[Confusion.  The judge wakes up and splutters, and tries to say something; the USHER goes through the audience, but finds no one; HUNGARY spreads out his hands to the Jury, appealingly.

Mr. H.  Yes, so it was in the street that you saw the loaves fall down?

Pot.  Yes, sir; it was in the street that I saw it tumble down.

A Voice.  You mean them, you fool!  You haven’t got the story right yet!

[Confusion again.  The JUDGE sits up and stares like a man awaked from a nightmare, then calls out Officer!  Officer! very loud.  The USHER goes his errand again, and comes back bootless.

Mr. H. (very blandly).  It was in the street that you saw the three loaves fall down?

Pot.  Yes, it was in the street that I saw the loaf fall down.

Mr. H.  Yes, in the street; just so, in the street.  You may go (Aside:  for a damned fool!).  Constable Strongithoath.

[CONSTABLE STRONGITHOATH sworn,

Mr. H.  Constable, did you see this robbery?

Strong.  I saw it.

Mr. H.  Tell us what you saw.

Strong, (very slowly and stolidly, and as if repeating a lesson).  I saw her steal them all—­all—­all from one shop—­from three shops—­I followed her—­I took her.  When she took it up—­she let it drop—­in the shop—­and wiped the street mud off it.  Then she dropped them all three in the shop—­and came out—­and I took her—­with the help—­of the two constables—­and she cried.

Mr. H.  You may go (Aside:  for a new-caught joskin and a fool!).  I won’t ask him any questions.

J.  N. (waking up, and languid).  Do you call any other witnesses, Mr. Hungary?

Mr. H.  No, my lord. (Aside:  Not if I know it, considering the quality of the evidence.  Not that it much matters; the Judge is going to get a conviction; the Jury will do as he tells them—­always do.) (To the Court):  My lord and gentlemen of the Jury, that’s my case.

J.  N.  Well, my good woman, what have you to say to this?

Mary Pinch.  Say to it!  What’s the use of saying anything to it?  I’d do to it, if I could.

J.  N.  Woman! what do you mean?  Violence will not do here.  Have you witnesses to call?

M.  P.  Witnesses! how can I call witnesses to swear that I didn’t steal the loaves?

J.  N.  Well, do you wish to question the witnesses?  You have a right to.