do for the love of decency take one another by the hand, and live peaceably and respectably together! (taking each of them by the hand.)
Balt. (shaking off True.) Get away, Truebridge, and leave us to ourselves.
(True. retires to the bottom of the stage, and makes signs for Jenk. Serv. and Char. to do so too: they all retire.)
(Balt. and Free, stand looking at one another for some time without speaking. Balt. then drawing nearer to Free, clears his voice, and puts on the action of one who is going to speak emphatically; but his energy is suddenly dropt, and he turns away without speaking. He draws near him a second time, clears his voice again and speaks in broken accents.)
Balt. I have been to you, Mr. Freeman, most unreasonable and unjust. I have—I have—my behaviour has been stern and ungracious—But—but my heart—O! it has offended beyond—beyond even the forgiveness of a—of a
Free. (eagerly.) Of a what, Mr. Baltimore?
Balt. Of a brother.
Free. God bless you for that word! Are you the first to pronounce it? Yes, I will be a brother, and a father, and a friend, and an every thing to you, as long as there is breath in my body. And tho' we do not embrace as brothers
Balt. (rushing into his arms.) Ah! but we do! we do! most heartily! But I have somethuig to say.
