Plot

Act 1 Scene 1:

Act I, Scene I of The Silver Box by John Galsworthy sets the stage for the play’s exploration of justice, class division, and moral hypocrisy. The scene takes place in the Barthwick family’s dining room, which is described as large, modern, and well-furnished, symbolizing wealth and status. The room is lit by electric lights, emphasizing a sense of artificial brightness over what will soon become a dark and morally ambiguous situation. A tray with whisky, a syphon, and a silver cigarette box sits on the table, objects that will play a crucial role in the unfolding drama.

The scene begins after midnight when Jack Barthwick, the young, privileged son of a Member of Parliament (MP), stumbles into the house completely drunk. He is dressed in expensive evening attire, suggesting he has been out at a social event. In his intoxicated state, he carries a lady’s sky-blue velvet reticule (handbag), which he has stolen from a woman after an argument. Jack finds the situation amusing, laughing to himself and referring to the woman as a “cat”, showing his lack of respect for others. As he fumbles with the bag, a crimson silk purse and a lady’s handkerchief fall out, further highlighting his carelessness.

Jack, still boastful and thoughtless, searches his pockets for money and finds a shilling but loses it on the floor. Instead of being concerned, he laughs it off and moves towards a corridor, only to return with another man, introducing the second major character, James Jones.

James Jones is a disheveled, impoverished man, clearly suffering from hardship and unemployment. His hollow-cheeked appearance and ragged clothes contrast sharply with Jack’s wealth. He, too, is under the influence of alcohol, but unlike Jack, his drunkenness does not come from privilege and excess but from desperation and hardship.

Jack, still incoherent and foolish, insists that Jones should stay quiet and have a drink. He begins to brag about his father’s status as a Liberal MP, claiming that they stand for equality and justice for all. However, his actions show that he does not actually believe in those principles, as he dismisses them as “silly” and treats Jones with casual superiority. Jack even asks Jones about his own political beliefs, to which Jones sarcastically replies that he is a “bloomin’ Conservative”, hinting at his cynicism and bitterness towards the upper class.

Jack continues his drunken boasting, stating that he does not see why people make such a fuss about taking things, justifying his theft of the lady’s reticule as a way to “score her off”. He offers Jones whisky, cigarettes, and whatever else he wants, as if to play the generous host, though it is evident he is merely indulging in thoughtless drunken hospitality. Slowly, Jack falls asleep on the sofa, grinning foolishly, leaving himself completely vulnerable.

With Jack unconscious, Jones is left alone in a room filled with luxury, and he begins to observe his surroundings. He pours himself another drink, mocking the wealth of the house and Jack’s privileged life. Noticing the crimson purse on the floor, he picks it up and playfully calls “Puss, puss!”, mimicking Jack’s earlier insult about the woman, showing his growing contempt for the wealthy young man.

As Jones continues drinking and reflecting, he sees his own reflection in the mirror. He spreads his fingers and stares at his own image, as if seeing himself clearly for the first time. A mix of anger, frustration, and self-loathing rises in him. He clenches his fist, as though about to strike the sleeping Jack, but instead, he drinks more whisky and, in a sudden decision, steals the silver cigarette box and the crimson purse.

Before leaving, Jones laughs bitterly, repeating Jack’s own words: “I’ll score you off too, that’s what I’ll do!”. This moment is a clear turning point, where Jones, who has been treated as insignificant, asserts power in the only way available to him—by taking something back from the rich.

As he moves towards the door, his shoulder accidentally rubs against the electric switch, plunging the room into darkness. There is a sound of an outer door closing, indicating that Jones has left with the stolen items.

The curtain falls for a moment and then rises again immediately, signaling the end of the first dramatic scene. The scene leaves the audience with an uneasy feeling about class inequality, justice, and the consequences of privilege and desperation.

Act 1 Scene 2:

The scene takes place in the dining room of the Barthwick household the following morning, after Jack Barthwick’s drunken night. The morning light filters through the curtains, and it is now half-past eight. The setting remains the same, but the atmosphere has changed from the careless indulgence of the previous night to one of quiet domestic routine and the first hints of trouble.

Two household workers enter the scene. The first is Wheeler, a maid who is brisk and practical, with a straightforward and slightly gossipy attitude. The second is Mrs. Jones, a charwoman (cleaning lady), who is gentle, patient, and soft-spoken. She is described as slim, dark-haired, and dressed in a simple blue linen dress with worn-out boots, a reflection of her poverty and struggle.

As the two women go about their work, Wheeler immediately begins gossiping about Mrs. Jones’s husband, James Jones. She mentions that he had been seen lurking near the house the previous evening and was also spotted drinking at a local pub, “The Goat and Bells.” She disapproves of Mrs. Jones for staying with such a man, particularly because he is known to be abusive and violent. Wheeler claims that if she were in Mrs. Jones’s position, she would never tolerate such treatment.

Mrs. Jones, however, responds with quiet resignation. She does not deny her husband’s violence, calmly admitting that he came home late, intoxicated, and once again physically abused her. However, instead of condemning him, she rationalizes his behavior. She explains that he “wasn’t himself,” implying that his drinking and frustration due to long-term unemployment are to blame for his actions. She also acknowledges that she should leave him, but fears how he might react if she tried. Her words reveal a deep conflict between her desire for self-preservation and her loyalty to him.

She further sympathizes with his struggles, explaining that he has been out of work for two months, and without a job, he becomes bitter and aggressive. When he has work, he is kinder, and she insists that despite everything, he is not a bad man. She has endured years of hardship, believing that it is her duty to suffer in silence. However, Wheeler, more outspoken and practical, urges her to go to the police, arguing that if she does not take action, she will never escape his mistreatment.

At this moment, Jack Barthwick awakens on the sofa, groggy and hungover. He rubs his head, still feeling the effects of the previous night’s drinking. Seeing Mrs. Jones in the room startles him, and he is immediately self-conscious. In his privileged ignorance, he acts as if being found asleep on the sofa is some great scandal, though it is nothing compared to the serious struggles Mrs. Jones endures daily.

Jack, more concerned with his own embarrassment, warns Mrs. Jones not to tell anyone that she found him sleeping there. He acts as though his reputation would be damaged, even though he has already stolen a woman’s reticule and been drinking recklessly. Mrs. Jones, always obedient and respectful, assures him that she will not say a word. Jack then stumbles out of the room, and as he exits, he bumps into Marlow, the butler.

Marlow, a young, composed, and sharp-minded butler, enters the room, amused by Jack’s drunken state. He watches him leave and remarks that this is neither the first nor the last time Jack will wake up in such a condition. His words suggest that Jack’s reckless behavior is a common occurrence, and no one in the household takes it seriously.

Turning to Mrs. Jones, Marlow jokingly asks about her husband. She, maintaining her usual impersonal and subdued tone, recounts that her husband was abusive again last night. Marlow, unimpressed, sarcastically comments that getting drunk must be James Jones’s way of “finding a job.” His statement reflects the general attitude of the upper class, who believe that poverty is due to laziness rather than circumstances.

Mrs. Jones defends her husband in a quiet and tired manner, explaining that he does try to find work but is constantly rejected. His bitterness towards the rich comes from an old incident when he lost his previous job as a groom after he was caught mistreating her. His employer fired him, saying that he could not set a bad example in the household. This event led to their current financial struggles, and James has never been able to recover from it.

She then reveals that she fears he will continue to stalk her at work and cause more problems. For the first time, she seems to seriously consider reporting him to the police. Marlow, sensing that she is wavering, encourages her to take action.

As they talk, Marlow notices something unusual—the silver cigarette box is missing. He immediately starts searching for it in Jack’s coat pockets, but it is not there. His instincts tell him something is wrong, so he picks up two half-smoked cigarette ends from the tray and checks the brand name. This shows that he is meticulous and observant, unlike Jack, who is careless and forgetful.

At that moment, Wheeler enters with a breakfast tray, and Marlow asks her if she has seen the silver box. She responds that she has not. Now suspicious, Marlow and Wheeler exchange uncertain glances.

A critical realization occurs—only two people have been in the room since last night: Wheeler and Mrs. Jones. Since Wheeler is a long-time servant of the family, the unspoken suspicion falls upon Mrs. Jones. Wheeler hesitantly suggests that Mrs. Jones might have taken it, but Marlow, displaying a sense of fairness, firmly refuses to accuse anyone without proof. He decides that they must wait to see if the box turns up before informing Mr. Barthwick.

As the scene ends, an air of unease and suspicion lingers in the room. It is clear that Mrs. Jones may soon face serious consequences for something she did not do—the crime committed by her husband. This moment introduces the central conflict of the play: the injustice of how the poor are treated differently from the rich.

Act 1 Scene 3:

The scene takes place in the Barthwick household during breakfast. The upper-class John Barthwick, a middle-aged Liberal MP, and his aristocratic wife, Mrs. Barthwick, are seated at the dining table. They engage in a discussion about politics, the working class, and their son’s misbehavior, revealing their attitudes toward social status and justice.

Barthwick reads the morning newspaper and comments on the recent by-election, where a Labour candidate has won a seat in Barnside. Mrs. Barthwick is outraged at this development, viewing Labour politicians as selfish and unpatriotic. She believes that education is corrupting the lower class, making them restless and dissatisfied with their traditional roles. She is particularly critical of the idea that poor people should have ambitions beyond their station.

Barthwick, despite being a Liberal, holds paternalistic views, believing that social reforms should be carefully controlled. He insists that the working class must be guided, not given full power. However, realizing that his wife is much more passionate about class superiority than political ideologies, he drops the subject to avoid an argument.’;/.

The conversation then shifts to Jack Barthwick, their young, irresponsible son. Barthwick receives a letter from an Oxford tailor, revealing that Jack issued a cheque for £40 that bounced. The tailor had to send the bill to Barthwick himself, forcing him to cover his son’s financial irresponsibility. Barthwick is furious, warning that Jack could have faced serious legal trouble if the bank had not been lenient.

Mrs. Barthwick, however, defends Jack, blaming the bank for not honoring the cheque. She believes that as upper-class individuals, they deserve special treatment. Jack enters the room, clearly hungover and indifferent. He reacts defensively when his father scolds him. He dismisses the bounced cheque as a mistake and refuses to take responsibility.

When pressed about what happened to the £40, Jack casually admits he spent it all, though he is vague about the details. He complains about having a terrible headache, prompting his mother to dote on him and take him away to get medicine. This exchange highlights the hypocrisy of the upper class—Jack’s dishonesty is excused as a youthful mistake, while a poor person would face severe consequences for the same offense.

After Jack leaves, the butler, Marlow, enters and informs Barthwick that a young woman has arrived, asking to see Jack. Marlow describes her as not a lady of high social status, but suggests that she may be seeking charity. Barthwick, highly suspicious, insists on meeting her himself, fearing she could be a thief or a troublemaker.

The young woman enters, visibly nervous and hesitant. She is modestly dressed but clearly not well-off, wearing a shabby black dress, an ill-placed bunch of violets on her hat, and a cheap, spotted veil. The moment she sees Barthwick, she panics and tries to leave, realizing she made a mistake by coming. Barthwick, sensing her reluctance, questions her directly.

The woman explains that she came to see Jack, though she refuses to give her name. She accuses Jack of stealing her reticule (small handbag) the previous night, explaining that her money was inside a crimson silk purse. At first, Barthwick is scandalized, struggling to comprehend the situation.

The woman, embarrassed but defiant, explains that Jack had been drunk, and in a quarrel, he snatched her bag out of spite. When Barthwick presses for details, she hesitantly reveals that she and Jack had met at a supper place, strongly implying that she is a woman of questionable reputation (possibly a prostitute or entertainer). She further reveals that she retrieved Jack’s address from his coat pocket, making Barthwick even more uncomfortable.

Jack is summoned downstairs and immediately recognizes the woman. Flustered, he denies any memory of the incident, but admits he was extremely drunk. The woman insists that Jack took her money and demands it back immediately to pay her rent. Jack searches for the purse but only finds the empty reticule. The woman, now desperate, threatens legal action. Jack, with no money in his pocket, turns to his father for help.

Barthwick, embarrassed and eager to avoid scandal, pays her £8 to cover the lost money, the purse, and her cab fare. The woman takes the money silently, gives a knowing look, and leaves without thanking them. Barthwick shuts the door with great relief, while Jack simply mutters, “What awful luck!” This moment further reinforces the theme of class double standards—Jack stole money, but rather than facing real consequences, his father bribes the woman to make the problem disappear.

After the woman leaves, Marlow enters with disturbing news—the silver cigarette box is missing. He searched Jack’s room but found nothing. Only three people had access to the dining room that morning: Marlow, Wheeler (the maid), and Mrs. Jones (the charwoman).

Barthwick, now alarmed, begins an informal investigation. He questions Marlow, who states that Mrs. Jones was alone in the room at one point. He also learns that Mrs. Jones’s husband is unemployed and that they are behind on rent, which makes her an easy suspect.

Barthwick summons Mrs. Jones for questioning. She enters, calm and polite, and Barthwick presses into her financial struggles. She patiently describes her hardships—her husband’s unemployment, their three children, their one-room living conditions, and their pawned belongings. She subtly admits that her husband has been abusive, but insists that he tries his best when he finds work.

Barthwick then drops the real accusation—the silver box is missing. Mrs. Jones visibly stiffens, realizing she is under suspicion. However, she maintains her composure and firmly denies seeing it. Though there is no proof, the unequal power dynamics are clear—Jack was guilty but excused, while Mrs. Jones is presumed guilty simply due to her poverty.

As she leaves quietly, the Barthwicks exchange uneasy glances. The hypocrisy of the upper class is fully exposed—Jack’s crime is ignored, while Mrs. Jones, who has done nothing wrong, is suspected simply because she is poor. This moment sets the stage for the deeper conflicts that will unfold, particularly the class-based injustice at the heart of the play.

Act 2 Scene 1:

The scene shifts to the miserable lodgings of the Jones family in Merthyr Street at half-past two in the afternoon. This setting is in stark contrast to the luxurious Barthwick household. The room is bare and depressing, with tattered oilcloth on the floor, damp walls, and an overall sense of poverty.

James Jones, half-dressed and disheveled, lies asleep on the bed. His coat is thrown at his feet, and his muddy boots lie nearby. He is completely motionless, showing no energy or motivation, a man who has given up on life.

Mrs. Jones enters, returning from work, dressed in a worn-out black jacket and an old sailor hat. She carries a small bundle wrapped in a newspaper, which she slowly unpacks. Inside, there is a meager meal—half a loaf of bread, two onions, three potatoes, and a tiny piece of bacon, given to her by Mrs. Barthwick’s cook. As she quietly prepares to cook, she suddenly breaks down and starts crying, overwhelmed by hopelessness.

Jones wakes up, groggy and irritated, asking about dinner in an indifferent tone. Mrs. Jones informs him that they owe fourteen shillings in rent, but she only has two shillings and four pence—their landlord will likely demand payment soon. Instead of being concerned, Jones explodes in frustration, ranting about how job-hunting is pointless:

He has been searching for work for months, but no one hires him.

He mocks demonstrations and political protests, saying that marching and waving flags won’t feed his family.

His bitterness turns to anger toward his wife, calling her weak and blaming her for their misfortune.

Mrs. Jones remains calm yet weary, warning him that his behavior is making things worse. Just then, Mrs. Seddon, their landlady, enters, looking harassed and worried. She tells Mrs. Jones that she and her husband cannot afford to wait any longer for the rent.

Jones, mockingly sarcastic, tells Mrs. Seddon to be an independent woman and throws a sovereign (gold coin worth a pound) to his wife. Mrs. Jones is stunned—she had no idea he had money. She quickly rubs the coin in her apron, making sure it’s real. She pays Mrs. Seddon fourteen shillings, keeping six shillings in change. Mrs. Seddon leaves, surprised at their sudden ability to pay.

Now alone, Mrs. Jones stares at her husband in suspicion, realizing that he has money when just earlier they had nothing. Jones pulls out a crimson silk purse and loose coins, revealing that he found it on the street. Mrs. Jones gasps in horror, realizing it is stolen. She asks if there is a name inside the purse, hoping they can return it, but Jones dismisses her concerns:

He insists “finders keepers” and claims it as his rightful money.

He justifies his actions, saying it is back pay for all the times he couldn’t find a job.

He celebrates having money in his pocket for the first time in a long time.

Mrs. Jones silently continues cooking, deeply disturbed.

Jones then announces his plan to leave for Canada, using the stolen money to start fresh. He offers Mrs. Jones only a single pound, intending to abandon her and their children. He blames her and their family for his failures, saying that if he had known what life would be like, he never would have had kids.

Mrs. Jones, though exhausted, still defends their children, insisting that despite everything, they are his own flesh and blood. As she shakes out Jones’s coat, a small silver box falls to the ground, scattering half-smoked cigarettes onto the bed. She freezes in horror.

Jones immediately snatches it away, angrily telling her to leave it alone. Mrs. Jones realizes the truth—Jones stole the silver box from the Barthwick household. She panics, knowing that she will be blamed for the theft, since she was the only worker in the house that morning.

She begs him to let her return it, pleading for their survival, but Jones refuses:

He insists he took it out of spite against the rich.

He was drunk and doesn’t remember everything.

He argues that Jack Barthwick stole a purse last night, yet nothing will happen to him.

He questions why a poor man should be punished while the rich walk free.

Mrs. Jones, desperate, tries to grab the silver box to return it, but Jones violently stops her. They struggle, knocking over a chair. Suddenly, the door bursts open, and Detective Snow enters.

Snow, a plainclothes police officer, calmly walks over, picks up the silver box, and immediately recognizes the crest and initials: J.B. (John Barthwick). He turns to Mrs. Jones, stating that she is under arrest for theft.

Mrs. Jones, pale and trembling, insists:

She did not steal it.

She has never stolen anything in her life.

She doesn’t know how the box got into their home.

Snow, unmoved, tells her:

She was in the Barthwicks’ house that morning.

She was alone in the room where the silver box was last seen.

Now, the box is found in her home—she must be guilty unless she can prove otherwise.

Snow asks Jones if he has anything to say before his wife is taken. Jones, at first silent, finally snaps:

He angrily confesses that he stole the box.

He orders Snow to let his wife go because she is innocent.

Snow, unfazed, remarks, “That does you credit,” but proceeds to arrest Mrs. Jones anyway. Jones, now furious, lunges at the detective, shouting:

“Take her if you dare!”

“She’s a respectable woman!”

“You’ve got no right!”

Snow blows his police whistle, and a uniformed officer arrives. Jones fights fiercely but is overpowered and arrested.

Mrs. Jones, overwhelmed, collapses, covering her face with her hands.

The curtain falls.

Act 2 Scene 2:

The scene shifts to the Barthwicks’ dining room, later in the evening. The family is seated at the dinner table, eating dessert and discussing various topics. Despite the events of the day, they appear undisturbed, focusing more on their own comforts than on the issues surrounding them. Their conversation starts off light but becomes more serious and dark, especially as they talk about servants, dishonesty, and the growing issues of the working class.

Mrs. Barthwick talks about her recent visit to Lady Holyrood, mentioning how she has become stout and sharing a scandal about a servant who was dismissed after it was discovered that she was allowing her young man to visit her. Barthwick expresses some doubt about the decision to fire the servant, but his wife shuts him down, emphasizing that principle is more important than fairness in these matters. This discussion reveals their rigid social views and hypocrisy—while they judge servants harshly, they excuse their own family’s wrongdoings.

Jack, disinterested and still distracted by his drunkenness, repeatedly asks for crackers, disrupting the conversation. His father, despite the serious topics being discussed, indulges him passively, showing how little he truly cares about the consequences of their actions.

The conversation then turns to the unemployed and beggars, further showing the Barthwicks’ detachment from the harsh realities of the world. Mrs. Barthwick recounts an incident earlier that afternoon when a beggar approached her, claiming to be hungry. She instinctively distrusted him, assuming he was lying about his situation. Barthwick, as usual, shares his “foolproof” rule: if a beggar’s eyes are shifty, he’s lying; if his eyes are straightforward, he can get sixpence. Jack, who has recently stolen from a woman, smirks cynically at their moralizing.

The discussion shifts to the Jones case, with Barthwick mentioning he spoke to Roper (his lawyer) about the theft. Mrs. Barthwick is convinced that Mrs. Jones is a thief, especially because of her past relationship before marriage, which she deems immoral. Barthwick, however, grows hesitant about prosecuting the case. He seems uneasy, trying to justify his concerns as principled reflection. The family tries to convince itself that it is still in the right, but there are cracks in their confidence, hinting at the moral compromises they have made.

Then, Detective Snow arrives with the stolen silver box. He confirms that Mrs. Jones has been arrested, but there is a complication—James Jones, her husband, has confessed to stealing the box. He also attacked the detective during the arrest, leading to charges of assault. Snow mentions that Jones was angry at Jack and his father and threatened them. Mrs. Barthwick is outraged, calling Jones a ruffian who deserves punishment. Jack, lounging back in his chair, mutters about punching him, showing his usual privileged indifference.

Snow then drops a bombshell: Jones claims that Jack let him into the house the previous night and gave him whisky. At this, Jack, in the middle of cracking a nut, freezes. Barthwick and Mrs. Barthwick are also shocked, and the possibility that Jack might be responsible for the theft is now out in the open.

Jack’s reaction is a half-hearted denial. Mrs. Barthwick immediately defends her son, saying the story is a lie, but Barthwick urges Jack to explain himself. Jack is vague, muttering that he doesn’t remember anything. His parents exchange worried glances—they know he was drunk the previous night. Barthwick, now deeply uncomfortable, asks Snow if they still need to prosecute the theft, given the unclear circumstances. Snow replies that Jones will still be charged with assault, meaning that Jack’s drunkenness and other details could still come out in court.

Another devastating revelation comes when Snow mentions that Jones was carrying a crimson silk purse with money when arrested. Barthwick and Jack both react with immediate alarm—the purse is the same one that Jack had stolen from the woman the previous night. Barthwick quickly denies that a purse is missing, and Jack does the same. Snow seems skeptical but leaves, leaving the Barthwicks in crisis.

Once Snow is gone, Barthwick explodes in frustration. He blames his wife for insisting on prosecuting the theft, saying that they should have dropped the case. He is terrified that the purse scandal will reach the newspapers, ruining their reputation. Mrs. Barthwick, though, is focused on Jack’s behavior—she realizes that Jack was drunk, he robbed a woman, and possibly let Jones into the house. She is horrified but still tries to excuse him, calling it “just a joke.”

Jack, sensing his mother’s distress, tries to downplay it but eventually admits that he must have stolen the purse. Mrs. Barthwick covers her face in shock. Barthwick, now realizing the seriousness of the situation, frantically calls for their lawyer, Roper.

Roper arrives—a smooth, pragmatic, and slightly cynical solicitor. Barthwick explains the situation in a frantic, disorganized way, while Roper listens calmly. Jack, feeling guilty, admits that he left his latchkey in the door, which means anyone could have entered the house. Mrs. Barthwick, still in denial, refuses to believe Jack was involved, but Roper knows better. He bluntly asks Jack where he slept last night, and Jack nervously admits that he slept on the sofa.

Barthwick, in disbelief, snaps, questioning how Jack can remember anything if he doesn’t remember the rest of the night. Roper quickly realizes the best strategy is for Jack to say nothing and claim that he simply fell asleep on the sofa. Mrs. Barthwick, relieved, quickly supports the story, and Jack reluctantly agrees to go along with it. Jack asks if he will have to appear in court, but Roper assures him that he won’t.

Barthwick is relieved, but Roper warns that there will still be a remand, and the case is not fully over. Roper then leaves to handle the case.

After Roper leaves, Barthwick rages about how much money this cover-up is costing him. Mrs. Barthwick remains in denial, still trying to convince herself that Jack didn’t actually steal the purse. At that moment, the faint crying of a child is heard from outside the house. Barthwick looks disturbed but says nothing. Mrs. Barthwick, growing increasingly agitated, finally calls for the butler, Marlow, to get rid of the noise. Marlow returns and explains that the crying is from the Joneses’ little boy, who has come looking for his mother. Mrs. Barthwick, now visibly distressed, turns her back to the window, struggling with guilt. Barthwick, overwhelmed, buries his head in his hands.

The curtain falls.

Act 3:

Act III of The Silver Box takes place eight days later in a London Police Court at one o’clock in the afternoon. The scene begins with a different case, involving two little girls, Theresa and Maud Livens, who have been brought before the magistrate. Their mother has abandoned them, and their father, Mr. Livens, is unemployed and unable to take care of them. The magistrate questions Livens, asking why his children were found wandering the streets. Livens explains that he has no home and no money, despite trying very hard to find work. The magistrate, skeptical, asks whether Livens mistreated his wife or if she was a drunkard. Livens admits that she drank heavily and left him for another man, selling everything they owned before leaving. A relieving officer suggests that the girls should be sent to a home, but the magistrate hesitates, saying he has no proof that Livens is an unfit father. He ultimately remands the children for a week, saying that if their situation doesn’t improve, he will have them taken away permanently.

Meanwhile, John Barthwick, his lawyer Roper, and Jack Barthwick are sitting in the courtroom, observing the proceedings. Barthwick, pretending to be concerned about the poor, whispers to Roper that he intends to discuss poverty in Parliament. However, his real concern is his own reputation—he keeps telling Roper to make sure Jack’s name stays out of the papers. As the magistrate finishes with the Livens case, the Joneses are brought into the dock. Mrs. Jones, wearing a black dress and hat, stands quietly, while James Jones, looking defiant and tired, leans against the railings.

The charges are read: Mrs. Jones is accused of stealing the silver box, while Jones is accused of stealing the box and assaulting a police officer. The magistrate, confused as to why both husband and wife are accused of the same crime, is informed that Jones confessed to stealing it. The magistrate asks whether they have been in jail since their first hearing, and it is clarified that Mrs. Jones was released on bail, but Jones remained in custody.

The butler, Marlow, is called to testify. He confirms that he found the cigarette box missing at 8:45 AM, after placing it on the dining table the night before. He also confirms that Mrs. Jones was alone in the room when it disappeared. Mrs. Jones is asked if she has any questions, but she politely declines. Jones also says that he does not know Marlow. The next witness is Detective Snow, who testifies that he found the box on the Joneses’ table and arrested Mrs. Jones, who denied the theft. He then describes how Jones fought back, hit him, and kept shouting, “I took the box myself!” Snow confirms that Jones was violent on the way to the police station and that he repeatedly insisted that he stole the box while drunk.

The magistrate questions Mrs. Jones, who firmly denies stealing anything. She explains that her husband came home drunk, and she found the box in his coat. She was arguing with him about it when the police arrived. The magistrate asks if Jones was drunk, and she confirms that he was nearly unconscious. She adds that he had barely eaten, which made the alcohol affect him more. The magistrate reminds her that being drunk is no excuse, and Mrs. Jones agrees, but insists that her husband would never have stolen if he were sober.

When Jones is asked for his side of the story, he sullenly admits to taking the box, but insists that he isn’t a thief. He explains that he was drinking at the “Goat and Bells” pub, when he saw Jack struggling to open his door. Jones claims he helped Jack, who was so drunk that he invited him inside for whisky. According to Jones, Jack then said, “Take whatever you like”, before passing out on the sofa. Jones, also drunk, drank more whisky, smoked, and, in a moment of anger, took the box out of spite.

Jack is then called to testify. When asked if he remembers Jones, Jack hesitates and claims he does not think so. The magistrate presses him, asking whether anyone helped him enter the house, but Jack continues to pretend ignorance, stating that he had too much champagne that night and remembers nothing. Jones, outraged, accuses Jack of hypocrisy. He reminds Jack that he claimed to be a Liberal, and when Jones called himself a “bloomin’ Conservative”, Jack mocked him as a Socialist and offered him whisky. Jack denies remembering any of it.

Barthwick, panicking, whispers to Roper, telling him to make sure Jack’s crime doesn’t come out. But Jones, still angry, demands that Jack also be punished, shouting that Jack stole a woman’s purse. He asks why Jack is not on trial. The magistrate dismisses the topic, saying that Jack’s actions are not part of the case.

The magistrate then delivers his verdict. He discharges Mrs. Jones, saying that her husband’s actions have destroyed her reputation, but that she is free to go. She thanks him quietly and steps aside, watching her husband anxiously. The magistrate turns to Jones, offering him a choice: a full trial by jury or a magistrate’s ruling. Jones, with no resources, chooses the magistrate’s ruling. The magistrate declares that stealing out of spite is still stealing, and that assaulting a police officer is a serious crime. He sentences Jones to one month of hard labor.

As Jones is dragged away, he shouts furiously, “What about him? He took the purse! It’s his money that got him off—justice!” The crowd in the courtroom murmurs in agreement, but the magistrate ignores it and adjourns for lunch.

Barthwick, relieved, gets up quickly to leave. As he does, Mrs. Jones turns to him silently, her eyes pleading for help. Barthwick hesitates for a moment, but then, overcome by guilt and fear, gestures dismissively and hurries out. Mrs. Jones stands motionless, watching him go, her face full of despair.

The curtain falls.