g and lively interchange of chaff
with the spectators. In the meantime, the business of this
particular platform proceeds somewhat as follows:--_

_The Chairwoman_ (_with patient good-humour_). Now, I'm sure you'll
all be as quiet as you can while I ... (_Hubbub, caused by a personal
altercation between two Women in the crowd, and shouts of "Order!"_)
Because really my doctor has ordered me not to speak in the open air
at all ... (_Here an ill-conditioned female, taking offence for some
inscrutable reason, remarks loudly,_ "_'Er_ doctor, indeed, she's
a beauty, _she_ is--'er and 'er doctor!" _More calls to order, and
extreme indignation of the ill-conditioned female at being informed
that she is "no lady," and had "better 'old 'er jaw"; ribald and
utterly meaningless jests by the larrikins._) Order, _please_!
(_Imploringly._) I know you won't make it harder for me than you can
help. (_A young Lady in a very tall hat and feather is heard demanding
that the Gentleman in front of her should remove his "boxer," on
pain of obliging her to remove it herself; the question is argued at
length._) ... You all know the purpose for which we have ... (_Here
an enthusiastic old Lady on the drag begins to cheer aimlessly, and
wave a scrubbing-brush; the Laundresses on the lorry join in._) Well,
we're going to ask Parliament ... (_Another female in crowd_: "'Ullo,
there's Mrs. JINNINGS, along with the toffs! I want to 'ear Mrs.
JINNINGS speak, I do!") ... I shall now ask you to listen to a
speaker--Mrs. GOFFIN--who has had several years' practical experience
of laundry-work, and she will tell you, I am sure, what the hardships
and injustices are which we are trying to put an end to.

[Mrs. GOFFIN, _a stout, red-faced Lady, mounts the seat with a
cheery confidence, amidst roars of laughter, and shouts of "Go
it, old girl!" "Don't forgit to send my shirt home next week!"
&c., &c. The female in the crowd repeats her preference
for_ Mrs. JINNINGS' _oratory; a string of factory-girls, in
high-feathered hats, having just elbowed their way into the
throng, suddenly conceive a desire to "get a breath o' air
somewhere," and accordingly push and trample their way out
again with a Parthian discharge of refined raillery--after
which_ Mrs. GOFFIN's _voice becomes audible._

[Illustration: "I've been and spoke to hover forty Members o'
Parlyment myself!"]

_Mrs. Goffin_. Why, I've been and spoke t