FALDER. Sir, I swear I didn't know what I'd done till afterwards, and then I hadn't the pluck. Oh! Sir, look over it! I'll pay the money back—I will, I promise.     

       JAMES. Go into your room.     

CONTENTS

         FALDER, with a swift imploring look, goes back into his room. There is silence.       

       JAMES. About as bad a case as there could be.     

       COKESON. To break the law like that-in here!     

       WALTER. What's to be done?     

       JAMES. Nothing for it. Prosecute.     

       WALTER. It's his first offence.     

       JAMES. [Shaking his head] I've grave doubts of that. Too neat a piece of swindling altogether.     

       COKESON. I shouldn't be surprised if he was tempted.     

       JAMES. Life's one long temptation, Cokeson.     

       COKESON. Ye-es, but I'm speaking of the flesh and the devil, Mr. James. There was a woman come to see him this morning.     

       WALTER. The woman we passed as we came in just now. Is it his wife?     

       COKESON. No, no relation. [Restraining what in jollier circumstances would have been a wink] A married person, though.     

       WALTER. How do you know?     

       COKESON. Brought her children. [Scandalised] There they were outside the office.     

       JAMES. A real bad egg.     

       WALTER. I should like to give him a chance.     

 Prev. P 17/85 next