Jurgis hesitated.  What had he to say?  In two years and a half he had learned to speak English for practical purposes, but these had never included the statement that some one had intimidated and seduced his wife.  He tried once or twice, stammering and balking, to the annoyance of the judge, who was gasping from the odor of fertilizer.  Finally, the prisoner made it understood that his vocabulary was inadequate, and there stepped up a dapper young man with waxed mustaches, bidding him speak in any language he knew.

Jurgis began; supposing that he would be given time, he explained how the boss had taken advantage of his wife’s position to make advances to her and had threatened her with the loss of her place.  When the interpreter had translated this, the judge, whose calendar was crowded, and whose automobile was ordered for a certain hour, interrupted with the remark:  “Oh, I see.  Well, if he made love to your wife, why didn’t she complain to the superintendent or leave the place?”

Jurgis hesitated, somewhat taken aback; he began to explain that they were very poor—­that work was hard to get—­

“I see,” said Justice Callahan; “so instead you thought you would knock him down.”  He turned to the plaintiff, inquiring, “Is there any truth in this story, Mr. Connor?”

“Not a particle, your Honor,” said the boss.  “It is very unpleasant—­they tell some such tale every time you have to discharge a woman—­”

“Yes, I know,” said the judge.  “I hear it often enough.  The fellow seems to have handled you pretty roughly.  Thirty days and costs.  Next case.”

Jurgis had been listening in perplexity.  It was only when the policeman who had him by the arm turned and started to lead him away that he realized that sentence had been passed.  He gazed round him wildly.  “Thirty days!” he panted and then he whirled upon the judge.  “What will my family do?” he cried frantically.  “I have a wife and baby, sir, and they have no money—­my God, they will starve to death!”

“You would have done well to think about them before you committed the assault,” said the judge dryly, as he turned to look at the next prisoner.

Jurgis would have spoken again, but the policeman had seized him by the collar and was twisting it, and a second policeman was making for him with evidently hostile intentions.  So he let them lead him away.  Far down the room he saw Elzbieta and Kotrina, risen from their seats, staring in fright; he made one effort to go to them, and then, brought back by another twist at his throat, he bowed his head and gave up the struggle.  They thrust him into a cell room, where other prisoners were waiting; and as soon as court had adjourned they led him down with them into the “Black Maria,” and drove him away.