(_Noise increases._ CHAIRMAN _drowned, waves his arms and moves his lips._ MISS LEVERING _discouraged, turns and looks at_ ERNESTINE BLUNT _and pantomimes "It's no good. I can't go on."_ ERNESTINE BLUNT _comes forward, says a word to the_ CHAIRMAN, _who ceases gyrating, and nods._) MISS E. B. (_facing the crowd_). Look here. If the Government withhold the vote because they don't like the way some of us ask for it--_let them give it to the Quiet Ones_. Does the Government want to punish _all_ women because they don't like the manners of a handful? Perhaps that's you men's notion of justice. It isn't women's. VOICES. Haw! haw! MISS L. Yes. Th-this is the first time I've ever "gone on," as you call it, but they never gave me a vote. MISS E. B. (_with energy_). No! And there are one--two--three--four women on this platform. Now, we all want the vote, as you know. Well, we'd agree to be disfranchised all our lives, if they'd give the vote to all the other women. VOICE. Look here, you made one speech, give the lady a chawnce. MISS E. B. (_retires smiling_). That's _just_ what I wanted _you_ to do! MISS L. Perhaps you--you don't know--you don't know---- VOICE (_sarcastic_). 'Ow 're we goin' to know if you can't tell us? MISS L. (_flushing and smiling_). Thank you for that. We couldn't have a better motto. How _are_ you to know if we can't somehow manage to tell you? (_With a visible effort she goes on._) Well, I certainly didn't know before that the sergeants and policemen are instructed to deceive the people as to the time such cases are heard. You ask, and you're sent to Marlborough Police Court instead of to Marylebone. VOICE. They ought ter sent yer to 'Olloway--do y' good. OLD NEWSVENDOR. You go on, Miss, don't mind 'im. VOICE. Wot d'you expect from a pig but a grunt? MISS L. You're told the case will be at two o'clock, and it's really called for eleven. Well, I took a great deal of trouble, and I didn't believe what I was told-- (_Warming a little to her task._)