Smiles at the others.]
GEOFFREY In that case I warn you that I shall hand it over to the
police.
PEEKIN [He turns to the others.] I don't myself see what else Mr.
Chilvers could be expected to do.
MISS BORLASSE He'd be a fool not to.
GEOFFREY Thank you. So far we seem to be in agreement. And now
may I ask to what all this is leading?
PEEKIN [He changes from the debonnair to the dramatic.] How many
men, Mr. Chilvers, leave their babies every year at the door of
poverty-stricken women? What are they expected to do with them?
[A moment. The DEPUTATION murmur approval.]
GEOFFREY I see. But is there no difference between the two doors?
I am not an accomplice.
PEEKIN An accomplice! Is the ignorant servant-girl--first lured
into the public-house, cajoled, tricked, deceived by false
promises--the half-starved shop-girl in the hands of the practised
libertine--is she an accomplice?
MRS. PEEKIN [A dowdily-dressed, untidy woman, but the face is
sweet and tender.] Ah, Mr.
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