SIDE 1

OLIVE

That's him, Officer, right over there!

POLICEMAN

I'll take that bag, boy.

JACK

But it's mine, sir!

EMMA

It isn't. It belonged to our dear departed father.

JACK

No, it didn't.


OLIVE

Take him to jail, Officer.

ANNIE

But, sir, it really is our bag. Those two kids stole it from us and my brother just grabbed it back and-

POLICEMAN

You can make your case to the Chief Inspector at Scotland Yard! Step aside! Let us through!

(The POLICEMAN marches JACK and ANNIE off to

Scotland Yard, followed by the CROWD.)

This way!

(MR. DICKENS enters. ANNIE sees him.)

ANNIE

Jack, look!

JACK

Mister Dickens!

ANNIE

Hello! Hello! It's us! Remember us?

(MR. DICKENS sees her.)

POLICEMAN

Button up, boy!

ANNIE

It's us! The chimney sweeps in your study, remember?

(MR. DICKENS starts towards ANNIE, pushing his way through the CROWD.)

POLICEMAN

I said button it!

SIDE 2

MR. DICKENS

What seems to be the problem, Officer?

POLICEMAN

The boy stole this bag, sir.

(Murmurs from the CROWD: "Yes. Yes he stole it. Caught him with it, we did.")

MR. DICKENS

When? When did he steal that bag?

POLICEMAN

Just now, sir. They caught him trying to run off with it.

MR. DICKENS

Well, I'm afraid you're mistaken, Officer. Those lads were working at my house earlier today. They had that green bag with them.

POLICEMAN

Ah, did they now?

(The POLICEMAN gives EMMA and OLIVE a look. They start to slink away and then make a run for it.)

MR. DICKENS

This lad is innocent!

(More CROWD murmurs. "Innocent? He's innocent? How can that be?" MR. DICKENS seizes the opportunity to lecture the CROWD.)

Do you see what has happened here? If I had not come along, the courts might have thrown this boy in jail for years. Why? Because he has soot on his face and holes in his shoes. How do you think this lad got so dirty? I'll tell you how. From honest work!

POLICEMAN

Mr. Dickens, forgive me. I'll release him at once.

MR. DICKENS

Yes, Officer, release this lad. Return his bag, and think twice before you arrest another child just because he is ragged and poor.