here. The "disorderly" has dropped out of Mrs Johnson's charge
somehow, on the way from the charge room. I don't know what has been
going on behind the scenes, but, anyway, it is Christmas-time, and the
Sergeant seems anxious to let Mrs Johnson off lightly. It means
anything from twenty-four hours or five shillings to three months on
the Island for her. The lawyers and the police--especially the
lawyers--are secretly afraid of Mrs Johnson.

However, again---

The Sergeant: "This woman has not been here for six weeks, your
Worship."

Mrs Johnson (who has him set and has been waiting for him for a year
or so): "It's a damned lie, Mr Isaacs. I was here last Wednesday!"
Then, after a horrified pause in the Court: "But I beg _your_
pardon, Mr Isaacs."

His Worship's head goes down again. The "laughter" doesn't come
here, either. There is a whispered consultation, and (it being
Christmas-time) they compromise with Mrs Johnson for "five shillings
or the risin'," and she thanks his Worship and is escorted out,
rather more hurriedly than is comportable with her dignity, for she
remarks about it.

The members of the Johnsonian sisterhood have reason to be thankful
for the "lift" she has given them, for they all get off lightly, and
even the awful resister of Law-an'-order is forgiven. Mrs Johnson has
money and is waiting outside to stand beers for them; she always
shouts for the boys when she has it. And--what good does it all do?