Page:Icebound.pdf/53

]

tell them to live, or for the first time in any of their lives, they ’ll live on what they earn. Don’t forget, Ben, that right now I ’m the head of the family.

(to Ben)

You heard the conditions? Shall I make out the bond?

(reluctantly)

Yes.

[''He sits moodily at right, looking down at the floor. Jane looks at him for a moment, then turns up to window''.

It ’s snowing!

Thought I smelled it. (He buttons his coat) Well, nothin’ to keep me, is there, Judge?

No. (He starts to write out the bond with a rusty pen) This pen is rusty!

I was sorry to hear about the old lady. It ’s too bad, but that ’s the way of things.

(writes)

Yes.

Well—It ’s early for snow, not but what it ’s a good thing for the winter wheat.

[He exits.