COKESON. My dear woman! We mustn't talk like that.
RUTH. It was starvation for the children too—after what they'd always had. I soon got not to care. I used to be too tired. [She is silent]
COKESON. [With fearful curiosity] Why, what happened then?
RUTH. [With a laugh] My employer happened then—he's happened ever since.
COKESON. Dear! Oh dear! I never came across a thing like this.
RUTH. [Dully] He's treated me all right. But I've done with that. [Suddenly her lips begin to quiver, and she hides them with the back of her hand] I never thought I'd see him again, you see. It was just a chance I met him by Hyde Park. We went in there and sat down, and he told me all about himself. Oh! Mr. Cokeson, give him another chance.
COKESON. [Greatly disturbed] Then you've both lost your livings! What a horrible position!
RUTH. If he could only get here—where there's nothing to find out about him!
COKESON. We can't have anything derogative to the firm.
RUTH. I've no one else to go to.