RELIEVING OFFICER. I have the husband here, your Worship. MAGISTRATE. Very well; then let us see him. [There are cries of "LIVENS." The MAGISTRATE leans forward, and stares with hard compassion at the little girls. LIVENS comes in. He is quiet, with grizzled hair, and a muffler for a collar. He stands beside the witness-box.] And you, are their father? Now, why don't you keep your little girls at home. How is it you leave them to wander about the streets like this? LIVENS. I've got no home, your Worship. I'm living from 'and to mouth. I 've got no work; and nothin' to keep them on. MAGISTRATE. How is that? LIVENS. [Ashamedly.] My wife, she broke my 'ome up, and pawned the things. MAGISTRATE. But what made you let her? LEVINS. Your Worship, I'd no chance to stop 'er, she did it when I was out lookin' for work. MAGISTRATE. Did you ill-treat her? LIVENS. [Emphatically.] I never raised my 'and to her in my life, your Worship. MAGISTRATE. Then what was it--did she drink? LIVENS. Yes, your Worship. MAGISTRATE. Was she loose in her behaviour? LIVENS. [In a low voice.] Yes, your Worship. MAGISTRATE. And where is she now? LIVENS. I don't know your Worship. She went off with a man, and after that I---- MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes. Who knows anything of her? [To the bald CONSTABLE.] Is she known here? RELIEVING OFFICER. Not in this district, your Worship; but I have ascertained that she is well known---- MAGISTRATE. Yes--yes; we'll stop at that. Now [To the Father] you say that she has broken up your home, and left these little girls. What provision can you make for them? You look a strong man. LIVENS. So I am, your Worship. I'm willin' enough to work, but for the life of me I can't get anything to do. MAGISTRATE. But have you tried? LIVENS. I've tried everything, your Worship--I 've tried my 'ardest. MAGISTRATE. Well, well---- [There is a silence.] RELIEVING OFFICER. If your Worship thinks it's a case, my people are willing to take them. MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes, I know; but I've no evidence that this man is not the proper guardian for his children. [He rises oval goes back to the fire.] RELIEVING OFFICER. The mother, your Worship, is able to get access to them. MAGISTRATE. Yes, yes; the mother, of course, is an improper person to have anything to do with them. [To the Father.] Well, now what do you say? LIVENS. Your Worship, I can only say that if I could get work I should be only too willing to provide for them. But what can I do, your Worship? Here I am obliged to live from 'and to mouth in these 'ere common lodging-houses. I 'm a strong man--I'm willing to work --I'm half as alive again as some of 'em--but you see, your Worship, my 'airs' turned a bit, owing to the fever--[Touches his hair]--and that's against me; and I don't seem to get a chance anyhow.