`No excuses!' yelled Crumb, in a temper.
`It isn't my fault that you're poor.
You're coming with me straight to the courts
to be punished for breaking the law.'

Crumb dragged George down to the court-house
where the judge was already in place.
There he sat in his wig and his gown
waiting to hear their case.

`Your Honour,' said Crumb. `I want justice.
It's important to be tough on crime.
This man stole a sniff of bread from my shop.
He should be jailed for a very long time.'

George didn't know how to argue.
He felt helpless and lost and alone.
`Your Honour,' he cried. 'I'd pay if I could,
but I've nothing to call my own.'