Plays : First Series. Galsworthy John

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.