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FOR PUBLIC DOMAIN ETEXTS*Ver.04.07.00*END* + + + + + +This etext was prepared by David Widger, <widger@cecomet.net> + + + + +PLAYS +BY JOHN GALSWORTHY + +FIRST SERIES + THE SILVER BOX + JOY + STRIFE + + + + +THE SILVER BOX + +A COMEDY IN THREE ACTS + +BY JOHN GALSWORTHY + + + + +PERSONS OF THE PLAY + +JOHN BARTHWICK, M.P., a wealthy Liberal +MRS. BARTHWICK, his wife +JACK BARTHWICK, their son +ROPER, their solicitor +MRS. JONES, their charwoman +MARLOW, their manservant +WHEELER, their maidservant +JONES, the stranger within their gates +MRS. SEDDON, a landlady +SNOW, a detective +A POLICE MAGISTRATE +AN UNKNOWN LADY, from beyond +TWO LITTLE GIRLS, homeless +LIVENS, their father +A RELIEVING OFFICER +A MAGISTRATE'S CLERK +AN USHER +POLICEMEN, CLERKS, AND OTHERS + + +TIME: The present. The action of the first two Acts takes place on +Easter Tuesday; the action of the third on Easter Wednesday week. + + +ACT I. + SCENE I. Rockingham Gate. John Barthwick's dining-room. + SCENE II. The same. + SCENE III. The same. + +ACT II. + SCENE I. The Jones's lodgings, Merthyr Street. + SCENE II. John Barthwick's dining-room. + +ACT III. A London police court. + + + + +ACT I + +SCENE I + + The curtain rises on the BARTHWICK'S dining-room, large, + modern, and well furnished; the window curtains drawn. + Electric light is burning. On the large round dining-table is + set out a tray with whisky, a syphon, and a silver + cigarette-box. It is past midnight. + + A fumbling is heard outside the door. It is opened suddenly; + JACK BARTHWICK seems to fall into the room. He stands holding + by the door knob, staring before him, with a beatific smile. + He is in evening dress and opera hat, and carries in his hand a + sky-blue velvet lady's reticule. His boyish face is freshly + coloured and clean-shaven. An overcoat is hanging on his arm. + + +JACK. Hello! I've got home all ri----[Defiantly.] Who says I sh +'d never 've opened th' door without 'sistance. [He staggers in, +fumbling with the reticule. A lady's handkerchief and purse of +crimson silk fall out.] Serve her joll' well right--everything +droppin' out. Th' cat. I 've scored her off--I 've got her bag. +[He swings the reticule.] Serves her joly' well right. [He takes a +cigarette out of the silver box and puts it in his mouth.] Never +gave tha' fellow anything! [He hunts through all his pockets and +pulls a shilling out; it drops and rolls away. He looks for it.] +Beastly shilling! [He looks again.] Base ingratitude! Absolutely +nothing. [He laughs.] Mus' tell him I've got absolutely nothing. + + [He lurches through the door and down a corridor, and presently + returns, followed by JONES, who is advanced in liquor. JONES, + about thirty years of age, has hollow cheeks, black circles + round his eyes, and rusty clothes: He looks as though he might + be unemployed, and enters in a hang-dog manner.] + +JACK. Sh! sh! sh! Don't you make a noise, whatever you do. Shu' +the door, an' have a drink. [Very solemnly.] You helped me to open +the door--I 've got nothin, for you. This is my house. My father's +name's Barthwick; he's Member of Parliament--Liberal Member of +Parliament: I've told you that before. Have a drink! [He pours out +whisky and drinks it up.] I'm not drunk [Subsiding on a sofa.] +Tha's all right. Wha's your name? My name's Barthwick, so's my +father's; I'm a Liberal too--wha're you? + +JONES. [In a thick, sardonic voice.] I'm a bloomin' Conservative. +My name's Jones! My wife works 'ere; she's the char; she works +'ere. + +JACK. Jones? [He laughs.] There's 'nother Jones at College with +me. I'm not a Socialist myself; I'm a Liberal--there's ve--lill +difference, because of the principles of the Lib--Liberal Party. +We're all equal before the law--tha's rot, tha's silly. [Laughs.] +Wha' was I about to say? Give me some whisky. + + [JONES gives him the whisky he desires, together with a squirt + of syphon.] + +Wha' I was goin' tell you was--I 've had a row with her. [He waves +the reticule.] Have a drink, Jonessh 'd never have got in without +you--tha 's why I 'm giving you a drink. Don' care who knows I've +scored her off. Th' cat! [He throws his feet up on the sofa.] +Don' you make a noise, whatever you do. You pour out a drink--you +make yourself good long, long drink--you take cigarette--you take +anything you like. Sh'd never have got in without you. [Closing +his eyes.] You're a Tory--you're a Tory Socialist. I'm Liberal +myself--have a drink--I 'm an excel'nt chap. + + [His head drops back. He, smiling, falls asleep, and JONES + stands looking at him; then, snatching up JACK's glass, he + drinks it off. He picks the reticule from off JACK'S + shirt-front, holds it to the light, and smells at it.] + +JONES. Been on the tiles and brought 'ome some of yer cat's fur. +[He stuffs it into JACK's breast pocket.] + +JACK. [Murmuring.] I 've scored you off! You cat! + + [JONES looks around him furtively; he pours out whisky and + drinks it. From the silver box he takes a cigarette, puffs at + it, and drinks more whisky. There is no sobriety left in him.] + +JONES. Fat lot o' things they've got 'ere! [He sees the crimson +purse lying on the floor.] More cat's fur. Puss, puss! [He +fingers it, drops it on the tray, and looks at JACK.] Calf! Fat +calf! [He sees his own presentment in a mirror. Lifting his hands, +with fingers spread, he stares at it; then looks again at JACK, +clenching his fist as if to batter in his sleeping, smiling face. +Suddenly he tilts the rest o f the whisky into the glass and drinks +it. With cunning glee he takes the silver box and purse and pockets +them.] I 'll score you off too, that 's wot I 'll do! + + [He gives a little snarling laugh and lurches to the door. His + shoulder rubs against the switch; the light goes out. There is + a sound as of a closing outer door.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +The curtain rises again at once. + +SCENE II + + In the BARTHWICK'S dining-room. JACK is still asleep; the + morning light is coming through the curtains. The time is + half-past eight. WHEELER, brisk person enters with a dust-pan, + and MRS. JONES more slowly with a scuttle. + +WHEELER. [Drawing the curtains.] That precious husband of yours +was round for you after you'd gone yesterday, Mrs. Jones. Wanted +your money for drink, I suppose. He hangs about the corner here +half the time. I saw him outside the "Goat and Bells" when I went +to the post last night. If I were you I would n't live with him. I +would n't live with a man that raised his hand to me. I wouldn't +put up with it. Why don't you take your children and leave him? If +you put up with 'im it'll only make him worse. I never can see why, +because a man's married you, he should knock you about. + +MRS. JONES. [Slim, dark-eyed, and dark-haired; oval-faced, and with +a smooth, soft, even voice; her manner patient, her way of talking +quite impersonal; she wears a blue linen dress, and boots with +holes.] It was nearly two last night before he come home, and he +wasn't himself. He made me get up, and he knocked me about; he +didn't seem to know what he was saying or doing. Of course I would +leave him, but I'm really afraid of what he'd do to me. He 's such +a violent man when he's not himself. + +WHEELER. Why don't you get him locked up? You'll never have any +peace until you get him locked up. If I were you I'd go to the +police court tomorrow. That's what I would do. + +MRS. JONES. Of course I ought to go, because he does treat me so +badly when he's not himself. But you see, Bettina, he has a very +hard time--he 's been out of work two months, and it preys upon his +mind. When he's in work he behaves himself much better. It's when +he's out of work that he's so violent. + +WHEELER. Well, if you won't take any steps you 'll never get rid of +him. + +MRS. JONES. Of course it's very wearing to me; I don't get my sleep +at nights. And it 's not as if I were getting help from him, +because I have to do for the children and all of us. And he throws +such dreadful things up at me, talks of my having men to follow me +about. Such a thing never happens; no man ever speaks to me. And +of course, it's just the other way. It's what he does that's wrong +and makes me so unhappy. And then he 's always threatenin' to cut +my throat if I leave him. It's all the drink, and things preying on +his mind; he 's not a bad man really. Sometimes he'll speak quite +kind to me, but I've stood so much from him, I don't feel it in me +to speak kind back, but just keep myself to myself. And he's all +right with the children too, except when he's not himself. + +WHEELER. You mean when he's drunk, the beauty. + +MRS. JONES. Yes. [Without change of voice] There's the young +gentleman asleep on the sofa. + + [They both look silently at Jack.] + +MRS. JONES. [At last, in her soft voice.] He does n't look quite +himself. + +WHEELER. He's a young limb, that's what he is. It 's my belief he +was tipsy last night, like your husband. It 's another kind of +bein' out of work that sets him to drink. I 'll go and tell Marlow. +This is his job. + + [She goes.] + + [Mrs. Jones, upon her knees, begins a gentle sweeping.] + +JACK. [Waking.] Who's there? What is it? + +MRS. JONES. It's me, sir, Mrs. Jones. + +JACK. [Sitting up and looking round.] Where is it--what--what time +is it? + +MRS. JONES. It's getting on for nine o'clock, sir. + +JACK. For nine! Why--what! [Rising, and loosening his tongue; +putting hands to his head, and staring hard at Mrs. Jones.] Look +here, you, Mrs.----Mrs. Jones--don't you say you caught me asleep +here. + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, of course I won't sir. + +JACK. It's quite an accident; I don't know how it happened. I must +have forgotten to go to bed. It's a queer thing. I 've got a most +beastly headache. Mind you don't say anything, Mrs. Jones. + + [Goes out and passes MARLOW in the doorway. MARLOW is young + and quiet; he is cleanshaven, and his hair is brushed high from + his forehead in a coxcomb. Incidentally a butler, he is first + a man. He looks at MRS. JONES, and smiles a private smile.] + +MARLOW. Not the first time, and won't be the last. Looked a bit +dicky, eh, Mrs. Jones? + +MRS. JONES. He did n't look quite himself. Of course I did n't +take notice. + +MARLOW. You're used to them. How's your old man? + +MRS. JONES. [Softly as throughout.] Well, he was very bad last +night; he did n't seem to know what he was about. He was very late, +and he was most abusive. But now, of course, he's asleep. + +MARLOW. That's his way of finding a job, eh? + +MRS. JONES. As a rule, Mr. Marlow, he goes out early every morning +looking for work, and sometimes he comes in fit to drop--and of +course I can't say he does n't try to get it, because he does. +Trade's very bad. [She stands quite still, her fan and brush before +her, at the beginning and the end of long vistas of experience, +traversing them with her impersonal eye.] But he's not a good +husband to me--last night he hit me, and he was so dreadfully +abusive. + +MARLOW. Bank 'oliday, eh! He 's too fond of the "Goat and Bells," +that's what's the matter with him. I see him at the corner late +every night. He hangs about. + +MRS. JONES. He gets to feeling very low walking about all day after +work, and being refused so often, and then when he gets a drop in +him it goes to his head. But he shouldn't treat his wife as he +treats me. Sometimes I 've had to go and walk about at night, when +he wouldn't let me stay in the room; but he's sorry for it +afterwards. And he hangs about after me, he waits for me in the +street; and I don't think he ought to, because I 've always been a +good wife to him. And I tell him Mrs. Barthwick wouldn't like him +coming about the place. But that only makes him angry, and he says +dreadful things about the gentry. Of course it was through me that +he first lost his place, through his not treating me right; and +that's made him bitter against the gentry. He had a very good place +as groom in the country; but it made such a stir, because of course +he did n't treat me right. + +MARLOW. Got the sack? + +MRS. JONES. Yes; his employer said he couldn't keep him, because +there was a great deal of talk; and he said it was such a bad +example. But it's very important for me to keep my work here; I +have the three children, and I don't want him to come about after me +in the streets, and make a disturbance as he sometimes does. + +MARLOW. [Holding up the empty decanter.] Not a drain! Next time +he hits you get a witness and go down to the court---- + +MRS. JONES. Yes, I think I 've made up my mind. I think I ought +to. + +MARLOW. That's right. Where's the ciga----? + + [He searches for the silver box; he looks at MRS. JONES, who is + sweeping on her hands and knees; he checks himself and stands + reflecting. From the tray he picks two half-smoked cigarettes, + and reads the name on them.] + +Nestor--where the deuce----? + + [With a meditative air he looks again at MRS. JONES, and, + taking up JACK'S overcoat, he searches in the pockets. + WHEELER, with a tray of breakfast things, comes in.] + +MARLOW. [Aside to WHEELER.] Have you seen the cigarette-box? + +WHEELER. No. + +MARLOW. Well, it's gone. I put it on the tray last night. And +he's been smoking. [Showing her the ends of cigarettes.] It's not +in these pockets. He can't have taken it upstairs this morning! +Have a good look in his room when he comes down. Who's been in +here? + +WHEELER. Only me and Mrs. Jones. + +MRS. JONES. I 've finished here; shall I do the drawing-room now? + +WHEELER. [Looking at her doubtfully.] Have you seen---- Better do +the boudwower first. + + [MRS. JONES goes out with pan and brush. MARLOW and WHEELER + look each other in the face.] + +MARLOW. It'll turn up. + +WHEELER. [Hesitating.] You don't think she---- +[Nodding at the door.] + +MARLOW. [Stoutly.] I don't----I never believes anything of +anybody. + +WHEELER. But the master'll have to be told. + +MARLOW. You wait a bit, and see if it don't turn up. Suspicion's +no business of ours. I set my mind against it. + + + The curtain falls. + + + + + The curtain rises again at once. + + + +SCENE III + + BARTHWICK and MRS. BARTHWICK are seated at the breakfast table. + He is a man between fifty and sixty; quietly important, with a + bald forehead, and pince-nez, and the "Times" in his hand. She + is a lady of nearly fifty, well dressed, with greyish hair, + good features, and a decided manner. They face each other. + +BARTHWICK. [From behind his paper.] The Labour man has got in at +the by-election for Barnside, my dear. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Another Labour? I can't think what on earth the +country is about. + +BARTHWICK. I predicted it. It's not a matter of vast importance. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Not? How can you take it so calmly, John? To me +it's simply outrageous. And there you sit, you Liberals, and +pretend to encourage these people! + +BARTHWICK. [Frowning.] The representation of all parties is +necessary for any proper reform, for any proper social policy. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I've no patience with your talk of reform--all that +nonsense about social policy. We know perfectly well what it is +they want; they want things for themselves. Those Socialists and +Labour men are an absolutely selfish set of people. They have no +sense of patriotism, like the upper classes; they simply want what +we've got. + +BARTHWICK. Want what we've got! [He stares into space.] My dear, +what are you talking about? [With a contortion.] I 'm no alarmist. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Cream? Quite uneducated men! Wait until they +begin to tax our investments. I 'm convinced that when they once +get a chance they will tax everything--they 've no feeling for the +country. You Liberals and Conservatives, you 're all alike; you +don't see an inch before your noses. You've no imagination, not a +scrap of imagination between you. You ought to join hands and nip +it in the bud. + +BARTHWICK. You 're talking nonsense! How is it possible for +Liberals and Conservatives to join hands, as you call it? That +shows how absurd it is for women---- Why, the very essence of a +Liberal is to trust in the people! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Now, John, eat your breakfast. As if there were +any real difference between you and the Conservatives. All the +upper classes have the same interests to protect, and the same +principles. [Calmly.] Oh! you're sitting upon a volcano, John. + +BARTHWICK. What! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I read a letter in the paper yesterday. I forget +the man's name, but it made the whole thing perfectly clear. You +don't look things in the face. + +BARTHWICK. Indeed! [Heavily.] I am a Liberal! Drop the subject, +please! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Toast? I quite agree with what this man says: +Education is simply ruining the lower classes. It unsettles them, +and that's the worst thing for us all. I see an enormous difference +in the manner of servants. + +BARTHWICK, [With suspicious emphasis.] I welcome any change that +will lead to something better. [He opens a letter.] H'm! This is +that affair of Master Jack's again. "High Street, Oxford. Sir, We +have received Mr. John Barthwick, Senior's, draft for forty pounds!" +Oh! the letter's to him! "We now enclose the cheque you cashed with +us, which, as we stated in our previous letter, was not met on +presentation at your bank. We are, Sir, yours obediently, Moss and +Sons, Tailors." H 'm! [Staring at the cheque.] A pretty business +altogether! The boy might have been prosecuted. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Come, John, you know Jack did n't mean anything; he +only thought he was overdrawing. I still think his bank ought to +have cashed that cheque. They must know your position. + +BARTHWICK. [Replacing in the envelope the letter and the cheque.] +Much good that would have done him in a court of law. + + [He stops as JACK comes in, fastening his waistcoat and + staunching a razor cut upon his chin.] + +JACK. [Sitting down between them, and speaking with an artificial +joviality.] Sorry I 'm late. [He looks lugubriously at the +dishes.] Tea, please, mother. Any letters for me? [BARTHWICK +hands the letter to him.] But look here, I say, this has been +opened! I do wish you would n't---- + +BARTHWICK. [Touching the envelope.] I suppose I 'm entitled to +this name. + +JACK. [Sulkily.] Well, I can't help having your name, father! [He +reads the letter, and mutters.] Brutes! + +BARTHWICK. [Eyeing him.] You don't deserve to be so well out of +that. + +JACK. Haven't you ragged me enough, dad? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Yes, John, let Jack have his breakfast. + +BARTHWICK. If you hadn't had me to come to, where would you have +been? It's the merest accident--suppose you had been the son of a +poor man or a clerk. Obtaining money with a cheque you knew your +bank could not meet. It might have ruined you for life. I can't +see what's to become of you if these are your principles. I never +did anything of the sort myself. + +JACK. I expect you always had lots of money. If you've got plenty +of money, of course---- + +BARTHWICK. On the contrary, I had not your advantages. My father +kept me very short of money. + +JACK. How much had you, dad? + +BARTHWICK. It's not material. The question is, do you feel the +gravity of what you did? + +JACK. I don't know about the gravity. Of course, I 'm very sorry +if you think it was wrong. Have n't I said so! I should never have +done it at all if I had n't been so jolly hard up. + +BARTHWICK. How much of that forty pounds have you got left, Jack? + +JACK. [Hesitating.] I don't know--not much. + +BARTHWICK. How much? + +JACK. [Desperately.] I have n't got any. + +BARTHWICK. What? + +JACK. I know I 've got the most beastly headache. + + [He leans his head on his hand.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Headache? My dear boy! Can't you eat any +breakfast? + +JACK. [Drawing in his breath.] Too jolly bad! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I'm so sorry. Come with me; dear; I'll give you +something that will take it away at once. + + [They leave the room; and BARTHWICK, tearing up the letter, + goes to the fireplace and puts the pieces in the fire. While + he is doing this MARLOW comes in, and looking round him, is + about quietly to withdraw.] + +BARTHWICK. What's that? What d 'you want? + +MARLOW. I was looking for Mr. John, sir. + +BARTHWICK. What d' you want Mr. John for? + +MARLOW. [With hesitation.] I thought I should find him here, sir. + +BARTHWICK. [Suspiciously.] Yes, but what do you want him for? + +MARLOW. [Offhandedly.] There's a lady called--asked to speak to +him for a minute, sir. + +BARTHWICK. A lady, at this time in the morning. What sort of a +lady? + +MARLOW. [Without expression in his voice.] I can't tell, sir; no +particular sort. She might be after charity. She might be a Sister +of Mercy, I should think, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Is she dressed like one? + +MARLOW. No, sir, she's in plain clothes, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Did n't she say what she wanted? + +MARLOW. No sir. + +BARTHWICK. Where did you leave her? + +MARLOW. In the hall, sir. + +BARTHWICK. In the hall? How do you know she's not a thief--not got +designs on the house? + +MARLOW. No, sir, I don't fancy so, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Well, show her in here; I'll see her myself. + + [MARLOW goes out with a private gesture of dismay. He soon + returns, ushering in a young pale lady with dark eyes and + pretty figure, in a modish, black, but rather shabby dress, a + black and white trimmed hat with a bunch of Parma violets + wrongly placed, and fuzzy-spotted veil. At the Sight of MR. + BARTHWICK she exhibits every sign of nervousness. MARLOW goes + out.] + +UNKNOWN LADY. Oh! but--I beg pardon there's some mistake--I [She +turns to fly.] + +BARTHWICK. Whom did you want to see, madam? + +UNKNOWN. [Stopping and looking back.] It was Mr. John Barthwick I +wanted to see. + +BARTHWICK. I am John Barthwick, madam. What can I have the +pleasure of doing for you? + +UNKNOWN. Oh! I--I don't [She drops her eyes. BARTHWICK +scrutinises her, and purses his lips.] + +BARTHWICK. It was my son, perhaps, you wished to see? + +UNKNOWN. [Quickly.] Yes, of course, it's your son. + +BARTHWICK. May I ask whom I have the pleasure of speaking to? + +UNKNOWN. [Appeal and hardiness upon her face.] My name is----oh! +it does n't matter--I don't want to make any fuss. I just want to +see your son for a minute. [Boldly.] In fact, I must see him. + +BARTHWICK. [Controlling his uneasiness.] My son is not very well. +If necessary, no doubt I could attend to the matter; be so kind as +to let me know---- + +UNKNOWN. Oh! but I must see him--I 've come on purpose--[She bursts +out nervously.] I don't want to make any fuss, but the fact is, +last --last night your son took away--he took away my [She stops.] + +BARTHWICK. [Severely.] Yes, madam, what? + +UNKNOWN. He took away my--my reticule. + +BARTHWICK. Your reti----? + +UNKNOWN. I don't care about the reticule; it's not that I want--I +'m sure I don't want to make any fuss--[her face is quivering]--but- +-but--all my money was in it! + +BARTHWICK. In what--in what? + +UNKNOWN. In my purse, in the reticule. It was a crimson silk +purse. Really, I wouldn't have come--I don't want to make any fuss. +But I must get my money back--mustn't I? + +BARTHWICK. Do you tell me that my son----? + +UNKNOWN. Oh! well, you see, he was n't quite I mean he was + + [She smiles mesmerically.] + +BARTHWICK. I beg your pardon. + +UNKNOWN. [Stamping her foot.] Oh! don't you see--tipsy! We had a +quarrel. + +BARTHWICK. [Scandalised.] How? Where? + +UNKNOWN. [Defiantly.] At my place. We'd had supper at the---- and +your son---- + +BARTHWICK. [Pressing the bell.] May I ask how you knew this house? +Did he give you his name and address? + +UNKNOWN. [Glancing sidelong.] I got it out of his overcoat. + +BARTHWICK. [Sardonically.] Oh! you got it out of his overcoat. +And may I ask if my son will know you by daylight? + +UNKNOWN. Know me? I should jolly--I mean, of course he will! + [MARLOW comes in.] + +BARTHWICK. Ask Mr. John to come down. + + [MARLOW goes out, and BARTHWICK walks uneasily about.] + +And how long have you enjoyed his acquaintanceship? + +UNKNOWN. Only since--only since Good Friday. + +BARTHWICK. I am at a loss--I repeat I am at a---- + + [He glances at this unknown lady, who stands with eyes cast + down, twisting her hands And suddenly Jack appears. He stops + on seeing who is here, and the unknown lady hysterically + giggles. There is a silence.] + +BARTHWICK. [Portentously.] This young--er--lady says that last +night--I think you said last night madam--you took away---- + +UNKNOWN. [Impulsively.] My reticule, and all my money was in a +crimson silk purse. + +JACK. Reticule. [Looking round for any chance to get away.] I +don't know anything about it. + +BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] Come, do you deny seeing this young lady +last night? + +JACK. Deny? No, of course. [Whispering.] Why did you give me +away like this? What on earth did you come here for? + +UNKNOWN. [Tearfully.] I'm sure I didn't want to--it's not likely, +is it? You snatched it out of my hand--you know you did--and the +purse had all my money in it. I did n't follow you last night +because I did n't want to make a fuss and it was so late, and you +were so---- + +BARTHWICK. Come, sir, don't turn your back on me--explain! + +JACK. [Desperately.] I don't remember anything about it. [In a +low voice to his friend.] Why on earth could n't you have written? + +UNKNOWN. [Sullenly.] I want it now; I must have, it--I 've got to +pay my rent to-day. [She looks at BARTHWICK.] They're only too glad +to jump on people who are not--not well off. + +JACK. I don't remember anything about it, really. I don't remember +anything about last night at all. [He puts his hand up to his +head.] It's all--cloudy, and I 've got such a beastly headache. + +UNKNOWN. But you took it; you know you did. You said you'd score +me off. + +JACK. Well, then, it must be here. I remember now--I remember +something. Why did I take the beastly thing? + +BARTHWICK. Yes, why did you take the beastly----[He turns abruptly +to the window.] + +UNKNOWN. [With her mesmeric smile.] You were n't quite were you? + +JACK. [Smiling pallidly.] I'm awfully sorry. If there's anything +I can do---- + +BARTHWICK. Do? You can restore this property, I suppose. + +JACK. I'll go and have a look, but I really don't think I 've got +it. + + [He goes out hurriedly. And BARTHWICK, placing a chair, + motions to the visitor to sit; then, with pursed lips, he + stands and eyes her fixedly. She sits, and steals a look at + him; then turns away, and, drawing up her veil, stealthily + wipes her eyes. And Jack comes back.] + +JACK. [Ruefully holding out the empty reticule.] Is that the +thing? I 've looked all over--I can't find the purse anywhere. Are +you sure it was there? + +UNKNOWN. [Tearfully.] Sure? Of course I'm sure. A crimson silk +purse. It was all the money I had. + +JACK. I really am awfully sorry--my head's so jolly bad. I 've +asked the butler, but he has n't seen it. + +UNKNOWN. I must have my money---- + +JACK. Oh! Of course--that'll be all right; I'll see that that's +all right. How much? + +UNKNOWN., [Sullenly.] Seven pounds-twelve--it's all I 've got in +the world. + +JACK. That'll be all right; I'll--send you acheque. + +UNKNOWN. [Eagerly.] No; now, please. Give me what was in my +purse; I've got to pay my rent this morning. They won't' give me +another day; I'm a fortnight behind already. + +JACK. [Blankly.] I'm awfully sorry; I really have n't a penny in +my pocket. + + [He glances stealthily at BARTHWICK.] + +UNKNOWN. [Excitedly.] Come I say you must--it's my money, and you +took it. I 'm not going away without it. They 'll turn me out of +my place. + +JACK. [Clasping his head.] But I can't give you what I have n't +got. Don't I tell you I have n't a beastly cent. + +UNKNOWN. [Tearing at her handkerchief.] Oh! do give it me! [She +puts her hands together in appeal; then, with sudden fierceness.] +If you don't I'll summons you. It's stealing, that's what it is! + +BARTHWICK. [Uneasily.] One moment, please. As a matter of---er- +principle, I shall settle this claim. [He produces money.] Here is +eight pounds; the extra will cover the value of the purse and your +cab fares. I need make no comment--no thanks are necessary. + + [Touching the bell, he holds the door ajar in silence. The + unknown lady stores the money in her reticule, she looks from + JACK to BARTHWICK, and her face is quivering faintly with a + smile. She hides it with her hand, and steals away. Behind + her BARTHWICK shuts the door.] + +BARTHWICK. [With solemnity.] H'm! This is nice thing to happen! + +JACK. [Impersonally.] What awful luck! + +BARTHWICK. So this is the way that forty pounds has gone! One +thing after another! Once more I should like to know where you 'd +have been if it had n't been for me! You don't seem to have any +principles. You--you're one of those who are a nuisance to society; +you--you're dangerous! What your mother would say I don't know. +Your conduct, as far as I can see, is absolutely unjustifiable. +It's--it's criminal. Why, a poor man who behaved as you've done---- +d' you think he'd have any mercy shown him? What you want is a good +lesson. You and your sort are--[he speaks with feeling]--a nuisance +to the community. Don't ask me to help you next time. You're not +fit to be helped. + +JACK. [Turning upon his sire, with unexpected fierceness.] All +right, I won't then, and see how you like it. You would n't have +helped me this time, I know, if you had n't been scared the thing +would get into the papers. Where are the cigarettes? + +BARTHWICK. [Regarding him uneasily.] Well I 'll say no more about +it. [He rings the bell.] I 'll pass it over for this once, but---- +[MARLOW Comes in.] You can clear away. + + [He hides his face behind the "Times."] + +JACK. [Brightening.] I say, Marlow, where are the cigarettes? + +MARLOW. I put the box out with the whisky last night, sir, but this +morning I can't find it anywhere. + +JACK. Did you look in my room? + +MARLOW. Yes, sir; I've looked all over the house. I found two +Nestor ends in the tray this morning, so you must have been smokin' +last night, sir. [Hesitating.] I 'm really afraid some one's +purloined the box. + +JACK. [Uneasily.] Stolen it! + +BARTHWICK. What's that? The cigarette-box! Is anything else +missing? + +MARLOW. No, sir; I 've been through the plate. + +BARTHWICK. Was the house all right this morning? None of the +windows open? + +MARLOW. No, sir. [Quietly to JACK.] You left your latch-key in +the door last night, sir. + + [He hands it back, unseen by BARTHWICK] + +JACK. Tst! + +BARTHWICK. Who's been in the room this morning? + +MARLOW. Me and Wheeler, and Mrs. Jones is all, sir, as far as I +know. + +BARTHWICK. Have you asked Mrs. Barthwick? + +[To JACK.] Go and ask your mother if she's had it; ask her to look +and see if she's missed anything else. + + [JACK goes upon this mission.] + +Nothing is more disquieting than losing things like this. + +MARLOW. No, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Have you any suspicions? + +MARLOW, No, sir. + +BARTHWICK. This Mrs. Jones--how long has she been working here? + +MARLOW. Only this last month, sir. + +BARTHWICK. What sort of person? + +MARLOW. I don't know much about her, sir; seems a very quiet, +respectable woman. + +BARTHWICK. Who did the room this morning? + +MARLOW. Wheeler and Mrs. Jones, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. [With his forefinger upraised.] Now, was this Mrs. +Jones in the room alone at any time? + +MARLOW. [Expressionless.] Yes, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. How do you know that? + +MARLOW. [Reluctantly.] I found her here, sir. + +BARTHWICK. And has Wheeler been in the room alone? + +MARLOW. No, sir, she's not, sir. I should say, sir, that Mrs. +Jones seems a very honest---- + +BARTHWICK. [Holding up his hand.] I want to know this: Has this +Mrs. Jones been here the whole morning? + +MARLOW. Yes, sir--no, sir--she stepped over to the greengrocer's +for cook. + +BARTHWICK. H'm! Is she in the house now? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. Very good. I shall make a point of clearing this up. +On principle I shall make a point of fixing the responsibility; it +goes to the foundations of security. In all your interests---- + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. What sort of circumstances is this Mrs. Jones in? Is +her husband in work? + +MARLOW. I believe not, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Very well. Say nothing about it to any one. Tell +Wheeler not to speak of it, and ask Mrs. Jones to step up here. + +MARLOW. Very good, sir. + + [MARLOW goes out, his face concerned; and BARTHWICK stays, his + face judicial and a little pleased, as befits a man conducting + an inquiry. MRS. BARTHWICK and hey son come in.] + +BARTHWICK. Well, my dear, you've not seen it, I suppose? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. No. But what an extraordinary thing, John! +Marlow, of course, is out of the question. I 'm certain none of the +maids as for cook! + +BARTHWICK. Oh, cook! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Of course! It's perfectly detestable to me to +suspect anybody. + +BARTHWICK. It is not a question of one's feelings. It's a question +of justice. On principle---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I should n't be a bit surprised if the charwoman +knew something about it. It was Laura who recommended her. + +BARTHWICK. [Judicially.] I am going to have Mrs. Jones up. Leave +it to me; and--er--remember that nobody is guilty until they're +proved so. I shall be careful. I have no intention of frightening +her; I shall give her every chance. I hear she's in poor +circumstances. If we are not able to do much for them we are bound +to have the greatest sympathy with the poor. [MRS. JONES comes in.] +[Pleasantly.] Oh! good morning, Mrs. Jones. + +MRS. JONES. [Soft, and even, unemphatic.] Good morning, sir! Good +morning, ma'am! + +BARTHWICK. About your husband--he's not in work, I hear? + +MRS. JONES. No, sir; of course he's not in work just now. + +BARTHWICK. Then I suppose he's earning nothing. + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, he's not earning anything just now, sir. + +BARTHWICK. And how many children have you? + +MRS. JONES. Three children; but of course they don't eat very much +sir. [A little silence.] + +BARTHWICK. And how old is the eldest? + +MRS. JONES. Nine years old, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Do they go to school? + +MRS. JONES, Yes, sir, they all three go to school every day. + +BARTHWICK. [Severely.] And what about their food when you're out +at work? + +MRS. JONES. Well, Sir, I have to give them their dinner to take +with them. Of course I 'm not always able to give them anything; +sometimes I have to send them without; but my husband is very good +about the children when he's in work. But when he's not in work of +course he's a very difficult man. + +BARTHWICK. He drinks, I suppose? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. Of course I can't say he does n't drink, +because he does. + +BARTHWICK. And I suppose he takes all your money? + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, he's very good about my money, except when +he's not himself, and then, of course, he treats me very badly. + +BARTHWICK. Now what is he--your husband? + +MRS. JONES. By profession, sir, of course he's a groom. + +BARTHWICK. A groom! How came he to lose his place? + +MRS. JONES. He lost his place a long time ago, sir, and he's never +had a very long job since; and now, of course, the motor-cars are +against him. + +BARTHWICK. When were you married to him, Mrs. Jones? + +MRS. JONES. Eight years ago, sir that was in---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] Eight? You said the eldest child was +nine. + +MRS. JONES. Yes, ma'am; of course that was why he lost his place. +He did n't treat me rightly, and of course his employer said he +couldn't keep him because of the example. + +BARTHWICK. You mean he--ahem---- + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir; and of course after he lost his place he +married me. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. You actually mean to say you--you were---- + +BARTHWICK. My dear---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Indignantly.] How disgraceful! + +BARTHWICK. [Hurriedly.] And where are you living now, Mrs. Jones? + +MRS. JONES. We've not got a home, sir. Of course we've been +obliged to put away most of our things. + +BARTHWICK. Put your things away! You mean to--to--er--to pawn +them? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, to put them away. We're living in Merthyr +Street--that is close by here, sir--at No. 34. We just have the one +room. + +BARTHWICK. And what do you pay a week? + +MRS. JONES. We pay six shillings a week, sir, for a furnished room. + +BARTHWICK. And I suppose you're behind in the rent? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, we're a little behind in the rent. + +BARTHWICK. But you're in good work, aren't you? + +MRS. JONES. Well, Sir, I have a day in Stamford Place Thursdays. +And Mondays and Wednesdays and Fridays I come here. But to-day, of +course, is a half-day, because of yesterday's Bank Holiday. + +BARTHWICK. I see; four days a week, and you get half a crown a day, +is that it? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, and my dinner; but sometimes it's only half +a day, and that's eighteen pence. + +BARTHWICK. And when your husband earns anything he spends it in +drink, I suppose? + +MRS. JONES. Sometimes he does, sir, and sometimes he gives it to me +for the children. Of course he would work if he could get it, sir, +but it seems there are a great many people out of work. + +BARTHWICK. Ah! Yes. We--er--won't go into that. +[Sympathetically.] And how about your work here? Do you find it +hard? + +MRS. JONES. Oh! no, sir, not very hard, sir; except of course, +when I don't get my sleep at night. + +BARTHWICK. Ah! And you help do all the rooms? And sometimes, I +suppose, you go out for cook? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. And you 've been out this morning? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, of course I had to go to the greengrocer's. + +BARTHWICK. Exactly. So your husband earns nothing? And he's a bad +character. + +MRS. JONES. No, Sir, I don't say that, sir. I think there's a +great deal of good in him; though he does treat me very bad +sometimes. And of course I don't like to leave him, but I think I +ought to, because really I hardly know how to stay with him. He +often raises his hand to me. Not long ago he gave me a blow here +[touches her breast] and I can feel it now. So I think I ought to +leave him, don't you, sir? + +BARTHWICK. Ah! I can't help you there. It's a very serious thing +to leave your husband. Very serious thing. + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, of course I 'm afraid of what he might do to +me if I were to leave him; he can be so very violent. + +BARTHWICK. H'm! Well, that I can't pretend to say anything about. +It's the bad principle I'm speaking of---- + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir; I know nobody can help me. I know I must +decide for myself, and of course I know that he has a very hard +life. And he's fond of the children, and its very hard for him to +see them going without food. + +BARTHWICK. [Hastily.] Well--er--thank you, I just wanted to hear +about you. I don't think I need detain you any longer, Mrs. Jones. + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, thank you, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Good morning, then. + +MRS. JONES. Good morning, sir; good morning, ma'am. + +BARTHWICK. [Exchanging glances with his wife.] By the way, Mrs. +Jones--I think it is only fair to tell you, a silver cigarette-box +--er--is missing. + +MRS. JONES. [Looking from one face to the other.] I am very sorry, +sir. + +BARTHWICK. Yes; you have not seen it, I suppose? + +MRS. JONES. [Realising that suspicion is upon her; with an uneasy +movement.] Where was it, sir; if you please, sir? + +BARTHWICK. [Evasively.] Where did Marlow say? Er--in this room, +yes, in this room. + +MRS. JONES. No, Sir, I have n't seen it--of course if I 'd seen it +I should have noticed it. + +BARTHWICK. [Giving hey a rapid glance.] You--you are sure of that? + +MRS. JONES. [Impassively.] Yes, Sir. [With a slow nodding of her +head.] I have not seen it, and of course I don't know where it is. + + [She turns and goes quietly out.] + +BARTHWICK. H'm! + + [The three BARTHWICKS avoid each other's glances.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +ACT II + +SCENE I + + The JONES's lodgings, Merthyr Street, at half-past two o'clock. + + The bare room, with tattered oilcloth and damp, distempered + walls, has an air of tidy wretchedness. On the bed lies JONES, + half-dressed; his coat is thrown across his feet, and muddy + boots are lying on the floor close by. He is asleep. The door + is opened and MRS. JONES comes in, dressed in a pinched black + jacket and old black sailor hat; she carries a parcel wrapped + up in the "Times." She puts her parcel down, unwraps an apron, + half a loaf, two onions, three potatoes, and a tiny piece of + bacon. Taking a teapot from the cupboard, she rinses it, + shakes into it some powdered tea out of a screw of paper, puts + it on the hearth, and sitting in a wooden chair quietly begins + to cry. + +JONES. [Stirring and yawning.] That you? What's the time? + +MRS. JONES. [Drying her eyes, and in her usual voice.] Half-past +two. + +JONES. What you back so soon for? + +MRS. JONES. I only had the half day to-day, Jem. + +JONES. [On his back, and in a drowsy voice.] Got anything for +dinner? + +MRS. JONES. Mrs. BARTHWICK's cook gave me a little bit of bacon. +I'm going to make a stew. [She prepares for cooking.] There's +fourteen shillings owing for rent, James, and of course I 've only +got two and fourpence. They'll be coming for it to-day. + +JONES. [Turning towards her on his elbow.] Let 'em come and find +my surprise packet. I've had enough o' this tryin' for work. Why +should I go round and round after a job like a bloomin' squirrel in +a cage. "Give us a job, sir"--"Take a man on"--"Got a wife and +three children." Sick of it I am! I 'd sooner lie here and rot. +"Jones, you come and join the demonstration; come and 'old a flag, +and listen to the ruddy orators, and go 'ome as empty as you came." +There's some that seems to like that--the sheep! When I go seekin' +for a job now, and see the brutes lookin' me up an' down, it's like +a thousand serpents in me. I 'm not arskin' for any treat. A man +wants to sweat hisself silly and not allowed that's a rum start, +ain't it? A man wants to sweat his soul out to keep the breath in +him and ain't allowed--that's justice that's freedom and all the +rest of it! [He turns his face towards the wall.] You're so milky +mild; you don't know what goes on inside o' me. I'm done with the +silly game. If they want me, let 'em come for me! + + [MRS. JONES stops cooking and stands unmoving at the table.] + +I've tried and done with it, I tell you. I've never been afraid of +what 's before me. You mark my words--if you think they've broke my +spirit, you're mistook. I 'll lie and rot sooner than arsk 'em +again. What makes you stand like that--you long-sufferin', Gawd- +forsaken image--that's why I can't keep my hands off you. So now +you know. Work! You can work, but you have n't the spirit of a +louse! + +MRS. JONES. [Quietly.] You talk more wild sometimes when you're +yourself, James, than when you 're not. If you don't get work, how +are we to go on? They won't let us stay here; they're looking to +their money to-day, I know. + +JONES. I see this BARTHWICK o' yours every day goin' down to +Pawlyment snug and comfortable to talk his silly soul out; an' I see +that young calf, his son, swellin' it about, and goin' on the +razzle-dazzle. Wot 'ave they done that makes 'em any better than +wot I am? They never did a day's work in their lives. I see 'em +day after day. + +MRS. JONES. And I wish you wouldn't come after me like that, and +hang about the house. You don't seem able to keep away at all, and +whatever you do it for I can't think, because of course they notice +it. + +JONES. I suppose I may go where I like. Where may I go? The other +day I went to a place in the Edgware Road. "Gov'nor," I says to the +boss, "take me on," I says. "I 'aven't done a stroke o' work not +these two months; it takes the heart out of a man," I says; "I 'm +one to work; I 'm not afraid of anything you can give me!" "My good +man," 'e says, "I 've had thirty of you here this morning. I took +the first two," he says, "and that's all I want." "Thank you, then +rot the world!" I says. "Blasphemin'," he says, "is not the way to +get a job. Out you go, my lad!" [He laughs sardonically.] Don't +you raise your voice because you're starvin'; don't yer even think +of it; take it lyin' down! Take it like a sensible man, carn't you? +And a little way down the street a lady says to me: [Pinching his +voice] "D' you want to earn a few pence, my man?" and gives me her +dog to 'old outside a shop-fat as a butler 'e was--tons o' meat had +gone to the makin' of him. It did 'er good, it did, made 'er feel +'erself that charitable, but I see 'er lookin' at the copper +standin' alongside o' me, for fear I should make off with 'er +bloomin' fat dog. [He sits on the edge of the bed and puts a boot +on. Then looking up.] What's in that head o' yours? [Almost +pathetically.] Carn't you speak for once? + + [There is a knock, and MRS. SEDDON, the landlady, appears, an + anxious, harassed, shabby woman in working clothes.] + +MRS. SEDDON. I thought I 'eard you come in, Mrs. Jones. I 've +spoke to my 'usband, but he says he really can't afford to wait +another day. + +JONES. [With scowling jocularity.] Never you mind what your +'usband says, you go your own way like a proper independent woman. +Here, jenny, chuck her that. + + [Producing a sovereign from his trousers pocket, he throws it + to his wife, who catches it in her apron with a gasp. JONES + resumes the lacing of his boots.] + +MRS. JONES. [Rubbing the sovereign stealthily.] I'm very sorry +we're so late with it, and of course it's fourteen shillings, so if +you've got six that will be right. + + [MRS. SEDDON takes the sovereign and fumbles for the change.] + +JONES. [With his eyes fixed on his boots.] Bit of a surprise for +yer, ain't it? + +MRS. SEDDON. Thank you, and I'm sure I'm very much obliged. [She +does indeed appear surprised.] I 'll bring you the change. + +JONES. [Mockingly.] Don't mention it. + +MRS. SEDDON. Thank you, and I'm sure I'm very much obliged. [She +slides away.] + + [MRS. JONES gazes at JONES who is still lacing up his boots.] + +JONES. I 've had a bit of luck. [Pulling out the crimson purse and +some loose coins.] Picked up a purse--seven pound and more. + +MRS. JONES. Oh, James! + +JONES. Oh, James! What about Oh, James! I picked it up I tell +you. This is lost property, this is! + +MRS. JONES. But is n't there a name in it, or something? + +JONES. Name? No, there ain't no name. This don't belong to such +as 'ave visitin' cards. This belongs to a perfec' lidy. Tike an' +smell it. [He pitches her the purse, which she puts gently to her +nose.] Now, you tell me what I ought to have done. You tell me +that. You can always tell me what I ought to ha' done, can't yer? + +MRS. JONES. [Laying down the purse.] I can't say what you ought to +have done, James. Of course the money was n't yours; you've taken +somebody else's money. + +JONES. Finding's keeping. I 'll take it as wages for the time I +'ve gone about the streets asking for what's my rights. I'll take +it for what's overdue, d' ye hear? [With strange triumph.] I've +got money in my pocket, my girl. + + [MRS. JONES goes on again with the preparation of the meal, + JONES looking at her furtively.] + +Money in my pocket! And I 'm not goin' to waste it. With this 'ere +money I'm goin' to Canada. I'll let you have a pound. + + [A silence.] + +You've often talked of leavin' me. You 've often told me I treat +you badly--well I 'ope you 'll be glad when I 'm gone. + +MRS. JONES. [Impassively.] You have, treated me very badly, James, +and of course I can't prevent your going; but I can't tell whether I +shall be glad when you're gone. + +JONES. It'll change my luck. I 've 'ad nothing but bad luck since +I first took up with you. [More softly.] And you've 'ad no +bloomin' picnic. + +MRS. JONES. Of course it would have been better for us if we had +never met. We were n't meant for each other. But you're set +against me, that's what you are, and you have been for a long time. +And you treat me so badly, James, going after that Rosie and all. +You don't ever seem to think of the children that I 've had to bring +into the world, and of all the trouble I 've had to keep them, and +what 'll become of them when you're gone. + +JONES. [Crossing the room gloomily.] If you think I want to leave +the little beggars you're bloomin' well mistaken. + +MRS. JONES. Of course I know you're fond of them. + +JONES. [Fingering the purse, half angrily.] Well, then, you stow +it, old girl. The kids 'll get along better with you than when I 'm +here. If I 'd ha' known as much as I do now, I 'd never ha' had one +o' them. What's the use o' bringin' 'em into a state o' things like +this? It's a crime, that's what it is; but you find it out too late; +that's what's the matter with this 'ere world. + + [He puts the purse back in his pocket.] + +MRS. JONES. Of course it would have been better for them, poor +little things; but they're your own children, and I wonder at you +talkin' like that. I should miss them dreadfully if I was to lose +them. + +JONES. [Sullenly.] An' you ain't the only one. If I make money +out there--[Looking up, he sees her shaking out his coat--in a +changed voice.] Leave that coat alone! + + [The silver box drops from the pocket, scattering the + cigarettes upon the bed. Taking up the box she stares at it; + he rushes at her and snatches the box away.] + +MRS. JONES. [Cowering back against the bed.] Oh, Jem! oh, Jem! + +JONES. [Dropping the box onto the table.] You mind what you're +sayin'! When I go out I 'll take and chuck it in the water along +with that there purse. I 'ad it when I was in liquor, and for what +you do when you 're in liquor you're not responsible-and that's +Gawd's truth as you ought to know. I don't want the thing--I won't +have it. I took it out o' spite. I 'm no thief, I tell you; and +don't you call me one, or it'll be the worse for you. + +MRS. JONES. [Twisting her apron strings.] It's Mr. Barthwick's! +You've taken away my reputation. Oh, Jem, whatever made you? + +JONES. What d' you mean? + +MRS. JONES. It's been missed; they think it's me. Oh! whatever +made you do it, Jem? + +JONES. I tell you I was in liquor. I don't want it; what's the +good of it to me? If I were to pawn it they'd only nab me. I 'm no +thief. I 'm no worse than wot that young Barthwick is; he brought +'ome that purse that I picked up--a lady's purse--'ad it off 'er in +a row, kept sayin' 'e 'd scored 'er off. Well, I scored 'im off. +Tight as an owl 'e was! And d' you think anything'll happen to him? + +MRS. JONES. [As though speaking to herself.] Oh, Jem! it's the +bread out of our mouths! + +JONES. Is it then? I'll make it hot for 'em yet. What about that +purse? What about young BARTHWICK? + +[MRS. JONES comes forward to the table and tries to take the box; +JONES prevents her.] What do you want with that? You drop it, I +say! + +MRS. JONES. I 'll take it back and tell them all about it. [She +attempts to wrest the box from him.] + +JONES. Ah, would yer? + + [He drops the box, and rushes on her with a snarl. She slips + back past the bed. He follows; a chair is overturned. The + door is opened; Snow comes in, a detective in plain clothes and + bowler hat, with clipped moustaches. JONES drops his arms, + MRS. JONES stands by the window gasping; SNOW, advancing + swiftly to the table, puts his hand on the silver box.] + +SNOW. Doin' a bit o' skylarkin'? Fancy this is what I 'm after. +J. B., the very same. [He gets back to the door, scrutinising the +crest and cypher on the box. To MRS. JONES.] I'm a police officer. +Are you Mrs. Jones? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. + +SNOW. My instructions are to take you on a charge of stealing this +box from J. BARTHWICK, Esquire, M.P., of 6, Rockingham Gate. +Anything you say may be used against you. Well, Missis? + +MRS. JONES. [In her quiet voice, still out of breath, her hand +upon. her breast.] Of course I did not take it, sir. I never have +taken anything that did n't belong to me; and of course I know +nothing about it. + +SNOW. You were at the house this morning; you did the room in which +the box was left; you were alone in the room. I find the box 'ere. +You say you did n't take it? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, of course I say I did not take it, because I +did not. + +SNOW. Then how does the box come to be here? + +MRS. JONES. I would rather not say anything about it. + +SNOW. Is this your husband? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, this is my husband, sir. + +SNOW. Do you wish to say anything before I take her? + + [JONES remains silent, with his head bend down.] + +Well then, Missis. I 'll just trouble you to come along with me +quietly. + +MRS. JONES. [Twisting her hands.] Of course I would n't say I had +n't taken it if I had--and I did n't take it, indeed I did n't. Of +course I know appearances are against me, and I can't tell you what +really happened: But my children are at school, and they'll be +coming home--and I don't know what they'll do without me. + +SNOW. Your 'usband'll see to them, don't you worry. [He takes the +woman gently by the arm.] + +JONES. You drop it--she's all right! [Sullenly.] I took the thing +myself. + +SNOW. [Eyeing him] There, there, it does you credit. Come along, +Missis. + +JONES. [Passionately.] Drop it, I say, you blooming teck. She's +my wife; she 's a respectable woman. Take her if you dare! + +SNOW. Now, now. What's the good of this? Keep a civil tongue, and +it'll be the better for all of us. + + [He puts his whistle in his mouth and draws the woman to the + door.] + +JONES. [With a rush.] Drop her, and put up your 'ands, or I 'll +soon make yer. You leave her alone, will yer! Don't I tell yer, I +took the thing myself. + +SNOW. [Blowing his whistle.] Drop your hands, or I 'll take you +too. Ah, would you? + + [JONES, closing, deals him a blow. A Policeman in uniform + appears; there is a short struggle and JONES is overpowered. + MRS. JONES raises her hands avid drops her face on them.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +SCENE II + + The BARTHWICKS' dining-room the same evening. The BARTHWICKS + are seated at dessert. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. John! [A silence broken by the cracking of nuts.] +John! + +BARTHWICK. I wish you'd speak about the nuts they're uneatable. +[He puts one in his mouth.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. It's not the season for them. I called on the +Holyroods. + + [BARTHWICK fills his glass with port.] + +JACK. Crackers, please, Dad. + + [BARTHWICK passes the crackers. His demeanour is reflective.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Lady Holyrood has got very stout. I 've noticed it +coming for a long time. + +BARTHWICK. [Gloomily.] Stout? [He takes up the crackers--with +transparent airiness.] The Holyroods had some trouble with their +servants, had n't they? + +JACK. Crackers, please, Dad. + +BARTHWICK. [Passing the crackers.] It got into the papers. The +cook, was n't it? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. No, the lady's maid. I was talking it over with +Lady Holyrood. The girl used to have her young man to see her. + +BARTHWICK. [Uneasily.] I'm not sure they were wise---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. My dear John, what are you talking about? How +could there be any alternative? Think of the effect on the other +servants! + +BARTHWICK. Of course in principle--I wasn't thinking of that. + +JACK. [Maliciously.] Crackers, please, Dad. + + [BARTHWICK is compelled to pass the crackers.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Lady Holyrood told me: "I had her up," she said; "I +said to her, 'You'll leave my house at once; I think your conduct +disgraceful. I can't tell, I don't know, and I don't wish to know, +what you were doing. I send you away on principle; you need not +come to me for a character.' And the girl said: 'If you don't give +me my notice, my lady, I want a month's wages. I'm perfectly +respectable. I've done nothing.'"'--Done nothing! + +BARTHWICK. H'm! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Servants have too much license. They hang together +so terribly you never can tell what they're really thinking; it's as +if they were all in a conspiracy to keep you in the dark. Even with +Marlow, you feel that he never lets you know what's really in his +mind. I hate that secretiveness; it destroys all confidence. I +feel sometimes I should like to shake him. + +JACK. Marlow's a most decent chap. It's simply beastly every one +knowing your affairs. + +BARTHWICK. The less you say about that the better! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. It goes all through the lower classes. You can not +tell when they are speaking the truth. To-day when I was shopping +after leaving the Holyroods, one of these unemployed came up and +spoke to me. I suppose I only had twenty yards or so to walk to the +carnage, but he seemed to spring up in the street. + +BARTHWICK. Ah! You must be very careful whom you speak to in these +days. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I did n't answer him, of course. But I could see +at once that he wasn't telling the truth. + +BARTHWICK. [Cracking a nut.] There's one very good rule--look at +their eyes. + +JACK. Crackers, please, Dad. + +BARTHWICK. [Passing the crackers.] If their eyes are straight- +forward I sometimes give them sixpence. It 's against my +principles, but it's most difficult to refuse. If you see that +they're desperate, and dull, and shifty-looking, as so many of them +are, it's certain to mean drink, or crime, or something +unsatisfactory. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. This man had dreadful eyes. He looked as if he +could commit a murder. "I 've 'ad nothing to eat to-day," he said. +Just like that. + +BARTHWICK. What was William about? He ought to have been waiting. + +JACK. [Raising his wine-glass to his nose.] Is this the '63, Dad? + + [BARTHWICK, holding his wine-glass to his eye, lowers it and + passes it before his nose.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I hate people that can't speak the truth. [Father +and son exchange a look behind their port.] It 's just as easy to +speak the truth as not. I've always found it easy enough. It makes +it impossible to tell what is genuine; one feels as if one were +continually being taken in. + +BARTHWICK. [Sententiously.] The lower classes are their own +enemies. If they would only trust us, they would get on so much +better. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. But even then it's so often their own fault. Look +at that Mrs. Jones this morning. + +BARTHWICK. I only want to do what's right in that matter. I had +occasion to see Roper this afternoon. I mentioned it to him. He's +coming in this evening. It all depends on what the detective says. +I've had my doubts. I've been thinking it over. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. The woman impressed me most unfavourably. She +seemed to have no shame. That affair she was talking about--she and +the man when they were young, so immoral! And before you and Jack! +I could have put her out of the room! + +BARTHWICK. Oh! I don't want to excuse them, but in looking at +these matters one must consider---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Perhaps you'll say the man's employer was wrong in +dismissing him? + +BARTHWICK. Of course not. It's not there that I feel doubt. What +I ask myself is---- + +JACK. Port, please, Dad. + +BARTHWICK. [Circulating the decanter in religious imitation of the +rising and setting of the sun.] I ask myself whether we are +sufficiently careful in making inquiries about people before we +engage them, especially as regards moral conduct. + +JACK. Pass the-port, please, Mother! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Passing it.] My dear boy, are n't you drinking +too much? + + [JACK fills his glass.] + +MARLOW. [Entering.] Detective Snow to see you, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. [Uneasily.] Ah! say I'll be with him in a minute. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Without turning.] Let him come in here, Marlow. + + [SNOW enters in an overcoat, his bowler hat in hand.] + +BARTHWICK. [Half-rising.] Oh! Good evening! + +SNOW. Good evening, sir; good evening, ma'am. I 've called round to +report what I 've done, rather late, I 'm afraid--another case took +me away. [He takes the silver box out o f his pocket, causing a +sensation in the BARTHWICK family.] This is the identical article, +I believe. + +BARTHWICK. Certainly, certainly. + +SNOW. Havin' your crest and cypher, as you described to me, sir, I +'d no hesitation in the matter. + +BARTHWICK. Excellent. Will you have a glass of [he glances at the +waning port]--er--sherry-[pours out sherry]. Jack, just give Mr. +Snow this. + + [JACK rises and gives the glass to SNOW; then, lolling in his + chair, regards him indolently.] + +SNOW. [Drinking off wine and putting down the glass.] After seeing +you I went round to this woman's lodgings, sir. It's a low +neighborhood, and I thought it as well to place a constable below-- +and not without 'e was wanted, as things turned out. + +BARTHWICK. Indeed! + +SNOW. Yes, Sir, I 'ad some trouble. I asked her to account for the +presence of the article. She could give me no answer, except to +deny the theft; so I took her into custody; then her husband came +for me, so I was obliged to take him, too, for assault. He was very +violent on the way to the station--very violent--threatened you and +your son, and altogether he was a handful, I can till you. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. What a ruffian he must be! + +SNOW. Yes, ma'am, a rough customer. + +JACK. [Sipping his mine, bemused.] Punch the beggar's head. + +SNOW. Given to drink, as I understand, sir. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. It's to be hoped he will get a severe punishment. + +SNOW. The odd thing is, sir, that he persists in sayin' he took the +box himself. + +BARTHWICK. Took the box himself! [He smiles.] What does he think +to gain by that? + +SNOW. He says the young gentleman was intoxicated last night + + [JACK stops the cracking of a nut, and looks at SNOW.] + + [BARTHWICK, losing his smile, has put his wine-glass down; + there is a silence--SNOW, looking from face to face, remarks] + +--took him into the house and gave him whisky; and under the +influence of an empty stomach the man says he took the box. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. The impudent wretch! + +BARTHWICK. D' you mean that he--er--intends to put this forward +to-morrow? + +SNOW. That'll be his line, sir; but whether he's endeavouring to +shield his wife, or whether [he looks at JACK] there's something in +it, will be for the magistrate to say. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Haughtily.] Something in what? I don't +understand you. As if my son would bring a man like that into the +house! + +BARTHWICK. [From the fireplace, with an effort to be calm.] My son +can speak for himself, no doubt. Well, Jack, what do you say? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] What does he say? Why, of course, he +says the whole story's stuff! + +JACK. [Embarrassed.] Well, of course, I--of course, I don't know +anything about it. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I should think not, indeed! [To Snow.] The man is +an audacious ruffian! + +BARTHWICK. [Suppressing jumps.] But in view of my son's saying +there's nothing in this--this fable--will it be necessary to proceed +against the man under the circumstances? + +SNOW. We shall have to charge him with the assault, sir. It would +be as well for your son to come down to the Court. There'll be a +remand, no doubt. The queer thing is there was quite a sum of money +found on him, and a crimson silk purse. + + [BARTHWICK starts; JACK rises and sits dozen again.] + +I suppose the lady has n't missed her purse? + +BARTHWICK. [Hastily.] Oh, no! Oh! No! + +JACK. No! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Dreamily.] No! [To SNOW.] I 've been inquiring +of the servants. This man does hang about the house. I shall feel +much safer if he gets a good long sentence; I do think we ought to +be protected against such ruffians. + +BARTHWICK. Yes, yes, of course, on principle but in this case we +have a number of things to think of. [To SNOW.] I suppose, as you +say, the man must be charged, eh? + +SNOW. No question about that, sir. + +BARTHWICK. [Staring gloomily at JACK.] This prosecution goes very +much against the grain with me. I have great sympathy with the +poor. In my position I 'm bound to recognise the distress there is +amongst them. The condition of the people leaves much to be +desired. D' you follow me? I wish I could see my way to drop it. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] John! it's simply not fair to other +people. It's putting property at the mercy of any one who likes to +take it. + +BARTHWICK. [Trying to make signs to her aside.] I 'm not defending +him, not at all. I'm trying to look at the matter broadly. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Nonsense, John, there's a time for everything. + +SNOW. [Rather sardonically.] I might point out, sir, that to +withdraw the charge of stealing would not make much difference, +because the facts must come out [he looks significantly at JACK] in +reference to the assault; and as I said that charge will have to go +forward. + +BARTHWICK. [Hastily.] Yes, oh! exactly! It's entirely on the +woman's account--entirely a matter of my own private feelings. + +SNOW. If I were you, sir, I should let things take their course. +It's not likely there'll be much difficulty. These things are very +quick settled. + +BARTHWICK. [Doubtfully.] You think so--you think so? + +JACK. [Rousing himself.] I say, what shall I have to swear to? + +SNOW. That's best known to yourself, sir. [Retreating to the +door.] Better employ a solicitor, sir, in case anything should +arise. We shall have the butler to prove the loss of the article. +You'll excuse me going, I 'm rather pressed to-night. The case may +come on any time after eleven. Good evening, sir; good evening, +ma'am. I shall have to produce the box in court to-morrow, so if +you'll excuse me, sir, I may as well take it with me. + + [He takes the silver box and leaves them with a little bow.] + + [BARTHWICK makes a move to follow him, then dashing his hands + beneath his coat tails, speaks with desperation.] + +BARTHWICK. I do wish you'd leave me to manage things myself. You +will put your nose into matters you know nothing of. A pretty mess +you've made of this! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Coldly.] I don't in the least know what you're +talking about. If you can't stand up for your rights, I can. I 've +no patience with your principles, it's such nonsense. + +BARTHWICK. Principles! Good Heavens! What have principles to do +with it for goodness sake? Don't you know that Jack was drunk last +night! + +JACK. Dad! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [In horror rising.] Jack! + +JACK. Look here, Mother--I had supper. Everybody does. I mean to +say--you know what I mean--it's absurd to call it being drunk. At +Oxford everybody gets a bit "on" sometimes---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Well, I think it's most dreadful! If that is +really what you do at Oxford? + +JACK. [Angrily.] Well, why did you send me there? One must do as +other fellows do. It's such nonsense, I mean, to call it being +drunk. Of course I 'm awfully sorry. I 've had such a beastly +headache all day. + +BARTHWICK. Tcha! If you'd only had the common decency to remember +what happened when you came in. Then we should know what truth +there was in what this fellow says--as it is, it's all the most +confounded darkness. + +JACK. [Staring as though at half-formed visions.] I just get a-- +and then--it 's gone---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Oh, Jack! do you mean to say you were so tipsy you +can't even remember---- + +JACK. Look here, Mother! Of course I remember I came--I must have +come---- + +BARTHWICK. [Unguardedly, and walking up and down.] Tcha!--and that +infernal purse! Good Heavens! It'll get into the papers. Who on +earth could have foreseen a thing like this? Better to have lost a +dozen cigarette-boxes, and said nothing about it. [To his wife.] +It's all your doing. I told you so from the first. I wish to +goodness Roper would come! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] I don't know what you're talking about, +John. + +BARTHWICK. [Turning on her.] No, you--you--you don't know +anything! [Sharply.] Where the devil is Roper? If he can see a +way out of this he's a better man than I take him for. I defy any +one to see a way out of it. I can't. + +JACK. Look here, don't excite Dad--I can simply say I was too +beastly tired, and don't remember anything except that I came in and +[in a dying voice] went to bed the same as usual. + +BARTHWICK. Went to bed? Who knows where you went--I 've lost all +confidence. For all I know you slept on the floor. + +JACK. [Indignantly.] I did n't, I slept on the---- + +BARTHWICK. [Sitting on the sofa.] Who cares where you slept; what +does it matter if he mentions the--the--a perfect disgrace? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. What? [A silence.] I insist on knowing. + +JACK. Oh! nothing. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Nothing? What do you mean by nothing, Jack? +There's your father in such a state about it! + +JACK. It's only my purse. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Your purse! You know perfectly well you have n't +got one. + +JACK. Well, it was somebody else's--it was all a joke--I did n't +want the beastly thing. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Do you mean that you had another person's purse, +and that this man took it too? + +BARTHWICK. Tcha! Of course he took it too! A man like that Jones +will make the most of it. It'll get into the papers. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I don't understand. What on earth is all the fuss +about? [Bending over JACK, and softly.] Jack now, tell me dear! +Don't be afraid. What is it? Come! + +JACK. Oh, don't Mother! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. But don't what, dear? + +JACK. It was pure sport. I don't know how I got the thing. Of +course I 'd had a bit of a row--I did n't know what I was doing--I +was--I Was--well, you know--I suppose I must have pulled the bag out +of her hand. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Out of her hand? Whose hand? What bag--whose bag? + +JACK. Oh! I don't know--her bag--it belonged to--[in a desperate +and rising voice] a woman. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. A woman? Oh! Jack! No! + +JACK. [Jumping up.] You would have it. I did n't want to tell +you. It's not my fault. + + [The door opens and MARLOW ushers in a man of middle age, + inclined to corpulence, in evening dress. He has a ruddy, thin + moustache, and dark, quick-moving little eyes. His eyebrows + aye Chinese.] + +MARLOW. Mr. Roper, Sir. [He leaves the room.] + +ROPER. [With a quick look round.] How do you do? + + [But neither JACK nor MRS. BARTHWICK make a sign.] + +BARTHWICK. [Hurrying.] Thank goodness you've come, Roper. You +remember what I told you this afternoon; we've just had the +detective here. + +ROPER. Got the box? + +BARTHWICK. Yes, yes, but look here--it was n't the charwoman at +all; her drunken loafer of a husband took the things--he says that +fellow there [he waves his hand at JACK, who with his shoulder +raised, seems trying to ward off a blow] let him into the house last +night. Can you imagine such a thing. + + [Roper laughs. ] + +BARTHWICK. [With excited emphasis.]. It's no laughing matter, +Roper. I told you about that business of Jack's too--don't you see +the brute took both the things--took that infernal purse. It'll get +into the papers. + +ROPER. [Raising his eyebrows.] H'm! The purse! Depravity in high +life! What does your son say? + +BARTHWICK. He remembers nothing. D--n! Did you ever see such a +mess? It 'll get into the papers. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [With her hand across hey eyes.] Oh! it's not +that---- + + [BARTHWICK and ROPER turn and look at her.] + +BARTHWICK. It's the idea of that woman--she's just heard---- + + [ROPER nods. And MRS. BARTHWICK, setting her lips, gives a + slow look at JACK, and sits down at the table.] + +What on earth's to be done, Roper? A ruffian like this Jones will +make all the capital he can out of that purse. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I don't believe that Jack took that purse. + +BARTHWICK. What--when the woman came here for it this morning? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Here? She had the impudence? Why was n't I told? + + [She looks round from face to face--no one answers hey, there + is a pause.] + +BARTHWICK. [Suddenly.] What's to be done, Roper? + +ROPER. [Quietly to JACK.] I suppose you did n't leave your latch- +key in the door? + +JACK. [Sullenly.] Yes, I did. + +BARTHWICK. Good heavens! What next? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I 'm certain you never let that man into the house, +Jack, it's a wild invention. I'm sure there's not a word of truth +in it, Mr. Roper. + +ROPER. [Very suddenly.] Where did you sleep last night? + +JACK. [Promptly.] On the sofa, there--[hesitating]--that is--I---- + +BARTHWICK. On the sofa? D' you mean to say you did n't go to bed? + +JACK.[Sullenly.] No. + +BARTHWICK. If you don't remember anything, how can you remember +that? + +JACK. Because I woke up there in the morning. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Oh, Jack! + +BARTHWICK. Good Gracious! + +JACK. And Mrs. Jones saw me. I wish you would n't bait me so. + +ROPER. Do you remember giving any one a drink? + +JACK. By Jove, I do seem to remember a fellow with--a fellow with +[He looks at Roper.] I say, d' you want me----? + +ROPER. [Quick as lightning.] With a dirty face? + +JACK. [With illumination.] I do--I distinctly remember his---- + + [BARTHWICK moves abruptly; MRS. BARTHWICK looks at ROPER + angrily, and touches her son's arm.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. You don't remember, it's ridiculous! I don't +believe the man was ever here at all. + +BARTHWICK. You must speak the truth, if it is the truth. But if +you do remember such a dirty business, I shall wash my hands of you +altogether. + +JACK. [Glaring at them.] Well, what the devil---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Jack! + +JACK. Well, Mother, I--I don't know what you do want. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. We want you to speak the truth and say you never +let this low man into the house. + +BARTHWICK. Of course if you think that you really gave this man +whisky in that disgraceful way, and let him see what you'd been +doing, and were in such a disgusting condition that you don't +remember a word of it---- + +ROPER. [Quick.] I've no memory myself--never had. + +BARTHWICK. [Desperately.] I don't know what you're to say. + +ROPER. [To JACK.] Say nothing at all! Don't put yourself in a +false position. The man stole the things or the woman stole the +things, you had nothing to do with it. You were asleep on the sofa. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Your leaving the latch-key in the door was quite +bad enough, there's no need to mention anything else. [Touching his +forehead softly.] My dear, how hot your head is! + +JACK. But I want to know what I 'm to do. [Passionately.] I won't +be badgered like this. + + [MRS. BARTHWICK recoils from him.] + +ROPER. [Very quickly.] You forget all about it. You were asleep. + +JACK. Must I go down to the Court to-morrow? + +ROPER. [Shaking his head.] No. + +BARTHWICK. [In a relieved voice.] Is that so? + +ROPER. Yes. + +BARTHWICK. But you'll go, Roper. + +ROPER. Yes. + +JACK. [With wan cheerfulness.] Thanks, awfully! So long as I +don't have to go. [Putting his hand up to his head.] I think if +you'll excuse me--I've had a most beastly day. [He looks from his +father to his mother.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Turning quickly.] Goodnight, my boy. + +JACK. Good-night, Mother. + + [He goes out. MRS. BARTHWICK heaves a sigh. There is a + silence.] + +BARTHWICK. He gets off too easily. But for my money that woman +would have prosecuted him. + +ROPER. You find money useful. + +BARTHWICK. I've my doubts whether we ought to hide'the truth---- + +ROPER. There'll be a remand. + +BARTHWICK. What! D' you mean he'll have to appear on the remand. + +ROPER. Yes. + +BARTHWICK. H'm, I thought you'd be able to---- Look here, Roper, +you must keep that purse out of the papers. + + [ROPER fixes his little eyes on him and nods.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Mr. Roper, don't you think the magistrate ought to +be told what sort of people these Jones's are; I mean about their +immorality before they were married. I don't know if John told you. + +ROPER. Afraid it's not material. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Not material? + +ROPER. Purely private life! May have happened to the magistrate. + +BARTHWICK. [With a movement as if to shift a burden.] Then you'll +take the thing into your hands? + +ROPER. If the gods are kind. [He holds his hand out.] + +BARTHWICK. [Shaking it dubiously.] Kind eh? What? You going? + +ROPER. Yes. I've another case, something like yours--most +unexpected. + + [He bows to MRS. BARTHWICK, and goes out, followed by + BARTHWICK, talking to the last. MRS. BARTHWICK at the table + bursts into smothered sobs. BARTHWICK returns.] + +BARTHWICK. [To himself.] There'll be a scandal! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Disguising her grief at once.] I simply can't +imagine what Roper means by making a joke of a thing like that! + +BARTHWICK. [Staring strangely.] You! You can't imagine anything! +You've no more imagination than a fly! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Angrily.] You dare to tell me that I have no +imagination. + +BARTHWICK. [Flustered.] I--I 'm upset. From beginning to end, the +whole thing has been utterly against my principles. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Rubbish! You have n't any! Your principles are +nothing in the world but sheer fright! + +BARTHWICK. [Walking to the window.] I've never been frightened in +my life. You heard what Roper said. It's enough to upset one when +a thing like this happens. Everything one says and does seems to +turn in one's mouth--it's--it's uncanny. It's not the sort of thing +I've been accustomed to. [As though stifling, he throws the window +open. The faint sobbing of a child comes in.] What's that? + + [They listen.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] I can't stand that crying. I must send +Marlow to stop it. My nerves are all on edge. [She rings the +bell.] + +BARTHWICK. I'll shut the window; you'll hear nothing. [He shuts +the window. There is silence. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] That's no good! It's on my nerves. +Nothing upsets me like a child's crying. + + [MARLOW comes in.] + +What's that noise of crying, Marlow? It sounds like a child. + +BARTHWICK. It is a child. I can see it against the railings. + +MARLOW. [Opening the window, and looking out quietly.] It's Mrs. +Jones's little boy, ma'am; he came here after his mother. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Moving quickly to the window.] Poor little chap! +John, we ought n't to go on with this! + +BARTHWICK. [Sitting heavily in a chair.] Ah! but it's out of our +hands! + + [MRS. BARTHWICK turns her back to the window. There is an + expression of distress on hey face. She stands motionless, + compressing her lips. The crying begins again. BARTHWICK + coveys his ears with his hands, and MARLOW shuts the window. + The crying ceases.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +ACT III + + Eight days have passed, and the scene is a London Police Court + at one o'clock. A canopied seat of Justice is surmounted by + the lion and unicorn. Before the fire a worn-looking + MAGISTRATE is warming his coat-tails, and staring at two little + girls in faded blue and orange rags, who are placed before the + dock. Close to the witness-box is a RELIEVING OFFICER in an + overcoat, and a short brown beard. Beside the little girls + stands a bald POLICE CONSTABLE. On the front bench are sitting + BARTHWICK and ROPER, and behind them JACK. In the railed + enclosure are seedy-looking men and women. Some prosperous + constables sit or stand about. + +MAGISTRATE. [In his paternal and ferocious voice, hissing his s's.] +Now let us dispose of these young ladies. + +USHER. Theresa Livens, Maud Livens. + + [The bald CONSTABLE indicates the little girls, who remain + silent, disillusioned, inattentive.] + +Relieving Officer! + + [The RELIEVING OFFICER Steps into the witness-box.] + +USHER. The evidence you give to the Court shall be the truth, the +whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God! Kiss the +book! + + [The book is kissed.] + +RELIEVING OFFICER. [In a monotone, pausing slightly at each +sentence end, that his evidence may be inscribed.] About ten +o'clock this morning, your Worship, I found these two little girls +in Blue Street, Fulham, crying outside a public-house. Asked where +their home was, they said they had no home. Mother had gone away. +Asked about their father. Their father had no work. Asked where +they slept last night. At their aunt's. I 've made inquiries, your +Worship. The wife has broken up the home and gone on the streets. +The husband is out of work and living in common lodging-houses. The +husband's sister has eight children of her own, and says she can't +afford to keep these little girls any longer. + +MAGISTRATE. [Returning to his seat beneath the canopy of justice.] +Now, let me see. You say the mother is on the streets; what +evidence have you of that? + +RELIEVING OFFICER. I have the husband here, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well; then let us see him. + + [There are cries of "LIVENS." The MAGISTRATE leans forward, + and stares with hard compassion at the little girls. LIVENS + comes in. He is quiet, with grizzled hair, and a muffler for a + collar. He stands beside the witness-box.] + +And you, are their father? Now, why don't you keep your little +girls at home. How is it you leave them to wander about the streets +like this? + +LIVENS. I've got no home, your Worship. I'm living from 'and to +mouth. I 've got no work; and nothin' to keep them on. + +MAGISTRATE. How is that? + +LIVENS. [Ashamedly.] My wife, she broke my 'ome up, and pawned the +things. + +MAGISTRATE. But what made you let her? + +LEVINS. Your Worship, I'd no chance to stop 'er, she did it when I +was out lookin' for work. + +MAGISTRATE. Did you ill-treat her? + +LIVENS. [Emphatically.] I never raised my 'and to her in my life, +your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Then what was it--did she drink? + +LIVENS. Yes, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Was she loose in her behaviour? + +LIVENS. [In a low voice.] Yes, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. And where is she now? + +LIVENS. I don't know your Worship. She went off with a man, and +after that I---- + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes. Who knows anything of her? [To the bald +CONSTABLE.] Is she known here? + +RELIEVING OFFICER. Not in this district, your Worship; but I have +ascertained that she is well known---- + +MAGISTRATE. Yes--yes; we'll stop at that. Now [To the Father] you +say that she has broken up your home, and left these little girls. +What provision can you make for them? You look a strong man. + +LIVENS. So I am, your Worship. I'm willin' enough to work, but for +the life of me I can't get anything to do. + +MAGISTRATE. But have you tried? + +LIVENS. I've tried everything, your Worship--I 've tried my +'ardest. + +MAGISTRATE. Well, well---- [There is a silence.] + +RELIEVING OFFICER. If your Worship thinks it's a case, my people are +willing to take them. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, I know; but I've no evidence that this man is +not the proper guardian for his children. + + [He rises oval goes back to the fire.] + +RELIEVING OFFICER. The mother, your Worship, is able to get access +to them. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes; the mother, of course, is an improper person +to have anything to do with them. [To the Father.] Well, now what +do you say? + +LIVENS. Your Worship, I can only say that if I could get work I +should be only too willing to provide for them. But what can I do, +your Worship? Here I am obliged to live from 'and to mouth in these +'ere common lodging-houses. I 'm a strong man--I'm willing to work +--I'm half as alive again as some of 'em--but you see, your Worship, +my 'airs' turned a bit, owing to the fever--[Touches his hair]--and +that's against me; and I don't seem to get a chance anyhow. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes-yes. [Slowly.] Well, I think it 's a case. +[Staring his hardest at the little girls.] Now, are you willing +that these little girls should be sent to a home. + +LIVENS. Yes, your Worship, I should be very willing. + +MAGISTRATE. Well, I'll remand them for a week. Bring them again +to-day week; if I see no reason against it then, I 'll make an +order. + +RELIEVING OFFICER. To-day week, your Worship. + + [The bald CONSTABLE takes the little girls out by the + shoulders. The father follows them. The MAGISTRATE, returning + to his seat, bends over and talks to his CLERK inaudibly.] + +BARTHWICK. [Speaking behind his hand.] A painful case, Roper; very +distressing state of things. + +ROPER. Hundreds like this in the Police Courts. + +BARTHWICK. Most distressing! The more I see of it, the more +important this question of the condition of the people seems to +become. I shall certainly make a point of taking up the cudgels in +the House. I shall move---- + + [The MAGISTRATE ceases talking to his CLERK.] + +CLERK. Remands! + + [BARTHWICK stops abruptly. There is a stir and MRS. JONES + comes in by the public door; JONES, ushered by policemen, comes + from the prisoner's door. They file into the dock.] + +CLERK. James Jones, Jane Jones. + +USHER. Jane Jones! + +BARTHWICK. [In a whisper.] The purse--the purse must be kept out +of it, Roper. Whatever happens you must keep that out of the +papers. + + [ROPER nods.] + +BALD CONSTABLE. Hush! + + [MRS. JONES, dressed in hey thin, black, wispy dress, and black + straw hat, stands motionless with hands crossed on the front + rail of the dock. JONES leans against the back rail of the + dock, and keeps half turning, glancing defiantly about him. He + is haggard and unshaven.] + +CLERK. [Consulting with his papers.] This is the case remanded +from last Wednesday, Sir. Theft of a silver cigarette-box and +assault on the police; the two charges were taken together. Jane +Jones! James Jones! + +MAGISTRATE. [Staring.] Yes, yes; I remember. + +CLERK. Jane Jones. + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Do you admit stealing a silver cigarette-box valued at five +pounds, ten shillings, from the house of John BARTHWICK, M.P., +between the hours of 11 p.m. on Easter Monday and 8.45 a.m. on +Easter Tuesday last? Yes, or no? + +MRS. JONES. [In a logy voice.] No, Sir, I do not, sir. + +CLERK. James Jones? Do you admit stealing a silver cigarette-box +valued at five pounds, ten shillings, from the house of John +BARTHWICK, M.P., between the hours of 11 p.m. on Easter Monday and +8.45 A.M. on Easter Tuesday last. And further making an assault on +the police when in the execution of their duty at 3 p.m. on Easter +Tuesday? Yes or no? + +JONES. [Sullenly.] Yes, but I've got a lot to say about it. + +MAGISTRATE. [To the CLERK.] Yes--yes. But how comes it that these +two people are charged with the same offence? Are they husband and +wife? + +CLERK. Yes, Sir. You remember you ordered a remand for further +evidence as to the story of the male prisoner. + +MAGISTRATE. Have they been in custody since? + +CLERK. You released the woman on her own recognisances, sir. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, this is the case of the silver box; I +remember now. Well? + +CLERK. Thomas Marlow. + + [The cry of "THOMAS MARLOW" is repeated MARLOW comes in, and + steps into the witness-box.] + +USHER. The evidence you give to the court shall be the truth, the +whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Kiss the +book. + + [The book is kissed. The silver box is handed up, and placed + on the rail.] + +CLERK. [Reading from his papers.] Your name is Thomas Marlow? Are +you, butler to John BARTHWICK, M.P., of 6, Rockingham Gate? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Is that the box? + +MARLOW. Yes Sir. + +CLERK. And did you miss the same at 8.45 on the following morning, +on going to remove the tray? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Is the female prisoner known to you? + + [MARLOW nods.] + +Is she the charwoman. employed at 6, Rockingham Gate? + + [Again MARLOW nods.] + +Did you at the time of your missing the box find her in the room +alone? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Did you afterwards communicate the loss to your employer, +and did he send you to the police station? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. [To MRS. JONES.] Have you anything to ask him? + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, nothing, thank you, sir. + +CLERK. [To JONES.] James Jones, have you anything to ask this +witness? + +JONES. I don't know 'im. + +MAGISTRATE. Are you sure you put the box in the place you say at +the time you say? + +MARLOW. Yes, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well; then now let us have the officer. + + [MARLOW leaves the box, and Snow goes into it.] + +USHER. The evidence you give to the court shall be the truth, the +whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. [The book +is kissed. + +CLERK. [Reading from his papers.] Your name is Robert Allow? You +are a detective in the X. B. division of the Metropolitan police +force? According to instructions received did you on Easter Tuesday +last proceed to the prisoner's lodgings at 34, Merthyr Street, St. +Soames's? And did you on entering see the box produced, lying on +the table? + +SNOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Is that the box? + +Snow. [Fingering the box.] Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. And did you thereupon take possession of it, and charge the +female prisoner with theft of the box from 6, Rockingham Gate? And +did she deny the same? + +SNOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Did you take her into custody? + +Snow. Yes, Sir. + +MAGISTRATE. What was her behaviour? + +SNOW. Perfectly quiet, your Worship. She persisted in the denial. +That's all. + +MAGISTRATE. DO you know her? + +SNOW. No, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Is she known here? + +BALD CONSTABLE. No, your Worship, they're neither of them known, +we 've nothing against them at all. + +CLERK. [To MRS. JONES.] Have you anything to ask the officer? + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, thank you, I 've nothing to ask him. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well then--go on. + +CLERK. [Reading from his papers.] And while you were taking the +female prisoner did the male prisoner interpose, and endeavour to +hinder you in the execution of your duty, and did he strike you a +blow? + +SNOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. And did he say, "You, let her go, I took the box myself"? + +SNOW. He did. + +CLERK. And did you blow your whistle and obtain the assistance of +another constable, and take him into custody? + +SNOW. I did. + +CLERK. Was he violent on the way to the station, and did he use bad +language, and did he several times repeat that he had taken the box +himself? + + [Snow nods.] + +Did you thereupon ask him in what manner he had stolen the box? And +did you understand him to say he had entered the house at the +invitation of young Mr. BARTHWICK + + [BARTHWICK, turning in his seat, frowns at ROPER.] + +after midnight on Easter Monday, and partaken of whisky, and that +under the influence of the whisky he had taken the box? + +SNOW. I did, sir. + +CLERK. And was his demeanour throughout very violent? + +SNOW. It was very violent. + +JONES. [Breaking in.] Violent---of course it was! You put your +'ands on my wife when I kept tellin' you I took the thing myself. + +MAGISTRATE. [Hissing, with protruded neck.] Now--you will have +your chance of saying what you want to say presently. Have you +anything to ask the officer? + +JONES. [Sullenly.] No. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well then. Now let us hear what the female +prisoner has to say first. + +MRS. JONES. Well, your Worship, of course I can only say what I 've +said all along, that I did n't take the box. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, but did you know that it was taken? + +MRS. JONES. No, your Worship. And, of course, to what my husband +says, your Worship, I can't speak of my own knowledge. Of course, I +know that he came home very late on the Monday night. It was past +one o'clock when he came in, and he was not himself at all. + +MAGISTRATE. Had he been drinking? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. And was he drunk? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, your Worship, he was almost quite drunk. + +MAGISTRATE. And did he say anything to you? + +MRS. JONES. No, your Worship, only to call me names. And of course +in the morning when I got up and went to work he was asleep. And I +don't know anything more about it until I came home again. Except +that Mr. BARTHWICK--that 's my employer, your Worship--told me the +box was missing. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes. + +MRS. JONES. But of course when I was shaking out my husband's coat +the cigarette-box fell out and all the cigarettes were scattered on +the bed. + +MAGISTRATE. You say all the cigarettes were scattered on the bed? +[To SNOW.] Did you see the cigarettes scattered on the bed? + +SNOW. No, your Worship, I did not. + +MAGISTRATE. You see he says he did n't see them. + +JONES. Well, they were there for all that. + +SNOW. I can't say, your Worship, that I had the opportunity of +going round the room; I had all my work cut out with the male +prisoner. + +MAGISTRATE. [To MRS. JONES.] Well, what more have you to say? + +MRS. JONES. Of course when I saw the box, your Worship, I was +dreadfully upset, and I could n't think why he had done such a +thing; when the officer came we were having words about it, because +it is ruin to me, your Worship, in my profession, and I have three +little children dependent on me. + +MAGISTRATE. [Protruding his neck]. Yes--yes--but what did he say +to you? + +MRS. JONES. I asked him whatever came over him to do such a thing- +and he said it was the drink. He said he had had too much to drink, +and something came over him. And of course, your Worship, he had +had very little to eat all day, and the drink does go to the head +when you have not had enough to eat. Your Worship may not know, but +it is the truth. And I would like to say that all through his +married life, I have never known him to do such a thing before, +though we have passed through great hardships and [speaking with +soft emphasis] I am quite sure he would not have done it if he had +been himself at the time. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes. But don't you know that that is no excuse? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, your Worship. I know that it is no excuse. + + [The MAGISTRATE leans over and parleys with his CLERK.] + +JACK. [Leaning over from his seat behind.] I say, Dad---- + +BARTHWICK. Tsst! [Sheltering his mouth he speaks to ROPER.] +Roper, you had better get up now and say that considering the +circumstances and the poverty of the prisoners, we have no wish to +proceed any further, and if the magistrate would deal with the case +as one of disorder only on the part of---- + +BALD CONSTABLE. HSSShh! + + [ROPER shakes his head.] + +MAGISTRATE. Now, supposing what you say and what your husband says +is true, what I have to consider is--how did he obtain access to +this house, and were you in any way a party to his obtaining access? +You are the charwoman employed at the house? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, your Worship, and of course if I had let him into +the house it would have been very wrong of me; and I have never done +such a thing in any of the houses where I have been employed. + +MAGISTRATE. Well--so you say. Now let us hear what story the male +prisoner makes of it. + +JONES. [Who leans with his arms on the dock behind, speaks in a +slow, sullen voice.] Wot I say is wot my wife says. I 've never +been 'ad up in a police court before, an' I can prove I took it when +in liquor. I told her, and she can tell you the same, that I was +goin' to throw the thing into the water sooner then 'ave it on my +mind. + +MAGISTRATE. But how did you get into the HOUSE? + +JONES. I was passin'. I was goin' 'ome from the "Goat and Bells." + +MAGISTRATE. The "Goat and Bells,"--what is that? A public-house? + +JONES. Yes, at the corner. It was Bank 'oliday, an' I'd 'ad a drop +to drink. I see this young Mr. BARTHWICK tryin' to find the keyhole +on the wrong side of the door. + +MAGISTRATE. Well? + +JONES. [Slowly and with many pauses.] Well---I 'elped 'im to find +it--drunk as a lord 'e was. He goes on, an' comes back again, and +says, I 've got nothin' for you, 'e says, but come in an' 'ave a +drink. So I went in just as you might 'ave done yourself. We 'ad a +drink o' whisky just as you might have 'ad, 'nd young Mr. BARTHWICK +says to me, "Take a drink 'nd a smoke. Take anything you like, 'e +says." And then he went to sleep on the sofa. I 'ad some more +whisky--an' I 'ad a smoke--and I 'ad some more whisky--an' I carn't +tell yer what 'appened after that. + +MAGISTRATE. Do you mean to say that you were so drunk that you can +remember nothing? + +JACK. [Softly to his father.] I say, that's exactly what---- + +BARTHWICK. TSSh! + +JONES. That's what I do mean. + +MAGISTRATE. And yet you say you stole the box? + +JONES. I never stole the box. I took it. + +MAGISTRATE. [Hissing with protruded neck.] You did not steal it-- +you took it. Did it belong to you--what is that but stealing? + +JONES. I took it. + +MAGISTRATE. You took it--you took it away from their house and you +took it to your house---- + +JONES. [Sullenly breaking in.] I ain't got a house. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well, let us hear what this young man Mr.--Mr. +BARTHWICK has to say to your story. + + [SNOW leaves the witness-box. The BALD CONSTABLE beckons JACK, + who, clutching his hat, goes into the witness-box. ROPER moves + to the table set apart for his profession.] + +SWEARING CLERK. The evidence you give to the court shall be the +truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. +Kiss the book. + + [The book is kissed.] + +ROPER. [Examining.] What is your name? + +JACK. [In a low voice.] John BARTHWICK, Junior. + + [The CLERK writes it down.] + +ROPER. Where do you live? + +JACK. At 6, Rockingham Gate. + + [All his answers are recorded by the Clerk.] + +ROPER. You are the son of the owner? + +JACK. [In a very low voice.] Yes. + +ROPER. Speak up, please. Do you know the prisoners? + +JACK. [Looking at the JONESES, in a low voice.] I 've seen Mrs. +Jones. I [in a loud voice] don't know the man. + +JONES. Well, I know you! + +BALD CONSTABLE. HSSh! + +ROPER. Now, did you come in late on the night of Easter Monday? + +JACK. Yes. + +ROPER. And did you by mistake leave your latch key in the door? + +JACK. Yes. + +MAGISTRATE. Oh! You left your latch-key in the door? + +ROPER. And is that all you can remember about your coming in? + +JACK. [In a loud voice.] Yes, it is. + +MAGISTRATE. Now, you have heard the male prisoner's story, what do +you say to that? + +JACK. [Turning to the MAGISTRATE, speaks suddenly in a confident, +straight-forward voice.] The fact of the matter is, sir, that I 'd +been out to the theatre that night, and had supper afterwards, and I +came in late. + +MAGISTRATE. Do you remember this man being outside when you came +in? + +JACK. No, Sir. [He hesitates.] I don't think I do. + +MAGISTRATE. [Somewhat puzzled.] Well, did he help you to open the +door, as he says? Did any one help you to open the door? + +JACK. No, sir--I don't think so, sir--I don't know. + +MAGISTRATE. You don't know? But you must know. It is n't a usual +thing for you to have the door opened for you, is it? + +JACK. [With a shamefaced smile.] No. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well, then---- + +JACK. [Desperately.] The fact of the matter is, sir, I'm afraid +I'd had too much champagne that night. + +MAGISTRATE. [Smiling.] Oh! you'd had too much champagne? + +JONES. May I ask the gentleman a question? + +MAGISTRATE. Yes--yes--you may ask him what questions you like. + +JONES. Don't you remember you said you was a Liberal, same as your +father, and you asked me wot I was? + +JACK. [With his hand against his brow.] I seem to remember---- + +JONES. And I said to you, "I'm a bloomin' Conservative," I said; +an' you said to me, "You look more like one of these 'ere +Socialists. Take wotever you like," you said. + +JACK. [With sudden resolution.] No, I don't. I don't remember +anything of the sort. + +JONES. Well, I do, an' my word's as good as yours. I 've never +been had up in a police court before. Look 'ere, don't you remember +you had a sky-blue bag in your 'and [BARTHWICK jumps.] + +ROPER. I submit to your worship that these questions are hardly to +the point, the prisoner having admitted that he himself does not +remember anything. [There is a smile on the face of Justice.] It +is a case of the blind leading the blind. + +JONES. [Violently.] I've done no more than wot he 'as. I'm a poor +man; I've got no money an' no friends--he 's a toff--he can do wot I +can't. + +MAGISTRATE: Now, now? All this won't help you--you must be quiet. +You say you took this box? Now, what made you take it? Were you +pressed for money? + +JONES. I'm always pressed for money. + +MAGISTRATE. Was that the reason you took it? + +JONES. No. + +MAGISTRATE. [To SNOW.] Was anything found on him? + +SNOW. Yes, your worship. There was six pounds twelve shillin's +found on him, and this purse. + + [The red silk purse is handed to the MAGISTRATE. BARTHWICK + rises his seat, but hastily sits down again.] + +MAGISTRATE. [Staring at the purse.] Yes, yes--let me see [There is +a silence.] No, no, I 've nothing before me as to the purse. How +did you come by all that money? + +JONES. [After a long pause, suddenly.] I declines to say. + +MAGISTRATE. But if you had all that money, what made you take this +box? + +JONES. I took it out of spite. + +MAGISTRATE. [Hissing, with protruded neck.] You took it out of +spite? Well now, that's something! But do you imagine you can go +about the town taking things out of spite? + +JONES. If you had my life, if you'd been out of work---- + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes; I know--because you're out of work you think +it's an excuse for everything. + +JONES. [Pointing at JACK.] You ask 'im wot made 'im take the---- + +ROPER. [Quietly.] Does your Worship require this witness in the +box any longer? + +MAGISTRATE. [Ironically.] I think not; he is hardly profitable. + + [JACK leaves the witness-box, and hanging his head, resumes his + seat.] + +JONES. You ask 'im wot made 'im take the lady's---- + + [But the BALD CONSTABLE catches him by the sleeve.] + +BALD CONSTABLE. SSSh! + +MAGISTRATE. [Emphatically.] Now listen to me. + +I 've nothing to do with what he may or may not have taken. Why did +you resist the police in the execution of their duty? + +JONES. It war n't their duty to take my wife, a respectable woman, +that 'ad n't done nothing. + +MAGISTRATE. But I say it was. What made you strike the officer a +blow? + +JONES. Any man would a struck 'im a blow. I'd strike 'im again, I +would. + +MAGISTRATE. You are not making your case any better by violence. +How do you suppose we could get on if everybody behaved like you? + +JONES. [Leaning forward, earnestly.] Well, wot, about 'er; who's +to make up to 'er for this? Who's to give 'er back 'er good name? + +MRS. JONES. Your Worship, it's the children that's preying on his +mind, because of course I 've lost my work. And I've had to find +another room owing to the scandal. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, I know--but if he had n't acted like this +nobody would have suffered. + +JONES. [Glaring round at JACK.] I 've done no worse than wot 'e +'as. Wot I want to know is wot 's goin' to be done to 'im. + + [The BALD CONSTABLE again says "HSSh"] + +ROPER. Mr. BARTHWICK wishes it known, your Worship, that +considering the poverty of the prisoners, he does not press the +charge as to the box. Perhaps your Worship would deal with the case +as one of disorder. + +JONES. I don't want it smothered up, I want it all dealt with fair- +-I want my rights---- + +MAGISTRATE. [Rapping his desk.] Now you have said all you have to +say, and you will be quiet. + + [There is a silence; the MAGISTRATE bends over and parleys with + his CLERK.] + +Yes, I think I may discharge the woman. [In a kindly voice he +addresses MRS. JONES, who stands unmoving with her hands crossed on +the rail.] It is very unfortunate for you that this man has behaved +as he has. It is not the consequences to him but the consequences +to you. You have been brought here twice, you have lost your work-- +[He glares at JONES]--and this is what always happens. Now you may +go away, and I am very sorry it was necessary to bring you here at +all. + +MRS. JONES. [Softly.] Thank you very much, your Worship. + + [She leaves the dock, and looking back at JONES, twists her + fingers and is still.] + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, but I can't pass it over. Go away, there's a +good woman. + + [MRS. JONES stands back. The MAGISTRATE leans his head on his + hand; then raising it he speaks to JONES.] + +Now, listen to me. Do you wish the case to be settled here, or do +you wish it to go before a jury? + +JONES. [Muttering.] I don't want no jury. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well then, I will deal with it here. [After a +pause.] You have pleaded guilty to stealing this box---- + +JONES. Not to stealin'---- + +BALD CONSTABLE. HSSShh! + +MAGISTRATE. And to assaulting the police---- + +JONES. Any man as was a man---- + +MAGISTRATE. Your conduct here has been most improper. You give the +excuse that you were drunk when you stole the box. I tell you that +is no excuse. If you choose to get drunk and break the law +afterwards you must take the consequences. And let me tell you that +men like you, who get drunk and give way to your spite or whatever +it is that's in you, are--are--a nuisance to the community. + +JACK. [Leaning from his seat. Dad! that's what you said to me! + +BARTHWICK. TSSt! + + [There is a silence, while the MAGISTRATE consults his CLERK; + JONES leans forward waiting.] + +MAGISTRATE. This is your first offence, and I am going to give you +a light sentence. [Speaking sharply, but without expression.] One +month with hard labour. + + [He bends, and parleys with his CLERK. The BALD CONSTABLE and + another help JONES from the dock.] + +JONES. [Stopping and twisting round.] Call this justice? What +about 'im? 'E got drunk! 'E took the purse--'e took the purse but +[in a muffled shout] it's 'is money got 'im off--JUSTICE! + + [The prisoner's door is shut on JONES, and from the seedy- + looking men and women comes a hoarse and whispering groan.] + +MAGISTRATE. We will now adjourn for lunch! [He rises from his +seat.] + + [The Court is in a stir. ROPER gets up and speaks to the + reporter. JACK, throwing up his head, walks with a swagger to + the corridor; BARTHWICK follows.] + +MRS. JONES. [Turning to him zenith a humble gesture.] Oh! sir! + + [BARTHWICK hesitates, then yielding to his nerves, he makes a + shame-faced gesture of refusal, and hurries out of court. MRS. + JONES stands looking after him.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of THE SILVER BOX, a play in +THE FIRST SERIES by John Galsworthy + diff --git a/old/silbx10.zip b/old/silbx10.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..eb8e59b --- /dev/null +++ b/old/silbx10.zip diff --git a/old/silbx11.txt b/old/silbx11.txt new file mode 100644 index 0000000..22353c8 --- /dev/null +++ b/old/silbx11.txt @@ -0,0 +1,3363 @@ +Project Gutenberg Etext of The Silver Box (Play), by John Galsworthy +#19 in our series by John Galsworthy + +Copyright laws are changing all over the world. Be sure to check the +copyright laws for your country before distributing this or any other +Project Gutenberg file. + +We encourage you to keep this file, exactly as it is, on your +own disk, thereby keeping an electronic path open for future +readers. Please do not remove this. + +This header should be the first thing seen when anyone starts to +view the etext. 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SEDDON, a landlady +SNOW, a detective +A POLICE MAGISTRATE +AN UNKNOWN LADY, from beyond +TWO LITTLE GIRLS, homeless +LIVENS, their father +A RELIEVING OFFICER +A MAGISTRATE'S CLERK +AN USHER +POLICEMEN, CLERKS, AND OTHERS + + +TIME: The present. The action of the first two Acts takes place on +Easter Tuesday; the action of the third on Easter Wednesday week. + + +ACT I. + SCENE I. Rockingham Gate. John Barthwick's dining-room. + SCENE II. The same. + SCENE III. The same. + +ACT II. + SCENE I. The Jones's lodgings, Merthyr Street. + SCENE II. John Barthwick's dining-room. + +ACT III. A London police court. + + + + +ACT I + +SCENE I + + The curtain rises on the BARTHWICK'S dining-room, large, + modern, and well furnished; the window curtains drawn. + Electric light is burning. On the large round dining-table is + set out a tray with whisky, a syphon, and a silver + cigarette-box. It is past midnight. + + A fumbling is heard outside the door. It is opened suddenly; + JACK BARTHWICK seems to fall into the room. He stands holding + by the door knob, staring before him, with a beatific smile. + He is in evening dress and opera hat, and carries in his hand a + sky-blue velvet lady's reticule. His boyish face is freshly + coloured and clean-shaven. An overcoat is hanging on his arm. + + +JACK. Hello! I've got home all ri----[Defiantly.] Who says I sh +'d never 've opened th' door without 'sistance. [He staggers in, +fumbling with the reticule. A lady's handkerchief and purse of +crimson silk fall out.] Serve her joll' well right--everything +droppin' out. Th' cat. I 've scored her off--I 've got her bag. +[He swings the reticule.] Serves her joly' well right. [He takes a +cigarette out of the silver box and puts it in his mouth.] Never +gave tha' fellow anything! [He hunts through all his pockets and +pulls a shilling out; it drops and rolls away. He looks for it.] +Beastly shilling! [He looks again.] Base ingratitude! Absolutely +nothing. [He laughs.] Mus' tell him I've got absolutely nothing. + + [He lurches through the door and down a corridor, and presently + returns, followed by JONES, who is advanced in liquor. JONES, + about thirty years of age, has hollow cheeks, black circles + round his eyes, and rusty clothes: He looks as though he might + be unemployed, and enters in a hang-dog manner.] + +JACK. Sh! sh! sh! Don't you make a noise, whatever you do. Shu' +the door, an' have a drink. [Very solemnly.] You helped me to open +the door--I 've got nothin, for you. This is my house. My father's +name's Barthwick; he's Member of Parliament--Liberal Member of +Parliament: I've told you that before. Have a drink! [He pours out +whisky and drinks it up.] I'm not drunk [Subsiding on a sofa.] +Tha's all right. Wha's your name? My name's Barthwick, so's my +father's; I'm a Liberal too--wha're you? + +JONES. [In a thick, sardonic voice.] I'm a bloomin' Conservative. +My name's Jones! My wife works 'ere; she's the char; she works +'ere. + +JACK. Jones? [He laughs.] There's 'nother Jones at College with +me. I'm not a Socialist myself; I'm a Liberal--there's ve--lill +difference, because of the principles of the Lib--Liberal Party. +We're all equal before the law--tha's rot, tha's silly. [Laughs.] +Wha' was I about to say? Give me some whisky. + + [JONES gives him the whisky he desires, together with a squirt + of syphon.] + +Wha' I was goin' tell you was--I 've had a row with her. [He waves +the reticule.] Have a drink, Jonessh 'd never have got in without +you--tha 's why I 'm giving you a drink. Don' care who knows I've +scored her off. Th' cat! [He throws his feet up on the sofa.] +Don' you make a noise, whatever you do. You pour out a drink--you +make yourself good long, long drink--you take cigarette--you take +anything you like. Sh'd never have got in without you. [Closing +his eyes.] You're a Tory--you're a Tory Socialist. I'm Liberal +myself--have a drink--I 'm an excel'nt chap. + + [His head drops back. He, smiling, falls asleep, and JONES + stands looking at him; then, snatching up JACK's glass, he + drinks it off. He picks the reticule from off JACK'S + shirt-front, holds it to the light, and smells at it.] + +JONES. Been on the tiles and brought 'ome some of yer cat's fur. +[He stuffs it into JACK's breast pocket.] + +JACK. [Murmuring.] I 've scored you off! You cat! + + [JONES looks around him furtively; he pours out whisky and + drinks it. From the silver box he takes a cigarette, puffs at + it, and drinks more whisky. There is no sobriety left in him.] + +JONES. Fat lot o' things they've got 'ere! [He sees the crimson +purse lying on the floor.] More cat's fur. Puss, puss! [He +fingers it, drops it on the tray, and looks at JACK.] Calf! Fat +calf! [He sees his own presentment in a mirror. Lifting his hands, +with fingers spread, he stares at it; then looks again at JACK, +clenching his fist as if to batter in his sleeping, smiling face. +Suddenly he tilts the rest o f the whisky into the glass and drinks +it. With cunning glee he takes the silver box and purse and pockets +them.] I 'll score you off too, that 's wot I 'll do! + + [He gives a little snarling laugh and lurches to the door. His + shoulder rubs against the switch; the light goes out. There is + a sound as of a closing outer door.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +The curtain rises again at once. + +SCENE II + + In the BARTHWICK'S dining-room. JACK is still asleep; the + morning light is coming through the curtains. The time is + half-past eight. WHEELER, brisk person enters with a dust-pan, + and MRS. JONES more slowly with a scuttle. + +WHEELER. [Drawing the curtains.] That precious husband of yours +was round for you after you'd gone yesterday, Mrs. Jones. Wanted +your money for drink, I suppose. He hangs about the corner here +half the time. I saw him outside the "Goat and Bells" when I went +to the post last night. If I were you I would n't live with him. I +would n't live with a man that raised his hand to me. I wouldn't +put up with it. Why don't you take your children and leave him? If +you put up with 'im it'll only make him worse. I never can see why, +because a man's married you, he should knock you about. + +MRS. JONES. [Slim, dark-eyed, and dark-haired; oval-faced, and with +a smooth, soft, even voice; her manner patient, her way of talking +quite impersonal; she wears a blue linen dress, and boots with +holes.] It was nearly two last night before he come home, and he +wasn't himself. He made me get up, and he knocked me about; he +didn't seem to know what he was saying or doing. Of course I would +leave him, but I'm really afraid of what he'd do to me. He 's such +a violent man when he's not himself. + +WHEELER. Why don't you get him locked up? You'll never have any +peace until you get him locked up. If I were you I'd go to the +police court tomorrow. That's what I would do. + +MRS. JONES. Of course I ought to go, because he does treat me so +badly when he's not himself. But you see, Bettina, he has a very +hard time--he 's been out of work two months, and it preys upon his +mind. When he's in work he behaves himself much better. It's when +he's out of work that he's so violent. + +WHEELER. Well, if you won't take any steps you 'll never get rid of +him. + +MRS. JONES. Of course it's very wearing to me; I don't get my sleep +at nights. And it 's not as if I were getting help from him, +because I have to do for the children and all of us. And he throws +such dreadful things up at me, talks of my having men to follow me +about. Such a thing never happens; no man ever speaks to me. And +of course, it's just the other way. It's what he does that's wrong +and makes me so unhappy. And then he 's always threatenin' to cut +my throat if I leave him. It's all the drink, and things preying on +his mind; he 's not a bad man really. Sometimes he'll speak quite +kind to me, but I've stood so much from him, I don't feel it in me +to speak kind back, but just keep myself to myself. And he's all +right with the children too, except when he's not himself. + +WHEELER. You mean when he's drunk, the beauty. + +MRS. JONES. Yes. [Without change of voice] There's the young +gentleman asleep on the sofa. + + [They both look silently at Jack.] + +MRS. JONES. [At last, in her soft voice.] He does n't look quite +himself. + +WHEELER. He's a young limb, that's what he is. It 's my belief he +was tipsy last night, like your husband. It 's another kind of +bein' out of work that sets him to drink. I 'll go and tell Marlow. +This is his job. + + [She goes.] + + [Mrs. Jones, upon her knees, begins a gentle sweeping.] + +JACK. [Waking.] Who's there? What is it? + +MRS. JONES. It's me, sir, Mrs. Jones. + +JACK. [Sitting up and looking round.] Where is it--what--what time +is it? + +MRS. JONES. It's getting on for nine o'clock, sir. + +JACK. For nine! Why--what! [Rising, and loosening his tongue; +putting hands to his head, and staring hard at Mrs. Jones.] Look +here, you, Mrs.----Mrs. Jones--don't you say you caught me asleep +here. + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, of course I won't sir. + +JACK. It's quite an accident; I don't know how it happened. I must +have forgotten to go to bed. It's a queer thing. I 've got a most +beastly headache. Mind you don't say anything, Mrs. Jones. + + [Goes out and passes MARLOW in the doorway. MARLOW is young + and quiet; he is cleanshaven, and his hair is brushed high from + his forehead in a coxcomb. Incidentally a butler, he is first + a man. He looks at MRS. JONES, and smiles a private smile.] + +MARLOW. Not the first time, and won't be the last. Looked a bit +dicky, eh, Mrs. Jones? + +MRS. JONES. He did n't look quite himself. Of course I did n't +take notice. + +MARLOW. You're used to them. How's your old man? + +MRS. JONES. [Softly as throughout.] Well, he was very bad last +night; he did n't seem to know what he was about. He was very late, +and he was most abusive. But now, of course, he's asleep. + +MARLOW. That's his way of finding a job, eh? + +MRS. JONES. As a rule, Mr. Marlow, he goes out early every morning +looking for work, and sometimes he comes in fit to drop--and of +course I can't say he does n't try to get it, because he does. +Trade's very bad. [She stands quite still, her fan and brush before +her, at the beginning and the end of long vistas of experience, +traversing them with her impersonal eye.] But he's not a good +husband to me--last night he hit me, and he was so dreadfully +abusive. + +MARLOW. Bank 'oliday, eh! He 's too fond of the "Goat and Bells," +that's what's the matter with him. I see him at the corner late +every night. He hangs about. + +MRS. JONES. He gets to feeling very low walking about all day after +work, and being refused so often, and then when he gets a drop in +him it goes to his head. But he shouldn't treat his wife as he +treats me. Sometimes I 've had to go and walk about at night, when +he wouldn't let me stay in the room; but he's sorry for it +afterwards. And he hangs about after me, he waits for me in the +street; and I don't think he ought to, because I 've always been a +good wife to him. And I tell him Mrs. Barthwick wouldn't like him +coming about the place. But that only makes him angry, and he says +dreadful things about the gentry. Of course it was through me that +he first lost his place, through his not treating me right; and +that's made him bitter against the gentry. He had a very good place +as groom in the country; but it made such a stir, because of course +he did n't treat me right. + +MARLOW. Got the sack? + +MRS. JONES. Yes; his employer said he couldn't keep him, because +there was a great deal of talk; and he said it was such a bad +example. But it's very important for me to keep my work here; I +have the three children, and I don't want him to come about after me +in the streets, and make a disturbance as he sometimes does. + +MARLOW. [Holding up the empty decanter.] Not a drain! Next time +he hits you get a witness and go down to the court---- + +MRS. JONES. Yes, I think I 've made up my mind. I think I ought +to. + +MARLOW. That's right. Where's the ciga----? + + [He searches for the silver box; he looks at MRS. JONES, who is + sweeping on her hands and knees; he checks himself and stands + reflecting. From the tray he picks two half-smoked cigarettes, + and reads the name on them.] + +Nestor--where the deuce----? + + [With a meditative air he looks again at MRS. JONES, and, + taking up JACK'S overcoat, he searches in the pockets. + WHEELER, with a tray of breakfast things, comes in.] + +MARLOW. [Aside to WHEELER.] Have you seen the cigarette-box? + +WHEELER. No. + +MARLOW. Well, it's gone. I put it on the tray last night. And +he's been smoking. [Showing her the ends of cigarettes.] It's not +in these pockets. He can't have taken it upstairs this morning! +Have a good look in his room when he comes down. Who's been in +here? + +WHEELER. Only me and Mrs. Jones. + +MRS. JONES. I 've finished here; shall I do the drawing-room now? + +WHEELER. [Looking at her doubtfully.] Have you seen----Better do +the boudwower first. + + [MRS. JONES goes out with pan and brush. MARLOW and WHEELER + look each other in the face.] + +MARLOW. It'll turn up. + +WHEELER. [Hesitating.] You don't think she---- +[Nodding at the door.] + +MARLOW. [Stoutly.] I don't----I never believes anything of +anybody. + +WHEELER. But the master'll have to be told. + +MARLOW. You wait a bit, and see if it don't turn up. Suspicion's +no business of ours. I set my mind against it. + + + The curtain falls. + + + + + The curtain rises again at once. + + + +SCENE III + + BARTHWICK and MRS. BARTHWICK are seated at the breakfast table. + He is a man between fifty and sixty; quietly important, with a + bald forehead, and pince-nez, and the "Times" in his hand. She + is a lady of nearly fifty, well dressed, with greyish hair, + good features, and a decided manner. They face each other. + +BARTHWICK. [From behind his paper.] The Labour man has got in at +the by-election for Barnside, my dear. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Another Labour? I can't think what on earth the +country is about. + +BARTHWICK. I predicted it. It's not a matter of vast importance. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Not? How can you take it so calmly, John? To me +it's simply outrageous. And there you sit, you Liberals, and +pretend to encourage these people! + +BARTHWICK. [Frowning.] The representation of all parties is +necessary for any proper reform, for any proper social policy. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I've no patience with your talk of reform--all that +nonsense about social policy. We know perfectly well what it is +they want; they want things for themselves. Those Socialists and +Labour men are an absolutely selfish set of people. They have no +sense of patriotism, like the upper classes; they simply want what +we've got. + +BARTHWICK. Want what we've got! [He stares into space.] My dear, +what are you talking about? [With a contortion.] I 'm no alarmist. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Cream? Quite uneducated men! Wait until they +begin to tax our investments. I 'm convinced that when they once +get a chance they will tax everything--they 've no feeling for the +country. You Liberals and Conservatives, you 're all alike; you +don't see an inch before your noses. You've no imagination, not a +scrap of imagination between you. You ought to join hands and nip +it in the bud. + +BARTHWICK. You 're talking nonsense! How is it possible for +Liberals and Conservatives to join hands, as you call it? That +shows how absurd it is for women----Why, the very essence of a +Liberal is to trust in the people! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Now, John, eat your breakfast. As if there were +any real difference between you and the Conservatives. All the +upper classes have the same interests to protect, and the same +principles. [Calmly.] Oh! you're sitting upon a volcano, John. + +BARTHWICK. What! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I read a letter in the paper yesterday. I forget +the man's name, but it made the whole thing perfectly clear. You +don't look things in the face. + +BARTHWICK. Indeed! [Heavily.] I am a Liberal! Drop the subject, +please! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Toast? I quite agree with what this man says: +Education is simply ruining the lower classes. It unsettles them, +and that's the worst thing for us all. I see an enormous difference +in the manner of servants. + +BARTHWICK, [With suspicious emphasis.] I welcome any change that +will lead to something better. [He opens a letter.] H'm! This is +that affair of Master Jack's again. "High Street, Oxford. Sir, We +have received Mr. John Barthwick, Senior's, draft for forty pounds!" +Oh! the letter's to him! "We now enclose the cheque you cashed with +us, which, as we stated in our previous letter, was not met on +presentation at your bank. We are, Sir, yours obediently, Moss and +Sons, Tailors." H 'm! [Staring at the cheque.] A pretty business +altogether! The boy might have been prosecuted. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Come, John, you know Jack did n't mean anything; he +only thought he was overdrawing. I still think his bank ought to +have cashed that cheque. They must know your position. + +BARTHWICK. [Replacing in the envelope the letter and the cheque.] +Much good that would have done him in a court of law. + + [He stops as JACK comes in, fastening his waistcoat and + staunching a razor cut upon his chin.] + +JACK. [Sitting down between them, and speaking with an artificial +joviality.] Sorry I 'm late. [He looks lugubriously at the +dishes.] Tea, please, mother. Any letters for me? [BARTHWICK +hands the letter to him.] But look here, I say, this has been +opened! I do wish you would n't---- + +BARTHWICK. [Touching the envelope.] I suppose I 'm entitled to +this name. + +JACK. [Sulkily.] Well, I can't help having your name, father! [He +reads the letter, and mutters.] Brutes! + +BARTHWICK. [Eyeing him.] You don't deserve to be so well out of +that. + +JACK. Haven't you ragged me enough, dad? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Yes, John, let Jack have his breakfast. + +BARTHWICK. If you hadn't had me to come to, where would you have +been? It's the merest accident--suppose you had been the son of a +poor man or a clerk. Obtaining money with a cheque you knew your +bank could not meet. It might have ruined you for life. I can't +see what's to become of you if these are your principles. I never +did anything of the sort myself. + +JACK. I expect you always had lots of money. If you've got plenty +of money, of course---- + +BARTHWICK. On the contrary, I had not your advantages. My father +kept me very short of money. + +JACK. How much had you, dad? + +BARTHWICK. It's not material. The question is, do you feel the +gravity of what you did? + +JACK. I don't know about the gravity. Of course, I 'm very sorry +if you think it was wrong. Have n't I said so! I should never have +done it at all if I had n't been so jolly hard up. + +BARTHWICK. How much of that forty pounds have you got left, Jack? + +JACK. [Hesitating.] I don't know--not much. + +BARTHWICK. How much? + +JACK. [Desperately.] I have n't got any. + +BARTHWICK. What? + +JACK. I know I 've got the most beastly headache. + + [He leans his head on his hand.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Headache? My dear boy! Can't you eat any +breakfast? + +JACK. [Drawing in his breath.] Too jolly bad! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I'm so sorry. Come with me; dear; I'll give you +something that will take it away at once. + + [They leave the room; and BARTHWICK, tearing up the letter, + goes to the fireplace and puts the pieces in the fire. While + he is doing this MARLOW comes in, and looking round him, is + about quietly to withdraw.] + +BARTHWICK. What's that? What d 'you want? + +MARLOW. I was looking for Mr. John, sir. + +BARTHWICK. What d' you want Mr. John for? + +MARLOW. [With hesitation.] I thought I should find him here, sir. + +BARTHWICK. [Suspiciously.] Yes, but what do you want him for? + +MARLOW. [Offhandedly.] There's a lady called--asked to speak to +him for a minute, sir. + +BARTHWICK. A lady, at this time in the morning. What sort of a +lady? + +MARLOW. [Without expression in his voice.] I can't tell, sir; no +particular sort. She might be after charity. She might be a Sister +of Mercy, I should think, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Is she dressed like one? + +MARLOW. No, sir, she's in plain clothes, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Did n't she say what she wanted? + +MARLOW. No sir. + +BARTHWICK. Where did you leave her? + +MARLOW. In the hall, sir. + +BARTHWICK. In the hall? How do you know she's not a thief--not got +designs on the house? + +MARLOW. No, sir, I don't fancy so, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Well, show her in here; I'll see her myself. + + [MARLOW goes out with a private gesture of dismay. He soon + returns, ushering in a young pale lady with dark eyes and + pretty figure, in a modish, black, but rather shabby dress, a + black and white trimmed hat with a bunch of Parma violets + wrongly placed, and fuzzy-spotted veil. At the Sight of MR. + BARTHWICK she exhibits every sign of nervousness. MARLOW goes + out.] + +UNKNOWN LADY. Oh! but--I beg pardon there's some mistake--I [She +turns to fly.] + +BARTHWICK. Whom did you want to see, madam? + +UNKNOWN. [Stopping and looking back.] It was Mr. John Barthwick I +wanted to see. + +BARTHWICK. I am John Barthwick, madam. What can I have the +pleasure of doing for you? + +UNKNOWN. Oh! I--I don't [She drops her eyes. BARTHWICK +scrutinises her, and purses his lips.] + +BARTHWICK. It was my son, perhaps, you wished to see? + +UNKNOWN. [Quickly.] Yes, of course, it's your son. + +BARTHWICK. May I ask whom I have the pleasure of speaking to? + +UNKNOWN. [Appeal and hardiness upon her face.] My name is----oh! +it does n't matter--I don't want to make any fuss. I just want to +see your son for a minute. [Boldly.] In fact, I must see him. + +BARTHWICK. [Controlling his uneasiness.] My son is not very well. +If necessary, no doubt I could attend to the matter; be so kind as +to let me know---- + +UNKNOWN. Oh! but I must see him--I 've come on purpose--[She bursts +out nervously.] I don't want to make any fuss, but the fact is, +last--last night your son took away--he took away my [She stops.] + +BARTHWICK. [Severely.] Yes, madam, what? + +UNKNOWN. He took away my--my reticule. + +BARTHWICK. Your reti----? + +UNKNOWN. I don't care about the reticule; it's not that I want--I +'m sure I don't want to make any fuss--[her face is quivering]--but- +-but--all my money was in it! + +BARTHWICK. In what--in what? + +UNKNOWN. In my purse, in the reticule. It was a crimson silk +purse. Really, I wouldn't have come--I don't want to make any fuss. +But I must get my money back--mustn't I? + +BARTHWICK. Do you tell me that my son----? + +UNKNOWN. Oh! well, you see, he was n't quite I mean he was + + [She smiles mesmerically.] + +BARTHWICK. I beg your pardon. + +UNKNOWN. [Stamping her foot.] Oh! don't you see--tipsy! We had a +quarrel. + +BARTHWICK. [Scandalised.] How? Where? + +UNKNOWN. [Defiantly.] At my place. We'd had supper at the----and +your son---- + +BARTHWICK. [Pressing the bell.] May I ask how you knew this house? +Did he give you his name and address? + +UNKNOWN. [Glancing sidelong.] I got it out of his overcoat. + +BARTHWICK. [Sardonically.] Oh! you got it out of his overcoat. +And may I ask if my son will know you by daylight? + +UNKNOWN. Know me? I should jolly--I mean, of course he will! + [MARLOW comes in.] + +BARTHWICK. Ask Mr. John to come down. + + [MARLOW goes out, and BARTHWICK walks uneasily about.] + +And how long have you enjoyed his acquaintanceship? + +UNKNOWN. Only since--only since Good Friday. + +BARTHWICK. I am at a loss--I repeat I am at a---- + + [He glances at this unknown lady, who stands with eyes cast + down, twisting her hands And suddenly Jack appears. He stops + on seeing who is here, and the unknown lady hysterically + giggles. There is a silence.] + +BARTHWICK. [Portentously.] This young--er--lady says that last +night--I think you said last night madam--you took away---- + +UNKNOWN. [Impulsively.] My reticule, and all my money was in a +crimson silk purse. + +JACK. Reticule. [Looking round for any chance to get away.] I +don't know anything about it. + +BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] Come, do you deny seeing this young lady +last night? + +JACK. Deny? No, of course. [Whispering.] Why did you give me +away like this? What on earth did you come here for? + +UNKNOWN. [Tearfully.] I'm sure I didn't want to--it's not likely, +is it? You snatched it out of my hand--you know you did--and the +purse had all my money in it. I did n't follow you last night +because I did n't want to make a fuss and it was so late, and you +were so---- + +BARTHWICK. Come, sir, don't turn your back on me--explain! + +JACK. [Desperately.] I don't remember anything about it. [In a +low voice to his friend.] Why on earth could n't you have written? + +UNKNOWN. [Sullenly.] I want it now; I must have, it--I 've got to +pay my rent to-day. [She looks at BARTHWICK.] They're only too glad +to jump on people who are not--not well off. + +JACK. I don't remember anything about it, really. I don't remember +anything about last night at all. [He puts his hand up to his +head.] It's all--cloudy, and I 've got such a beastly headache. + +UNKNOWN. But you took it; you know you did. You said you'd score +me off. + +JACK. Well, then, it must be here. I remember now--I remember +something. Why did I take the beastly thing? + +BARTHWICK. Yes, why did you take the beastly----[He turns abruptly +to the window.] + +UNKNOWN. [With her mesmeric smile.] You were n't quite were you? + +JACK. [Smiling pallidly.] I'm awfully sorry. If there's anything +I can do---- + +BARTHWICK. Do? You can restore this property, I suppose. + +JACK. I'll go and have a look, but I really don't think I 've got +it. + + [He goes out hurriedly. And BARTHWICK, placing a chair, + motions to the visitor to sit; then, with pursed lips, he + stands and eyes her fixedly. She sits, and steals a look at + him; then turns away, and, drawing up her veil, stealthily + wipes her eyes. And Jack comes back.] + +JACK. [Ruefully holding out the empty reticule.] Is that the +thing? I 've looked all over--I can't find the purse anywhere. Are +you sure it was there? + +UNKNOWN. [Tearfully.] Sure? Of course I'm sure. A crimson silk +purse. It was all the money I had. + +JACK. I really am awfully sorry--my head's so jolly bad. I 've +asked the butler, but he has n't seen it. + +UNKNOWN. I must have my money---- + +JACK. Oh! Of course--that'll be all right; I'll see that that's +all right. How much? + +UNKNOWN. [Sullenly.] Seven pounds-twelve--it's all I 've got in +the world. + +JACK. That'll be all right; I'll--send you acheque. + +UNKNOWN. [Eagerly.] No; now, please. Give me what was in my +purse; I've got to pay my rent this morning. They won't' give me +another day; I'm a fortnight behind already. + +JACK. [Blankly.] I'm awfully sorry; I really have n't a penny in +my pocket. + + [He glances stealthily at BARTHWICK.] + +UNKNOWN. [Excitedly.] Come I say you must--it's my money, and you +took it. I 'm not going away without it. They 'll turn me out of +my place. + +JACK. [Clasping his head.] But I can't give you what I have n't +got. Don't I tell you I have n't a beastly cent. + +UNKNOWN. [Tearing at her handkerchief.] Oh! do give it me! [She +puts her hands together in appeal; then, with sudden fierceness.] +If you don't I'll summons you. It's stealing, that's what it is! + +BARTHWICK. [Uneasily.] One moment, please. As a matter of---er- +principle, I shall settle this claim. [He produces money.] Here is +eight pounds; the extra will cover the value of the purse and your +cab fares. I need make no comment--no thanks are necessary. + + [Touching the bell, he holds the door ajar in silence. The + unknown lady stores the money in her reticule, she looks from + JACK to BARTHWICK, and her face is quivering faintly with a + smile. She hides it with her hand, and steals away. Behind + her BARTHWICK shuts the door.] + +BARTHWICK. [With solemnity.] H'm! This is nice thing to happen! + +JACK. [Impersonally.] What awful luck! + +BARTHWICK. So this is the way that forty pounds has gone! One +thing after another! Once more I should like to know where you 'd +have been if it had n't been for me! You don't seem to have any +principles. You--you're one of those who are a nuisance to society; +you--you're dangerous! What your mother would say I don't know. +Your conduct, as far as I can see, is absolutely unjustifiable. +It's--it's criminal. Why, a poor man who behaved as you've done---- +d' you think he'd have any mercy shown him? What you want is a good +lesson. You and your sort are--[he speaks with feeling]--a nuisance +to the community. Don't ask me to help you next time. You're not +fit to be helped. + +JACK. [Turning upon his sire, with unexpected fierceness.] All +right, I won't then, and see how you like it. You would n't have +helped me this time, I know, if you had n't been scared the thing +would get into the papers. Where are the cigarettes? + +BARTHWICK. [Regarding him uneasily.] Well I 'll say no more about +it. [He rings the bell.] I 'll pass it over for this once, but---- +[MARLOW Comes in.] You can clear away. + + [He hides his face behind the "Times."] + +JACK. [Brightening.] I say, Marlow, where are the cigarettes? + +MARLOW. I put the box out with the whisky last night, sir, but this +morning I can't find it anywhere. + +JACK. Did you look in my room? + +MARLOW. Yes, sir; I've looked all over the house. I found two +Nestor ends in the tray this morning, so you must have been smokin' +last night, sir. [Hesitating.] I 'm really afraid some one's +purloined the box. + +JACK. [Uneasily.] Stolen it! + +BARTHWICK. What's that? The cigarette-box! Is anything else +missing? + +MARLOW. No, sir; I 've been through the plate. + +BARTHWICK. Was the house all right this morning? None of the +windows open? + +MARLOW. No, sir. [Quietly to JACK.] You left your latch-key in +the door last night, sir. + + [He hands it back, unseen by BARTHWICK] + +JACK. Tst! + +BARTHWICK. Who's been in the room this morning? + +MARLOW. Me and Wheeler, and Mrs. Jones is all, sir, as far as I +know. + +BARTHWICK. Have you asked Mrs. Barthwick? + +[To JACK.] Go and ask your mother if she's had it; ask her to look +and see if she's missed anything else. + + [JACK goes upon this mission.] + +Nothing is more disquieting than losing things like this. + +MARLOW. No, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Have you any suspicions? + +MARLOW, No, sir. + +BARTHWICK. This Mrs. Jones--how long has she been working here? + +MARLOW. Only this last month, sir. + +BARTHWICK. What sort of person? + +MARLOW. I don't know much about her, sir; seems a very quiet, +respectable woman. + +BARTHWICK. Who did the room this morning? + +MARLOW. Wheeler and Mrs. Jones, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. [With his forefinger upraised.] Now, was this Mrs. +Jones in the room alone at any time? + +MARLOW. [Expressionless.] Yes, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. How do you know that? + +MARLOW. [Reluctantly.] I found her here, sir. + +BARTHWICK. And has Wheeler been in the room alone? + +MARLOW. No, sir, she's not, sir. I should say, sir, that Mrs. +Jones seems a very honest---- + +BARTHWICK. [Holding up his hand.] I want to know this: Has this +Mrs. Jones been here the whole morning? + +MARLOW. Yes, sir--no, sir--she stepped over to the greengrocer's +for cook. + +BARTHWICK. H'm! Is she in the house now? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. Very good. I shall make a point of clearing this up. +On principle I shall make a point of fixing the responsibility; it +goes to the foundations of security. In all your interests---- + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. What sort of circumstances is this Mrs. Jones in? Is +her husband in work? + +MARLOW. I believe not, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Very well. Say nothing about it to any one. Tell +Wheeler not to speak of it, and ask Mrs. Jones to step up here. + +MARLOW. Very good, sir. + + [MARLOW goes out, his face concerned; and BARTHWICK stays, his + face judicial and a little pleased, as befits a man conducting + an inquiry. MRS. BARTHWICK and hey son come in.] + +BARTHWICK. Well, my dear, you've not seen it, I suppose? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. No. But what an extraordinary thing, John! +Marlow, of course, is out of the question. I 'm certain none of the +maids as for cook! + +BARTHWICK. Oh, cook! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Of course! It's perfectly detestable to me to +suspect anybody. + +BARTHWICK. It is not a question of one's feelings. It's a question +of justice. On principle---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I should n't be a bit surprised if the charwoman +knew something about it. It was Laura who recommended her. + +BARTHWICK. [Judicially.] I am going to have Mrs. Jones up. Leave +it to me; and--er--remember that nobody is guilty until they're +proved so. I shall be careful. I have no intention of frightening +her; I shall give her every chance. I hear she's in poor +circumstances. If we are not able to do much for them we are bound +to have the greatest sympathy with the poor. [MRS. JONES comes in.] +[Pleasantly.] Oh! good morning, Mrs. Jones. + +MRS. JONES. [Soft, and even, unemphatic.] Good morning, sir! Good +morning, ma'am! + +BARTHWICK. About your husband--he's not in work, I hear? + +MRS. JONES. No, sir; of course he's not in work just now. + +BARTHWICK. Then I suppose he's earning nothing. + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, he's not earning anything just now, sir. + +BARTHWICK. And how many children have you? + +MRS. JONES. Three children; but of course they don't eat very much +sir. [A little silence.] + +BARTHWICK. And how old is the eldest? + +MRS. JONES. Nine years old, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Do they go to school? + +MRS. JONES, Yes, sir, they all three go to school every day. + +BARTHWICK. [Severely.] And what about their food when you're out +at work? + +MRS. JONES. Well, Sir, I have to give them their dinner to take +with them. Of course I 'm not always able to give them anything; +sometimes I have to send them without; but my husband is very good +about the children when he's in work. But when he's not in work of +course he's a very difficult man. + +BARTHWICK. He drinks, I suppose? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. Of course I can't say he does n't drink, +because he does. + +BARTHWICK. And I suppose he takes all your money? + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, he's very good about my money, except when +he's not himself, and then, of course, he treats me very badly. + +BARTHWICK. Now what is he--your husband? + +MRS. JONES. By profession, sir, of course he's a groom. + +BARTHWICK. A groom! How came he to lose his place? + +MRS. JONES. He lost his place a long time ago, sir, and he's never +had a very long job since; and now, of course, the motor-cars are +against him. + +BARTHWICK. When were you married to him, Mrs. Jones? + +MRS. JONES. Eight years ago, sir that was in---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] Eight? You said the eldest child was +nine. + +MRS. JONES. Yes, ma'am; of course that was why he lost his place. +He did n't treat me rightly, and of course his employer said he +couldn't keep him because of the example. + +BARTHWICK. You mean he--ahem---- + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir; and of course after he lost his place he +married me. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. You actually mean to say you--you were---- + +BARTHWICK. My dear---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Indignantly.] How disgraceful! + +BARTHWICK. [Hurriedly.] And where are you living now, Mrs. Jones? + +MRS. JONES. We've not got a home, sir. Of course we've been +obliged to put away most of our things. + +BARTHWICK. Put your things away! You mean to--to--er--to pawn +them? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, to put them away. We're living in Merthyr +Street--that is close by here, sir--at No. 34. We just have the one +room. + +BARTHWICK. And what do you pay a week? + +MRS. JONES. We pay six shillings a week, sir, for a furnished room. + +BARTHWICK. And I suppose you're behind in the rent? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, we're a little behind in the rent. + +BARTHWICK. But you're in good work, aren't you? + +MRS. JONES. Well, Sir, I have a day in Stamford Place Thursdays. +And Mondays and Wednesdays and Fridays I come here. But to-day, of +course, is a half-day, because of yesterday's Bank Holiday. + +BARTHWICK. I see; four days a week, and you get half a crown a day, +is that it? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, and my dinner; but sometimes it's only half +a day, and that's eighteen pence. + +BARTHWICK. And when your husband earns anything he spends it in +drink, I suppose? + +MRS. JONES. Sometimes he does, sir, and sometimes he gives it to me +for the children. Of course he would work if he could get it, sir, +but it seems there are a great many people out of work. + +BARTHWICK. Ah! Yes. We--er--won't go into that. +[Sympathetically.] And how about your work here? Do you find it +hard? + +MRS. JONES. Oh! no, sir, not very hard, sir; except of course, +when I don't get my sleep at night. + +BARTHWICK. Ah! And you help do all the rooms? And sometimes, I +suppose, you go out for cook? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. And you 've been out this morning? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, of course I had to go to the greengrocer's. + +BARTHWICK. Exactly. So your husband earns nothing? And he's a bad +character. + +MRS. JONES. No, Sir, I don't say that, sir. I think there's a +great deal of good in him; though he does treat me very bad +sometimes. And of course I don't like to leave him, but I think I +ought to, because really I hardly know how to stay with him. He +often raises his hand to me. Not long ago he gave me a blow here +[touches her breast] and I can feel it now. So I think I ought to +leave him, don't you, sir? + +BARTHWICK. Ah! I can't help you there. It's a very serious thing +to leave your husband. Very serious thing. + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, of course I 'm afraid of what he might do to +me if I were to leave him; he can be so very violent. + +BARTHWICK. H'm! Well, that I can't pretend to say anything about. +It's the bad principle I'm speaking of---- + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir; I know nobody can help me. I know I must +decide for myself, and of course I know that he has a very hard +life. And he's fond of the children, and its very hard for him to +see them going without food. + +BARTHWICK. [Hastily.] Well--er--thank you, I just wanted to hear +about you. I don't think I need detain you any longer, Mrs. Jones. + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, thank you, sir. + +BARTHWICK. Good morning, then. + +MRS. JONES. Good morning, sir; good morning, ma'am. + +BARTHWICK. [Exchanging glances with his wife.] By the way, Mrs. +Jones--I think it is only fair to tell you, a silver cigarette-box +--er--is missing. + +MRS. JONES. [Looking from one face to the other.] I am very sorry, +sir. + +BARTHWICK. Yes; you have not seen it, I suppose? + +MRS. JONES. [Realising that suspicion is upon her; with an uneasy +movement.] Where was it, sir; if you please, sir? + +BARTHWICK. [Evasively.] Where did Marlow say? Er--in this room, +yes, in this room. + +MRS. JONES. No, Sir, I have n't seen it--of course if I 'd seen it +I should have noticed it. + +BARTHWICK. [Giving hey a rapid glance.] You--you are sure of that? + +MRS. JONES. [Impassively.] Yes, Sir. [With a slow nodding of her +head.] I have not seen it, and of course I don't know where it is. + + [She turns and goes quietly out.] + +BARTHWICK. H'm! + + [The three BARTHWICKS avoid each other's glances.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +ACT II + +SCENE I + + The JONES's lodgings, Merthyr Street, at half-past two o'clock. + + The bare room, with tattered oilcloth and damp, distempered + walls, has an air of tidy wretchedness. On the bed lies JONES, + half-dressed; his coat is thrown across his feet, and muddy + boots are lying on the floor close by. He is asleep. The door + is opened and MRS. JONES comes in, dressed in a pinched black + jacket and old black sailor hat; she carries a parcel wrapped + up in the "Times." She puts her parcel down, unwraps an apron, + half a loaf, two onions, three potatoes, and a tiny piece of + bacon. Taking a teapot from the cupboard, she rinses it, + shakes into it some powdered tea out of a screw of paper, puts + it on the hearth, and sitting in a wooden chair quietly begins + to cry. + +JONES. [Stirring and yawning.] That you? What's the time? + +MRS. JONES. [Drying her eyes, and in her usual voice.] Half-past +two. + +JONES. What you back so soon for? + +MRS. JONES. I only had the half day to-day, Jem. + +JONES. [On his back, and in a drowsy voice.] Got anything for +dinner? + +MRS. JONES. Mrs. BARTHWICK's cook gave me a little bit of bacon. +I'm going to make a stew. [She prepares for cooking.] There's +fourteen shillings owing for rent, James, and of course I 've only +got two and fourpence. They'll be coming for it to-day. + +JONES. [Turning towards her on his elbow.] Let 'em come and find +my surprise packet. I've had enough o' this tryin' for work. Why +should I go round and round after a job like a bloomin' squirrel in +a cage. "Give us a job, sir"--"Take a man on"--"Got a wife and +three children." Sick of it I am! I 'd sooner lie here and rot. +"Jones, you come and join the demonstration; come and 'old a flag, +and listen to the ruddy orators, and go 'ome as empty as you came." +There's some that seems to like that--the sheep! When I go seekin' +for a job now, and see the brutes lookin' me up an' down, it's like +a thousand serpents in me. I 'm not arskin' for any treat. A man +wants to sweat hisself silly and not allowed that's a rum start, +ain't it? A man wants to sweat his soul out to keep the breath in +him and ain't allowed--that's justice that's freedom and all the +rest of it! [He turns his face towards the wall.] You're so milky +mild; you don't know what goes on inside o' me. I'm done with the +silly game. If they want me, let 'em come for me! + + [MRS. JONES stops cooking and stands unmoving at the table.] + +I've tried and done with it, I tell you. I've never been afraid of +what 's before me. You mark my words--if you think they've broke my +spirit, you're mistook. I 'll lie and rot sooner than arsk 'em +again. What makes you stand like that--you long-sufferin', Gawd- +forsaken image--that's why I can't keep my hands off you. So now +you know. Work! You can work, but you have n't the spirit of a +louse! + +MRS. JONES. [Quietly.] You talk more wild sometimes when you're +yourself, James, than when you 're not. If you don't get work, how +are we to go on? They won't let us stay here; they're looking to +their money to-day, I know. + +JONES. I see this BARTHWICK o' yours every day goin' down to +Pawlyment snug and comfortable to talk his silly soul out; an' I see +that young calf, his son, swellin' it about, and goin' on the +razzle-dazzle. Wot 'ave they done that makes 'em any better than +wot I am? They never did a day's work in their lives. I see 'em +day after day. + +MRS. JONES. And I wish you wouldn't come after me like that, and +hang about the house. You don't seem able to keep away at all, and +whatever you do it for I can't think, because of course they notice +it. + +JONES. I suppose I may go where I like. Where may I go? The other +day I went to a place in the Edgware Road. "Gov'nor," I says to the +boss, "take me on," I says. "I 'aven't done a stroke o' work not +these two months; it takes the heart out of a man," I says; "I 'm +one to work; I 'm not afraid of anything you can give me!" "My good +man," 'e says, "I 've had thirty of you here this morning. I took +the first two," he says, "and that's all I want." "Thank you, then +rot the world!" I says. "Blasphemin'," he says, "is not the way to +get a job. Out you go, my lad!" [He laughs sardonically.] Don't +you raise your voice because you're starvin'; don't yer even think +of it; take it lyin' down! Take it like a sensible man, carn't you? +And a little way down the street a lady says to me: [Pinching his +voice] "D' you want to earn a few pence, my man?" and gives me her +dog to 'old outside a shop-fat as a butler 'e was--tons o' meat had +gone to the makin' of him. It did 'er good, it did, made 'er feel +'erself that charitable, but I see 'er lookin' at the copper +standin' alongside o' me, for fear I should make off with 'er +bloomin' fat dog. [He sits on the edge of the bed and puts a boot +on. Then looking up.] What's in that head o' yours? [Almost +pathetically.] Carn't you speak for once? + + [There is a knock, and MRS. SEDDON, the landlady, appears, an + anxious, harassed, shabby woman in working clothes.] + +MRS. SEDDON. I thought I 'eard you come in, Mrs. Jones. I 've +spoke to my 'usband, but he says he really can't afford to wait +another day. + +JONES. [With scowling jocularity.] Never you mind what your +'usband says, you go your own way like a proper independent woman. +Here, jenny, chuck her that. + + [Producing a sovereign from his trousers pocket, he throws it + to his wife, who catches it in her apron with a gasp. JONES + resumes the lacing of his boots.] + +MRS. JONES. [Rubbing the sovereign stealthily.] I'm very sorry +we're so late with it, and of course it's fourteen shillings, so if +you've got six that will be right. + + [MRS. SEDDON takes the sovereign and fumbles for the change.] + +JONES. [With his eyes fixed on his boots.] Bit of a surprise for +yer, ain't it? + +MRS. SEDDON. Thank you, and I'm sure I'm very much obliged. [She +does indeed appear surprised.] I 'll bring you the change. + +JONES. [Mockingly.] Don't mention it. + +MRS. SEDDON. Thank you, and I'm sure I'm very much obliged. [She +slides away.] + + [MRS. JONES gazes at JONES who is still lacing up his boots.] + +JONES. I 've had a bit of luck. [Pulling out the crimson purse and +some loose coins.] Picked up a purse--seven pound and more. + +MRS. JONES. Oh, James! + +JONES. Oh, James! What about Oh, James! I picked it up I tell +you. This is lost property, this is! + +MRS. JONES. But is n't there a name in it, or something? + +JONES. Name? No, there ain't no name. This don't belong to such +as 'ave visitin' cards. This belongs to a perfec' lidy. Tike an' +smell it. [He pitches her the purse, which she puts gently to her +nose.] Now, you tell me what I ought to have done. You tell me +that. You can always tell me what I ought to ha' done, can't yer? + +MRS. JONES. [Laying down the purse.] I can't say what you ought to +have done, James. Of course the money was n't yours; you've taken +somebody else's money. + +JONES. Finding's keeping. I 'll take it as wages for the time I +'ve gone about the streets asking for what's my rights. I'll take +it for what's overdue, d' ye hear? [With strange triumph.] I've +got money in my pocket, my girl. + + [MRS. JONES goes on again with the preparation of the meal, + JONES looking at her furtively.] + +Money in my pocket! And I 'm not goin' to waste it. With this 'ere +money I'm goin' to Canada. I'll let you have a pound. + + [A silence.] + +You've often talked of leavin' me. You 've often told me I treat +you badly--well I 'ope you 'll be glad when I 'm gone. + +MRS. JONES. [Impassively.] You have, treated me very badly, James, +and of course I can't prevent your going; but I can't tell whether I +shall be glad when you're gone. + +JONES. It'll change my luck. I 've 'ad nothing but bad luck since +I first took up with you. [More softly.] And you've 'ad no +bloomin' picnic. + +MRS. JONES. Of course it would have been better for us if we had +never met. We were n't meant for each other. But you're set +against me, that's what you are, and you have been for a long time. +And you treat me so badly, James, going after that Rosie and all. +You don't ever seem to think of the children that I 've had to bring +into the world, and of all the trouble I 've had to keep them, and +what 'll become of them when you're gone. + +JONES. [Crossing the room gloomily.] If you think I want to leave +the little beggars you're bloomin' well mistaken. + +MRS. JONES. Of course I know you're fond of them. + +JONES. [Fingering the purse, half angrily.] Well, then, you stow +it, old girl. The kids 'll get along better with you than when I 'm +here. If I 'd ha' known as much as I do now, I 'd never ha' had one +o' them. What's the use o' bringin' 'em into a state o' things like +this? It's a crime, that's what it is; but you find it out too late; +that's what's the matter with this 'ere world. + + [He puts the purse back in his pocket.] + +MRS. JONES. Of course it would have been better for them, poor +little things; but they're your own children, and I wonder at you +talkin' like that. I should miss them dreadfully if I was to lose +them. + +JONES. [Sullenly.] An' you ain't the only one. If I make money +out there--[Looking up, he sees her shaking out his coat--in a +changed voice.] Leave that coat alone! + + [The silver box drops from the pocket, scattering the + cigarettes upon the bed. Taking up the box she stares at it; + he rushes at her and snatches the box away.] + +MRS. JONES. [Cowering back against the bed.] Oh, Jem! oh, Jem! + +JONES. [Dropping the box onto the table.] You mind what you're +sayin'! When I go out I 'll take and chuck it in the water along +with that there purse. I 'ad it when I was in liquor, and for what +you do when you 're in liquor you're not responsible-and that's +Gawd's truth as you ought to know. I don't want the thing--I won't +have it. I took it out o' spite. I 'm no thief, I tell you; and +don't you call me one, or it'll be the worse for you. + +MRS. JONES. [Twisting her apron strings.] It's Mr. Barthwick's! +You've taken away my reputation. Oh, Jem, whatever made you? + +JONES. What d' you mean? + +MRS. JONES. It's been missed; they think it's me. Oh! whatever +made you do it, Jem? + +JONES. I tell you I was in liquor. I don't want it; what's the +good of it to me? If I were to pawn it they'd only nab me. I 'm no +thief. I 'm no worse than wot that young Barthwick is; he brought +'ome that purse that I picked up--a lady's purse--'ad it off 'er in +a row, kept sayin' 'e 'd scored 'er off. Well, I scored 'im off. +Tight as an owl 'e was! And d' you think anything'll happen to him? + +MRS. JONES. [As though speaking to herself.] Oh, Jem! it's the +bread out of our mouths! + +JONES. Is it then? I'll make it hot for 'em yet. What about that +purse? What about young BARTHWICK? + +[MRS. JONES comes forward to the table and tries to take the box; +JONES prevents her.] What do you want with that? You drop it, I +say! + +MRS. JONES. I 'll take it back and tell them all about it. [She +attempts to wrest the box from him.] + +JONES. Ah, would yer? + + [He drops the box, and rushes on her with a snarl. She slips + back past the bed. He follows; a chair is overturned. The + door is opened; Snow comes in, a detective in plain clothes and + bowler hat, with clipped moustaches. JONES drops his arms, + MRS. JONES stands by the window gasping; SNOW, advancing + swiftly to the table, puts his hand on the silver box.] + +SNOW. Doin' a bit o' skylarkin'? Fancy this is what I 'm after. +J. B., the very same. [He gets back to the door, scrutinising the +crest and cypher on the box. To MRS. JONES.] I'm a police officer. +Are you Mrs. Jones? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. + +SNOW. My instructions are to take you on a charge of stealing this +box from J. BARTHWICK, Esquire, M.P., of 6, Rockingham Gate. +Anything you say may be used against you. Well, Missis? + +MRS. JONES. [In her quiet voice, still out of breath, her hand +upon. her breast.] Of course I did not take it, sir. I never have +taken anything that did n't belong to me; and of course I know +nothing about it. + +SNOW. You were at the house this morning; you did the room in which +the box was left; you were alone in the room. I find the box 'ere. +You say you did n't take it? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, of course I say I did not take it, because I +did not. + +SNOW. Then how does the box come to be here? + +MRS. JONES. I would rather not say anything about it. + +SNOW. Is this your husband? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, this is my husband, sir. + +SNOW. Do you wish to say anything before I take her? + + [JONES remains silent, with his head bend down.] + +Well then, Missis. I 'll just trouble you to come along with me +quietly. + +MRS. JONES. [Twisting her hands.] Of course I would n't say I had +n't taken it if I had--and I did n't take it, indeed I did n't. Of +course I know appearances are against me, and I can't tell you what +really happened: But my children are at school, and they'll be +coming home--and I don't know what they'll do without me. + +SNOW. Your 'usband'll see to them, don't you worry. [He takes the +woman gently by the arm.] + +JONES. You drop it--she's all right! [Sullenly.] I took the thing +myself. + +SNOW. [Eyeing him] There, there, it does you credit. Come along, +Missis. + +JONES. [Passionately.] Drop it, I say, you blooming teck. She's +my wife; she 's a respectable woman. Take her if you dare! + +SNOW. Now, now. What's the good of this? Keep a civil tongue, and +it'll be the better for all of us. + + [He puts his whistle in his mouth and draws the woman to the + door.] + +JONES. [With a rush.] Drop her, and put up your 'ands, or I 'll +soon make yer. You leave her alone, will yer! Don't I tell yer, I +took the thing myself. + +SNOW. [Blowing his whistle.] Drop your hands, or I 'll take you +too. Ah, would you? + + [JONES, closing, deals him a blow. A Policeman in uniform + appears; there is a short struggle and JONES is overpowered. + MRS. JONES raises her hands avid drops her face on them.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +SCENE II + + The BARTHWICKS' dining-room the same evening. The BARTHWICKS + are seated at dessert. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. John! [A silence broken by the cracking of nuts.] +John! + +BARTHWICK. I wish you'd speak about the nuts they're uneatable. +[He puts one in his mouth.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. It's not the season for them. I called on the +Holyroods. + + [BARTHWICK fills his glass with port.] + +JACK. Crackers, please, Dad. + + [BARTHWICK passes the crackers. His demeanour is reflective.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Lady Holyrood has got very stout. I 've noticed it +coming for a long time. + +BARTHWICK. [Gloomily.] Stout? [He takes up the crackers--with +transparent airiness.] The Holyroods had some trouble with their +servants, had n't they? + +JACK. Crackers, please, Dad. + +BARTHWICK. [Passing the crackers.] It got into the papers. The +cook, was n't it? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. No, the lady's maid. I was talking it over with +Lady Holyrood. The girl used to have her young man to see her. + +BARTHWICK. [Uneasily.] I'm not sure they were wise---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. My dear John, what are you talking about? How +could there be any alternative? Think of the effect on the other +servants! + +BARTHWICK. Of course in principle--I wasn't thinking of that. + +JACK. [Maliciously.] Crackers, please, Dad. + + [BARTHWICK is compelled to pass the crackers.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Lady Holyrood told me: "I had her up," she said; "I +said to her, 'You'll leave my house at once; I think your conduct +disgraceful. I can't tell, I don't know, and I don't wish to know, +what you were doing. I send you away on principle; you need not +come to me for a character.' And the girl said: 'If you don't give +me my notice, my lady, I want a month's wages. I'm perfectly +respectable. I've done nothing.'"'--Done nothing! + +BARTHWICK. H'm! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Servants have too much license. They hang together +so terribly you never can tell what they're really thinking; it's as +if they were all in a conspiracy to keep you in the dark. Even with +Marlow, you feel that he never lets you know what's really in his +mind. I hate that secretiveness; it destroys all confidence. I +feel sometimes I should like to shake him. + +JACK. Marlow's a most decent chap. It's simply beastly every one +knowing your affairs. + +BARTHWICK. The less you say about that the better! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. It goes all through the lower classes. You can not +tell when they are speaking the truth. To-day when I was shopping +after leaving the Holyroods, one of these unemployed came up and +spoke to me. I suppose I only had twenty yards or so to walk to the +carnage, but he seemed to spring up in the street. + +BARTHWICK. Ah! You must be very careful whom you speak to in these +days. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I did n't answer him, of course. But I could see +at once that he wasn't telling the truth. + +BARTHWICK. [Cracking a nut.] There's one very good rule--look at +their eyes. + +JACK. Crackers, please, Dad. + +BARTHWICK. [Passing the crackers.] If their eyes are straight- +forward I sometimes give them sixpence. It 's against my +principles, but it's most difficult to refuse. If you see that +they're desperate, and dull, and shifty-looking, as so many of them +are, it's certain to mean drink, or crime, or something +unsatisfactory. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. This man had dreadful eyes. He looked as if he +could commit a murder. "I 've 'ad nothing to eat to-day," he said. +Just like that. + +BARTHWICK. What was William about? He ought to have been waiting. + +JACK. [Raising his wine-glass to his nose.] Is this the '63, Dad? + + [BARTHWICK, holding his wine-glass to his eye, lowers it and + passes it before his nose.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I hate people that can't speak the truth. [Father +and son exchange a look behind their port.] It 's just as easy to +speak the truth as not. I've always found it easy enough. It makes +it impossible to tell what is genuine; one feels as if one were +continually being taken in. + +BARTHWICK. [Sententiously.] The lower classes are their own +enemies. If they would only trust us, they would get on so much +better. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. But even then it's so often their own fault. Look +at that Mrs. Jones this morning. + +BARTHWICK. I only want to do what's right in that matter. I had +occasion to see Roper this afternoon. I mentioned it to him. He's +coming in this evening. It all depends on what the detective says. +I've had my doubts. I've been thinking it over. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. The woman impressed me most unfavourably. She +seemed to have no shame. That affair she was talking about--she and +the man when they were young, so immoral! And before you and Jack! +I could have put her out of the room! + +BARTHWICK. Oh! I don't want to excuse them, but in looking at +these matters one must consider---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Perhaps you'll say the man's employer was wrong in +dismissing him? + +BARTHWICK. Of course not. It's not there that I feel doubt. What +I ask myself is---- + +JACK. Port, please, Dad. + +BARTHWICK. [Circulating the decanter in religious imitation of the +rising and setting of the sun.] I ask myself whether we are +sufficiently careful in making inquiries about people before we +engage them, especially as regards moral conduct. + +JACK. Pass the-port, please, Mother! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Passing it.] My dear boy, are n't you drinking +too much? + + [JACK fills his glass.] + +MARLOW. [Entering.] Detective Snow to see you, Sir. + +BARTHWICK. [Uneasily.] Ah! say I'll be with him in a minute. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Without turning.] Let him come in here, Marlow. + + [SNOW enters in an overcoat, his bowler hat in hand.] + +BARTHWICK. [Half-rising.] Oh! Good evening! + +SNOW. Good evening, sir; good evening, ma'am. I 've called round to +report what I 've done, rather late, I 'm afraid--another case took +me away. [He takes the silver box out o f his pocket, causing a +sensation in the BARTHWICK family.] This is the identical article, +I believe. + +BARTHWICK. Certainly, certainly. + +SNOW. Havin' your crest and cypher, as you described to me, sir, I +'d no hesitation in the matter. + +BARTHWICK. Excellent. Will you have a glass of [he glances at the +waning port]--er--sherry-[pours out sherry]. Jack, just give Mr. +Snow this. + + [JACK rises and gives the glass to SNOW; then, lolling in his + chair, regards him indolently.] + +SNOW. [Drinking off wine and putting down the glass.] After seeing +you I went round to this woman's lodgings, sir. It's a low +neighborhood, and I thought it as well to place a constable below-- +and not without 'e was wanted, as things turned out. + +BARTHWICK. Indeed! + +SNOW. Yes, Sir, I 'ad some trouble. I asked her to account for the +presence of the article. She could give me no answer, except to +deny the theft; so I took her into custody; then her husband came +for me, so I was obliged to take him, too, for assault. He was very +violent on the way to the station--very violent--threatened you and +your son, and altogether he was a handful, I can till you. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. What a ruffian he must be! + +SNOW. Yes, ma'am, a rough customer. + +JACK. [Sipping his mine, bemused.] Punch the beggar's head. + +SNOW. Given to drink, as I understand, sir. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. It's to be hoped he will get a severe punishment. + +SNOW. The odd thing is, sir, that he persists in sayin' he took the +box himself. + +BARTHWICK. Took the box himself! [He smiles.] What does he think +to gain by that? + +SNOW. He says the young gentleman was intoxicated last night + + [JACK stops the cracking of a nut, and looks at SNOW.] + + [BARTHWICK, losing his smile, has put his wine-glass down; + there is a silence--SNOW, looking from face to face, remarks] + +--took him into the house and gave him whisky; and under the +influence of an empty stomach the man says he took the box. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. The impudent wretch! + +BARTHWICK. D' you mean that he--er--intends to put this forward +to-morrow? + +SNOW. That'll be his line, sir; but whether he's endeavouring to +shield his wife, or whether [he looks at JACK] there's something in +it, will be for the magistrate to say. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Haughtily.] Something in what? I don't +understand you. As if my son would bring a man like that into the +house! + +BARTHWICK. [From the fireplace, with an effort to be calm.] My son +can speak for himself, no doubt. Well, Jack, what do you say? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] What does he say? Why, of course, he +says the whole story's stuff! + +JACK. [Embarrassed.] Well, of course, I--of course, I don't know +anything about it. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I should think not, indeed! [To Snow.] The man is +an audacious ruffian! + +BARTHWICK. [Suppressing jumps.] But in view of my son's saying +there's nothing in this--this fable--will it be necessary to proceed +against the man under the circumstances? + +SNOW. We shall have to charge him with the assault, sir. It would +be as well for your son to come down to the Court. There'll be a +remand, no doubt. The queer thing is there was quite a sum of money +found on him, and a crimson silk purse. + + [BARTHWICK starts; JACK rises and sits dozen again.] + +I suppose the lady has n't missed her purse? + +BARTHWICK. [Hastily.] Oh, no! Oh! No! + +JACK. No! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Dreamily.] No! [To SNOW.] I 've been inquiring +of the servants. This man does hang about the house. I shall feel +much safer if he gets a good long sentence; I do think we ought to +be protected against such ruffians. + +BARTHWICK. Yes, yes, of course, on principle but in this case we +have a number of things to think of. [To SNOW.] I suppose, as you +say, the man must be charged, eh? + +SNOW. No question about that, sir. + +BARTHWICK. [Staring gloomily at JACK.] This prosecution goes very +much against the grain with me. I have great sympathy with the +poor. In my position I 'm bound to recognise the distress there is +amongst them. The condition of the people leaves much to be +desired. D' you follow me? I wish I could see my way to drop it. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] John! it's simply not fair to other +people. It's putting property at the mercy of any one who likes to +take it. + +BARTHWICK. [Trying to make signs to her aside.] I 'm not defending +him, not at all. I'm trying to look at the matter broadly. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Nonsense, John, there's a time for everything. + +SNOW. [Rather sardonically.] I might point out, sir, that to +withdraw the charge of stealing would not make much difference, +because the facts must come out [he looks significantly at JACK] in +reference to the assault; and as I said that charge will have to go +forward. + +BARTHWICK. [Hastily.] Yes, oh! exactly! It's entirely on the +woman's account--entirely a matter of my own private feelings. + +SNOW. If I were you, sir, I should let things take their course. +It's not likely there'll be much difficulty. These things are very +quick settled. + +BARTHWICK. [Doubtfully.] You think so--you think so? + +JACK. [Rousing himself.] I say, what shall I have to swear to? + +SNOW. That's best known to yourself, sir. [Retreating to the +door.] Better employ a solicitor, sir, in case anything should +arise. We shall have the butler to prove the loss of the article. +You'll excuse me going, I 'm rather pressed to-night. The case may +come on any time after eleven. Good evening, sir; good evening, +ma'am. I shall have to produce the box in court to-morrow, so if +you'll excuse me, sir, I may as well take it with me. + + [He takes the silver box and leaves them with a little bow.] + + [BARTHWICK makes a move to follow him, then dashing his hands + beneath his coat tails, speaks with desperation.] + +BARTHWICK. I do wish you'd leave me to manage things myself. You +will put your nose into matters you know nothing of. A pretty mess +you've made of this! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Coldly.] I don't in the least know what you're +talking about. If you can't stand up for your rights, I can. I 've +no patience with your principles, it's such nonsense. + +BARTHWICK. Principles! Good Heavens! What have principles to do +with it for goodness sake? Don't you know that Jack was drunk last +night! + +JACK. Dad! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [In horror rising.] Jack! + +JACK. Look here, Mother--I had supper. Everybody does. I mean to +say--you know what I mean--it's absurd to call it being drunk. At +Oxford everybody gets a bit "on" sometimes---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Well, I think it's most dreadful! If that is +really what you do at Oxford? + +JACK. [Angrily.] Well, why did you send me there? One must do as +other fellows do. It's such nonsense, I mean, to call it being +drunk. Of course I 'm awfully sorry. I 've had such a beastly +headache all day. + +BARTHWICK. Tcha! If you'd only had the common decency to remember +what happened when you came in. Then we should know what truth +there was in what this fellow says--as it is, it's all the most +confounded darkness. + +JACK. [Staring as though at half-formed visions.] I just get a-- +and then--it 's gone---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Oh, Jack! do you mean to say you were so tipsy you +can't even remember---- + +JACK. Look here, Mother! Of course I remember I came--I must have +come---- + +BARTHWICK. [Unguardedly, and walking up and down.] Tcha!--and that +infernal purse! Good Heavens! It'll get into the papers. Who on +earth could have foreseen a thing like this? Better to have lost a +dozen cigarette-boxes, and said nothing about it. [To his wife.] +It's all your doing. I told you so from the first. I wish to +goodness Roper would come! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] I don't know what you're talking about, +John. + +BARTHWICK. [Turning on her.] No, you--you--you don't know +anything! [Sharply.] Where the devil is Roper? If he can see a +way out of this he's a better man than I take him for. I defy any +one to see a way out of it. I can't. + +JACK. Look here, don't excite Dad--I can simply say I was too +beastly tired, and don't remember anything except that I came in and +[in a dying voice] went to bed the same as usual. + +BARTHWICK. Went to bed? Who knows where you went--I 've lost all +confidence. For all I know you slept on the floor. + +JACK. [Indignantly.] I did n't, I slept on the---- + +BARTHWICK. [Sitting on the sofa.] Who cares where you slept; what +does it matter if he mentions the--the--a perfect disgrace? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. What? [A silence.] I insist on knowing. + +JACK. Oh! nothing. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Nothing? What do you mean by nothing, Jack? +There's your father in such a state about it! + +JACK. It's only my purse. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Your purse! You know perfectly well you have n't +got one. + +JACK. Well, it was somebody else's--it was all a joke--I did n't +want the beastly thing. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Do you mean that you had another person's purse, +and that this man took it too? + +BARTHWICK. Tcha! Of course he took it too! A man like that Jones +will make the most of it. It'll get into the papers. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I don't understand. What on earth is all the fuss +about? [Bending over JACK, and softly.] Jack now, tell me dear! +Don't be afraid. What is it? Come! + +JACK. Oh, don't Mother! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. But don't what, dear? + +JACK. It was pure sport. I don't know how I got the thing. Of +course I 'd had a bit of a row--I did n't know what I was doing--I +was--I Was--well, you know--I suppose I must have pulled the bag out +of her hand. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Out of her hand? Whose hand? What bag--whose bag? + +JACK. Oh! I don't know--her bag--it belonged to--[in a desperate +and rising voice] a woman. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. A woman? Oh! Jack! No! + +JACK. [Jumping up.] You would have it. I did n't want to tell +you. It's not my fault. + + [The door opens and MARLOW ushers in a man of middle age, + inclined to corpulence, in evening dress. He has a ruddy, thin + moustache, and dark, quick-moving little eyes. His eyebrows + aye Chinese.] + +MARLOW. Mr. Roper, Sir. [He leaves the room.] + +ROPER. [With a quick look round.] How do you do? + + [But neither JACK nor MRS. BARTHWICK make a sign.] + +BARTHWICK. [Hurrying.] Thank goodness you've come, Roper. You +remember what I told you this afternoon; we've just had the +detective here. + +ROPER. Got the box? + +BARTHWICK. Yes, yes, but look here--it was n't the charwoman at +all; her drunken loafer of a husband took the things--he says that +fellow there [he waves his hand at JACK, who with his shoulder +raised, seems trying to ward off a blow] let him into the house last +night. Can you imagine such a thing. + + [Roper laughs. ] + +BARTHWICK. [With excited emphasis.]. It's no laughing matter, +Roper. I told you about that business of Jack's too--don't you see +the brute took both the things--took that infernal purse. It'll get +into the papers. + +ROPER. [Raising his eyebrows.] H'm! The purse! Depravity in high +life! What does your son say? + +BARTHWICK. He remembers nothing. D--n! Did you ever see such a +mess? It 'll get into the papers. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [With her hand across hey eyes.] Oh! it's not +that---- + + [BARTHWICK and ROPER turn and look at her.] + +BARTHWICK. It's the idea of that woman--she's just heard---- + + [ROPER nods. And MRS. BARTHWICK, setting her lips, gives a + slow look at JACK, and sits down at the table.] + +What on earth's to be done, Roper? A ruffian like this Jones will +make all the capital he can out of that purse. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I don't believe that Jack took that purse. + +BARTHWICK. What--when the woman came here for it this morning? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Here? She had the impudence? Why was n't I told? + + [She looks round from face to face--no one answers hey, there + is a pause.] + +BARTHWICK. [Suddenly.] What's to be done, Roper? + +ROPER. [Quietly to JACK.] I suppose you did n't leave your latch- +key in the door? + +JACK. [Sullenly.] Yes, I did. + +BARTHWICK. Good heavens! What next? + +MRS. BARTHWICK. I 'm certain you never let that man into the house, +Jack, it's a wild invention. I'm sure there's not a word of truth +in it, Mr. Roper. + +ROPER. [Very suddenly.] Where did you sleep last night? + +JACK. [Promptly.] On the sofa, there--[hesitating]--that is--I---- + +BARTHWICK. On the sofa? D' you mean to say you did n't go to bed? + +JACK.[Sullenly.] No. + +BARTHWICK. If you don't remember anything, how can you remember +that? + +JACK. Because I woke up there in the morning. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Oh, Jack! + +BARTHWICK. Good Gracious! + +JACK. And Mrs. Jones saw me. I wish you would n't bait me so. + +ROPER. Do you remember giving any one a drink? + +JACK. By Jove, I do seem to remember a fellow with--a fellow with +[He looks at Roper.] I say, d' you want me----? + +ROPER. [Quick as lightning.] With a dirty face? + +JACK. [With illumination.] I do--I distinctly remember his---- + + [BARTHWICK moves abruptly; MRS. BARTHWICK looks at ROPER + angrily, and touches her son's arm.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. You don't remember, it's ridiculous! I don't +believe the man was ever here at all. + +BARTHWICK. You must speak the truth, if it is the truth. But if +you do remember such a dirty business, I shall wash my hands of you +altogether. + +JACK. [Glaring at them.] Well, what the devil---- + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Jack! + +JACK. Well, Mother, I--I don't know what you do want. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. We want you to speak the truth and say you never +let this low man into the house. + +BARTHWICK. Of course if you think that you really gave this man +whisky in that disgraceful way, and let him see what you'd been +doing, and were in such a disgusting condition that you don't +remember a word of it---- + +ROPER. [Quick.] I've no memory myself--never had. + +BARTHWICK. [Desperately.] I don't know what you're to say. + +ROPER. [To JACK.] Say nothing at all! Don't put yourself in a +false position. The man stole the things or the woman stole the +things, you had nothing to do with it. You were asleep on the sofa. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Your leaving the latch-key in the door was quite +bad enough, there's no need to mention anything else. [Touching his +forehead softly.] My dear, how hot your head is! + +JACK. But I want to know what I 'm to do. [Passionately.] I won't +be badgered like this. + + [MRS. BARTHWICK recoils from him.] + +ROPER. [Very quickly.] You forget all about it. You were asleep. + +JACK. Must I go down to the Court to-morrow? + +ROPER. [Shaking his head.] No. + +BARTHWICK. [In a relieved voice.] Is that so? + +ROPER. Yes. + +BARTHWICK. But you'll go, Roper. + +ROPER. Yes. + +JACK. [With wan cheerfulness.] Thanks, awfully! So long as I +don't have to go. [Putting his hand up to his head.] I think if +you'll excuse me--I've had a most beastly day. [He looks from his +father to his mother.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Turning quickly.] Goodnight, my boy. + +JACK. Good-night, Mother. + + [He goes out. MRS. BARTHWICK heaves a sigh. There is a + silence.] + +BARTHWICK. He gets off too easily. But for my money that woman +would have prosecuted him. + +ROPER. You find money useful. + +BARTHWICK. I've my doubts whether we ought to hide'the truth---- + +ROPER. There'll be a remand. + +BARTHWICK. What! D' you mean he'll have to appear on the remand. + +ROPER. Yes. + +BARTHWICK. H'm, I thought you'd be able to----Look here, Roper, +you must keep that purse out of the papers. + + [ROPER fixes his little eyes on him and nods.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Mr. Roper, don't you think the magistrate ought to +be told what sort of people these Jones's are; I mean about their +immorality before they were married. I don't know if John told you. + +ROPER. Afraid it's not material. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Not material? + +ROPER. Purely private life! May have happened to the magistrate. + +BARTHWICK. [With a movement as if to shift a burden.] Then you'll +take the thing into your hands? + +ROPER. If the gods are kind. [He holds his hand out.] + +BARTHWICK. [Shaking it dubiously.] Kind eh? What? You going? + +ROPER. Yes. I've another case, something like yours--most +unexpected. + + [He bows to MRS. BARTHWICK, and goes out, followed by + BARTHWICK, talking to the last. MRS. BARTHWICK at the table + bursts into smothered sobs. BARTHWICK returns.] + +BARTHWICK. [To himself.] There'll be a scandal! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Disguising her grief at once.] I simply can't +imagine what Roper means by making a joke of a thing like that! + +BARTHWICK. [Staring strangely.] You! You can't imagine anything! +You've no more imagination than a fly! + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Angrily.] You dare to tell me that I have no +imagination. + +BARTHWICK. [Flustered.] I--I 'm upset. From beginning to end, the +whole thing has been utterly against my principles. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. Rubbish! You have n't any! Your principles are +nothing in the world but sheer fright! + +BARTHWICK. [Walking to the window.] I've never been frightened in +my life. You heard what Roper said. It's enough to upset one when +a thing like this happens. Everything one says and does seems to +turn in one's mouth--it's--it's uncanny. It's not the sort of thing +I've been accustomed to. [As though stifling, he throws the window +open. The faint sobbing of a child comes in.] What's that? + + [They listen.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] I can't stand that crying. I must send +Marlow to stop it. My nerves are all on edge. [She rings the +bell.] + +BARTHWICK. I'll shut the window; you'll hear nothing. [He shuts +the window. There is silence.] + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Sharply.] That's no good! It's on my nerves. +Nothing upsets me like a child's crying. + + [MARLOW comes in.] + +What's that noise of crying, Marlow? It sounds like a child. + +BARTHWICK. It is a child. I can see it against the railings. + +MARLOW. [Opening the window, and looking out quietly.] It's Mrs. +Jones's little boy, ma'am; he came here after his mother. + +MRS. BARTHWICK. [Moving quickly to the window.] Poor little chap! +John, we ought n't to go on with this! + +BARTHWICK. [Sitting heavily in a chair.] Ah! but it's out of our +hands! + + [MRS. BARTHWICK turns her back to the window. There is an + expression of distress on hey face. She stands motionless, + compressing her lips. The crying begins again. BARTHWICK + coveys his ears with his hands, and MARLOW shuts the window. + The crying ceases.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +ACT III + + Eight days have passed, and the scene is a London Police Court + at one o'clock. A canopied seat of Justice is surmounted by + the lion and unicorn. Before the fire a worn-looking + MAGISTRATE is warming his coat-tails, and staring at two little + girls in faded blue and orange rags, who are placed before the + dock. Close to the witness-box is a RELIEVING OFFICER in an + overcoat, and a short brown beard. Beside the little girls + stands a bald POLICE CONSTABLE. On the front bench are sitting + BARTHWICK and ROPER, and behind them JACK. In the railed + enclosure are seedy-looking men and women. Some prosperous + constables sit or stand about. + +MAGISTRATE. [In his paternal and ferocious voice, hissing his s's.] +Now let us dispose of these young ladies. + +USHER. Theresa Livens, Maud Livens. + + [The bald CONSTABLE indicates the little girls, who remain + silent, disillusioned, inattentive.] + +Relieving Officer! + + [The RELIEVING OFFICER Steps into the witness-box.] + +USHER. The evidence you give to the Court shall be the truth, the +whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God! Kiss the +book! + + [The book is kissed.] + +RELIEVING OFFICER. [In a monotone, pausing slightly at each +sentence end, that his evidence may be inscribed.] About ten +o'clock this morning, your Worship, I found these two little girls +in Blue Street, Fulham, crying outside a public-house. Asked where +their home was, they said they had no home. Mother had gone away. +Asked about their father. Their father had no work. Asked where +they slept last night. At their aunt's. I 've made inquiries, your +Worship. The wife has broken up the home and gone on the streets. +The husband is out of work and living in common lodging-houses. The +husband's sister has eight children of her own, and says she can't +afford to keep these little girls any longer. + +MAGISTRATE. [Returning to his seat beneath the canopy of justice.] +Now, let me see. You say the mother is on the streets; what +evidence have you of that? + +RELIEVING OFFICER. I have the husband here, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well; then let us see him. + + [There are cries of "LIVENS." The MAGISTRATE leans forward, + and stares with hard compassion at the little girls. LIVENS + comes in. He is quiet, with grizzled hair, and a muffler for a + collar. He stands beside the witness-box.] + +And you, are their father? Now, why don't you keep your little +girls at home. How is it you leave them to wander about the streets +like this? + +LIVENS. I've got no home, your Worship. I'm living from 'and to +mouth. I 've got no work; and nothin' to keep them on. + +MAGISTRATE. How is that? + +LIVENS. [Ashamedly.] My wife, she broke my 'ome up, and pawned the +things. + +MAGISTRATE. But what made you let her? + +LEVINS. Your Worship, I'd no chance to stop 'er, she did it when I +was out lookin' for work. + +MAGISTRATE. Did you ill-treat her? + +LIVENS. [Emphatically.] I never raised my 'and to her in my life, +your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Then what was it--did she drink? + +LIVENS. Yes, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Was she loose in her behaviour? + +LIVENS. [In a low voice.] Yes, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. And where is she now? + +LIVENS. I don't know your Worship. She went off with a man, and +after that I---- + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes. Who knows anything of her? [To the bald +CONSTABLE.] Is she known here? + +RELIEVING OFFICER. Not in this district, your Worship; but I have +ascertained that she is well known---- + +MAGISTRATE. Yes--yes; we'll stop at that. Now [To the Father] you +say that she has broken up your home, and left these little girls. +What provision can you make for them? You look a strong man. + +LIVENS. So I am, your Worship. I'm willin' enough to work, but for +the life of me I can't get anything to do. + +MAGISTRATE. But have you tried? + +LIVENS. I've tried everything, your Worship--I 've tried my +'ardest. + +MAGISTRATE. Well, well---- [There is a silence.] + +RELIEVING OFFICER. If your Worship thinks it's a case, my people are +willing to take them. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, I know; but I've no evidence that this man is +not the proper guardian for his children. + + [He rises oval goes back to the fire.] + +RELIEVING OFFICER. The mother, your Worship, is able to get access +to them. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes; the mother, of course, is an improper person +to have anything to do with them. [To the Father.] Well, now what +do you say? + +LIVENS. Your Worship, I can only say that if I could get work I +should be only too willing to provide for them. But what can I do, +your Worship? Here I am obliged to live from 'and to mouth in these +'ere common lodging-houses. I 'm a strong man--I'm willing to work +--I'm half as alive again as some of 'em--but you see, your Worship, +my 'airs' turned a bit, owing to the fever--[Touches his hair]--and +that's against me; and I don't seem to get a chance anyhow. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes-yes. [Slowly.] Well, I think it 's a case. +[Staring his hardest at the little girls.] Now, are you willing +that these little girls should be sent to a home. + +LIVENS. Yes, your Worship, I should be very willing. + +MAGISTRATE. Well, I'll remand them for a week. Bring them again +to-day week; if I see no reason against it then, I 'll make an +order. + +RELIEVING OFFICER. To-day week, your Worship. + + [The bald CONSTABLE takes the little girls out by the + shoulders. The father follows them. The MAGISTRATE, returning + to his seat, bends over and talks to his CLERK inaudibly.] + +BARTHWICK. [Speaking behind his hand.] A painful case, Roper; very +distressing state of things. + +ROPER. Hundreds like this in the Police Courts. + +BARTHWICK. Most distressing! The more I see of it, the more +important this question of the condition of the people seems to +become. I shall certainly make a point of taking up the cudgels in +the House. I shall move---- + + [The MAGISTRATE ceases talking to his CLERK.] + +CLERK. Remands! + + [BARTHWICK stops abruptly. There is a stir and MRS. JONES + comes in by the public door; JONES, ushered by policemen, comes + from the prisoner's door. They file into the dock.] + +CLERK. James Jones, Jane Jones. + +USHER. Jane Jones! + +BARTHWICK. [In a whisper.] The purse--the purse must be kept out +of it, Roper. Whatever happens you must keep that out of the +papers. + + [ROPER nods.] + +BALD CONSTABLE. Hush! + + [MRS. JONES, dressed in hey thin, black, wispy dress, and black + straw hat, stands motionless with hands crossed on the front + rail of the dock. JONES leans against the back rail of the + dock, and keeps half turning, glancing defiantly about him. He + is haggard and unshaven.] + +CLERK. [Consulting with his papers.] This is the case remanded +from last Wednesday, Sir. Theft of a silver cigarette-box and +assault on the police; the two charges were taken together. Jane +Jones! James Jones! + +MAGISTRATE. [Staring.] Yes, yes; I remember. + +CLERK. Jane Jones. + +MRS. JONES. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Do you admit stealing a silver cigarette-box valued at five +pounds, ten shillings, from the house of John BARTHWICK, M.P., +between the hours of 11 p.m. on Easter Monday and 8.45 a.m. on +Easter Tuesday last? Yes, or no? + +MRS. JONES. [In a logy voice.] No, Sir, I do not, sir. + +CLERK. James Jones? Do you admit stealing a silver cigarette-box +valued at five pounds, ten shillings, from the house of John +BARTHWICK, M.P., between the hours of 11 p.m. on Easter Monday and +8.45 A.M. on Easter Tuesday last. And further making an assault on +the police when in the execution of their duty at 3 p.m. on Easter +Tuesday? Yes or no? + +JONES. [Sullenly.] Yes, but I've got a lot to say about it. + +MAGISTRATE. [To the CLERK.] Yes--yes. But how comes it that these +two people are charged with the same offence? Are they husband and +wife? + +CLERK. Yes, Sir. You remember you ordered a remand for further +evidence as to the story of the male prisoner. + +MAGISTRATE. Have they been in custody since? + +CLERK. You released the woman on her own recognisances, sir. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, this is the case of the silver box; I +remember now. Well? + +CLERK. Thomas Marlow. + + [The cry of "THOMAS MARLOW" is repeated MARLOW comes in, and + steps into the witness-box.] + +USHER. The evidence you give to the court shall be the truth, the +whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. Kiss the +book. + + [The book is kissed. The silver box is handed up, and placed + on the rail.] + +CLERK. [Reading from his papers.] Your name is Thomas Marlow? Are +you, butler to John BARTHWICK, M.P., of 6, Rockingham Gate? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Is that the box? + +MARLOW. Yes Sir. + +CLERK. And did you miss the same at 8.45 on the following morning, +on going to remove the tray? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Is the female prisoner known to you? + + [MARLOW nods.] + +Is she the charwoman. employed at 6, Rockingham Gate? + + [Again MARLOW nods.] + +Did you at the time of your missing the box find her in the room +alone? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Did you afterwards communicate the loss to your employer, +and did he send you to the police station? + +MARLOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. [To MRS. JONES.] Have you anything to ask him? + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, nothing, thank you, sir. + +CLERK. [To JONES.] James Jones, have you anything to ask this +witness? + +JONES. I don't know 'im. + +MAGISTRATE. Are you sure you put the box in the place you say at +the time you say? + +MARLOW. Yes, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well; then now let us have the officer. + + [MARLOW leaves the box, and Snow goes into it.] + +USHER. The evidence you give to the court shall be the truth, the +whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. [The book +is kissed.] + +CLERK. [Reading from his papers.] Your name is Robert Allow? You +are a detective in the X. B. division of the Metropolitan police +force? According to instructions received did you on Easter Tuesday +last proceed to the prisoner's lodgings at 34, Merthyr Street, St. +Soames's? And did you on entering see the box produced, lying on +the table? + +SNOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Is that the box? + +Snow. [Fingering the box.] Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. And did you thereupon take possession of it, and charge the +female prisoner with theft of the box from 6, Rockingham Gate? And +did she deny the same? + +SNOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. Did you take her into custody? + +Snow. Yes, Sir. + +MAGISTRATE. What was her behaviour? + +SNOW. Perfectly quiet, your Worship. She persisted in the denial. +That's all. + +MAGISTRATE. DO you know her? + +SNOW. No, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. Is she known here? + +BALD CONSTABLE. No, your Worship, they're neither of them known, +we 've nothing against them at all. + +CLERK. [To MRS. JONES.] Have you anything to ask the officer? + +MRS. JONES. No, sir, thank you, I 've nothing to ask him. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well then--go on. + +CLERK. [Reading from his papers.] And while you were taking the +female prisoner did the male prisoner interpose, and endeavour to +hinder you in the execution of your duty, and did he strike you a +blow? + +SNOW. Yes, Sir. + +CLERK. And did he say, "You, let her go, I took the box myself"? + +SNOW. He did. + +CLERK. And did you blow your whistle and obtain the assistance of +another constable, and take him into custody? + +SNOW. I did. + +CLERK. Was he violent on the way to the station, and did he use bad +language, and did he several times repeat that he had taken the box +himself? + + [Snow nods.] + +Did you thereupon ask him in what manner he had stolen the box? And +did you understand him to say he had entered the house at the +invitation of young Mr. BARTHWICK + + [BARTHWICK, turning in his seat, frowns at ROPER.] + +after midnight on Easter Monday, and partaken of whisky, and that +under the influence of the whisky he had taken the box? + +SNOW. I did, sir. + +CLERK. And was his demeanour throughout very violent? + +SNOW. It was very violent. + +JONES. [Breaking in.] Violent---of course it was! You put your +'ands on my wife when I kept tellin' you I took the thing myself. + +MAGISTRATE. [Hissing, with protruded neck.] Now--you will have +your chance of saying what you want to say presently. Have you +anything to ask the officer? + +JONES. [Sullenly.] No. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well then. Now let us hear what the female +prisoner has to say first. + +MRS. JONES. Well, your Worship, of course I can only say what I 've +said all along, that I did n't take the box. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, but did you know that it was taken? + +MRS. JONES. No, your Worship. And, of course, to what my husband +says, your Worship, I can't speak of my own knowledge. Of course, I +know that he came home very late on the Monday night. It was past +one o'clock when he came in, and he was not himself at all. + +MAGISTRATE. Had he been drinking? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, your Worship. + +MAGISTRATE. And was he drunk? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, your Worship, he was almost quite drunk. + +MAGISTRATE. And did he say anything to you? + +MRS. JONES. No, your Worship, only to call me names. And of course +in the morning when I got up and went to work he was asleep. And I +don't know anything more about it until I came home again. Except +that Mr. BARTHWICK--that 's my employer, your Worship--told me the +box was missing. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes. + +MRS. JONES. But of course when I was shaking out my husband's coat +the cigarette-box fell out and all the cigarettes were scattered on +the bed. + +MAGISTRATE. You say all the cigarettes were scattered on the bed? +[To SNOW.] Did you see the cigarettes scattered on the bed? + +SNOW. No, your Worship, I did not. + +MAGISTRATE. You see he says he did n't see them. + +JONES. Well, they were there for all that. + +SNOW. I can't say, your Worship, that I had the opportunity of +going round the room; I had all my work cut out with the male +prisoner. + +MAGISTRATE. [To MRS. JONES.] Well, what more have you to say? + +MRS. JONES. Of course when I saw the box, your Worship, I was +dreadfully upset, and I could n't think why he had done such a +thing; when the officer came we were having words about it, because +it is ruin to me, your Worship, in my profession, and I have three +little children dependent on me. + +MAGISTRATE. [Protruding his neck]. Yes--yes--but what did he say +to you? + +MRS. JONES. I asked him whatever came over him to do such a thing- +and he said it was the drink. He said he had had too much to drink, +and something came over him. And of course, your Worship, he had +had very little to eat all day, and the drink does go to the head +when you have not had enough to eat. Your Worship may not know, but +it is the truth. And I would like to say that all through his +married life, I have never known him to do such a thing before, +though we have passed through great hardships and [speaking with +soft emphasis] I am quite sure he would not have done it if he had +been himself at the time. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes. But don't you know that that is no excuse? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, your Worship. I know that it is no excuse. + + [The MAGISTRATE leans over and parleys with his CLERK.] + +JACK. [Leaning over from his seat behind.] I say, Dad---- + +BARTHWICK. Tsst! [Sheltering his mouth he speaks to ROPER.] +Roper, you had better get up now and say that considering the +circumstances and the poverty of the prisoners, we have no wish to +proceed any further, and if the magistrate would deal with the case +as one of disorder only on the part of---- + +BALD CONSTABLE. HSSShh! + + [ROPER shakes his head.] + +MAGISTRATE. Now, supposing what you say and what your husband says +is true, what I have to consider is--how did he obtain access to +this house, and were you in any way a party to his obtaining access? +You are the charwoman employed at the house? + +MRS. JONES. Yes, your Worship, and of course if I had let him into +the house it would have been very wrong of me; and I have never done +such a thing in any of the houses where I have been employed. + +MAGISTRATE. Well--so you say. Now let us hear what story the male +prisoner makes of it. + +JONES. [Who leans with his arms on the dock behind, speaks in a +slow, sullen voice.] Wot I say is wot my wife says. I 've never +been 'ad up in a police court before, an' I can prove I took it when +in liquor. I told her, and she can tell you the same, that I was +goin' to throw the thing into the water sooner then 'ave it on my +mind. + +MAGISTRATE. But how did you get into the HOUSE? + +JONES. I was passin'. I was goin' 'ome from the "Goat and Bells." + +MAGISTRATE. The "Goat and Bells,"--what is that? A public-house? + +JONES. Yes, at the corner. It was Bank 'oliday, an' I'd 'ad a drop +to drink. I see this young Mr. BARTHWICK tryin' to find the keyhole +on the wrong side of the door. + +MAGISTRATE. Well? + +JONES. [Slowly and with many pauses.] Well---I 'elped 'im to find +it--drunk as a lord 'e was. He goes on, an' comes back again, and +says, I 've got nothin' for you, 'e says, but come in an' 'ave a +drink. So I went in just as you might 'ave done yourself. We 'ad a +drink o' whisky just as you might have 'ad, 'nd young Mr. BARTHWICK +says to me, "Take a drink 'nd a smoke. Take anything you like, 'e +says." And then he went to sleep on the sofa. I 'ad some more +whisky--an' I 'ad a smoke--and I 'ad some more whisky--an' I carn't +tell yer what 'appened after that. + +MAGISTRATE. Do you mean to say that you were so drunk that you can +remember nothing? + +JACK. [Softly to his father.] I say, that's exactly what---- + +BARTHWICK. TSSh! + +JONES. That's what I do mean. + +MAGISTRATE. And yet you say you stole the box? + +JONES. I never stole the box. I took it. + +MAGISTRATE. [Hissing with protruded neck.] You did not steal it-- +you took it. Did it belong to you--what is that but stealing? + +JONES. I took it. + +MAGISTRATE. You took it--you took it away from their house and you +took it to your house---- + +JONES. [Sullenly breaking in.] I ain't got a house. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well, let us hear what this young man Mr.--Mr. +BARTHWICK has to say to your story. + + [SNOW leaves the witness-box. The BALD CONSTABLE beckons JACK, + who, clutching his hat, goes into the witness-box. ROPER moves + to the table set apart for his profession.] + +SWEARING CLERK. The evidence you give to the court shall be the +truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth, so help you God. +Kiss the book. + + [The book is kissed.] + +ROPER. [Examining.] What is your name? + +JACK. [In a low voice.] John BARTHWICK, Junior. + + [The CLERK writes it down.] + +ROPER. Where do you live? + +JACK. At 6, Rockingham Gate. + + [All his answers are recorded by the Clerk.] + +ROPER. You are the son of the owner? + +JACK. [In a very low voice.] Yes. + +ROPER. Speak up, please. Do you know the prisoners? + +JACK. [Looking at the JONESES, in a low voice.] I 've seen Mrs. +Jones. I [in a loud voice] don't know the man. + +JONES. Well, I know you! + +BALD CONSTABLE. HSSh! + +ROPER. Now, did you come in late on the night of Easter Monday? + +JACK. Yes. + +ROPER. And did you by mistake leave your latch key in the door? + +JACK. Yes. + +MAGISTRATE. Oh! You left your latch-key in the door? + +ROPER. And is that all you can remember about your coming in? + +JACK. [In a loud voice.] Yes, it is. + +MAGISTRATE. Now, you have heard the male prisoner's story, what do +you say to that? + +JACK. [Turning to the MAGISTRATE, speaks suddenly in a confident, +straight-forward voice.] The fact of the matter is, sir, that I 'd +been out to the theatre that night, and had supper afterwards, and I +came in late. + +MAGISTRATE. Do you remember this man being outside when you came +in? + +JACK. No, Sir. [He hesitates.] I don't think I do. + +MAGISTRATE. [Somewhat puzzled.] Well, did he help you to open the +door, as he says? Did any one help you to open the door? + +JACK. No, sir--I don't think so, sir--I don't know. + +MAGISTRATE. You don't know? But you must know. It is n't a usual +thing for you to have the door opened for you, is it? + +JACK. [With a shamefaced smile.] No. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well, then---- + +JACK. [Desperately.] The fact of the matter is, sir, I'm afraid +I'd had too much champagne that night. + +MAGISTRATE. [Smiling.] Oh! you'd had too much champagne? + +JONES. May I ask the gentleman a question? + +MAGISTRATE. Yes--yes--you may ask him what questions you like. + +JONES. Don't you remember you said you was a Liberal, same as your +father, and you asked me wot I was? + +JACK. [With his hand against his brow.] I seem to remember---- + +JONES. And I said to you, "I'm a bloomin' Conservative," I said; +an' you said to me, "You look more like one of these 'ere +Socialists. Take wotever you like," you said. + +JACK. [With sudden resolution.] No, I don't. I don't remember +anything of the sort. + +JONES. Well, I do, an' my word's as good as yours. I 've never +been had up in a police court before. Look 'ere, don't you remember +you had a sky-blue bag in your 'and [BARTHWICK jumps.] + +ROPER. I submit to your worship that these questions are hardly to +the point, the prisoner having admitted that he himself does not +remember anything. [There is a smile on the face of Justice.] It +is a case of the blind leading the blind. + +JONES. [Violently.] I've done no more than wot he 'as. I'm a poor +man; I've got no money an' no friends--he 's a toff--he can do wot I +can't. + +MAGISTRATE: Now, now? All this won't help you--you must be quiet. +You say you took this box? Now, what made you take it? Were you +pressed for money? + +JONES. I'm always pressed for money. + +MAGISTRATE. Was that the reason you took it? + +JONES. No. + +MAGISTRATE. [To SNOW.] Was anything found on him? + +SNOW. Yes, your worship. There was six pounds twelve shillin's +found on him, and this purse. + + [The red silk purse is handed to the MAGISTRATE. BARTHWICK + rises his seat, but hastily sits down again.] + +MAGISTRATE. [Staring at the purse.] Yes, yes--let me see [There is +a silence.] No, no, I 've nothing before me as to the purse. How +did you come by all that money? + +JONES. [After a long pause, suddenly.] I declines to say. + +MAGISTRATE. But if you had all that money, what made you take this +box? + +JONES. I took it out of spite. + +MAGISTRATE. [Hissing, with protruded neck.] You took it out of +spite? Well now, that's something! But do you imagine you can go +about the town taking things out of spite? + +JONES. If you had my life, if you'd been out of work---- + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes; I know--because you're out of work you think +it's an excuse for everything. + +JONES. [Pointing at JACK.] You ask 'im wot made 'im take the---- + +ROPER. [Quietly.] Does your Worship require this witness in the +box any longer? + +MAGISTRATE. [Ironically.] I think not; he is hardly profitable. + + [JACK leaves the witness-box, and hanging his head, resumes his + seat.] + +JONES. You ask 'im wot made 'im take the lady's---- + + [But the BALD CONSTABLE catches him by the sleeve.] + +BALD CONSTABLE. SSSh! + +MAGISTRATE. [Emphatically.] Now listen to me. + +I 've nothing to do with what he may or may not have taken. Why did +you resist the police in the execution of their duty? + +JONES. It war n't their duty to take my wife, a respectable woman, +that 'ad n't done nothing. + +MAGISTRATE. But I say it was. What made you strike the officer a +blow? + +JONES. Any man would a struck 'im a blow. I'd strike 'im again, I +would. + +MAGISTRATE. You are not making your case any better by violence. +How do you suppose we could get on if everybody behaved like you? + +JONES. [Leaning forward, earnestly.] Well, wot, about 'er; who's +to make up to 'er for this? Who's to give 'er back 'er good name? + +MRS. JONES. Your Worship, it's the children that's preying on his +mind, because of course I 've lost my work. And I've had to find +another room owing to the scandal. + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, I know--but if he had n't acted like this +nobody would have suffered. + +JONES. [Glaring round at JACK.] I 've done no worse than wot 'e +'as. Wot I want to know is wot 's goin' to be done to 'im. + + [The BALD CONSTABLE again says "HSSh"] + +ROPER. Mr. BARTHWICK wishes it known, your Worship, that +considering the poverty of the prisoners, he does not press the +charge as to the box. Perhaps your Worship would deal with the case +as one of disorder. + +JONES. I don't want it smothered up, I want it all dealt with fair- +-I want my rights---- + +MAGISTRATE. [Rapping his desk.] Now you have said all you have to +say, and you will be quiet. + + [There is a silence; the MAGISTRATE bends over and parleys with + his CLERK.] + +Yes, I think I may discharge the woman. [In a kindly voice he +addresses MRS. JONES, who stands unmoving with her hands crossed on +the rail.] It is very unfortunate for you that this man has behaved +as he has. It is not the consequences to him but the consequences +to you. You have been brought here twice, you have lost your work-- +[He glares at JONES]--and this is what always happens. Now you may +go away, and I am very sorry it was necessary to bring you here at +all. + +MRS. JONES. [Softly.] Thank you very much, your Worship. + + [She leaves the dock, and looking back at JONES, twists her + fingers and is still.] + +MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, but I can't pass it over. Go away, there's a +good woman. + + [MRS. JONES stands back. The MAGISTRATE leans his head on his + hand; then raising it he speaks to JONES.] + +Now, listen to me. Do you wish the case to be settled here, or do +you wish it to go before a jury? + +JONES. [Muttering.] I don't want no jury. + +MAGISTRATE. Very well then, I will deal with it here. [After a +pause.] You have pleaded guilty to stealing this box---- + +JONES. Not to stealin'---- + +BALD CONSTABLE. HSSShh! + +MAGISTRATE. And to assaulting the police---- + +JONES. Any man as was a man---- + +MAGISTRATE. Your conduct here has been most improper. You give the +excuse that you were drunk when you stole the box. I tell you that +is no excuse. If you choose to get drunk and break the law +afterwards you must take the consequences. And let me tell you that +men like you, who get drunk and give way to your spite or whatever +it is that's in you, are--are--a nuisance to the community. + +JACK. [Leaning from his seat.] Dad! that's what you said to me! + +BARTHWICK. TSSt! + + [There is a silence, while the MAGISTRATE consults his CLERK; + JONES leans forward waiting.] + +MAGISTRATE. This is your first offence, and I am going to give you +a light sentence. [Speaking sharply, but without expression.] One +month with hard labour. + + [He bends, and parleys with his CLERK. The BALD CONSTABLE and + another help JONES from the dock.] + +JONES. [Stopping and twisting round.] Call this justice? What +about 'im? 'E got drunk! 'E took the purse--'e took the purse but +[in a muffled shout] it's 'is money got 'im off--JUSTICE! + + [The prisoner's door is shut on JONES, and from the seedy- + looking men and women comes a hoarse and whispering groan.] + +MAGISTRATE. We will now adjourn for lunch! [He rises from his +seat.] + + [The Court is in a stir. ROPER gets up and speaks to the + reporter. JACK, throwing up his head, walks with a swagger to + the corridor; BARTHWICK follows.] + +MRS. JONES. [Turning to him zenith a humble gesture.] Oh! sir! + + [BARTHWICK hesitates, then yielding to his nerves, he makes a + shame-faced gesture of refusal, and hurries out of court. MRS. + JONES stands looking after him.] + + + The curtain falls. + + + + +End of this Project Gutenberg Etext of THE SILVER BOX (Play) +by John Galsworthy + diff --git a/old/silbx11.zip b/old/silbx11.zip Binary files differnew file mode 100644 index 0000000..df9eb0d --- /dev/null +++ b/old/silbx11.zip |