BUILDER. [Grimly] I'd rather put you into mine, as it was last night.
MAYOR. Yes, yes! I know; but the Bench has got a name to keep up—must stand well in the people's eyes. As it is, I sailed very near the wind. Suppose we had an ordinary person up before us for striking a woman?
BUILDER. I didn't strike a woman—I struck my daughter.
MAYOR. Well, but she's not a child, you know. And you did resist the police, if no worse. Come! You'd have been the first to maintain British justice. Shake 'ands!
BUILDER. Is that what you came for?
MAYOR. [Taken aback] Why—yes; nobody can be more sorry than I—
BUILDER. Eye-wash! You came to beg me to resign.
MAYOR. Well, it's precious awkward, Builder. We all feel—
BUILDER. Save your powder, Mayor. I've slept on it since I wrote you that note. Take my resignations.
MAYOR. [In relieved embarrassment] That's right. We must face your position.