MRS. LOVETT (Clutching the BEGGAR WOMAN 's wrists): No! Don't touch her!
TODD (Pushing her to the oven doors and leaning down to pick up the BEGGAR WOMAN) : What is the matter with you? It's only some meddling old beggar — (MRS. LOVETT opens the oven doors and the light from the fire illuminates the BEGGAR WOMAN 's face. A chord of music as TODD realizes who she is) Oh no, Oh God . . . "Don't I know you?" she said . . . (Looks up) You knew she lived. From the first moment that I walked into your shop you knew my Lucy lived!
MRS. LOVETT: I was only thinking of you!
TODD (Looking down again, sings): Lucy. . .
MRS. LOVETT: Your Lucy! A crazy hag picking bones and rotten spuds out of alley ash-cans! Would you have wanted to know that was all that was left of her?
TODD (Slowly looking up): You lied to me.
MRS. LOVETT (Sings): No, no, not lied at all. No, I never lied.
TODD ( To the BEGGAR WOMAN): Lucy...
MRS. LOVETT: Said she took the poison — she did — Never said that she died — Poor thing, She lived —
TODD: I've come home again . . .
MRS. LOVETT: But it left her weak in the head, All she did for months was just lie there in bed —
TODD: Lucy. . .
MRS. LOVETT: Should've been in hospital, Wound up in Bedlam instead, Poor thing!
TODD: Oh, my God . . .
MRS. LOVETT: Better you should think she was dead. Yes, I lied 'cos I love you!
TODD: Lucy...
MRS. LOVETT: I'd be twice the wife she was! I love you!
TODD: What have I done?...
MRS. LOVETT: Could that thing have cared for you Like me?
(TODD rises, soft and smiling; takes a step away in panic. Waltz music starts)
"Smart! And into all those exotic mystiques -- The Kama Sutra and Chinese techniques. I hear she knows more than seventy-five. Call me tomorrow if you're still alive!"