She narrows her dark eyes and gives him a honeyed look.

Cokeson. [Expanding] It’s all against the rules.  Suppose I had my friends here to see me!  It’d never do!

Ruth.  No, sir.

Cokeson. [A little taken aback] Exactly!  And here you are wanting to see a junior clerk!

Ruth.  Yes, sir; I must see him.

Cokeson. [Turning full round to her with a sort of outraged interest] But this is a lawyer’s office.  Go to his private address.

Ruth.  He’s not there.

Cokeson. [Uneasy] Are you related to the party?

Ruth.  No, sir.

Cokeson. [In real embarrassment] I don’t know what to say.  It’s no affair of the office.

Ruth.  But what am I to do?

Cokeson.  Dear me!  I can’t tell you that.

     Sweedle comes back.  He crosses to the outer office and passes
     through into it, with a quizzical look at Cokeson, carefully
     leaving the door an inch or two open.

Cokeson. [Fortified by this look] This won’t do, you know, this won’t do at all.  Suppose one of the partners came in!

     An incoherent knocking and chuckling is heard from the outer
     door of the outer office.

Sweedle. [Putting his head in] There’s some children outside here.

Ruth.  They’re mine, please.

Sweedle.  Shall I hold them in check?

Ruth.  They’re quite small, sir. [She takes a step towards Cokeson]

Cokeson.  You mustn’t take up his time in office hours; we’re a clerk short as it is.

Ruth.  It’s a matter of life and death.

Cokeson. [Again outraged] Life and death!

Sweedle.  Here is Falder.

Falder has entered through the outer office.  He is a pale, good-looking young man, with quick, rather scared eyes.  He moves towards the door of the clerks’ office, and stands there irresolute.

Cokeson.  Well, I’ll give you a minute.  It’s not regular.

     Taking up a bundle of papers, he goes out into the partners’
     room.

Ruth. [In a low, hurried voice] He’s on the drink again, Will.  He tried to cut my throat last night.  I came out with the children before he was awake.  I went round to you.

Falder.  I’ve changed my digs.

Ruth.  Is it all ready for to-night?

Falder.  I’ve got the tickets.  Meet me 11.45 at the booking office.  For God’s sake don’t forget we’re man and wife! [Looking at her with tragic intensity] Ruth!

Ruth.  You’re not afraid of going, are you?

Falder.  Have you got your things, and the children’s?

Ruth.  Had to leave them, for fear of waking Honeywill, all but one bag.  I can’t go near home again.