Volume I Part 9 (1/2)
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. [Pa.s.sionately.] 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 gla.s.s with port.]
JACK. Crackers, please, Dad.
[BARTHWICK pa.s.ses the crackers. His demeanour is reflective.]
MRS. BARTHWICK. Lady Holyrood has got very stout. I 've noticed it coming for a long time.