A man (Phibbs), dressed in breeches, shirt, waistcoat and flat cap, is pulling a little boy (George) in a sailor's suit along a path in front of a building. He is holding a flageolet in his right hand and looks furiously at the boy who stares back at him terrified. A young maid (Matty) stands in the door of the building and watches the two of them with a concerned expression whilst wiping her hands with her apron.