_The Chairwoman_ (_with patient good-humour_). Now, I'm sure you'll all be as quiet as you can while I ... (_Hubbub, caused by a personal altercation between two Women in the crowd, and shouts of "Order!"_) Because really my doctor has ordered me not to speak in the open air at all ... (_Here an ill-conditioned female, taking offence for some inscrutable reason, remarks loudly,_ "_'Er_ doctor, indeed, she's a beauty, _she_ is--'er and 'er doctor!" _More calls to order, and extreme indignation of the ill-conditioned female at being informed that she is "no lady," and had "better 'old 'er jaw"; ribald and utterly meaningless jests by the larrikins._) Order, _please_! (_Imploringly._) I know you won't make it harder for me than you can help. (_A young Lady in a very tall hat and feather is heard demanding that the Gentleman in front of her should remove his "boxer," on pain of obliging her to remove it herself; the question is argued at length._) ... You all know the purpose for which we have ... (_Here an enthusiastic old Lady on the drag begins to cheer aimlessly, and wave a scrubbing-brush; the Laundresses on the lorry join in._) Well, we're going to ask Parliament ... (_Another female in crowd_: "'Ullo, there's Mrs. JINNINGS, along with the toffs! I want to 'ear Mrs. JINNINGS speak, I do!") ... I shall now ask you to listen to a speaker--Mrs. GOFFIN--who has had several years' practical experience of laundry-work, and she will tell you, I am sure, what the hardships and injustices are which we are trying to put an end to. [Mrs. GOFFIN, _a stout, red-faced Lady, mounts the seat with a cheery confidence, amidst roars of laughter, and shouts of "Go it, old girl!" "Don't forgit to send my shirt home next week!" &c., &c. The female in the crowd repeats her preference for_ Mrs. JINNINGS' _oratory; a string of factory-girls, in high-feathered hats, having just elbowed their way into the throng, suddenly conceive a desire to "get a breath o' air somewhere," and accordingly push and trample their way out again with a Parthian discharge of refined raillery--after which_ Mrs. GOFFIN's _voice becomes audible._ [Illustration: "I've been and spoke to hover forty Members o' Parlyment myself!"]