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have been awfully like the Government. BLY. As a matter of fact, I've got my daughter here--in obeyance. MR MARCH. Where? I didn't catch. BLY. In the kitchen. Your Cook told me you couldn't get hold of an 'ouse parlour-maid. So I thought it was just a chance--you bein' broadminded. MR MARCH. Oh! I see. What would your mother say, Mary? MARY. Mother would say: "Has she had experience?" BLY. I've told you about her experience. MR MARCH. Yes, but--as a parlour-maid. BLY. Well! She can do hair. [Observing the smile exchanged between MR MARCH and MARY] And she's quite handy with a plate. MR MARCH. [Tentatively] I'm a little afraid my wife would feel-- BLY. You see, in this weavin' shop--all the girls 'ave 'ad to be in trouble, otherwise they wouldn't take 'em. [Apologetically towards MARY] It's a kind of a disorderly 'ouse without the disorders. Excusin' the young lady's presence. MARY. Oh! You needn't mind me, Mr Bly. MR MARCH. And so you want her to come here? H'm! BLY. Well I remember when she was a little bit of a thing--no higher than my knee--[He holds out his hand.] MR MARCH. [Suddenly moved] My God! yes. They've all been that. [To MARY] Where's your mother? MARY. Gone to Mrs Hunt's. Suppose she's engaged one, Dad? MR MARCH. Well, it's only a month's wages. MARY. [Softly] She won't like it. MR MARCH. Well, let's see her, Mr Bly; let's see her, if you don't mind. BLY. Oh, I don't mind, sir, and she won't neither; she's used to bein' inspected by now. Why! she 'ad her bumps gone over just before she came out! MR MARCH. [Touched on the raw again] H'm! Too bad! Mary, go and fetch her. MARY, with a doubting smile, goes out. [Rising] You might give me the details of that trial, Mr Bly. I'll see if I can't write something that'll make people sit up. That's the way to send Youth to hell! How can a child who's had a rope round her neck--! BLY. [Who has been fumbling in his pocket, produces some yellow paper-cuttings clipped together] Here's her references--the whole literature of the case. And here's a letter from the chaplain in one of the prisons sayin' she took a lot of interest in him; a nice young man, I believe. [He suddenly brushes a tear out of his eye with the back of his hand] I never thought I could 'a felt like I did over her bein' in prison. Seemed a crool senseless thing--that pretty girl o'
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