Free Rumpole and the Primrose Path by John Mortimer Page A

children to museums and cinemas, ‘to get them out of themselves and so they could forget their troubles’.
    ‘And you did all this wonderful work,’ the Bull marvelled, ‘for no sort of financial reward?’
    ‘My reward was seeing the children look happy, and interested, of course. It was a significant reward to see how a boy from a depressed and violent home could respond to the Elgin Marbles, my Lord.’
    ‘Then may I say, Madam, this country needs a great many more women of your stamp. Too many people nowadays,’ and here he looked, still smiling, at the assembled lawyers, ‘think about nothing but their fees, and matters of that sort.’
    The wonderful Marcia Endersley went through the sad story of the scene in the lift. Yes, she recognized the young man in the dock. She had seen him standing very close to Mr Hornby and, after a quick movement, stow a wallet away in his backpack. No, she had no doubts about all this. The besotted Bull hung on her every word, made copious notes of all she said and, when she had finished in chief, congratulated her warmly.
    ‘We’re all grateful to you, Madam, for the clear way you have given your evidence. If only we had more witnesses like you. Now I expect Mr Rumpole has a few questions for you. I’m sure he won’t detain you for long. And then you can get back to the wonderful work you’re doing for those unfortunate children.’
    ‘Oh, I know Mr Rumpole.’ Marcia was smiling at me. ‘We met at a UA dinner. Mr Rumpole told some jokes.’
    ‘Then he’s indeed a fortunate man to have met you and I hope, on this occasion, he’ll spare us the jokes. Yes, Mr Rumpole.’
    ‘What sort of entertainments did you take the children to?’ I asked my first question with a certain amount of cold detachment, determined to break up the love-in between the Judge and the witness.
    ‘They enjoyed the Science Museum. And the London Eye, of course. I’d take parties to the cinema, if the film was suitable.’
    ‘And what sort of films did you consider suitable? Thrillers? Crime stories?’
    ‘I wouldn’t take them to see films about crime.’
    ‘I’m sure you took them to excellent films,’ the old Bull cooed. ‘The Sound of Music— I remember that was a particularly charming one.’
    ‘Of course,’ Marcia Endersley rewarded the Judge with a sympathetic smile, ‘there aren’t too many films like that about nowadays.’
    ‘Pity you didn’t take them to something more exciting,’ I suggested. ‘Children like a bit of crime, don’t they?’
    ‘Mr Rumpole!’ There was a distinct trace of the old roaring Bull in the way the Judge now uttered my name. Was the New Year’s resolution being put under some strain? ‘It may be your time is spent dealing with the more sordid side of life ... but this good lady’ (another beaming smile at her) ‘was trying to show the children a better world.’
    ‘Oh, I don’t think you should knock crime, my Lord. After all, we both make our living out of it.’
    There was a little stir of laughter from the Jury, which caused the Bull to lower his head and charge. The New Year was clearly a thing of the past, and his promises to the Lord Chancellor forgotten.
    ‘That was an outrageous remark, Mr Rumpole!’ he exploded. ‘Quite outrageous!’
    ‘I’m sorry. I was under the impression we were both being paid to take part in a criminal trial. With your Lordship’s permission, I’d like to continue my cross-examination.’ And without further apology, I turned to the witness. ‘Mrs Endersley, did you take different children out on each occasion, or was it the same group?’
    ‘It changed, of course. But there were some children I got to know really well.’
    ‘I’m sure there were. And, on the whole, did you find them easy to control? I mean, they did what you told them?’
    ‘I’m sure they found it very easy to obey you, Madam.’ The Judge looked as though he’d be delighted to do exactly what Marcia Endersley told