J. N. Another of them! another of those scarcely articulate foreigners! This is a most dangerous plot! Officer, arrest everybody present except the officials. I will make an example of everybody: I will commit them all.
Mr. H. ( leaning over to Judge ). I don’t see how it can be done, my lord. Let it alone: there’s a Socialist prisoner coming next; you can make him pay for all.
J. N. Oh! there is, is there? All right—all right. I’ll go and get a bit of lunch ( offering to rise ).
Clerk. Beg pardon, my lord, but you haven’t sentenced the prisoner.
J. N. Oh, ah! Yes. Oh, eighteen months’ hard labour.
M. P. Six months for each loaf that I didn’t steal! Well, God help the poor in a free country! Won’t you save all further trouble by hanging me, my lord? Or if you won’t hang me, at least hang my children: they’ll live to be a nuisance to you else.
J. N. Remove the woman. Call the next case. ( Aside: And look sharp: I want to get away.)
[ Case of John or Jack Freeman called.]
Mr. H. I am for the prosecution, my lord.
J. N. Is the prisoner defended?