SNOW. You were at the house this morning; you did the room in which the box was left; you were alone in the room. I find the box 'ere. You say you did n't take it? MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, of course I say I did not take it, because I did not. SNOW. Then how does the box come to be here? MRS. JONES. I would rather not say anything about it. SNOW. Is this your husband? MRS. JONES. Yes, sir, this is my husband, sir. SNOW. Do you wish to say anything before I take her? [JONES remains silent, with his head bend down.] Well then, Missis. I 'll just trouble you to come along with me quietly. MRS. JONES. [Twisting her hands.] Of course I would n't say I had n't taken it if I had--and I did n't take it, indeed I did n't. Of course I know appearances are against me, and I can't tell you what really happened: But my children are at school, and they'll be coming home--and I don't know what they'll do without me. SNOW. Your 'usband'll see to them, don't you worry. [He takes the woman gently by the arm.] JONES. You drop it--she's all right! [Sullenly.] I took the thing myself. SNOW. [Eyeing him] There, there, it does you credit. Come along, Missis. JONES. [Passionately.] Drop it, I say, you blooming teck. She's my wife; she 's a respectable woman. Take her if you dare! SNOW. Now, now. What's the good of this? Keep a civil tongue, and it'll be the better for all of us. [He puts his whistle in his mouth and draws the woman to the door.] JONES. [With a rush.] Drop her, and put up your 'ands, or I 'll soon make yer. You leave her alone, will yer! Don't I tell yer, I took the thing myself. SNOW. [Blowing his whistle.] Drop your hands, or I 'll take you too. Ah, would you? [JONES, closing, deals him a blow. A Policeman in uniform appears; there is a short struggle and JONES is overpowered. MRS. JONES raises her hands avid drops her face on them.] The curtain falls. SCENE II The BARTHWICKS' dining-room the same evening. The BARTHWICKS are seated at dessert. MRS. BARTHWICK. John! [A silence broken by the cracking of nuts.] John! BARTHWICK. I wish you'd speak about the nuts they're uneatable. [He puts one in his mouth.] MRS. BARTHWICK. It's not the season for them. I called on the Holyroods. [BARTHWICK fills his glass with port.] JACK. Crackers, please, Dad. [BARTHWICK passes the crackers. His demeanour is reflective.] MRS. BARTHWICK. Lady Holyrood has got very stout. I 've noticed it coming for a long time. BARTHWICK. [Gloomily.] Stout? [He takes up the crackers--with transparent airiness.] The Holyroods had some trouble with their servants, had n't they? JACK. Crackers, please, Dad. BARTHWICK. [Passing the crackers.] It got into the papers. The cook, was n't it? MRS. BARTHWICK. No, the lady's maid. I was talking it over with Lady Holyrood. The girl used to have her young man to see her.