The Magistrate

MR. POSKET.

[_Starting up._] Cis!

CIS.

Where did you fetch, Guv?

MR. POSKET.

Where did I fetch! You wretched boy! I fetched Kilburn, and I"ll fetch you a sound whipping when I recover my composure.

CIS.

What for?

MR. POSKET.

For leading me astray, sir. Yours is the first bad companionship I have ever formed! Evil communication with you, sir, has corrupted me!

[_Taking CIS by the collar and shaking him._] Why did you abandon me at Kilburn?

CIS.

Because you were quite done, and I branched off to draw the crowd away from you after me.

MR. POSKET.

Did you, Cis, did you? [_Putting his hand on CIS"S shoulder._] My boy--my boy! Oh, Cis, we"re in such trouble!

CIS.

You weren"t caught, Guv?

MR. POSKET.

No--but do you know who the ladies are who were supping at the Hotel des Princes?

CIS.

No--do you?

MR. POSKET.

Do I? They were your mother and Aunt Charlotte.

CIS.

The mater and Aunt Charlotte! Ha, ha, ha! [_Laughing and dancing with delight._] Ha! ha! Oh, I say, Guv, what a lark!

MR. POSKET.

A lark! They were taken to the police station!

CIS.

[_Changing his tone._] My mother?

MR. POSKET.

They were brought before the magistrate and sentenced.

CIS.

Sentenced?

MR. POSKET.

To seven days" imprisonment.

CIS.

Oh!

[_He puts his hat on fiercely._

MR. POSKET.

What are you going to do?

CIS.

Get my mother out first, and then break every bone in that magistrate"s body.

MR. POSKET.

Cis! Cis! he"s an unhappy wretch and he did his duty.

CIS.

His duty! To send another magistrate"s wife to prison! Guv, I"m only a boy, but I know what professional etiquette is! Come along! Which is the police station?

MR. POSKET.

Mulberry Street.

CIS.

Who"s the magistrate?

MR. POSKET.