Act II - Page 2

MRS KNOX. It's all over between us and everybody. When a girl runs
away from home like that, people know what to think of her and her
parents.

KNOX. She had a happy, respectable home--everything--

MRS KNOX. [interrupting him] Theres no use going over it all
again, Jo. If a girl hasnt happiness in herself, she wont be happy
anywhere. Youd better go back to the shop and try to keep your mind
off it.

KNOX. [rising restlessly] I cant. I keep fancying everybody knows
it and is sniggering about it. I'm at peace nowhere but here. It's a
comfort to be with you. It's a torment to be with other people.

MRS KNOX. [going to him and drawing her arm through his] There,
Jo, there! I'm sure I'd have you here always if I could. But it cant
be. God's work must go on from day to day, no matter what comes. We
must face our trouble and bear it.

KNOX. [wandering to the window arm in arm with her] Just look at
the people in the street, going up and down as if nothing had
happened. It seems unnatural, as if they all knew and didnt care.

MRS KNOX. If they knew, Jo, thered be a crowd round the house looking
up at us. You shouldnt keep thinking about it.

KNOX. I know I shouldnt. You have your religion, Amelia; and I'm
sure I'm glad it comforts you. But it doesnt come to me that way.
Ive worked hard to get a position and be respectable. Ive turned many
a girl out of the shop for being half an hour late at night; and heres
my own daughter gone for a fortnight without word or sign, except a
telegram to say shes not dead and that we're not to worry about her.

MRS KNOX. [suddenly pointing to the street] Jo, look!

KNOX. Margaret! With a man!

MRS KNOX. Run down, Jo, quick. Catch her: save her.

KNOX. [lingering] Shes shaking bands with him: shes coming across
to the door.

MRS KNOX. [energetically] Do as I tell you. Catch the man before
hes out of sight.

_Knox rushes from the room. Mrs Knox looks anxiously and excitedly
from the window. Then she throws up the sash and leans out. Margaret
Knox comes in, flustered and annoyed. She is a strong, springy girl
of eighteen, with large nostrils, an audacious chin, and a gaily
resolute manner, even peremptory on occasions like the present, when
she is annoyed._

MARGARET. Mother. Mother.

_Mrs Knox draws in her head and confronts her daughter._

MRS KNOX. [sternly] Well, miss?

MARGARET. Oh, mother, do go out and stop father making a scene in the
street. He rushed at him and said "Youre the man who took away my
daughter" loud enough for all the people to hear. Everybody stopped.
We shall have a crowd round the house. Do do something to stop him.

_Knox returns with a