next.

MRS MARCH. Exactly.

MR MARCH. If we never get another chance because we repent--

COOK. I always think of Master Johnny, ma'am, and my jam; he used to
repent so beautiful, dear little feller--such a conscience! I never
could bear to lock it away.

MRS MARCH. Cook, you're wandering. I'm surprised at your encouraging
the idea; I really am.

Cook plaits her hands.

MR MARCH. Cook's been in the family longer than I have--haven't you,
Cook? [COOK beams] She knows much more about a girl like that than we
do.

COOK. We had a girl like her, I remember, in your dear mother's time,
Mr Geoffrey.

MR MARCH. How did she turn out?

COOK. Oh! She didn't.

MRS MARCH. There!

MR MARCH. Well, I can't bear behaving like everybody else. Don't you
think we might give her a chance, Cook?