This was a serious business last night. It is our job to clear it up and find out what really happened. Who was responsible for the trouble, and so forth. People keep on telling me that you and the others here were. Now, what do you say to that?

(Promptly) No.

(Nodding) What happened, exactly?

The village people came here to burn The Grange down.

You're sure of that?

It was what they said, and there was no other reason to bring them here at that time.

All right. We'll not go into the whys and wherefores just now. Let's take it from there. You say some of them came intending to burn the place. Then I suppose others came to stop them doing it, and the fighting started?

(A little uncertainly) Yes.

Then, in point of fact, you and your friends had nothing to do with it. You were just spectators?

No. We had to defend ourselves. It was necessary, or they would have burnt the house.

You mean you called out to some of them to stop the rest, something like that?

(Patiently) No. We made them fight one another. We could simply have sent them away, but if we had they would very likely have come back some other time. Now they will not. They understand it is better for them to leave us alone.

(Puzzled) You say you made them fight one another. How did you do that?

It is too difficult to explain. I don't think you could understand.

(Irritated, but showing restraint) Nevertheless, I'd like to hear.

(As one stating a fact) It wouldn't be any use. (Pause)

(With growing irritation) However it was done - and we'll have to go into that later - you are admitting that you were responsible for what happened?

We are responsible for defending ourselves.

To the extent of four lives and thirteen serious injuries. When you could, you say, have simply sent them away.

(Indifferently) They wanted to kill us.

I don't understand how you can have done it, but I take your word for it that you did, for the present. Also your word that it was unnecessary.

They would have come again. It would have been necessary then.

You can't be sure of that. Your whole attitude is monstrous! Don't you feel any pity for these unfortunate people?

No. Why should we? Yesterday afternoon, one of them shot one of us. Now we must protect ourselves.

But not by private vengeance. The law is for your protection, and for everyone's -

The law did not protect Wilfred from being shot. It would not have protected us last night. The law punishes the criminal after he has been successful. It is no use to us. We intend to stay alive.

But you don't mind being responsible, so you tell me, for the deaths of other people.

Do we have to go round in circles? I have answered your questions because we thought it better that you should understand the situation. As you apparently have not grasped it, I will put it more plainly. It is that if there is any attempt to interfere with us, by anybody, we shall defend ourselves. We have shown that we can. We hope that will be warning enough to prevent further trouble.

(Furious) You damned young blackguard! You insufferable little prig! How dare you speak to me like that! Do you understand who I represent? If you don't, it's time you learnt it, and I'll see that you do. So you're not to be 'interfered with', you'll defend yourselves, will you! Where do you think you are? You've got a lot to learn - (Breaking off suddenly, he stares at ERIC and goes rigid. His eyes widen and he starts to whimper with fear, covering his face. He falls to the ground and claws at it, crying out)

(To the others in the room) He is not hurt. He wanted to frighten us, so we have shown him what it means to be frightened. He'll understand better now. He will be all right when his glands are in balance. (Exits the room)