MRS. RANSOME. Yes, they would. An’ all the time he’s growin’ up, the other children in school’ll be tormentin’ him, and callin’ him names. Didn’t the same thing happen with Susan Bradley’s boy? Didn’t they have to go an’ live out in Jersey, cos she couldn’t stand it no longer? You know it as well as I do. JANET (_Defiantly_). They went away ’cos he was always gettin’ sick. MRS. RANSOME. Of course he was always gettin’ sick—with all them devils makin’ fun of him—an’ makin’ his life a misery. Didn’t we used to see him goin’ down the block—with the tears runnin’ down his cheeks—an’ all of ’em yellin’ names after him. Just think of the baby you’re goin’ to have. D’ye want that to happen to _your_ baby? D’ye want them to make _its_ life a misery—same as the other one? JANET (_Lifelessly_). They wouldn’t. MRS. RANSOME. Of course they would. They’ll tease an’ torment it, just like the other—an’ when he’s old enough to understand—who’ll he blame for it? He’ll blame _you_ for it. (_Inspired_) He’ll blame Bob for it—he’ll hate him for it. D’ye want your boy—Bob’s boy—to be hatin’ his own father? What’d Bob say? What’d _he_ think of you—ruinin’ his baby’s life—an’ all just because you’re obstinate an’ won’t listen to reason. Can’t you see it? Just think—if you’d only say you was in the wrong—an’ do what Mr. Tanner asks you—he’d forgive you an’ make everything all right. Oh, Janet—can’t you see it? Ask him—beg him! JANET. Oh, dear. Well—how c’n Mr. Tanner make it all right? MRS. RANSOME. You know what I mean. Oh, Janet, it won’t take him a minute to write it. If he don’t, can’t you see it’ll ruin us all our lives? JANET. Only a minute to write it—or it’ll ruin us all our lives. MRS. RANSOME. Oh, Janet, this is your last chance. Tell him you’re sorry. (_To Tanner, who has edged towards the door, and is about to leave._) Oh, Mr. Tanner, please don’t go. Just wait another minute. TANNER. Really, I must go. MRS. RANSOME. Oh, sir! I can see she’s sorry. You won’t go back on your word, sir? JANET (_Unwillingly feigning remorse_). Let me think a bit. Oh, Mr. Tanner, I suppose I’m in the wrong—if you say so. It didn’t seem to me to be wrong—that’s all I got to say. I hope you’ll forgive me. I’m sorry for the way I spoke—and what I done. TANNER (_Returning_). My child, it’s not for me to forgive you. I knew I could appeal to something higher in you, if you’d only listen to me. Are you truly repentant—from the bottom of your heart? JANET. Yes, sir. TANNER. As I said to your mother just now, I don’t like preaching sermons, but I hope this has taught you that there can be no justification for our moments of passion and wilfulness. We must all try to humble our pride and our spirit. I won’t go back on my word, but when you start out afresh you must try to wipe out the past by living for the future. JANET. I’ll try to, sir.