepluralofadvocacy，——Iamawarethat——er——OURconducthasnotinthepastyearsbeenof——er——er——exemplarycharacter。Iamawarethatthe——
　　er——deathofourlamentedcousin，yoursaintedmother，was——er——
　　hastened——Imay——er——say——pre——cip——itated——byour——er——indiscretionButwearehereto——er——confessjudgment——with——er——er——costs。
　　MissMary（interrupting）。Inotherwords，yourclient，mycousin，havingruinedmyfather，havingturnedhisownwidowedrelationoutofdoors，andsentme，herdaughter，amongstrangerstoearnherbread;havingseenmymothersinkanddieinherstruggletokeepherfamilyfromwant，——thismannowseekstocondonehisoffences——
　　pardonme，sir，ifIuseyourownlegalphraseology——byofferingmeahome;bygivingmepartofhisill-gottenwealth，theassociationofhisownhypocriticalself，andthecompanyofhisshameless，profligateson——
　　Starbottle（interrupting）。Amoment，MissMorris，——asinglemoment！Theepithetsyouhaveused，the——er——vigorouscharacterizationofour——er——conduct，is——er——withinthe——er——
　　strictrulesoflegaladvocacy，correct。Weare——er——rascals！weare——er——scoundrels！weare——er——well，Iamnot——er——preparedtosaythatwearenot——er——demnme——hypocrites！Buttheyoungmanyouspeakof——ourson，whosepastlife（speakingasCol。Starbottle）
　　noonemoresincerelydeprecatesthanmyself，——thatyoungmanhasreformed;hasbeenforthepastfewmonthsamiracleofsobriety，decorum，andindustry;hastaken，thankstotheexampleof——er——
　　friends，apositionofintegrityinhisfather’sbusiness，offilialobedienceinhisfather’shousehold;is，inshort，aparagon;and，demnme，Idoubtifhe’shisfather’sson。
　　MissMary。Enough，sir！Youarewaitingformyanswer。Thereisnoreasonwhyitshouldnotbeasprecise，asbrief，andasformalasyourmessage。Gotomycousin;saythatyousawthepersonheclaimsashisrelation;saythatyoufoundher，apoorschoolmistress，inarudeminingcamp，dependentforherbreadonthescantearningsofalreadyimpoverishedmen，dependentforherhonorontherudechivalryofoutcastsandvagabonds;andsaythatthenandtheresherepudiatedyourkinship，andrespectfullydeclinedyourinvitation。
　　Starbottle（aside）。Ged！Star！thisisthe——er——femaleofyourspecies！Thisisthewoman——the——er——onewoman——forwhomyouareresponsible，sir！——personallyresponsible！
　　MissMary（coldly）。Youhavemyanswer，sir。
　　Col。Starbottle。Permitme——er——singlemoment，——asinglemoment！
　　Betweentheer——presentmoment，andthatofmydeparture——thereisan——er——intervaloftwelvehours。MayI，atthecloseofthatinterval——againpresentmyself——withoutprejudice，foryourfinalanswer？
　　MissMary（indifferently）。Asyouwill，sir。Ishallbehere。
　　Col。Starbottle。Permitme。（Takesherhandgallantly。）Yourconductandmanner，MissMorris，remindme——er——singularly——of——erbeautifulcreature——oneofthe——er——firstfamilies。（ObservingMISS
　　MARYregardinghimamusedly，becomesembarrassed。）Thatis——er——I
　　mean——er——er——goodmorning，MissMorris！（Passesbyschoolhousedoor，retreatingandbowing，andpicksupflowersfromdoor-step。）
　　Goodmorning！
　　MissMary。Excuseme，Col。Starbottle（withwinningpoliteness），butIfearImustrobyouofthoseflowers。Irecognizethemnowastheofferingofoneofmypupils。IfearImustrevokemygift（takingflowersfromastonishedcolonel’shand），allexceptasingleoneforyourbuttonhole。Haveyouanychoice，orshallI
　　（archly）chooseforyou？Thenitshallbethis。（Beginstoplaceflowersinbuttonhole，COL。STARBOTTLEexhibitingextravagantgratitudeindumbshow。BusinessprolongedthroughMISSMARY’sspeech。）IfIamnotwrong，colonel，thegentlemantowhomyousokindlypointedouttheroadthismorningwasnotastrangertoyou。
　　Ah！Iamright。There，onemoment，——asprigofgreen，asingleleaf，wouldsetoffthepinknicely。Hereheisknownonlyas"Sandy"：youknowtheabsurdhabitsofthiscamp。Ofcoursehehasanothername。There！（releasingthecolonel）itismuchprettiernow。
　　Col。Starbottle。Ged，madam！Therarestexotic——theVictoriaRegina——isnotas——er——graceful——er——tribute！
　　MissMary。Andyetyourefusetosatisfymycuriosity？
　　Col。Starbottle（withgreatembarrassment，whichatlastresolvesitselfintoincreaseddignityofmanner）。Whatyouaskis——er——er——
　　impossible！Youareright：the——er——gentlemanyoualludetoisknowntomeunder——er——er——anothername。Buthonor——MissMorris，honor！——sealsthelipsofCol。Starbottle。（Aside。）Ifsheshouldknowhewasamenial！No。Thepositionofthemanyouhavechallenged，Star，mustbeequaltoyourown。（Aloud。）Anything，MissMorris，but——er——that！
　　MissMary（smiling）。Beitso。Adios，Col。Starbottle。
　　Col。Starbottle（gallantly）。Aurevoir，MissMorris。[Exit，impressively，L。
　　MissMary。So！Sandyconcealsanothername，whichhewithholdsfromRedGulch。Well！Pshaw！Whatisthattome？Thecampismadeupofrefugees，——menwhoperhapshavegoodreasontohideanamethatmaybeinfamous，thenamethatwouldpublishacrime。
　　Nonsense！CrimeandSandy！No，shameandguiltdonothidethemselvesinthosehonestbutoccasionallysomewhatbloodshoteyes。Besides，goodnessknows！thepoorfellow’sweaknessispalpableenough。No，thatisnotthereason。Itisnoguiltthatkeepshisnamehidden，——atleast，nothis。（Seatingherself，andarrangingflowersinherlap。）PoorSandy！hemusthaveclimbedtheeasternsummittogetthis。See，therosysunrisestilllingersinitsverypetals;thedewisfreshuponit。Dearlittlemountainbaby！Ireallybelievethatfellowgotupbeforedaylight，toclimbthatgiddyheightandsecureitsvirginfreshness。Andtothink，inamomentofspite，I’dhavegivenittothatbombasticwarrior！（Pause。）Thatwasafineofferyourefusedjustnow，MissMary。Thinkofit：ahomeofluxury，apositionofassuredrespectandhomage;thelifeIonceled，withallitsdifficultiessmoothedaway，itsuncertaintydispelled，——
　　thinkofit！Mypoormother’sdreamfulfilled，——I，herdaughter，themistressofaffluence，thequeenofsocialpower！Whatatemptation！Ah，MissMary，WASitatemptation？Wastherenothinginyourfreelifeherethatstiffenedyourcourage，thatsteeledtheadamantofyourrefusal？orwasitonlythememoryofyourmother’swrongs？Luxuryandwealth！Couldyoucommandadwellingmorecharmingthanthis？Positionandrespect！IsnottheawfuladmirationoftheselawlessmenmorefascinatingthantheperilousflatteryofgentlemenlikeCol。Starbottle？isnotthedevotionoftheseoutcastsmorecomplimentarythanthelip-serviceofperfumedgallantry？（Pause。）It’sveryoddhedoesn’tcome。Iwonderifthatconceitedoldfoolsaidanythingtohim。（Rises，andthenseatsherself，smiling。）HeHASCOME。Heisdodginginandoutofthemanganitabushesbelowthespring。Isupposeheimaginesmyvisitorstillhere。Thebashfulfool！Ifanybodyshouldseehim，itwouldbeenoughtomakeapettyscandal！I’llgivehimatalking-to。（Pause。）Iwonderiftheridiculousfoolhasgonetosleepinthosebushes。（Rises。）Well，lethim：itwillhelphimtorecoverhissensesfromlastnight’sdissipation;andyou，MissMary，itishightimeyouwerepreparingthelessonsforto-morrow。
　　（Goestoschoolhouse，entersdoor，andslamsitbehindher;afteramomentreappearswithemptybucket。）Ofcoursethere’snowater，andIamdyingofthirst。（Goesslowlytoleft，andpausesembarrassedlyandbashfully，presentlylaughs，——thensuddenlyfrowns，andassumesanappearanceofindignation。）MissMaryMorris，haveyoubecomesuchanegregiousfoolthatyoudarenotsatisfytheordinarycravingsofhumannature，justbecauseanidle，dissipated，bashfulblockhead——nonsense！[Exit，brandishingpail。
　　SCENE3。——TheSame。
　　（Apause。SANDY’Svoice，without。）Thisway，miss：thetrailiseasier。
　　（MISSMARY’Svoice，without。）Nevermindme;lookafterthebucket。
　　EnterSANDY，carryingbucketwithwater，followedbyMISSMARY。
　　SANDYsetsbucketdown。
　　MissMary。There，you’vespilthalfofit。Ifithadbeenwhiskey，you’dhavebeenmorecareful。
　　Sandy（submissively）。Yes，miss。
　　MissMary（aside）。"Yes，miss！"Themanwilldrivemecrazywithhissaccharineimbecility。（Aloud。）Ibelieveyouwouldassenttoanything，evenifIsaidyouwere——animpostor！
　　Sandy（amazedly）。Animpostor，MissMary？
　　MissMary。Well，Idon’tknowwhatothertermyouuseinRedGulchtoexpressamanwhoconcealshisrealnameunderanother。
　　Sandy（embarrassed，butfacingMISSMARY）。Hasanybodybeentellin’yeIwasanimpostor，miss？HasthetdernedoldfoolthatIsawyewith——
　　MissMary。"Thatoldfool，"asyoucallhim，wastoohonorableagentlemantodiscloseyoursecret，andtooloyalafriendtotraduceyoubyanepithet。Fearnothing，Mr。"Sandy"：ifyouhavelimitedyourconfidencetoONEfriend，ithasnotbeenmisplaced。
　　But，dearme，don’tthinkIwishtopenetrateyoursecret。No。
　　ThelittleIlearnedwasaccidental。Besides，hisbusinesswaswithme：perhaps，ashisfriend，youalreadyknowit。
　　Sandy（meekly）。Perhaps，miss，hewastoohonorableagentlemantodiscloseYOURsecret。Hisbusinesswaswithme。
　　MissMary（aside）。Hehastakenaleafoutofmybook！Heisnotsostupid，afterall。（Aloud。）Ihavenosecret。Col。Starbottlecameheretomakemeanoffer。
　　Sandy（recoiling）。Anoffer！
　　MissMary。Ofahomeandindependence。（Aside。）Poorfellow！howpalehelooks！（Aloud。）Well，yousee，Iammoretrustfulthanyou。IwilltellyouMYsecret;andyoushallaidmewithyourcounsel。（Theysitonledgeofrocks。）Listen！Mymotherhadacousinonce，——acousincruel，cowardly，selfish，anddissolute。
　　Shelovedhim，aswomenareapttolovesuchmen，——lovedhimsothatshebeguiledherownhusbandtotrusthisfortunesinthehandsofthiswretchedprofligate。Thehusbandwasruined，disgraced。Thewifesoughthercousinforhelpforhernecessities。
　　Hemetherwithinsult，andproposedthatsheshouldflywithhim。
　　Sandy。Onemoment，miss：itwasn’thispardner——hispardner’swife——eh？
　　MissMary（impatiently）。Itwasthehelplesswifeofhisownblood，Itellyou。Thehusbanddiedbroken-hearted。Thewife，mymother，struggledinpoverty，undertheshadowofaproudname，togivemeaneducation，anddiedwhileIwasstillagirl。To-daythiscousin，——thismorethanmurdererofmyparents，——old，rich，self-satisfied，REFORMED，invitesme，byvirtueofthatkinshipheviolatedanddespised，tohishome，hiswealth，his——hisfamilyroof-tree！Themanyousawwashisagent。
　　Sandy。Andyou——
　　MissMary。Refused。
　　Sandy（passinghishandoverhisforehead）。Youdidwrong，MissMary。
　　MissMary。Wrong，sir？（Rising。）
　　Sandy（humblybutfirmly）。Sityedown，MissMary。Itain’tforyetothrowyourbrightyounglifeawayyerinthisplace。Itain’tforsuchasyetosoilyourfairyounghandsbyrakingintheashestostirupthedeadembersofafamilywrong。Itain’tforye——ye’llpardonme，MissMary，forsayin’it——itain’tforyetoallowwhenit’sTOOLATEfuramantoreform，ortogobackofhisreformation。Don’tyedoit，miss，furGod’ssake，——don’tyedoit！Harkin，MissMary。Ifye’lltakemyadvice——afool’sadvice，maybe——ye’llgo。AndwhenItellyethatthatadvice，ifyetakeit，willtakethesunshineoutofthesehills，thecoloroffthemtrees，thefreshnessouterthemflowers，theheart’s-bloodouterme，——ye’llknowthatIain’tthinkin’o’myself，butofye。AndI
　　wouldn’tsaythismuchtoye，MissMary;butyou’regoin’away。
　　There’saflower，miss，you’rewearin’inyourbosom，——aflowerI
　　pickedatdaybreakthismorning，fivemilesawayinthesnow。Thewindwasblowingchillaroundit，sothatmyhandsthatdugforitwerestiffandcold;buttherootswerewarm，MissMary，astheyarenowinyourbosom。Ye’llkeepthatflower，MissMary，inremembranceofmyloveforye，thatkeptwarmandblossomedthroughthesnow。And，don’tstart，MissMary，——forye’llleavebehindye，asIdid，thesnowandrocksthroughwhichitbloomed。Iaxesyourparding，miss：I’mhurtin’yerfeelin’s，sure。
　　MissMary（risingwithagitation）。Nothing，——nothing;butclimbingthesestupidrockshasmademegiddy：that’sall。Yourarm。（ToSANDYimpatiently）。Can’tyougivemeyourarm？（SANDYsupportsMISSMARYawkwardlytowardschoolhouse。AtdoorMISSMARYpauses。）
　　Butifreformationissoeasy，soacceptable，whyhaveyounotprofitedbyit？Whyhaveyounotreformed？WhyhaveIfoundyouhere，adisgraced，dissipated，anonymousoutcast，whomanhonestgirldarenotknow？Whydoyoupresumetopreachtome？Haveyouafather？
　　Sandy。Hush，MissMary，hush！Ihadafather。Harkin。Allthatyouhavesufferedfromakinshipevensofarremoved，Ihaveknownfromthehandsofonewhoshouldhaveprotectedme。MYfatherwas——
　　butnomatter。You，MissMary，cameoutofyourtrialslikegoldfromthewashing。Iwasonlythedirtandgraveltobethrownaway。Itistoolate，MissMary，toolate。Myfatherhasneversoughtme，wouldturnmefromhisdoorshadIsoughthim。Perhapsheisonlyright。
　　MissMary。Butwhyshouldhebesodifferentfromothers？Listen。
　　ThisverycousinwhoseofferIrefusedhadason，——wild，wayward，byallreportthemostdegradedofmen。Itwaspartofmycousin’sreformationtosavethisson，and，ifitwerepossible，snatchhimfromthatterriblefatewhichseemedtobehisonlyinheritance。
　　Sandy（eagerly）。Yes，miss。
　　MissMary。Torestorehimtoaregeneratedhome。WiththisideahefollowedhisprodigaltoCalifornia。I，youunderstand，wasonlyanafter-thoughtconsequentuponhissuccess。HecametoCaliforniauponthispilgrimagetwoyearsago。Hehadnorecollection，sotheytellme，bywhichhecouldrecognizethiserringson;andatfirsthissearchwaswild，profitless，andalmosthopeless。Butbydegrees，andwithapersistencythatseemedtoincreasewithhishopelessness，hewasrewardedbyfindingsomeclewtohimat——at——at——
　　Sandy（excitedly）。AtPokerFlat？
　　MissMary。Ah，perhapsyouknowthestory，——atPokerFlat。HetracedhimtotheMissionofSanCarmel。
　　Sandy。Yes，miss：goon。
　　MissMary。Hewasmoresuccessfulthanhedeserved，perhaps。Hefoundhim。Iseeyouknowthestory。
　　Sandy。Foundhim！Foundhim！Miss，didyousayfoundhim？
　　MissMary。Yes，foundhim。AndtodayAlexanderMorton，thereclaimedprodigal，ispartofthehouseholdIaminvitedtojoin。
　　Soyousee，Mr。Sandy，thereisstillhope。Whathashappenedtohimisonlyapromisetoyou。Eh！Mr。Sandy——whatisthematter？
　　Areyouill？Yourexertionthismorning，perhaps。Speaktome！
　　Graciousheavens，heisgoingmad！No！No！Yes——itcannotbe——itis——heHASbrokenhispromise：heisdrunkagain。
　　Sandy（rising，excitedandconfused）。Excuseme，miss，IamalittleonsartainHERE（pointingtohishead）。Ican’t——I
　　disremember——whatyousaidjus’now：yementionedthenameo’thatprodigalthatwasfound。
　　MissMary。Certainly：composeyourself，——mycousin’sson，AlexanderMorton。Listen，Sandy，youpromisedME，youknow，yousaidforMYsakeyouwouldnottouchadrop。（EntercautiouslytowardschoolhousetheDUCHESS，stopsonobservingSANDY，andhidesbehindrock。）
　　Sandy（stillbewilderedandincoherent）。Ireckon。Harkin，miss，isthattharthing（pointingtowardsrockwhereDUCHESSisconcealed）——isthatatree，or——or——awoman？Isitsortermovin’
　　thisway？
　　MissMary（layingherhandonSANDY’S）。Recoveryoursenses，forHeaven’ssake，Sandy，——forMYsake！Itisonlyatree。
　　Sandy（rising）。Then，miss，I’vebrokemywordwithye：I’mdrunk。
　　P’r’apsI’dbetterbea-goin’（lookingroundconfusedly）tillI’msober。（GoingtowardL。）
　　MissMary（seizinghishand）。Butyou’llseemeagain，Sandy：
　　you’llcomehere——before——before——Igo？
　　Sandy。Yes，miss，——beforeyego。（StaggersstupidlytowardL。
　　Aside。）Foundhim！foundAlexanderMorton！It’sathirdtime，Sandy，thethirdtime：itmeans——itmeans——you’remad！（Laughswildly，andexitL。）
　　MissMary（springingtoherfeet）。Thereisamysterybehindallthis，MaryMorris，thatyou——you——mustdiscover。ThatmanwasNOT
　　drunk：heHADNOTbrokenhispromisetome。Whatdoesitallmean？
　　Ihaveit。IwillaccepttheofferofthisAlexanderMorton。I
　　willtellhimthestoryofthishelplessman，thispoor，poor，recklessSandy。Withthestoryofhisownsonbeforehiseyes，hecannotbutinteresthimselfinhisfate。Heisrich：hewillaidmeinmysearchforSandy’sfather，forSandy’ssecret。Attheworst，Icanonlyfollowtheadviceofthiswretchedman，——anadvicesogenerous，sokind，soself-sacrificing。Ah——
　　SCENE4。——Thesame。EntertheDUCHESS，showilyandextravagantlydressed。Hermanneratfirstisamixtureofalternateshynessandbravado。
　　TheDuchess。Iheerdtellthatyouwasgoin’downto’Friscoto-
　　morrow，foryourvacation;andIcouldn’tletyegotillIcametothankyeforyourkindnesstomyboy，——littleTommy。
　　MissMary（aside。Risingabstractedly，andrecallingherselfwithaneffort）。Isee，——apooroutcast，themotherofmyanonymouspupil。（Aloud。）Tommy！agoodboy，——adear，goodlittleboy。
　　Duchess。Thankee，miss，thankee。IfIamhismother，tharain’tasweeter，dearer，betterboylivesthanhim。And，ifIain’tmuchassaysit，tharain’tasweeter，dearer，angelerteacherthanhe’sgot。Itain’tforyoutobecomplimentedbyme，miss;itain’tforsuchasmetobecomin’hereinbroaddaytodoit，either;butI
　　cometoaskafavor，——notforme，miss，butforthedarlingboy。
　　MissMary（aside——abstractedly）。Thispoor，degradedcreaturewillkillmewithherwearyinggratitude。Sandywillnotreturn，ofcourse，whilesheishere。（Aloud。）Goon。IfIcanhelpyouoryours，beassuredIwill。
　　TheDuchess。Thankee，miss。Yousee，thar’snoonetheboyhasanyclaimonbutme，andIain’ttheproperpersontobringhimup。
　　Ididallowtosendhimto’Frisco，lastyear;butwhenIheerdtalkthataschoolma’amwascomin’up，andyoudid，andhesortertuktoyenatrilfromthefirst，IguessIdidwelltokeephimyer。For，oh，miss，helovesyesomuch;and，ifyoucouldhearhimtalkinhispurtyway，yewouldn’trefusehimanything。
　　MissMary（withfatiguedpoliteness，andincreasingimpatience）。I
　　see，Isee：praygoon。
　　TheDuchess（withquietpersistency）。It’snatrilheshouldtaketoye，miss;forhisfather，whenIfirstknowedhim，miss，wasagentlemanlikeyourself;andtheboymustforgetmesoonerorlater——andIain’tgoin’tocryaboutTHAT。
　　MissMary（impatiently）。PraytellmehowIcanserveyou。
　　TheDuchess。Yes，miss;yousee，IcametoaskyoutotakemyTommy，——Godblesshimforthesweetest，bestestboythatlives！——totakehimwithyou。I’vemoneyplenty;andit’sallyoursandhis。
　　Puthiminsomegoodschool，wharyekingoandsee，andsorterhelphimto——forget——-hismother。Dowithhimwhatyoulike。Theworstyoucandowillbekindnesstowhathewouldlearnwithme。
　　Youwill：Iknowyouwill;won’tyou？Youwillmakehimaspureandasgoodasyourself;andwhenhehasgrownup，andisagentleman，youwilltellhimhisfather’sname，——thenamethathasn’tpassedmylipsforyears，——thenameofAlexanderMorton。
　　MissMary（aside）。AlexanderMorton！Theprodigal！Ah，Isee，——
　　theungatheredhusksofhisidleharvest。
　　TheDuchess。Youhesitate，MissMary。（Seizingher。）Donottakeyourhandaway。Youaresmiling。Godblessyou！Iknowyouwilltakemyboy。Speaktome，MissMary。
　　MissMary（aloud）。Iwilltakeyourchild。Morethanthat，Iwilltakehimtohisfather。
　　TheDuchess。No，no！forGod’ssake，no，MissMary！Hehasneverseenhimfromhisbirth：hedoesnotknowhim。Hewilldisownhim。
　　Hewillcursehim，——willcurseme！
　　MissMary。Whyshouldhe？Surelyhiscrimeisworsethanyours。
　　TheDuchess。Hearme，MissMary。（Aside。）HowcanItellher？
　　（Aloud。）Onemoment，miss。Iwasonce——yemaynotbelieveit，miss——asgood，aspure，asyou。Ihadahusband，thefatherofthischild。Hewaskind，good，easy，forgiving，——toogoodforme，miss，toosimpleandunsuspecting。Hewaswhattheworldcallsafool，miss：helovedmetoowell，——thekindo’crime，miss，——
　　beggin’yourpardon，andallpreceptstothecontrairy，——theonethingthatwomenlikemeneverforgives。Hehadapardner，miss，thatgovernedhimasHEnevergovernedme;thatheldhimwiththestrongerwill，andmaybeMEtoo。Iwasyoung，miss，——noolderthanyourselfthen;andIranawaywithhim，——leftall，andranawaywithmyhusband’spardner。Myhusband——nat’rally——tooktodrink。
　　Iaxesyourpardin’，miss;butye’llseenow，allowin’yourlarnin’，thatAlexanderMortonain’tthemanaswilltakemychild。
　　MissMary。Nonsense。Youarewrong。Hehasreformed;hehasbeenrestoredtohishome，——yourchild’shome，yourhomeifyouwillbutclaimit。Donotfear：Iwillmakethatright。
　　EnterSANDYslowlyandsheepishly，R。;stopsonobservingtheDuchess，andstandsamazedandmotionless。
　　MissMary（observingSANDY——aside）。HeHASreturned。Poorfellow！
　　HowshallIgetridofthiswoman？（Aloud。）Enough。Ifyouaresincere，Iwilltakeyourchild，and，Godhelpme！bringhimtohishomeandyours。Areyousatisfied？
　　TheDuchess。Thankye！Thankye，miss;but——butthar’samistakesomewhar。Incourse——it’snatural——yedon’tknowthefatherofthatchild，myboyTommy，underthenameo’AlexanderMorton。
　　Ye’rethinking，likeasnot，ofanotherman。ThemanImeanlivesyer，inthiscamp：theycallshimSandy，miss，——SANDY！
　　MissMary（afterapause，comingforwardpassionately）。Hush！I
　　havegivenyoumyanswer，beitAlexanderMortonorSandy。Gonow：
　　bringmethechildthiseveningatmyhouse。Iwillmeetyouthere。（LeadstheDUCHESStowing。TheDUCHESSendeavorstofallatherfeet。）
　　TheDuchess。Godblessyou，miss！
　　MissMary（hurriedlyembracingher）。Nomore，nomore——butgo！
　　[ExitDUCHESS。MISSMARYreturnshurriedlytocentre，confrontingSANDY。
　　MissMary（toSANDY，hurriedlyandexcitedly）。Youhaveheardwhatthatwomansaid。Idonotaskyouunderwhataliasyouareknownhere：Ionlyaskasinglequestion。——IsSHEyourwife？areyouthefatherofherchild？
　　Sandy（sinkinguponhiskneesbeforeher，andcoveringhisfacewithhishands）。Iam！
　　MissMary。Enough！（Takingflowerfromherbosom。）Here，Igiveyoubackthefloweryougavemethismorning。Ithasfadedanddiedhereuponmybreast。ButIshallreplaceitwithyourfoundling，——thechildofthatwoman，bornlikethatflowerinthesnow！AndIgonow，Sandy，andleavebehindme，asyousaidthismorning，thesnowandrocksinwhichitbloomed。Good-by！
　　Farewell，farewell——forever！（Goestowardschoolhouseas——
　　EnterCOL。STARBOTTLE。
　　MissMary（toSTARBOTTLE）。Youarehereinseason，sir。Youmusthavecomeforananswertoyourquestion。Youmustfirstgivemeonetomine。Whoisthisman（pointingtoSANDY），themanyoumetupontherocksthismorning？
　　Col。Starbottle。Ahem！Iam——er——nowfullypreparedandresponsible，Imaysay，miss——er——personallyresponsible，toanswerthatquestion。Whenyouaskeditthismorning，theordinarycourtesyofthe——er——codeofhonorthrewa——er——cloakaroundthe——
　　er——antecedentsofthe——er——manwhomIhad——er——electedbyademandforpersonalsatisfaction，totheequalityofmyself，an——er——
　　gentleman！That——er——cloakisnowremoved。Ihavewaitedsixhoursforanapologyora——er——replytomydemand。Iamnowfreetoconfessthatthe——er——personyoualludetowasfirstknownbyme，threemonthsago，asaninebriatedmenial，——agroominthehouseholdofmyfriendDonJoseCastro，——bythe——er——simplenameof"Diego。"
　　MissMary（slowly）。Iamsatisfied。Iacceptmycousin’sinvitation。
　　[Exitslowly，supportedbyCOL。STARBOTTLE，R。
　　AsSTARBOTTLEandMISSMARYexeuntR。，CONCHOandHOPSINGentercautiously，L。SANDYslowlyrisestohisfeet，passeshishandacrosshisforehead，looksaroundtowardexitofSTARBOTTLEandMISSMARY。
　　Sandy（slowly，butwithmorecalmnessofdemeanor）。Gone，gone——
　　forever！No：Iamnotmad，norcrazedwithdrink。Myhandsnolongertremble。Thereisnoconfusionhere。（Feelinghisforehead）。Iheardthemall。Itwasnodream。Iheardhereveryword。AlexanderMorton，yes，theyspokeofAlexanderMorton。Sheisgoingtohim，tomyfather。Sheisgoing——she，Mary，mycousin——
　　sheisgoingtomyfather。Hehasbeenseekingme——hasfound——ah！
　　（Groans。）No，no，Sandy！Bepatient，becalm：youarenotcrazy——
　　no，no，goodSandy，goodoldboy！Bepatient，bepatient：itiscoming，itiscoming。Yes，Isee：someonehasleapedintomyplace;someonehasleapedintotheoldman’sarms。SomeonewillcreepintoHERheart！No！byGod！No！IamAlexanderMorton。
　　Yes，yes！Buthow，howshallIproveit？——how？Who（CONCHOstepscautiouslyforwardtowardsSANDYunobserved）willbelievethevagabond，theoutcast——myGod！——thecrazydrunkard？
　　Concho（advancing，andlayinghishandonSANDY）。Iwill！
　　Sandy（staggeringbackamazedly）。You！
　　Concho。Yes，——I，I，——Concho！Youknowme，Diego，youknowme，——
　　Concho，themajor-domooftheBlessedInnocents。Ha！Youknowmenow。Yes，Ihavecometosaveyou。Ihavecometomakeyoustrong。So——IhavecometohelpyoustriptheJudasthathassteppedintoyourplace，——theshamprodigalthathashadthefattedcalfandthering，——ah！ah！
　　Sandy。You？Youdonotknowme！
　　Concho。Ah！youthink，youthink，eh？Listen：SinceyouleftI
　　havetrackedHIM——THEIMPOSTOR，thisJudas，thiscoyote——stepbystep，untilhistrackscrossedyours;andthenIsoughtyouout。I
　　knowall。Ifoundaletteryouhaddropped;thatbroughtmetoPokerFlat。Ah，youstart！IhaveseenthosewhoknewyouasAlexanderMorton。Yousee！Ah，Iamwise。
　　Sandy（aside）。Itistrue。（Aloud。）But（suspiciously）whyhaveyoudonethis？You，Concho？——youwerenotmyfriend。
　　Concho。No，butHEismyenemy。Ah，youstart！Lookatme，AlexanderMorton，Sandy，Diego！Youknewaman，strong，active，likeyourself。Eh！Lookatmenow！Lookatme，acripple！Eh！
　　lameandcrushedhere（pointingtohisleg），brokenandcrushedhere（pointingtohisheart），byhim，——theimpostor！Listen，Diego。ThenightIwassenttotrackyoufromtherancho，he——thisman——struckmefromthewall，dashedmetotheearth，andmadeMY
　　BODY，brokenandbruised，astepping-stonetoleapthewallintoyourplace，Diego，——intoyourfather’sheart，——intomymaster’shome。Theyfoundmedead，theythought，——no，notdead，Diego！Itwassad，theysaid，——unfortunate。Theynursedme;theytalkedofmoney——eh，Diego！——money！Theywouldhavepensionedmetohushscandal——eh！Iwasadog，aforeigner，aGreaser！Eh！ThatiswhyIamhere。No！Iloveyounot，Diego;youareofhisrace;
　　butIhate——MotherofGod！——IHATEhim！
　　Sandy（risingtohisfeet，aside）。Good！Ibegintofeelmycouragereturn：mynervesarestronger。Courage，Sandy！（Aloud。）
　　Beitso，Concho：thereismyhand！Wewillhelpeachother，——youtomybirthright，Itoyourrevenge！Harkye！（SANDY’Smannerbecomesmorecalmandserious。）ThisimpostorisNOcraven，NO
　　coyote。Whoeverheis，hemustbestrong。Hehasmostplausibleevidences。Wemusthaverigidproofs。IwillgowithyoutoPokerFlat。Thereisoneman，ifhebeliving，knowsmebetterthananymanwholives。Hehasdonemewrong，——agreatwrong，Concho，——butIwillforgivehim。Iwilldomore，——Iwillaskhisforgiveness。
　　Hewillbeawitnessnomandaregainsay——mypartner——GodhelphimandforgivehimasIdo！——JohnOakhurst。
　　Concho。Oakhurstyourpartner！
　　Sandy（angrily）。Yes。Lookye，Concho，hehaswrongedmeinaprivateway：thatisMYbusiness，notYOURS;buthewasMYpartner，nooneshallabusehimbeforeme。
　　Concho。Beitso。Thensinkhere！Rothere！Gobacktoyourhusks，Oprodigal！wallowintheditchesofthiscamp，andseeyourbirthrightsoldforadramofaguardiente！Liehere，dogandcoyotethatyouare，withyourmistressundertheprotectionofyourdestroyer！ForItellyou——I，Concho，thecripple——thatthemanwhostruckmedown，themanwhosteppedintoyourbirthright，themanwhoto-morrowwelcomesyoursweetheartinhisarms，whoholdsthecustodyofyourchild，isyourpartner，——JohnOakhurst。
　　Sandy（whohasbeensinkingunderCONCHO’Swords，risingconvulsivelytohisfeet）。Godbemercifultomeasinner！
　　（Faints。）
　　Concho（standingoverhisprostratebodyexultingly）。Iamright。
　　Youarewise，Concho，youarewise！YouhavefoundAlexanderMorton！
　　HopSing（advancingslowlytoSANDY’Sside，andextendingopenpalm）。Mewasheeshirtfloyou，flowtydozenhab。Younopayeeme。Mewanteetwentydollarhep。Sabe！
　　Curtain。
　　ENDOFACTII。
　　ACTIII。
　　SCENE1。——ThebankparlorofMorton&Son，SanFrancisco。Roomrichlyfurnished;twosquarelibrarydesks，leftandright。Atright，safeinwall;atleft，samewithpracticabledoors。FoldingdoorinflatC。，leadingtocounting-room。DoorinlefttoprivateroomofALEXANDERMORTON，sen。;doorinrighttoprivateroomofMORTON，jun。ALEXANDERMORTON，sen。，discoveredatdeskR。，openingandreadingletters。
　　Morton，sen。（layingdownletter）。Well，well，theusualstory;
　　lettersfromallsortsofpeople，whohavedoneorintendtodoallsortsofthingsformyreclaimedprodigal。（Reads。）"DearSir：
　　fiveyearsagoIloanedsomemoneytoastrangerwhoanswersthedescriptionofyourrecoveredson。HewillrememberJimParker，——
　　LimpingJim，ofPokerFlat。Beingatpresentshortoffunds，pleasesendtwentydollars，amountloaned，byreturnmail。Ifnotconvenient，fivedollarswilldoasinstalment。"Pshaw！（Throwsletteraside，andtakesupanother。）"DearSir：IinviteyourattentiontoenclosedcircularforaproposedHomeforDissipatedandAnonymousGold-Miners。Yourwell-knownreputationforliberality，andyourlatevaluableexperienceinthereformationofyourson，willnaturallyenlistyourbroadestsympathies。Weencloseadraftforfivethousanddollars，foryoursignature。"Weshallsee！Another："DearSir：theSocietyfortheFormationofBibleClassesintheUpperStanislausacknowledgeyourrecentmunificentgiftoffivehundreddollarstothecause。LastSabbathBrotherHawkinsofPokerFlatrelatedwithtouchingeffectthestoryofyourprodigaltoanassemblageofovertwohundredminers。
　　Owingtounusualexpenses，weregrettobecompelledtodrawuponyouforfivehundreddollarsmore。"So！（Puttingdownletter。）
　　Ifweweregiventoprideandvainglory，wemightwellbepuffedupwiththefameofourworksandthecontagionofourexample：yetI
　　fearthat，withtheworldly-minded，thispraiseofcharitytoothersisonlytheprayerfulexpectationofsomepersonalapplicationtothepraiser。（Ringshand-bell。）
　　EnterJACKSON。
　　（ToJACKSON。）Filetheseletters（handingletters）withtheothers。Thereisnoanswer。HasyoungMr。Alexandercomeinyet？
　　Jackson。Heonlylefthereanhourago。Itwassteamerdayyesterday：hewasupallnight，sir。
　　OldMorton（aside）。True。Andthenightbeforehetravelledallnight，ridingtwohoursaheadofoneofourdefaultingagents，andsavedthebankahundredthousanddollars。Certainlyhisdevotiontobusinessisunremitting。（Aloud。）AnynewsfromCol。Starbottle？
　　Jackson。Heleftthisnote，sir，earlythismorning。
　　OldMorton（takesit，andreads）。"IthinkImaysay，onmyownpersonalresponsibility，thatthemissionissuccessful。MissMorriswillarriveto-nightwithafemaleattendantandchild。"
　　（ToJACKSON。）Thatisall，sir。Stop！Hasanyonebeensmokinghere？
　　Jackson。Nottomyknowledge，sir。
　　OldMorton。TherewasaflavorofstaletobaccosmokeintheroomthismorningwhenIentered，andashesonthecarpet。IKNOWthatyoungMr。Alexanderhasabandonedthepernicioushabit。Seethatitdoesnotoccuragain。
　　Jackson。Yes，sir。（Aside。）ImustwarnMr。Alexanderthathisfriendsmustbemorecareful;andyetthoseashesweregoodforadepositoffiftythousand。
　　OldMorton。Isanyonewaiting？
　　Jackson。Yes，sir，——DonJoseCastroandMr。Capper。
　　OldMorton。ShowintheDon：thepolicemancanwait。