Think not of me, dear mother; I can go through it all with a good heart.—But what will become of you till I am old enough to work for you?—Fie on't! I am old enough now: I am sound of life and limb, and I have spirit enough to face anything.
MRS. ARDEN.
Alas, alas for thee!
YOUNG ARDEN.
Fear not, fear not. I am a proud boy, it is true; but I will not be ashamed before any one when I am working for my mother.
MRS. ARDEN.
My blessed child! and must this be thy portion?
YOUNG ARDEN.
Yes, Madam, and an honourable one too. Cheer up, cheer up, my dear mother. I shall go to my father presently, and meet him with such a cheerful countenance, that he shall only wait for a discharge from his creditors, which they cannot refuse when he has given up all that he has,—to be a far happier man than he was before.
MRS. ARDEN.
Oh! oh! thou little thinkest what thou hast before thee!
