Maggie: You're very late back from school, Jim. What have you been doing? Jim: I've been talking to the headmaster about that Jones boy. He's been late every day this week and his marks haven't improved at all. We're all very worried about him. Maggie: What did the headmaster say? Jim: He asked me to see the boy's parents. Maggie: Harry Jones has been having a lot of trouble at home, you know. His father's been ill all this year and they've been finding it difficult to make ends meet. Jim: I know, Maggie, but the school is in a difficult position. Harry's been doing so badly that something must be done, for his sake. Maggie: He's been doing a newspaper-round all this term to help out at home. That's why he's so late in the mornings, I expect. Mrs. Jones has been trying to find a part-time job, too. I met her at the butcher's this morning and she asked me wether I knew of anything. Jim: Yes, I told the headmaster that the family's been going through a difficult time. He promised to talk to the Education Committee about it. Perhaps they can give Harry some sort of temporary grant. Maggie: I wonder, Jim. You've been looking for a part-time canteen assistant at school, haven't you? What about trying Mrs. Jones? Jim: Mrs. Jones? Oh, that's a very good idea. I'll see the head-master about it first thing in the morning. Maggie: And what about asking Harry to do some digging for us two or three times a week? You've been working so hard at your carpentry lately, that the garden's in a shocking state. Jim: And who has been promising to help me with it all this winter? But still, it's a good idea. We'll pay Harry half-a-crown an hour and he can dig up the whole lot. Maggie: Fine. Come and have tea now and afterwards we'll gо and see the Joneses.