But how can I be? I never see or hear them.
Ah, my Lord, its not fair. Dan and me, weve been waiting to quarrel until youre out of the house, and keeping ever so quiet sos youre not disturbed, and now you say you havent heard them.
Rose said, speaking loudly as to one deaf: Flo, Im going to explain something to you. And you must listen careful.
What, dear, what, darling? Why are you shouting at me, sweetheart?
Because I want you to understand. Now theres this oath, this thing they have in the Courts.
Ah, my Lord, the whole truth and nothing but the truth, I know about that.
Yes? But youre supposed to tell the truth in Court. Thats what the oath is, just telling the truth.
But, Rose, youre my friend.
Flo, Ive told you. Im going to answer the questions just what I know. And thats all.
Me, too, I said.
But theres no use your coming at all, because you didnt see the pepper and the potatoes and the stew that missed me by half an inch.
Or that great iron, neither, that Dan threw.
Flo considered. She said with a sly look: And theres that policeman, that Froggy, you know about the police, dear, dont you? And when did they tell the truth in Court?
Whats that got to do with it? But Rose was beginning to blush.
Flo was delighted, and pressed on: You know as well as everyone else, he was getting fifty, sixty pounds a month along your street, for shutting his mouth about the black market stuff for the restaurants all that butter? All that eggs and stuff? And I didnt see Rose running to tell anyone, oh no, you was thinking of marrying him.
Rose was really distressed. She said to me: Well, now youll think bad of me. But you have all those ideas about our police Ive heard you, and I didnt say nothing, because all you foreigners are the same, like my Canadian boy. But the police take this and that on the side, my Froggy wasnt nothing special.
Thats what Im saying, said Flo, So why should you be so high and mighty about a little fib for a friend in the Courts?
Because I am.
Well, I dont hold it against you. But when I think of what the lies were that the police said about your little brother so that he got to go to prison.
Flo, said Rose, desperate.
Whats all this? I said.
Flo glanced at me, saw Rose in tears, exclaimed Ah, my Lord, Danll give it to me now, and rushed out of the room.
I didnt want you to know, Flo promised not to tell you.
What?
Because youd think bad of me. Because my little brothers turned out bad, but hes the only one of the kids that did.
I dont see why you should think that.
If you dont youve got funny ideas, but you cant help it. But now Flos told you, Ill tell you proper. My little brother, he got into trouble he was fourteen, and he was in with a bad lot of kids. He got into trouble over and over, and they put him on probation, and we had those nosey-parkers at us all the time. But the cops had it in for him. And Im not saying they werent right, because he was a proper little devil, cheeky all the time. So one night he was with the gang, but he got home early while they did a job. I know he did, because it was me who gave him his supper and saw him to bed. We was sleeping in the same room then, so I know he was asleep when the job was being done. But the coppers said he was with the rest, and so he was sent to Borstal.
If you dont youve got funny ideas, but you cant help it. But now Flos told you, Ill tell you proper. My little brother, he got into trouble he was fourteen, and he was in with a bad lot of kids. He got into trouble over and over, and they put him on probation, and we had those nosey-parkers at us all the time. But the cops had it in for him. And Im not saying they werent right, because he was a proper little devil, cheeky all the time. So one night he was with the gang, but he got home early while they did a job. I know he did, because it was me who gave him his supper and saw him to bed. We was sleeping in the same room then, so I know he was asleep when the job was being done. But the coppers said he was with the rest, and so he was sent to Borstal.
But how could they when you knew he was with you?
Its no good arguing with them, youd know that if you wasnt a foreigner. They go into Court and tell any lie they fancy, and the magistrate always believes them. Well, the way I looked at it was this: if I spoke up for my little brother, they wouldnt believe me anyway. But if he went to the Reform for a bit, it might settle him down. And, besides, my mother was ill anyway about then, and he was right out of her control. But Ive felt bad about it ever since. Because it didnt do him any good. He ran away once, and was took back again. And hes coming out next month and my mothers marrying this man I told you about, and my brother doesnt like him, and therell be trouble, mark my words, So I want him to come here and live, and Flos against it because it means the copsll have their eye on this house. But she thinks, if she lets him come here, then Ill tell lies in Court, and I dont know which way to turn.
At this point Dan came in. He was scowling at Flo, who was near tears.
Yes, he said. And has she told you why we need witnesses? Has she told you that?
But I didnt mean it, said Flo, wailing.
You never mean it. They put her into the witness box. That was the time of the ladder. And they said, did you hear your husband saying he would kill Mrs Black, and Flo here pipes up and says: Oh, yes, and he nearly killed her right then, shaking her so hard. At the memory, Dans veins swelled up dark in his forehead; and he clenched his teeth at Flo.
But it was true, said Flo, through tears. I saw you. I thought her time had come, the old bitch.
Dan grinned sarcastically. You see? he said to me and Rose. You see? He gave Flo a light slap across the cheek. Everybody in the Court laughed. And because my wife cant keep her tongue still I was bound over.
She cant help being stupid, said Rose tolerantly.
No, I cant, said Flo eagerly, clutching at Dans arm. I dont understand them Courts. I thought I was to tell the truth, because of what the laywer said, I got mixed up, thats all, next time itll be different.
Itd better be different. Dan looked at Rose and said: Youre coming into Court or not?
Rose hesitated. Dan said: If you want that kid brother here for a time you can.
Rose struggled with herself, and finally said, with a sigh: But Im not telling no lies, Dan.
Flos stupid. Who said lies? The lawyer told me, you just say the things you know, thats all.
Yes? said Rose. All of them?
He ground his teeth again. No. The lawyer knows. Will you see the lawyer? The case is the day after tomorrow.
My Lord, so soon? wailed Flo.
Yes, so soon. And Mrs Skeffingtons flat on her back and shell be there a week yet. Will you see the lawyer? he said to me.
Very well.
Dont listen to Flo. Shes And he tapped his forehead angrily, glaring at her.
No, sweetheart, Im sorry, I didnt mean to say what was wrong.
And now youll come downstairs and get my supper and keep your mouth shut.
Dan and Flo went out.
Those lawyers, said Rose. You wait till you see their lawyer. Enough to make God laugh. Well, it looks as if Ill get my Len here for a bit. Im a good influence on him if no one else is. You wont think bad of me? Youll see him and be a friend?
Of course. Why not?
Of course, and why not. Well, its easy for some people. Make me a cup of tea. Thinking about going into that Court scares me, but I suppose Ive got to.
Flo crept back.
Dont say it, said Rose. Dont.
But weve made it up.
Lets be thankful for small mercies.
Flo said to me, I know Dan would be pleased at the idea if hed thought of it, because he did it himself. Just stamp up and down this floor before you go to bed at night so as to get into their dreams a little.
Rose groaned. Flo, it would count against you in Court, dont you ever think of anything?
But Dan used to do it every night regular. Hed come up and me too, and hed stamp around the floor, he looked ever so funny, going stamp stamp In his shirt, with everything on view going flop-flop.
Oh, my God, said Rose.
You dont know nothing yet, said Flo. Getting dressed up to go courting is one thing. Men in their underpants is another. One is ro-mance. The other is what we get for cleaning the floors and washing up to keep us quiet. And dont you forget it.
Do us a favour and leave us in peace one evening.
Yes, well you make the most of Dickie in his courting mood because it wont be like that afterwards.
I wasnt born yesterday.
Youre not cross with your Flo?
Were sick and tired. Both of us. Just sick and tired.
We could subpoena you, dear, you know that?
Yes?
All right, dear, Ill go, Ill go.
The day of the case it was hot, a sunny June day. Flo wore a black astrakhan coat and a muff. Around her black felt hat she had pinned another strip of astrakhan. Both Jack and Dan wore thick striped suits. For the first time, the three seemed commonplace and ugly. As for Aurora, she had on a white rabbitskin coat and hat, and was crying from the heat, but Flo slapped her into silence. As the family walked quietly towards a bus-stop it was the essence of respectability; and I tried to put myself into the position of a Judge, looking down into these lives from his height, and wondered how he would see them. The only sign that this was not in every respect that unit which is the foundation of a sound society was their complete indifference to the sufferings of Aurora. But even this was soon put right by Rose, who was showing her respect for the occasion by wearing her best grey suit, and her independence of it by fixing a look of weary scepticism on her face. She exclaimed: Have you all gone nuts today? and grabbed the child, stripped off the thick fur and set her free. Flo saw Auroras paper-white face, with the sweat streaming off it, and was suddenly overcome by pity and tenderness. Mother and child sat entwined on the bus seat, presenting a charming picture. As for Rose, she said to me: Well, lets get it over with, and then we can start acting sensible again. It all makes me sick and thats a fact.
We got off the bus and Dan said to Flo: Now if you speak out of turn this time Ill wring your blasted neck for you. Flo was subdued by this until the lawyer came to meet us. Her thoughts at once flowed into their usual channel and she whispered to Rose: Now theres a catch for you, sweetheart. A lawyers something like a husband.