The Equinox (Volume I, Number VIII)

THE EQUINOX tales o‘ robbers; ’twere not so when I were young, lad. The world gets worse as we get older, Jack. JACK. Nonsense, Father, they won't attack us. Don’t the village know how I half—choked the life [HE mahesa murderous gesture, so violent that the OLD MAN shrinks] out of Bagstock, that was torturing the stray dog? MARTIN. Ay, lad, and well it served the brute. I'm off now, Jack, you’re a strong lad and a brave, but these nasty robbers have weapons, we must be careful, main careful JACK. Only one night-cap, Father! MARTIN. Ay, lad—I’m thinkingadrop 'ud do ye good now, Jack. A week and more ye’ve not been yourself altogether— though this I will say, never a kinder lad breathed than my dear lad, Jack Adams, this last week. Affliction purifies, ay, it purifies; ifye’re out 0’ sorts yourself, why, you're kinder to others, makes ye lean on them, like—there's a blessing to everything, lad, depend on it, a blessing hidden in every mortal thing. JACK, Never fear, Daddy Martin. I’ve slept ill lately, but I know I’ll sleep sound to-night. MARTIN. Ay, Jack. [Exits L. JACK. [Makes quite sure that the door is shut, then comes to footlights. Sits on floor and laughs silently—then listens intently as if ΗΕ heara’ something—his surprise grows almost intofearAthen he starts laughingagain—+113 ‘oroduoes furtively a razor and runs his thumb cautiously along the edge—looks at the door and gnashes his ₪11!-?!?ש”קhis manner changes and he laughs oflenly ana’ struts proudly about] What do I want with his money? I'm rich, rich, incalculably rich. Why, I’ve only to say the word and all the 134