Coram Boy (NHB Modern Plays)

poor dear mother was taken by the angels. There’s only me to care for him. But we do all right, don’t we, son?

Every time I look at my own little Coram boy, here . . . (He indicates TOBY.) my heart swells with pride. The way a nation treats its poor and unfortunate citizens, most especially its children, is a mark of how civilised it truly is. And I say, looking about me this afternoon, England is civilised indeed!

OTIS. What about them as gave me the brats? Why aren’t they guilty? Out of sight, out of mind, eh? Pay me to do their dirty work!

Here. Bury it with the rest. It’s dead anyway.

. He’ll live to a ripe old age, just you watch. I should have drowned him at birth.

OTIS kicks MESHAK.
OTIS. Get up, cretin!

OTIS. What can go wrong? You said yourself, none of ’em’ll go looking for the brats. These aren’t the usual snivelling parlour maids, these value their reputations too much.

OTIS comes over to MESHAK and kicks him.
OTIS. For God’s sake, don’t start that idiot nonsense now. Get up!
He kicks him again and again.

picks up the spade and looks down at the grave.
Bye bye, Mercy. Thanks for everything.

OTIS. Oh, I’m sorry. I always assume they’re boys with having a boy myself, you see.