Now, look here, if I get any more of this from you--I--I'll
consult a lawyer.

JOHNNY. Fellows like you--

MR MARCH. Johnny!

P. C. MAN. Your son, sir?

YOUNG M. Yes; and wants to be where I am. But my girl knows better;
don't you?

He gives FAITH a look which has a certain magnetism.

P. C. MAN. If we could have the Court cleared of ladies, sir, we might
speak a little plainer.

MR MARCH. Joan!

But MRS MARCH does not vary her smiling immobility; FAITH draws a
little nearer to the YOUNG MAN. MARY turns to the fire.

P. C. MAN. [With half a smile] I keep on forgettin' that women are men
nowadays. Well!

YOUNG M. When you've quite done joking, we'll go for our walk.

MR MARCH. [To BARNABAS] I think you'd better tell her anything you know.

P. C. MAN. [Eyeing FAITH and the YOUNG MAN] I'd rather not be more
precise, sir, at this stage.

YOUNG M. I should think not! Police spite! [To FAITH] You know what
the Law is, once they get a down on you.

P. C. MAN. [To MR MARCH] It's our business to keep an eye on all this
sort of thing, sir, with girls who've just come out.

JOHNNY. [Deeply] You've only to look at his face!

YOUNG M. My face is as good as yours.

FAITH lifts her eyes to his.

P. C. MAN. [Taking in that look] Well, there it is! Sorry I wasted my
time and yours, Sir!

MR MARCH. [Distracted] My goodness! Now, Faith, consider! This is the
turning-point. I've told you we'll stand by you.

FAITH. [Flashing round] Leave me alone! I stick to my friends. Leave
me alone, and leave him alone! What is it to you?

P. C. MAN. [With sudden resolution] Now, look here! This man George
Blunter was had up three years ago--for livin' on the earnings of a woman
called Johnson. He was dismissed with a caution. We got him again last
year over a woman called Lee--that time he did--

YOUNG M. Stop it! That's enough of your lip. I won't put up with this
--not for any woman in the world. Not I!

FAITH. [With a sway towards him] It's not--!

YOUNG M. I'm off! Bong Swore la Companee! He tarns on his heel and
walks out unhindered.

P. C. MAN. [Deeply] A bad hat, that; if ever there was one. We'll be
having him again before long.

He looks at FAITH. They all look at FAITH. But her face is so
strange, so tremulous, that they all turn their eyes away.

FAITH. He--he said--he--!

On the verge of an emotional outbreak, she save