MISS E. B. (_speaking through the noise_). Oh, no! _Let_ the women scrub and cook and wash. That's all right! But if they want to try their hand at the better paid work of the liberal professions--oh, very unfeminine indeed! Then there's another thing. Now I want you to listen to this, because it's _very_ important. Men say if we persist in competing with them for the bigger prizes, they're dreadfully afraid we'd lose the beautiful protecting chivalry that---- Yes, I don't wonder you laugh. _We_ laugh. (_Bending forward with lit eyes._) But the women I found at the Ferry Tin Works working for five shillings a week--I didn't see them laughing. The beautiful chivalry of the employers of women doesn't prevent them from paying women tenpence a day for sorting coal and loading and unloading carts--doesn't prevent them from forcing women to earn bread in ways worse still. So we won't talk about chivalry. It's being over-sarcastic. We'll just let this poor ghost of chivalry go--in exchange for a little plain justice. VOICE. If the House of Commons won't give you justice, why don't you go to the House of Lords? MISS E. B. What? VOICE. Better 'urry up. Case of early closin'. (_Laughter. A man at the back asks the speaker something._) MISS E. B. (_unable to hear_). You'll be allowed to ask any question you like at the end of the meeting. NEW-COMER (_boy of eighteen_). Oh, is it question time? I s'y, Miss, 'oo killed cock robin? (_She is about to resume, but above the general noise the voice of a man at the back reaches her indistinct but insistent. She leans forward trying to catch what he says. While the indistinguishable murmur has been going on_ GEOFFREY STONOR _has appeared on the edge of the crowd, followed by_ JEAN _and_ LADY JOHN _in motor veils._) JEAN (_pressing forward eagerly and raising her veil_). Is she one of them? That little thing! STONOR (_doubtfully_). I--I suppose so. JEAN. Oh, ask some one, Geoffrey. I'm so disappointed. I did so hope we'd hear one of the--the worst. MISS E. B. (_to the interrupter--on the other side_). What? What do you say? (_She screws up her eyes with the effort to hear, and puts a hand up to her ear. A few indistinguishable words between her and the man._) LADY JOHN (_who has been studying the figures on the platform through her lorgnon, turns to a working man beside her_). Can you tell me, my man, which are the ones that--a--that make the disturbances? WORKING MAN. The one that's doing the talking--she's the disturbingest o' the lot. JEAN (_craning to listen_). Not that nice little---- WORKING MAN. Don't you be took in, Miss. MISS E. B. Oh, yes--I see. There's a man over here asking---- A YOUNG MAN. _I've_ got a question, too. Are--you--married? ANOTHER (_sniggering_). Quick! There's yer chawnce. 'E's a bachelor. (_Laughter._)