(VIDA LEVERING _comes forward_ R. _She wears a long, plain, dark green dust-cloak. Stands talking to_ ERNESTINE BLUNT _and glancing a little apprehensively at the crowd._) JEAN. Geoffrey! STONOR (_trying to draw_ JEAN _away_). Lady John's tired---- JEAN. But you don't see who it is, Geoffrey----! (_Looks into his face, and is arrested by the look she finds there._) (LADY JOHN _has pushed in front of them amazed, transfixed, with glass up._ GEOFFREY STONOR _restrains a gesture of annoyance, and withdraws behind two big policemen._ JEAN _from time to time turns to look at him with a face of perplexity._) MR. P. (_resuming through a fire of indistinct interruption_). I'll come down and attend to that microbe while a lady will say a few words to you (_raises his voice_)--if she can myke 'erself 'eard. (PILCHER _retires in the midst of booing and cheers._) CHAIRMAN (_harassed and trying to create a diversion_). Some one suggests--and it's such a good idea I'd like you to listen to it-- (_Noise dies down._) that a clause shall be inserted in the next Suffrage Bill that shall expressly reserve to each Cabinet Minister, and to any respectable man, the power to prevent the Franchise being given to the female members of his family on his public declaration of their lack of sufficient intelligence to entitle them to vote. VOICES. Oh! oh! CHAIRMAN. Now, I ask you to listen, as quietly as you can, to a lady who is not accustomed to speaking--a--in Trafalgar Square--or a ... as a matter of fact, at all. VOICES. "A dumb lady." "Hooray!" "Three cheers for the dumb lady!" CHAIRMAN. A lady who, as I've said, will tell you, if you'll behave yourselves, her impressions of the administration of police-court justice in this country. (JEAN _looks wondering at_ STONOR'S _sphinx-like face as_ VIDA LEVERING _comes to the edge of the platform._) MISS L. Mr. Chairman, men and women---- VOICES (_off_). Speak up. (_She flushes, comes quite to the edge of the platform and raises her voice a little._) MISS L. I just wanted to tell you that I was--I was--present in the police-court when the women were charged for creating a disturbance. VOICE. Y' oughtn't t' get mixed up in wot didn't concern you. MISS L. I--I---- (_Stumbles and stops._) (_Talking and laughing increases._ "Wot's 'er name?" "Mrs. or Miss?" "Ain't seen this one before.") CHAIRMAN (_anxiously_). Now, see here, men; don't interrupt---- A GIRL (_shrilly_). I like this one's _'at_. Ye can see she ain't one of 'em. MISS L. (_trying to recommence_). I---- VOICE. They're a disgrace--them women be'ind yer. A MAN WITH A FATHERLY AIR. It's the w'y they goes on as mykes the Government keep ye from gettin' yer rights. CHAIRMAN (_losing his temper_). It's the way _you_ go on that----