[_NOAH advances savagely to THE DEAN. There is a knocking at the door.--NOAH restrains himself and faces THE DEAN._ NOAH. Noa, this is neither the toime nor pla-ace, wi' people at the door and dinner on t' table, to spill a strange man's blood. THE DEAN. I trust that your self-respect as an officer of the law will avert anything so unseemly. NOAH. Ay. That's it! You've touched me on my point o' pride. There ain't another police-station in all Durnstone conducted more strict and rigid nor what mian is, and it shall so continue. You and me is a goin' to set out for Durnstone, and when the charges now standin' agen you is entered, it's I, Noah Topping, what'll hadd another! [_There is another knock at the door._ HANNAH. Noah! NOAH. The charge of allynating the affections o' my wife, 'Annah! THE DEAN. [_Horrified._] No, no! NOAH. Ay, and worse--the embezzlin' o' my mid-day meal prepared by her 'ands. [_Points into the cell._] Go in; you 'ave five minutes more in the 'ome you 'ave ruined and laid waste. THE DEAN. [_Going to the door and turning to NOAH._] You will at least receive my earnest assurance that this worthy woman is extremely innocent? NOAH. Hinnocent? [_Points to the joint on the table._] Look theer! [_THE DEAN, much overcome, disappears through the cell door, which NOAH closes and locks. The knock at the door is repeated. To HANNAH, pointing to the outer door._] Hunlock that door! HANNAH. [_Weeping._] Oh, Noahry, you'll never be popular in St. Marvells. NOAH. Hunlock that door! [_HANNAH unlocks the door, and admits GEORGIANA and SIR TRISTRAM, both dressed for the race-course._ GEORGIANA. Dear me! Is this the Police-Station? HANNAH. Yes, lady. Take a chair, lady, near the fire. [_To SIR TRISTRAM._] Sit down, sir. GEORGIANA. This is my first visit to a police-station, my good woman; I hope it will be the last. HANNAH. Oh, don't say that, ma'am. We're honly hauxilliary 'ere, ma'am--the Bench sets at Durnstone. GEORGIANA. I must say you try to make everybody feel at home. [_HANNAH curtseys._ SIR TRISTRAM. It's beautifully Arcadian. GEORGIANA. [_To HANNAH._] Perhaps this is only a police-station for the young? HANNAH. No, ma'am, we take ladies and gentlemen like yourselves. NOAH. [_Who has not been noticed, surveying GEORGIANA and SIR TRISTRAM, gloomily._] 'Annah, hintrodooce me. GEORGIANA. [_Facing NOAH._] Good gracious! What's that! Oh, good-morning. NOAH. 'Annah's a gettin' me a lot o' nice noo friends this week since we coom to St. Marvells. HANNAH. Noah, Noah--the lady and gentlemen is strange. NOAH. Ho! GEORGIANA. Are you the man in charge here? NOAH. Ay; are you seeing me on business or pleasure? SIR TRISTRAM. Do you imagine people come here to see you? NOAH. Noa--they generally coom to see my wife. 'Owever, if it's business [_pointing to the other side of the room_] that's the hofficial side--this is domestic. You'll hall kindly move over. SIR TRISTRAM _and_ GEORGIANA.