MISS L. (_in a detached tone_). _I_ wasn't there, but I haven't heard anybody deny that the women waited till ten minutes to eleven. Then they discovered the policeman who'd been sent up at the psychological moment to the back of the gallery. Then, I'm told, when the women saw they were betrayed once more, they utilised the few minutes left, to impress on the country at large the fact of their demands--did it in the only way left them. (_Sits leaning forward reflectively smiling, chin in hand._) It does rather look to the outsider as if the well-behaved women had worked for forty years and made less impression on the world then those fiery young women made in five minutes. MRS. F. Oh, come, be fair! MISS L. Well, you must admit that, next day, every newspaper reader in Europe and America knew there were women in England in such dead earnest about the Suffrage that the men had stopped laughing at last, and turned them out of the House. Men even advertised how little they appreciated the fun by sending the women to gaol in pretty sober earnest. And all the world was talking about it. (MRS. HERIOT _lays down the "Church Times" and joins the others._) LADY JOHN. I have noticed, whenever the men aren't there, the women sit and discuss that scene. JEAN (_cheerfully_). _I_ shan't have to wait till the men are gone. (_Leans over_ LADY JOHN'S _shoulder and says half aside_) He's in sympathy. LADY JOHN. How do you know? JEAN. He told the interrupting women so. (MRS. FREDDY _looks mystified. The others smile._) LADY JOHN. Oh! (MR. FREDDY _and_ LORD JOHN _appear by the door they went out of. They stop to talk._) MRS. F. Here's Freddy! (_Lower, hastily to_ MISS LEVERING.) You're judging from the outside. Those of us who have been working for years ... we all realise it was a perfectly lunatic proceeding. Why, _think_! The only chance of our getting what we want is by _winning over_ the men. (_Her watchful eye, leaving her husband for a moment, catches_ MISS LEVERING'S _little involuntary gesture._) What's the matter? MISS L. "Winning over the men" has been the woman's way for centuries. Do you think the result should make us proud of our policy? Yes? Then go and walk in Piccadilly at midnight. (_The older women glance at_ JEAN.) No, I forgot---- MRS. H. (_with majesty_). Yes, it's not the first time you've forgotten. MISS L. I forgot the magistrate's ruling. He said no decent woman had any business to be in London's main thoroughfare at night unless she has _a man with her_. I heard that in Nine Elms, too. "You're obliged to take up with a chap!" was what the woman said. MRS. H. (_rising_). JEAN! Come! (_She takes_ JEAN _by her arm and draws her to the window, where she signals_ GREATOREX _and_ FARNBOROUGH. MRS. FREDDY _joins her husband and_ LORD JOHN.)