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LIZA [springing up and running between Pickering and Mrs Pearce for

protection] No! I'll call the police, I will

MRS PEARCE But I've no place to put her

HIGGINS Put her in the dustbin

LIZA Ah--ah--ah--o--oo!

PICKERING Oh coins! be reasonable

MRS PEARCE [resolutely] You ins: really

you must You can't walk over everybody like this

Higgins, thus scolded, subsides The hurricane is succeeded by a zephyr

of amiable surprise

HIGGINS [with professional exquisiteness of modulation] I walk over

everybody! My dear Mrs Pearce, htest intention of walking over anyone All I propose is that we

should be kind to this poor girl We must help her to prepare and fit

herself for her new station in life If I did not express myself

clearly it was because I did not wish to hurt her delicacy, or yours

Liza, reassured, steals back to her chair

MRS PEARCE [to Pickering] Well, did you ever hear anything like that,

sir?

PICKERING [laughing heartily] Never, Mrs Pearce: never

HIGGINS [patiently] What's the matter?

MRS PEARCE Well, the irl up