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diff --git a/old/55289-0.txt b/old/55289-0.txt deleted file mode 100644 index deb25b2..0000000 --- a/old/55289-0.txt +++ /dev/null @@ -1,3714 +0,0 @@ -The Project Gutenberg EBook of Dealing in Futures, by Harold Brighouse - -This eBook is for the use of anyone anywhere in the United States and most -other parts of the world at no cost and with almost no restrictions -whatsoever. You may copy it, give it away or re-use it under the terms of -the Project Gutenberg License included with this eBook or online at -www.gutenberg.org. If you are not located in the United States, you'll have -to check the laws of the country where you are located before using this ebook. - - - -Title: Dealing in Futures - A Play in Three Acts - -Author: Harold Brighouse - -Release Date: August 7, 2017 [EBook #55289] - -Language: English - -Character set encoding: UTF-8 - -*** START OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEALING IN FUTURES *** - - - - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - - - - - - -DEALING IN FUTURES - -A Play In Three Acts - -By Harold Brighouse - -New York: Samuel French Publisher - -1913 - -[Illustration: 0005] - - - - -DEALING IN FUTURES - -A PLAY IN THREE ACTS - -CHARACTERS - -Jabez Thompson....................A Chemical Manufacturer. - -Rosie Thompson....................His Daughter. - -John Bunting......................A Master Dyer. - -Charlie Bunting...................His Son. - -Walter Clavering..................A Young Doctor. - -The Scene is laid in an outlying Lancashire village and the action of -the play takes place within a space of twenty-six hours. - - - - -ACT I - -_The dining-room of Jabez Thompson's; the room is luxuriously furnished -and combines comfort with ostentation; the door is left, and at the back -a large doorway curtained off leads to the billiard-room. (A plan of -this and the other scenes in the play will be found at the end of the -book.) The table is littered with the debris of dinner, and at it sit -Jabez Thompson (l.), and Rosie his daughter (l.), facing each other. -Jabez is elderly, corpulent, bearded, of florid face and general -prosperous appearance; he wears a frock coat, light grey trousers, and -has a heavy gold watch chain. He speaks with all the assertiveness of -life-long success._ - -Rosie _is dark and highly coloured, her face strong rather than -beautiful. She dresses with taste, avoiding her fathers scarcely veiled -vulgarity, and wears a high dress of some amber material. She inherits -her father's strength of will, and though outwardly cultured, has not -been able to subdue entirely a naturally violent temper. Her voice is -a little shrill and shrewish, and Jabez is obviously rather afraid of -her._ - -Mallinson, _the butler, enters with coffee, which he places on the table -by Rosie. Rosie pours coffee. Butler puts cup by Jabez._ - -***** - -Butler. Mr. Lomax, from the works, has arrived, sir. - -Jabez. Very well, put him in the library. I'll be there in a moment to -sign the letters. - -Butler. Yes, sir. - -Jabez. Oh, give him this and tell him to look through it. (_Gives folded -paper from his pocket._) - -Butler. Yes, sir. (_Takes paper and exit._) - -Jabez (_Sips coffee, lights cigar, and turns chair to face audience_). -By the way, Rosie, I asked Charlie to come round after dinner and to -bring his father. - -Rosie (_Interested_). Oh! Why? - -Jabez. I'm not satisfied with him. I want to have a chat with the pair -of them to see if we can't get things on a better basis. - -Rosie. What's the matter with Charlie? - -Jabez. Oh, you wouldn't understand. It's a business question. - -Rosie. I see. You'd rather I wasn't here? - -Jabez. Yes. If you don't mind. We can't do better than stick to the rule -even where Charlie's concerned, eh? - -Rosie. Oh, I shan't intrude on a business talk. - -Jabez. Thanks, my dear, thanks. (_Encouraged to go on._) Do you know, -Rosie, I'm not a bit happy over this engagement of yours to Charlie. - -Rosie (_Curtly_). Why? - -Jabez (_Apologetically_). He's a queer fellow. I can't size him up. I -can't think why on earth you got engaged to him. - -Rosie. That's my business, isn't it? - -Jabez Yes, my dear. I suppose it is. But that doesn't stop me from -wishing you'd taken a fancy to some one else. - -Rosie. I've told you before I won't have you interfering in my affairs, -father. I'm quite capable of managing them myself. - -Jabez (_Meekly_). I try not to, my dear. I do try not to. Only this -matter--it's not as if you had a mother, is it now? - -Rosie. Oh, you can trust me to judge whether a man comes because he -wants me or whether he's only a vulgar fortune-hunter. Whatever Charlie -is or isn't, he's not after my money. - -Jabez. No, Charlie never is after money. You're easily the better -business man. He's always got his head full of ideas about pampering the -men instead of thinking of the welfare of the firm. - -Rosie (_Snappishly_). You needn't think you can get me to break it off, -so don't try. You can say what you like to him so long as you remember -I'm going to marry him. - -Jabez. Well, well, I must see what I can make of Charlie. (_Drinks._) -I'll tell you one thing, my dear, you're a good deal more eager about it -than he is. - -Rosie. Possibly. You needn't worry about that. - -Jabez. But I do worry, my dear. How can I help it? (_Rosie moves -impatiently._) Now don't fly in a temper. He _is_ taking his time in -coming up to scratch. Let me ask you one thing? - -Rosie. Yes? - -Jabez. When are you going to be married? - -Rosie. I really don't know. - -Jabez. No, and it's time you did. You've been engaged long enough. - -Rosie. Is that what you are going to talk to him about to-night? - -Jabez. Amongst other things. I'm tired of his playing about with the -thing. If your mind's made up, what's there to wait for? People are -beginning to talk. - -Rosie. Let them. - -Jabez. That's all very well, but people in our position must consider -public opinion. You don't object to my settling it, do you? - -Rosie. Oh, do what you want. But don't you dare to bully Charlie. I -won't have him bullied. - -Jabez. Oh, I shan't hurt him. A good talking to _'_ull do him no harm. - -(_Enter Butler, l._) - -Butler (_At door l._). Dr. Clavering has called, sir. Wishes to speak to -you. - -Jabez (_Surprised_) Clavering? Well, show him up. - -Butler. Yes, sir. - -(_Exit Butler._) - -Jabez. What's the matter with Clavering? He doesn't often condescend -to leave his precious research work in the evenings. (_Rosie shrugs her -shoulders contemptuously. Enter Butler._) - -Butler (_Announcing_). Dr. Clavering. - -(_Enter Clavering. Exit Butler. Clavering is a young doctor with keen -clever face, clean-shaven, with a general air of self-reliance. He is a -practical man of a fairs whose business happens to be doctoring._) - -Clavering. Good evening, Mr. Thompson. - -Jabez (_Rising_). Good evening, Dr. Clavering. (_They shake hands, and -Jabez, turning his chair sits sideways to the table._) - -Clav. Good evening, Miss Thompson. (_Rosie murmurs and bows coldly._) - -Jabez. Well, what can I do for you, doctor? Sit down. - -Clav. (_Sits on sofa l._) The fact is--it's rather a liberty--I hope -you won't mind. - -Jabez. Out with it man! What's to do? - -Clav. I've come to see you about one of your men--a fellow named Alcott. - -Jabez (_Reflectively_). Alcott? Alcott? - -Clav. You don't just call him to mind? - -Jabez. No, but I will. - -Clav. That won't matter. It's just---- - -Jabez (_rising_). But it does matter; if I talk about a man I like -to know who I'm talking about. I shan't be a moment. My record book's -handy. - -Clav. Record book? You keep it here? - -Jabez. Yes; I've every man's record in that book. I don't risk leaving -a thing like that at the works, safe or no safe. (_Crossing and reaching -door l._) I'll go and look the name up. Lomax is here too with the -letters for signing, but that won't detain me long. (_Exit taking hunch -of keys from his trousers' pocket._) - -Clav. Miss Thompson, I'm glad your father's gone. It gives me an -opportunity---- - -Rosie (_Eagerly_). Yes? Any illness amongst the men, doctor? - -Clav. Only this Alcott. I'll discuss that with Mr. Thompson. Don't let's -waste time now. (_Rises and moves to back of table._) I hoped so much to -see you alone. I never get a chance. - -Rosie. There's always the telephone. - -Clav. I can't see your face through the telephone, and it's always -about others. What a great heart you have, Miss Thompson! (_Sits above -table._) - -Rosie. I? Oh, one does what one can. - -Clav. For others. - -Rosie. Others? - -Clav. Yes; for me it's the telephone--always the telephone. So and so's -ill--a name passes, an address, and we ring off. I never get the chance -of seeing you alone. - -Rosie. Doctors are such busy people, aren't they? - -Clav. Not too busy to be human, to desire to see in the flesh the woman -one's always communicating with through a cold-blooded telephone. We're -allies, you know, Miss Thompson, fellow-conspirators, aren't we? That -makes a bond between us. - -Rosie (_Conventionally_). It's very good of you to let me know so -promptly when any of the men fall ill and to keep it a secret between -us--even from Charlie. - -Clav. (_Contemptuously_). Oh, Charlie! - -Rosie (_Quickly_). He doesn't know, of course? - -Clav. No, he knows nothing. - -Rosie. I was just afraid. You're such close friends, and this book -you've been writing must have brought you closer together. I thought you -might have let it slip out. - -Clav. Oh, no. I kept the bond. - -Rosie. I can never thank you sufficiently. - -Clav. You could if you would. - -Rosie. How? Tell me. - -Clav. As you said, I'm a busy man, but I'm not too busy to use my -eyes. A man can't join hands with a good woman in the great work of -alleviating suffering without conceiving an admiration for her, without -longing-- - -Rosie (_Coldly_). Need we waste time in compliments, Dr. Clavering? My -father may be back at any moment, and if you've, anything to say to me, -won't you come to the point? - -Clav. I want to know if I may hope for a reward. - -Rosie. Surely a doctor doesn't ask reward for helping to do good. - -Clav. Virtue its own reward? Come, Miss Thompson, isn't that one of the -maxims all of us apply to others rather than to ourselves? - -Rosie (_Rising_). If you want to be paid for your services to me, -doctor, perhaps you will send in an account. - -Clav. You're misunderstanding wilfully. (_Rising._) Can't we be frank -with one another, we coworkers in the same field? Must you wear before -me the mask you put on to suit your father? - -Rosie. I wear a mask to suit my father? I think you're labouring under -some mistake. - -Clav. Then the reward I aim at is---- Oh, don't you see? - -Rosie. I hope I don't. (_Crossing to door R. at back._) I think we'd -both better forget this conversation, Dr. Clavering. - -Clav. (_Following_). You shan't put me off. I---- - -(_Enter Jabez with a small red bound book, keeping a place in it with -his finger. Clavering leaves Rosie promptly and stands above table._) - -Jabez. I'm primed now, doctor. (_He sits and puts the book open on the -table._) There's not much worth knowing about my men that this friend -can't tell me (_Tapping the book_). But it doesn't tell me much good -about Mr. Alcott (_Emphasizing the "Mr." sarcastically_). - -Clav. Sorry to hear that. Poor chap, he's in a bad way. (_Rosie looks -interested._) eh? - -Jabez. Oh, you've been to see him professionally, - -Clav. I don't go to see Brixham's Buildings, they come to me. Surgery -hours are just over. - -Rosie (_Softly, sitting at writing-table r., taking a piece of note -paper and writing_). Brixham's Buildings. - -Jabez. Well? - -CLAV. (_Sitting above table with elbows on it and fingertips at chin_). -The work doesn't suit him. What that fellow needs is a good dose of -fresh air. When I told him so, he said he'd lose his job if he asked off -for a month. I've come to see if something cant be arranged for him, Mr. -Tompson. - -Jabez (_Coldly_). In what way? - -Clav. Couldn't you give him sick leave for a month or so? - -Jabez. What's the matter with him? - -Clav. (_Glancing at Rosie as if for a sign of approval_). Oh my cases -here are all the same. I know them off by heart. Dyspepsia and faintness -to begin with and paralysis to follow. I could give that man no advice -except to clear out of this. He told me he'd got to live. - -Jabez (_Whose signs of irritation have increased_). - -Rosie, do you mind leaving me to settle this with the doctor? It's a -works question, you know. - -Rosie (_Rising with the note doubled in her hand_) Yes. - -Clav. (_Protestingly_). Oh, but---- - -Rosie. Don't get up, Dr. Clavering. (_Clavering rises and holds back -curtain at door r.c._) - -(_Exit Rosie, r.c. Clavering returns to table._) - -Jabez. The fat's in the fire this time. - -Clav. I beg your pardon. - -Jabez. I thought you'd more sense than to come-here with a tale of this -sort. These things upset a woman. I do all I can to keep them from her, -and here you spin this yarn before I've time to stop you. You should -have come to me at the office. - -Clav. (_Apologetically, sitting again above table_). I rather hoped Miss -Thompson might have put in a word for me. - -Jabez (_Brusquely_). Nonsense. You know very well that I don't allow my -daughter to interfere with business. I'd as soon start messing with her -housekeeping. That's a woman's place if you like--the home. We'd to -make a rule of it, years ago, Rosie and I. She got asking fool questions -about things she didn't understand and worrying me silly till we both -agreed it was best for her to steer clear of the works. We've each our -place now. I've the works and she's the home. You've made a bad mistake, -sir. - -Clav. I'm sorry. I do hope you'll not let this prejudice Alcott's -chances of a month off. - -Jabez. I shouldn't dream of doing such a thing. A month off for a -labourer! It's absurd. - -Clav. (_Seriously_). I can't answer for the man's life if you don't, Mr. -Thompson. - -Jabez. My dear sir, you're looking at the individual case. I can't do -that. I've to see all my men at once and I know what they are. Give -these fellows an inch and they take an ell. I can't make an exception -for Alcott. I'd have to do the same for every man who fell sick and for -Heaven knows how many malingerers as well; once I began that sort of -thing, I'd never know when I'd end. Clav. Then you won't---- - -Jabez (_Interrupting_). It's not that I won't, I can't, and there's an -end of it. - -(_Enter Butler, l._) - -Butler. Mr. Bunting. - -(_Enter John Bunting. John bears some outward signs of similarity to -Jabez. Like Jabez, he is elderly and corpulent. But, though hardly less -assertive in tone at first, there is an underlying furtiveness, and -he is extremely deferential to Jabez even while assuming an equal -camaraderie with him. He wears a frock coat and has evidently modelled -himself on Jabez. Clavering rises and goes r.c._) - -Jabez (_Patronizingly_). Oh, good evening, John. (_Jabez does not -rise._) - -John. Good evening. (_Crossing r._) Good evening, Dr. Clavering. -(_Clavering bows--the Butler remains._) - -Jabez. What's the matter, Mallinson? - -Butler (_Very importantly_). Dr. Clavering's housekeeper, sir, have -telephoned from his surgery as he's wanted. - -Clav. (_Briskly_). Oh, I'll come at once. Excuse me, won't you? -(_Crossing to door l._) - -Butler (_Raising his hand. Clavering stops astonished_). It's at the -works you're wanted, sir. An accident, I believe. - -Clav. The works! (_To Jabez._) Shall you come? Jabez. I? Certainly not. -You're the man they want, not I. Sit down, John. (_Jabez moves John to -the chair Rosie had occupied at table r. John sits._) - -Clav. Oh, all right. I'll report later. - -Jabez. You needn't trouble. Bad news travels fast enough. Good night. - -Clav. (_Shortly_). Good night. - -(_Exit Clavering, l., followed by Butler._) - -Jabez. That young man's growing officious. A whisky, John. (_Pours._) -Have a cigar? - -John. Thanks. Yours are too good to refuse. Jabez. Where's Charlie? -Isn't he with you? John. No. He's not been home to dinner. Still at the -works I suppose. - -Jabez. Yes. (_Pause._) I always did say a good cigar was the best part -of a dinner. - -John. You're right there. When all's said and done, Jabez a good liver's -got a lot to do with happiness. Thank goodness, mine doesn't trouble me. - -Jabez. Nor mine. I've no patience with these modern fads--mustn't eat -this and that and all that kind of rubbish. If I fancied a thing I -had it, and damn the expense. Look at me to-day, sir. (_Smacking his -chest._) Sound, sir, sound as a bell. - -John (_Playing up to him_). We've lived, Jabez, there's no doubt about -it. We've gone the pace in our time. - -Jabez (_Fiercely, as if contradicted_). And why not? You tell me that. -Give me a good time, I say. That's my motto, and by Heaven I've lived up -to it. - -John (_Admiringly_). You always were a warm man. - -Jabez. Warm? I believe you. Damme, sir, if I had my time over again -I'd do the same. I wish I had, too. I'd show the young 'uns a thing or -three, eh, John? They think they're pretty wide awake, but I'll gamble -we old cocks could give them a long start and win hands down. Eh, well, -what's the good of wishes? (_Pours himself some whisky soda._) - -John. Yes we've got to face it, old man. You and I have come to the time -of life when a man makes his will and begins to think a bit about who's -going to step into his shoes when he's done with them. - -Jabez. That's the very thing I want to talk to you about. What I always -say is if you've got a bit of business to do with a man, let him come -and talk things over with you in your own house. Many's the deal I've -made that way in my time. Get a man feeling at home with himself, with -some good wine inside him and a good cigar in his lips, and you can have -your own way with him. Not that I mean that personally, John. (_John -waves deprecatingly._) - -Jabez. Only as a general thing. - -John. Of course. To be sure. - -Jabez. Yes. We've got to think of the young _'_uns. Rosie, now. Rosie's -a good girl--been well brought up. No expense spared--same as if she'd -been a bov. - -John. You've done well by her, if she did disappoint you by being a girl -instead of a boy. - -Jabez. Aye, aye. That's an old sore now. And If I haven't a boy, John, -you have. - -John (_Shifting uneasily_). Yes, yes, I know I have. - -Jabez. Well? - -John. Well, what? - -Jabez. Look here, John, it's no good beating about the bush. We know -each other by this time, and you're not the man to take offence at a bit -of straight talk. That lad of yours wants speaking to, and damme, you're -the man to do it. - -John. What's the'matter _with_ him? - -Jabez. Nothing except that he's a fool. (_John leaps up._) - -John. I say---- - -Jabez (_interrupting_). Now sit down, John. (_John sits._) Here's a lad -I took a fancy to when he was a youngster. I take him to the works -and give him every chance. It's understood he's to have Rosie and the -business, too, when I've done with it. Here's Rosie sick for love of -him. And what's he doing? Shillyshallying round and can't be got to name -the day. That's not all, either, but it'ull do to go on with. What do -you make of it, John? What's the matter with him? - -John. The boy's sound enough at bottom. Give him time to come round. -It's not the thing nowadays to get married as young as it was in our -day. And Charlie's in love with his work. - -Jabez. I know he is, the young fool. - -John. Come, steady on, Jabez. - -Jabez. Oh, well--Yes, all right, John. But what sort of work is it? -Laboratory experiments! - -John. Yes, and jolly useful they are, too. You're bound to have a -chemist. Give the devil his due, Jabez, Charlie's discoveries have been -the making of the business. - -Jabez. They've had their uses. - -John. I should think they have. Why, man, you simply ran the place for a -couple of years on that cheap fast red of his. - -Jabez. Hang it all, experimenting's all right, but a fellow needs a -business head as well; what's the good of his finding new processes if -he can't exploit _'_em? - -John. _You_ exploit them. - -Jabez. I know I do. But I shan't be here for ever. Charlie _'_ud be a -catspaw in the hands of a smart business man. He's the sort of fool -a clever fellow likes to get hold of. I want him to help me in the -management, in selling the stuff and handling the men, and I can't get -him to stir a finger. What's the use of a man like that at the head of a -business concern? - -John (_gruffly_). Then don't put him there. - -Jabez (_irritated--rising and pacing about_). By God, I will, though. -(_Turning abruptly to John._) Why? (_l.c._) I'll tell you why, John. -Nothing queers a man for business like the knowledge that thing's aren't -right at home, and that girl of mine's fretting (_u.l._). I tell you -I'm not very particular who she marries so long as I know she's married -happily, but she's set her heart on Charlie, so Charlie it must be, and -I'm damned if I'll have him putting her off any longer. It's upsetting -Rosie and it's upsetting me. That's why I want Charlie to be a man -instead of a skulking chemist. (_Pause--dropping down l._) The fellow -wants some backbone, John. Managing a works isn't all plain sailing -to-day, same as it was when the men knew their places. It wants a strong -hand and a quick brain to see how to give _'_em the little things that -don't matter and to keep from them the big things that do. I'm getting -old, John. I'd like a rest. You'll speak to him, now, won't you? - -(_Sits l. of table._) - -John. Very well. I'll do my best. - -Jabez. Just make him see which side his bread's buttered. He's too -clever by half. I can't make him out sometimes. He's got notions in his -head about coddling the men and giving them better wages before they -ask for them, as if it wasn't enough to have the Factory Acts and the -Government Inspectors poking their noses round. Dangerous trades! It was -good enough for their fathers, and, by God! it _'_ull have to be good -enough for them. I don't run my place for charity, and the sooner they -get that into their thick heads the better. (_Irritably._) Where the -devil _is_ Charlie? - -John. He said he'd come on here from the works if he wasn't home to -dinner. - -Jabez. Then why isn't he here? - -John. Experimenting again, I suppose. - -Jabez. Hang his experiments! - -(_Enter l. Charlie Bunting greatly excited. He has the face of a -visionary and his high forehead contrasts with a weak, receding chin; he -has convictions and ideals, but it is doubtful if he has the courage to -live up to them._) - -Jabez. Oh, there you are, sir. About time, too. (_Seeing Charlie's -agitation._) Hello, what's wrong with you? - -Charlie. There's been an accident. (_He gasps._) Jabez. Fatal? - -Charlie. Yes. - -Jabez. Curse their carelessness. (_Irritably._) Another inquest, of -course, and headlines in the papers and questions from the Coroner. What -is it this time? Another, drunken fool walked into the vitriol tanks? - -Charlie (_bitterly_). Oh, no, this needn't trouble you. We don't often -kill men suddenly. We poison them by gradual degrees. - -Jabez. What was it? Am I ever going to know? - -Charlie. The lift gave way. - -Jabez. The lift? Oh, we're not responsible for that. It was inspected -only last week. We hold a certificate of efficiency. - -Charlie. Oh, yes, it was examined right enough. Only the men tell me the -inspector was drunk when he came. - -Jabez. They can't prove it. - -Charlie. Not they. You needn't worry. They'll not have the pluck to -repeat it in court. (_Up stage L._) - -Jabez. Certainly not; a coroner's court isn't the place for -irresponsible gossip of that kind. - -Charlie (_down to sofa_). No, the verdict will be accidental death right -enough, with polite expressions of sympathy and a rider exonerating us -from blame. - -Jabez (_settling himself comfortably in his chair_). Of course. Very -proper, very proper. And we've the Insurance Company to fall back on. I -tell you what, Charlie, they'll be raising our premium if things go on -like this. Two fatal accidents in a mouth. I suppose there's a widow. -There usually is. - -Charlie. Yes. There's a widow and six children. (_Going up l._) - -Jabez. (_Turning to John_) I don't know how it is, but it always is the -married men who get killed. (_To Charlie._) Well, I don't see what there -is to make all this fuss about, Charlie. Accidents will happen. Upon my -word, you quite frightened me for a moment. Ring the bell and have some -dinner. - -Charlie (_shuddering_). I can't eat. I've just seen a man killed. Oh, -it's horrible, horrible. (_Sits on sofa l., burying head in hands._) - -Jabez. Nonsense, man. Pull yourself together. It's deplorable, of -course--a most distressing occurrence--but no reason for going without -your dinner. What did I tell you, John? Charlie's too soft for this -world. - -Charlie (_raising head_). Don't you understand? I saw the lift crash -down. I was there when they got out the poor, broken, mangled body from -amongst the blood-stained splinters. I saw---- - -Jabez. Excuse me, Charlie, but I've just had my dinner. Kindly have the -delicacy not to enter into, details. - -Charlie. Very well. I--oh, I think I'll go home. Good night. (_Going._) - -John. Wait a moment, Charlie. (_Charlie's hand is on the door-knob L._) -We were just speaking about you. Hadn't we better thrash this matter out -now, Jabez? - -Jabez (_grimly_). I'm agreeable if Charlie is. - -John. Sit down, Charlie. (_Charlie sits meanly on sofa._) - -Charlie. What is it? - -John. Well, it's like this. Jabez tells me he considers you're wasting -your time. He doesn t call you lazy--not exactly lazy, do you, Jabez? -He wants you to widen your interests and broaden your ideas. That's it, -isn't it? - -Charlie (_to Jabez_). Oh, that's it, is it? - -Jabez. It's one way of putting it. I don't know whether it's laziness or -what it is, but you certainly fight shy of a bit of honest work. - -Charlie (_leaping up fierily_). Work? What else do I do from early -morning when I enter the laboratory till late at night when I leave it? - -Jabez (_smoothly_). Quietly, quietly. Yes, that's all very well, but -that's not what I call work. Charlie. What do you call it then? - -Jabez. It's not work to you. You like doing it. Charlie. I loathe it -from the bottom of my Soul. - -Jabez. Then why do it? - -Charlie. Well, as you put me into the works you ought to be able to -answer that better than I can. I'd no taste for the work at all, but the -laboratory was the department I detested least. I suppose I naturally -drifted to it. - -Jabez. Look here, my lad, I asked you a plain question, and I'll thank -you for a plain answer. Charlie. I thought I'd given you one. - -Jabez. What made you choose the laboratory? Charlie. I thought I saw -some shadowy hope of doing good there. - -Jabez. Well, you've done a bit. I'll give you credit for that. - -Charlie. Not that kind of good. That was accidental. I only hit by -chance on the processes which happened to prove profitable to you. - -Jabez. By chance? Then what the devil were you driving at with my time -and my chemicals? - -Charlie. I hoped to find some means of accomplishing what we do here -by less dangerous methods to let a little health into the work. I saw -strong workmen brought to these works in the prime of life and health, -and in a few years turned away, broken, worn-out invalids. I worked to -find a way out. - -Jabez (_contemptuously_). You fool. - -Charlie. I quite agree. (_Rises and paces up and down._) Yes, fool, -fool, fool. Fool as much as if I'd sought the philosopher's stone or the -elixir of life. I did seek the elixir of life, and I will go on seeking -it--life for those helpless hundreds driven by the need to live to -certain death. Let me go on. Let me hope; but do not ask me to assist in -getting orders for our deadly production. Every contract you sign your -name to is the death-warrant of a workman. (_Sitting on arm of sofa._) - -John (_imploringly_). Charlie! - -Jabez. Have a little common sense, man. You're seeing things to-night. -This accident's got on your nerves. (_Rises._) After all, I think you -had better go home. We'll talk this over another time. I haven't lost -my temper yet and I don't want to. (_Putting his hand on Charlie's -shoulder._) Come now, admit that you're not quite yourself. - -Charlie. You treat me like a child. Having been naughty, I'm sent to bed -to sleep oft my tantrums. - -Jabez. And I'm the ogre in the fairy story who makes bread of people's -bones, eh, Charlie? Yes, you'll laugh at this to-morrow. Really, you've -been making an awful ass of yourself. You _'_ll see things in a better -perspective in the morning. - -Charlie (_bitterly_). With myself as a respectable member of the -governing classes, I suppose, with nice clean hands and a dirty -conscience. - -Jabez. For Heaven's sake, Charlie, drop that silly twaddle. We've had -enough of your platform manner for one night. You talk like a Hyde Park -orator, only they're paid to make fools of themselves and you're not. - -Charlie. (_Pulling himself together_) No. Let's have this out. I didn't -begin it, but now we've gone so far I must know where we stand. - -Jabez. You're not fit for it. But it's as you like. (_Sits l. of -table._) - -Charlie. I do like. Now, Mr. Thompson, it's understood that I meant what -I said. You must let me continue my laboratory work. I still hope to -find less dangerous methods. I may also drop across a few more novelties -for you to exploit. But I definitely decline to have a hand in coercing -my fellow creatures to do the work as it is done at present, or in -procuring orders necessitating such work. - -Jabez. But it is necessary work, Charlie. You must see that. - -Charlie. No work involving risk of death and the certaintv of ill health -is necessary. - -Jabez. Ours is. If the supply of our productions was cut short huge -industries would be automatically dislocated. How are people to run -their bleaching works and dye works if they can't get dye stuffs? - -Charlie. Never mind. That wouldn't matter. - -Jabez. Oh, the boy's mad. This is what comes of debating societies and -political meetings for infants. Look here, Charlie, it's one thing to -get on your legs and spout revolutionary rot to a roomful of fantastic -fools as hare-brained as yourself, but it's a very different pair of -steps to come here and ask me to take you seriously. If it wasn't for -Rosie, I'd take you at your word and send you packing. As it is, I'll -try something else first. John, this is your affair now. You've got to -bring this fellow to his senses. (_Rises and goes round table to John, -r._) - -John. I'll try, Jabez, I'll try. - -Jabez. (_Threateningly_) You'll succeed. (_Going up to door r.c._) - -John (_Looking up at him_) What do you mean? - -Jabez. You know as well as I do. I'm sorry, old man, but I've got to -put the screw on. You can't expect me to keep my patience for ever if he -won't hear reason. You can't blame me. I'll go and join Rosie while you -straighten things out a bit between you. - -(_Exit through door centre. John sinks back into his seat and buries his -head in his hands on the table. Charlie goes behind table to him and -tries to raise him up._) - -Charlie (_Softly_). Dad. - -John (_slowly removing his hands from his face and raising his eyes to -Charlie_). You haven't called me that since you were a little boy. - -Charlie. Dear old dad. I don't want to know what it is. Let him think -he's got hold of something. I don't care. . - -John. But you must know. I'm absolutely in his power. He can ruin me if -he likes. - -Charlie. How? - -John. It's my dye works, Charlie. Jabez finances it. No one knows -it's not my own, but if he cut off supplies I'd have to close it down -to-morrow, and call my creditors together. I make a living out of it, -but the capital's all his. I couldn't meet a tenth of my liabilities -without his aid. - -Charlie. Never mind, dad. (_Sits above table._) We'll fight it together, -shoulder to shoulder, you and I against the world. What does poverty -matter if we can be independent? - -John (_terrified_). No, no. You can't mean that. You can't mean to bring -disgrace upon your father's grey hairs. Think of my position, Charlie--a -public man in my own way; not such a big pot as Jabez, but I have my -feelings just the same. The Black-more Dye Works is a small enough -concern compared with Jabez's Chemical Works, but it's meant the world -to me. Every one thinks the business is mine. What will people say when -they learn that I'm practically penniless? - -Charlie. What does it matter what people say? - -John (_ignoring him_). And Jabez is a man of his word. He means it. He's -never threatened to do this before. - -Charlie. And what makes him do it now? - -John. Oh, you must do what he wants, Charlie. - -Charlie. But why does he want it? Why won't he see that I'm unfit for -the position he offers me? I can't and I won't fill it to his orders. -Oh, it's my own fault, I suppose. He's quite right. I'm soft--too soft -for this horrible, inhuman world. I yielded at first because I hoped to -do some good, and I've gone on yielding ever since. It seemed so easy to -acquiesce and to hope for the best. And this is where my cursed weakness -has landed me. - -John. Yes. Jabez has us at his mercy. - -Charlie. I'm as far as ever from seeing why he's doing it. - -John. Oh, that's plain enough. He's a good sort, is Jabez. - -Charlie (_staggered_). What! - -John. Oh, yes, really a good sort, only he likes to play boss. That's -why he kept mum about my business--so that he could do as he liked with -me. And then Rosie took a fancy to you; so old Jabez steps in to play -providence to a pair of lovers. He's meant well all along. - -Charlie. He's a sentimental ass. Curse his good intentions. - -John. You may curse them, but you'll not alter them. Jabez will have his -way. Right or wrong, he will have his way, he always does. You may call -him obstinate, pig-headed, anything you like, but, mark my words, it's -no use fighting against him. - -Charlie (_contemptuously_). You're frightened of him. - -John (_with conviction_). Terribly. - -Charlie. Well, I'm not. - -John (_coming to him_). Charlie, you must give way. Remember me. Can't -you see that all these years have been hell upon earth to me? I've been -his slave, his dog, and all the time he professed friendship for me, -nay, he was my friend. He patted me with one hand, but the dog-whip was -in the other. You can't force him to speak now, Charlie. Oh, say you -can't. - -Charlie. But--oh, I don't understand. If you had imagination enough to -see all this and to writhe under it, and strength enough to keep your -hands off him, couldn't you see there was a way out? Why couldn't you -leave him, leave this place, and make a fresh start somewhere else -without his cursed money? - -John. I might have done that at first. But well--like father like son, -Charlie. - -Charlie. What's that supposed to mean? - -John. _You've_ acquiesced. _You've_ gone on hoping for the best. So did -I till the cords which held me were bound more closely, till I became -a man of substance here, looked up to by my neighbours. They made me -sidesman at the Church and then a magistrate. I loved these things, -Charlie, the little honours I had won. I clung to them. Your mother -died, and as you grew up and drifted from me full of ideas I could not -understand, I clung more closely to the little things life held for me. -Its all I have, Charlie. Don't take that away from me Charlie. Why -shouldn't people know it? There's no disgrace in having your business -financed by another man. - -John. Well, if you must know, there's another reason. - -Charlie (_suddenly alarmed_). It's a paying concern, isn't it? - -John. Yes, but I can't prove it. - -Charlie. Why not? - -John. I've no figures to show. Any one I approached would want to see -accounts--audited accounts. - -Charlie. Well, haven't you got them? - -John. No. It was enough for Jabez to know that he got a good return on -his money. I've never had auditors in the place. Jabez never asked it. - -Charlie. That doesn't justify your carrying on the thing in a slipshod -manner. It only shows how absolutely content you were to remain in -abject dependence on Thompson. Any tin-pot grocer keeps his books -properly and gets them audited. - -John. Charlie, I'm your father. - -Charlie. Oh, it's all right. I'm going to stick by you. I'm going to be -a pawn in Thompson's game. But I can't pretend that I can do it with a -good grace. Your point of view's all wrong. You've been sailing under -false colours all your life, and now I'm to cave in to Thompson so that -you can go on living a lie to the end, and a silly lie at that. - -John (_with dignity_). Charlie, remember who you are speaking to. - -Charlie. I do. I haven't the slightest hope of making you see it as -I do, but I can't go licking Thompson's boots on your behalf without -letting you know I'm not doing it for fun. And there's Rosie. I suppose -Rosie's included in the bargain. - -John. You engaged yourself to her, didn't you? - -Charlie. No. She did all the engaging there was about it. But it amounts -to the same thing. I shall have to go through with it. - -John. Well, for the life of me I can't see what you have to complain of. -Rosie's a nice girl. - -Charlie. That's no reason for marrying her. A man can't marry all the -nice girls he knows. - -John. But you've always been fond of her, ever since you were children -together. You used to call her your little friend. - -Charlie (_lightly_). Mere boy and girl flirtation. - -John. It looked more serious than that. - -Charlie (_Exasperated_). Serious? Of course it was serious. What do you -take me for? Do you think I'd have consented to an engagement at any -price if I hadn't loved her to distraction? I've tried to cease loving -her, to school myself to hate her because of what she is--Thompson's -daughter--and I've failed. The love I hoped to conquer only conquered -me. It's no good fighting it. I know that now. John (_triumphantly_). -Very well then, if you love the girl---- - -Charlie (_At bay_) Wait a bit. We were engaged before my eyes were -opened, before I'd seen the horrible injustice of the men's lives in the -works. I tell you it's wrong, all wrong. From the first moment that I -realized it, I dedicated my life to the men. All personal desires were -at an end. Rosie--everything went by the board. It was the men, the men, -always the men. - -John. Pssh! - -Charlie. I can't serve two masters. I can't waste time on marriage. I've -a lifelong duty to perform. I've to battle for reform; and how can I be -single-purposed in the fight if I'm tied to Rosie and accept a share of -Thompson's tainted money? - -John (_hopelessly_). Well, I can't understand. I never could, and I'm -sure I don't want to interfere between you, but Jabez seems to think -you've been engaged long enough. - -Charlie. I can't help that. There are two ways of ending an engagement, -anyhow. - -John. Charlie, you promised. - -Charlie. Yes, if she insists. It's Rosie I'm engaged to, not Thompson. -I'm not going to start married life on a lie, (_Enter Rosie centre._) -and I shan't start it at all if I can help it. I---- - -Rosie. What are you two talking about so seriously? Father's sent me to -see. - -John. Has he, my dear? (_Rising and moving as though he had suddenly -grown twenty years older._) I think I will go to him. (_Walking towards -the door and mumbling again._) Yes, I think I will go to him. - -(_Exit John by door r.c. A slight pause. Rosie looks at Charlie._) - -Rosie. Well, haven't you a word to throw at a dog? (_Charlie is -silent._) Charlie, you're not ill, are you? - -Charlie. Ill? No. I'm all right. - -Rosie. Well, suppose you say "Good evening" to me. - -Charlie (_collecting himselj_). I'm sorry. (_He crosses over and kisses -her per junctorily, then sits down absent-mindedly on soja. Rosie -watches him for a moment._) - -Rosie. You're not very brilliant to-night. - -Charlie. There's a depressing feeling in the air. Have you felt it? - -Rosie (_compassionately_). You poor boy! Father worries you with -problems all day at the works, and when you come here in the evening its -business again. No wonder you're depressed. (_Going and sitting on the -arm of the soja._) Let me cheer you up. I'm not business, am I? - -Charlie. No. But I think sometimes the problems I face in the laboratory -are child's play to those I've to face outside it. - -Rosie. Is it anything I can help with? Let me try. - -Charlie. It is you. - -Rosie. Am I a problem? (_Rising and moving slightly away_) How exciting! - -Charlie. It's not exciting. It's serious. - -Rosie (_soberly, above soja_). And I'm not? All right. I'll be serious, -Charlie. What's the matter? - -Charlie. Rosie, it's about--about our engagement. We've been engaged -quite a long time now. - -Rosie. Two years. - -Charlie. Yes. It seems people are wondering why we don't get married. - -Rosie (_simply_). I'm ready when you are, Charlie. - -Charlie. Yes--yes. That's just it. - -Rosie. What? - -Charlie. It's a difficult thing to say, but I'm not ready. - -Rosie (_sympathetically, standing in front of sofa_). I don't think I -mind very much what people say, Charlie. If you want me to wait a little -longer, I can wait. I don't want to hurry you. You must choose your own -time. (_More lightly._) So that's all right and the cloud's passed now. - -Charlie (_moved_). Oh--if you only knew how hard you're making it for -me. You're too good, too true to realize what a weakling I am, what a -criminal fool I've been to let things go on to this stage. - -Rosie (_startled_). Charlie, what do you mean? - -Charlie (_rising and crossing to Rosie_). I'm going to hurt you, Rosie. -It's all my cursed fault. Try to think of me as kindly as you can. -Rosie, it's not a case of waiting a little longer. I wish to God it was. -It's that I can't marry you at all. - -Rosie. You can't marry me! - -Charlie. Oh, don't think worse of me than you must. It's not another -woman. It never was and it never can be. I shall never love any one but -you. - -Rosie. Then why, why? - -Charlie. My life's too full. - -Rosie (_wonderingly_). Your life? - -Charlie. Yes. How shall I put it? (_Crossing to soja l._) A Catholic -priest doesn't marry lest marriage distract him from his wrestle -with the devil. I too am going to wrestle with a devils the devil of -industrialism. I've things to do in the world, a battle to fight which -can only be fought in the strength of loneliness. - -Rosie (_a little hardly_). Yet you engaged yourself to me. - -Charlie. Two years ago. I didn't see it then Day by day it has become -clearer. The task I have to do reveals itself. Oh, I dare say I don't -put things well. I know I must show up like a blackguard for not telling -you before. It's been inevitable for months, but I let things slide and -there it is. We're up against it now. (_Pause._) - -Rosie. Yes. We're up against it now. Only it takes two to make a -bargain, Charlie. If you can be obstinate, so can I. - -Charlie. What do you mean? - -Rosie. I mean that I know you better than you know yourself and a -hundred times better than you know me. You and your Catholic priest! In -the Church I belong to priests marry, and I've yet to learn that they -fight the devil any the worse for it. I don't believe that the strongest -man is he who stands most alone when there's a woman in love with him. -You don't know me yet, Charlie. If you think I'd let you go for the sake -of your wrestle with the devil, you're mistaken. The devil might throw -you if you wrestled him alone, but he'll have less chance if I'm there -to pull his tail. - -Charlie. You won't release me? - -Rosie. Never. Oh, you needn't be afraid. I dare say I've a surprise in -store for you. You'll be none the worse for having a woman by your -side and I know I'm the right woman. There's only one way of making you -believe it, and that is by marrying you and proving it. I'm not afraid. - -Charlie. Well, I am. (_Crossing to r.c._) You're assuming that I'm the -ordinary sort of fool who thinks money's everything. I may be a lunatic, -but I'm not that brand. I want to be left alone. I want a decent chance -of living my life in my own way. As things are, I'm caged. I'm at the -bottom of an infamous well, and there's a window somewhere far up, but -I can't reach it. I can't find the way out. (_Rosie smiles -compassionately._) Now, you're laughing at me. You! Rosie, harmless, -necessary Rosie, whom I've always thought of as the type of bread and -butter miss. - -Rosie. And you're surprised to find her a woman with a will of her own? - -Charlie. You won't let me go? (_Crossing to l.c._) - -Rosie. Never. - -Charlie. Do you know what you are doing? - -Rosie (_confidently_). Oh, yes. - -Charlie. You don't. You think you're being my guardian angel. You think -you're helping me. As a matter of fact, you're hanging a millstone round -my neck which will drag me down to the lowest depths of human misery. If -it wasn't so utterly tragic I could laugh for a week at the silliness of -it all. I'm not allowed an opinion of my own. I'm not to diverge by one -hand's breadth from the path laid down for me. I'm to marry the wife you -choose and do the work you choose and own the wealth you choose and take -the place in society laid down for me. I'm not a man. I'm a specimen in -a case with a pin through my body. I'm clay in the hands of the potter. -I'm---- - -Rosie. You're the man I love. (_Charlie collapses into chair l. of -table._) - -Charlie. That's the last straw. I suppose I shall have that thrown in my -face all my life. - -Rosie (_reflectively_). Let me see. Shall we say April 25? Lent will be -over by then. - -Charlie. Say what you like. I haven't a kick left in me. - -Rosie (_going to door c. and calling_). Father, father! - -(_Enter Jabez and John in their shirt-sleeves with billiard cues._) - -Jabez. Well, my dear. What is it? (_c. behind table, John crosses R.c. -Rosie is back l.c._) - -Rosie. Father, Charlie wants us to be married on April 25. - -Jabez. The young scamp. What a hurry he's in. Well, well, young people -will be young people, eh, John? (_Nudges John._) - -John. Thank you, my boy, thank you. You don't know what this means to -me. - -Jabez. Yes, this saves a lot of trouble, Charlie. You're going to be a -sensible fellow, after all. - -(_Patting Charlie's shoulder. John turns gratefully to Rosie._) - - -CURTAIN. - - - - -ACT II. - -_The next morning. Thompson's office at the works. Doors l. and at the -extreme R.C. Opposite the door L. is a desk with revolving arm-chair. -Fireplace at the back centre, table against the wall by the fireplace. -A couple of revolving arm-chairs. Carpet on floor. Jabez believes in -working in comfort. Small hat-rack attached to wall by the door l. -Telephone receiver on the desk, speaking tube protruding from the wall -by the chair and handbell on desk, which is open. Clock on mantelpiece -points to 9.55._ - -Lomax _is an elderly man with iron-grey hair, cleanshaven, and has the -appearance, of a confidential head clerk or cashier, which in fact he -is. He arranges a few open letters on the desk and puts a paper weight -on them as Charlie enters l. bringing in Mrs. Wilcock, a careworn woman -of thirty, dressed in black with shabby skirt, heavy incongruous mantle -and beaded bonnet. A considerable nervousness is added to her distress._ - -Charlie. (_Sympathetically_) Come in here, Mrs. Wilcock. - -Mrs. Wilcock (_Entering shyly, seeing Lomax and "bobbing" towards him_) -Thank ye, sir. - -Charlie. Sit down. Make yourself comfortable. (_Pulling chair across -towards fire._) Good morning, Mr. Lomax. - -Lomax (_crossing to l._). Good morning, sir. - -(_Exit Lomax, l. Mrs. Wilcock sits on the edge of the chair._) - -Mrs. Wil. (_Anxiously_) Do you think as A'm doing the reeght thing, Mr. -Bunting, sir? - -Charlie (_Standing by her r._). Oh, yes, quite right, Mrs. Wilcock. - -Mrs. Wil. (_volubly_). They all told me A mun coom an' see the master. -A weren't sure if it were proper. But there's not above a two three -shilling in th' _'_ouse, an' wheer money's to coom from for th' burying -A dunno. Six childer to find black for an' all, an' none of _'_em old -enough to be earning. - -Charlie (_with his back to fire_). Don't let that trouble you, Mrs. -Wilcock. I'll see to that. - -Mrs. Wil. It's all coom so sudden. He coom out to his work as cheerful -as could be, an' when they browt him whoam to me a steam roller might -a'gone o'er 'im. - -Charlie (_shuddering_). Yes, yes. I saw him. - -Mrs. Wil. The neighbours _'_as been that good to me you wouldn't -believe. One's lent me this cape an' another's loaned me this bonnet. -A'd nobbut a skirt masel' as was anyways black. It's not as if we'd -been in a buryin' club. Takes us folk all our time to go on livin' when -theer's six young mouths to fill an' another comin'. - -Charlie. Well, you mustn't distress yourself about the funeral, Mrs. -Wilcock. I'll make that my business. - -Mrs. Wil. (_with tears_). Bless you, sir, tha's taken a load off my -mind. A couldn't abide thowt o' my man's not bein' buried proper. - -Charlie. What you've got to talk to Mr. Thompson about is the future. - -Mrs. Wil. (_resignedly_). It'll 'ave to be th' 'ouse for me. - -Charlie. Oh, nonsense. You'll get compensation. - -Mrs. Wil. Must A ask the master for it, sir? - -Charlie. Certainly. - -Mrs. Wil. A misdoubt A'll never 'ave th' face to do it. - -Charlie. You've nothing to be' afraid of. It'll be all right, Mrs. -Wdcock. - -Mrs. Wil. (_dolefully_). A never thowt as mine 'ud be workus children. - -Charlie. They won't be. You needn't fear that. (_Dowden, a young clerk -of about twenty-eight, opens the door l. He is cirefully dressed, but -his clothes have seen better days._) - -Dowden. Dr. Clavering to see you, sir. - -(_Enter Clavering, l. Dowden shuts the door._) - -Charlie. Hullo, old man! - -Clavering. Good morning. - -Charlie. This is Mrs. Wilcock. - -Clav. (_properly sympathetic_). Oh, yes. Good morning. Very sorry to -hear about your husband, Mrs. Wilcock. (_r.c._) - -Mrs. Wil. (_tearfully_). Yes, sir. (_Charlie goes to the door l. and -opens it._) - -Charlie. Oh, Dowden. (_Dowden appears._) - -Dowden. Yes, sir? - -Charlie. Just give Mrs. Wilcock a chair by the counting house fire, -till Mr. Thompson comes, will you? Go with this gentleman, Mrs. Wilcock. -(_She rises and he walks with her to the door._) Now, don't you fret. -You won't have to go to the workhouse. - -Mrs. Wil. Thank you, sir. (_She goes out with Dowden, l._) - -Clav. Are you sure of that? - -Charlie. God knows, but the insurance people shan't rob her if I can -help it. Isn't it damnable, Clavering? - -Clav. Yes. But it won't last for ever. - -Charlie. The book, you mean. (_Taking a book from his pocket._) - -Clav. Yes, the book. Hullo, do you carry it about with you? - -Charlie. I'm going to give this to Thompson to-day. - -Clav. Are you? - -Charlie (_a little anxiously_). It's all right, I suppose? About the -publication? - -Clav. Oh, yes. I heard from Mitchell this morning. It will be published -to-morrow. - -Charlie. That's good. - -Clav. Yes. What I came to show you was this. (_Taking paper from an -envelope from his inside pocket._) It's simply gorgeous. - -Charlie. What is it? - -Clav. Well, I've a friend on the _London Morning News_, and I got -Mitchell to see he had a copy of the book. - -Charlie. Yes? - -Clav. (_handing him the proof_). He sent me a proof of his review by -this morning's post. That's it. He's done us well. - -Charlie. By Jove. That's luck. - -Clav. Yes. It's a storming notice. - -Charlie. Things are going to move a bit now the book's coming out. It'll -waken people up to a realization of the kind of thing that's done in the -name of profit. - -Clav. (_impatiently_). Yes. I haven't time to stay now. I must get on -with my round. - -Charlie. Of course. Don't let me detain you, old man. I'll read this at -once. Thanks for bringing it. - -Clav. Right you are. Good-bye. I'll go this way. It's shorter. (_Opening -door at hack R.C._) - -Charlie. Do. Good-bye. - -(_Exit Clavering, r.c. Charlie unfolds the proof and reads it, moving -towards the door at hack. Enter Lomax._) - -Lomax. Mr. Thompson has just come in, sir. (_Crossing to desk._) - -Charlie. All right. Let him know Mrs. Wilcock's there. I shall be in the -laboratory if he asks for me. - -(_Exit Charlie, r.c. Lomax fusses about the desk for a moment. Jabez -comes in L. takes off his hat and coat and hangs them by the door. Lomax -stands to attention at the desk._) - -Jabez. Good morning, Lomax. - -Lomax (_deferentially_). Good morning, sir. (_Pause._) Jabez. Anything -fresh there? - -Lomax. Not very much, I'm afraid. - -Jabez. There's not much trade about, these days. (_Sitting at his -desk._) - -Lomax. No, sir. Cranbury's haven't sent their cheque again. - -Jabez. Haven't they? Well, I'm waiting no longer. You'd better ring up -Charlton and get him to take it in hand. You might attend to this lot. -(_Handing him some letters._) - -Lomax. Yes, sir. - -Jabez. That's all. (_Lomax coughs._) Well, what is it? - -Lomax. That matter of young Dowden sir. You said you would speak to him -to-day. - -Jabez. Oh, yes, of course. (_Takes down speaking tube and blows: then -puts it to his mouth._) Send Dowden to me. (_Replaces tube._) Let me see -invoice desk, isn't he? - -Lomax. Yes, sir. - -Jabez. You're quite sure he's getting restive? Lomax. Absolutely. I -thought he'd ask for a rise last week. It's been on his tongue three -or four times or I shouldn't have mentioned it to you. A look from me -generally keeps them quiet if they only half mean it. - -Jabez. What does he get? - -Lomax. Twenty-two shillings. - -Jabez. What's he likely to ask for? - -Lomax. I shouldn't wonder if he asked thirty, sir. For one thing it's -three years since he had a rise, and for another he keeps his mother. - -Jabez. Has she got any money? - -Lomax. I fancy not, sir. - -Jabez. Good. That'll keep him steady That's the kind we want, Lomax. He -can't afford to take risks. Good worker of course? - -Lomax. Excellent. None better. - -Jabez. Age? - -Lomax. Twenty-eight, sir. (_A knock._) Shall I go, sir? - -Jabez. No. Stay here. (_Calling._) Come in. - -(_Enter Dowden, l. he is obviously extremely nervous over his -"carpeting" before his employer. Lomax stands above desk._) - -Jabez (_beaming paternally on him, with his elbows on the arms of his -chair and his finger-tips together._) Come in, Dowden. Don't be nervous, -man. No one's going to hurt you. (_Dowden shuts door and moves towards -Jabez._) This is one of those pleasant interludes in the life of an -employer which make it worth the living. You have pleased me, Dowden. - -Dowden. Very good of you to say so, I'm sure, sir. - -Jabez. Mr. Lomax has spoken most favourably of you. Good lad, good lad. -We've been putting our heads together and we're going to raise your -salary to--twenty-five shillings a week. - -Dowden. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much indeed. (_Nervously._) Only, -sir, I was going to ask---- - -Jabez (_interrupting_). Don't thank me, Dowden. You owe it to your -own good work. Go on in the same way and you may come to me again in -a year's time, I'll see you right. Mr. Lomax just make a note of that, -will you? That will do, Dowden. - -Dowden. Yes, sir, and thank you, sir. - -(_Exit Dowden, l._) - -Jabez. Settled his hash for a year anyhow, Lomax. Just let me know of -any similar symptoms in good men. It always pays to take time by the -forelock in these little matters. - -Lomax. It does that, sir. You prove it. You've the cheapest office staff -in the country for its size. - -Jabez (_chaffing him genially_). You think so, Lomax? - -Lomax. I'm sure of it, sir. - -Jabez. I sometimes think the cashier makes a big hole in the salary -list, eh, Lomax? - -Lomax (_alarmed_). I'm sure I---- - -Jabez. Yes, yes. I'm not thinking of cutting you down, Lomax. Only, one -has to fix a limit. You might bear that in mind. - -Lomax. Yes, sir. - -Jabez. That will do then. (_Lomax turns to go._) Oh, by the way, is Mr. -Charles in his room? Lomax. I think so, sir. - -Jabez. You might ask him to step this way. Lomax. Yes, sir. - -(_Exit Lomax, r.c. Jabez opens a side drawer in his desk, takes out a -cigar box, selects and lights a cigar, and goes to fireplace and turns -back to fire with the air of a man who, having done a good mornings -work, may legitimately permit himself some reward. Enter Charlie, r.c._) - -Jabez. Good morning, Charlie. Hope you slept well. - -Charlie. Good morning. Can't say I did. - -Jabez. You'll soon get over that. At your age a night's rest more or -less makes no difference. Did I interrupt some particularly promising -experiment? - -Charlie. No. I haven't been experimenting to-day. I've been engaged with -some of the men. - -Jabez. Really? Well, there's no accounting for tastes. You're a queer -fish. - -Charlie. You didn't send for me to tell me that, I suppose? - -Jabez (_blowing smoke and watching it rise_). Eh? No, I suppose I -didn't. Have a cigar? - -Charlie. No thanks. - -Jabez. No? Well, now that you've come to your senses the thing is to see -about what arrangements we must make. To begin with, I think we'd better -fix you up a desk in here. - -Charlie' (_wearily_). Yes. - -Jabez. We'll have that table out and one put there. Or is that too near -the fire for you? - -Charlie. Oh, anywhere. - -Jabez. You see, you'll have to work under my supervision at first and -then begin gradually to take the responsibility off my shoulders. I -shall be glad of a rest, Charlie. - -Charlie. Don't you think you are taking a good deal for granted? - -Jabez. Why? - -Charlie. I told you I'd not slept. A man can do a lot of thinking in -eight hours. - -Jabez. What, you mean to say---- - -Charlie. That I've thought the whole thing over. - -Jabez. Well? - -Charlie. It's not good enough. It's--it's dishonourable. - -Jabez (_angrily_). Dishonourable, sir? What the devil do you mean? - -Charlie. I'm the only bulwark the men have. If I marry Rosie--sell -myself to you--it means pushing the men back into their old places just -when they're ready to make some show of fighting and want all the help I -can give them. - -Jabez. For God's sake do leave the men out of it for one moment. It's -you I'm talking about, not them. You gave me your word last night. - -Charlie. I know I did. - -Jabez (_sneeringly_) You needn't talk so much about honour. - -Charlie. Oh, there are things I value more than an empty phrase. That -lift accident made me realize once again how much I'm needed and how -little I could do if I married Rosie. I've seen Mrs. Wilcock this -morning. Oh, it's pitiful! - -Jabez. Now, could I help the lift breaking down? - -Charlie. No, but you could help a hundred other things happening, only -safety apparatus costs money and men are cheap. Last night's accident -was only the last straw. The men need me and I won't forsake them. - -Jabez. Who's asking you to forsake them? I'm only asking you to carry -out your engagement. Good heavens, it's a chance any man in his senses -would jump at. - -Charlie. I'm sorry I don't agree. - -Jabez. You play fast and loose with me, my lad, and I'll ruin your -father for it. Don't forget that. - -Charlie. Look here, suppose I let you force my hand. Suppose I married -Rosie under compulsion, what sort of a time do you fancy she'd have? -What's to prevent me taking it out of you by cruelty to the daughter you -love? - -Jabez (_recovering his temper_). No you don't, my boy. It's very clever -of you. Upon my word, I'm glad to hear you talk like that. After all, -you've the makings of a business man about you, but I'm too old a bird -to be caught by a bluff like that. You know very well you're talking -through your hat. You couldn't do it. Besides, even if I wasn't sure of -you I'm sure of Rosie. I'm a long way more frightened for you than I am -for her, my boy. She's managed me all her life, and if there's going to -be any bullying when you're married, take my word, it's not you that'll -do it. You see, I know Rosie. - -Charlie. Very well then. You compel me to take other measures. - -Jabez. What, still fighting? You're getting quite pugnacious, Charlie. -(_Crossing to cupboard l. and unlocking it._) - -Charlie. Don't laugh at me. I won't be laughed at. - -Jabez. Then don't make yourself ridiculous, my boy. Every man feels like -you do when he's booked his passage. But most of us have it out with -ourselves. We don't talk about it, but we all get a fit of funk and -want to back out if we can. It's a natural reaction. Come, pull yourself -together, Charlie. Have a whisky and soda. (_He takes a decanter, glass -and syphon from cupboard and places on top of it._) - -Charlie (_for a moment half laughing at himself_). You make very certain -that I'm not an embryonic wife-beater. - -Jabez (_with the decanter in his hand_). You won't? - -Charlie. No thanks. (_Jabez mixes a drink for himself._) - -Jabez (_meditatively_). Yes, I think a desk will do very well in place -of that table. - -Charlie. I refuse to sit at it. - -Jabez. Oh, I don't think so. (_Walking up with drink and sitting l. of -fire, putting glass on mantel._) You see, Charlie, your father's so -very respectable; he simply radiates respectability. Gad, I shall never -forget old John's face when he was up in town with me for the first time -and I took him to the Empire. He got used to it later on, though. -But it's different down here. He's the champion bazaar opener of the -district. Quite a great man in his way is old John. Yes, we can't have a -scandal, Charlie. It really would not do. - -Charlie. You must do as you like about that. It's his affair. And anyhow -it's absurd to talk of it as a scandal. - -Jabez. He wouldn't say so. How shockingly unfilial you are! - -Charlie. Possibly. I've myself to look after. - -Jabez. Still fighting? (_He takes a drink._) - -Charlie. Yes. If I can't touch you through Rosie, I can touch you -through something still dearer. - -Jabez (_sarcastically_). And what may that be? - -Charlie. Your pocket. - -Tabez. What do you mean? - -Charlie. Oh, you shall know. I'll give you fair warning. - -Jabez (_rising_). What is it? - -Charlie. The men. They're not blind. They're no longer the passive fools -their fathers were. - -Tabez. Well? - -Charlie. You were pleased to be angry with me last night when I -explained why I undertook laboratory work. I can't help that. My -sympathies are all with the men, not the master. If it comes to a fight, -I shall be on their side, not yours. You--oh, I don't expect you to -understand, but with me altruism is a religion. - -Jabez. A religion! Is that all. - -Charlie. What more can it be? - -Jabez. My dear fellow, religion is a respectable pastime for Sundays, -but it's got nothing to do with every-day life except for parsons and -old women In this country, you can be a Mohammedan or a Mormon if you -like, but I can't see that it any material difference in your ordinary -conduct. - -Charlie. Can't you? I'm different My religion is a thing I believe in on -weekdays, a thing I act upon and live up to as far as I can. - -Jabez. Aren't we getting away from the point? - -Charlie. The point is the men. - -Tabez. Exactly. I'll have no tampering with the men Charlie, no putting -ideas above their station into their heads. - -Charlie. It's fifty years too late to talk like that. As a matter of -fact, I'm going to address a meeting of the men to-night. And I shall -take their part. They know it. I've the gifts of the mob orator. -(_Chuckle from Jabez._) God knows it's a sorry gift to boast about, but -it will serve my turn. I can sway a crowd. I've done it time and again -in debates. - -Jabez. (_Pause, then_) Where is this meeting? (_Crosses to desk, sitting -to face audience._) - -Charlie. The Assembly Hall. I am as certain as I stand here that I can -work my will upon them. I shall advise a strike, and strike they shall -unless---- - -Jabez. Oh, you've got your price then? (_Sneeringly._) - -Charlie. Yes. It's cowardly, but I have. It's against my convictions, -but, as you say, I have my price. - -Jabez. What is it? - -Charlie. Freedom of action. (_Crosing towards Jabez._) Laboratory work -and no other and release from the mockery of an engagement with Rosie. -(_Enter John, l._) - -Jabez. Hullo, John. Good morning. Glad you called. (_Charlie goes to -fireplace._) - -John. Good morning, Jabez. (_Crossing to Jabez._) Yes, I called about -the monthly accounts. I've got the total here, if you'll sign me a -cheque. - -Jabez (_grimly_). You'd better talk to Charlie about that. - -John. Charlie! - -Jabez. Yes. Here he is with a bee in his bonnet as usual. Look at him, -John. - -John. What is it, Charlie? Wasn't everything settled last night? - -Jabez. Oh, you're not quite up to date, John. We move fast nowadays, -don't we, Charlie? - -Charlie. I wish to God we did. (_Sitting on armchair l. of fire._) - -Jabez. The latest is that some fools amongst the men want to strike. -Lord knows what they think they'll get by striking, but let me introduce -you. John, to the strike leader. - -John. Charlie, you couldn't---- - -Jabez. Oh, he believes in variety, John, that's what it is. Last night -Rosie, this morning no Rosie. The men are the latest love. It's off with -the old and on with the new. - -John. Don't be hard on me, Jabez. I can't bear it. - -Jabez. I've to look after number one, John. - -John (_appealingly_). Charlie! - -Charlie. It's no good, father. I can't betray my principles. - -Jabez. And I can't sign that cheque, John. Perhaps Charlie's prepared to -be your banker. - -John. It means---- (_Sitting l. of desk._) - -Jabez. Oh, I know what it means. (_Rises, goes c., drains glass and -turns on Charlie._) Listen to me, Charlie. I'll have no meddling with -the men. That's all over and done with. Understand once for all that -it's hands off the men. I'll have no discontent amongst my men. I don't -want men who'll think. I want men who'll work. (_Down l. to cupboard and -putting glass on top of it._) - -Charlie. To think is to be discontented. Discontent is divine. - -Jabez. Don't talk rubbish, sir. We are told to be content with the -station into which it has pleased Providence to place us. - -Charlie (_passionately_). Virtue on ten thousand a year! This is your -rich man's God, who is at home to you in his church one day a week from -10.30 to 12 and 6.30 to 8. You don't go because you hope to get a -little dirt washed off your shop-soiled soul. You go because it isn't -respectable to stop away. For six days you serve Mammon, and on the -seventh you follow your gregarious instincts and crowd into a church -in your sleek broadcloth, and only the effort of keeping a properly -sanctimonious expression on your well-fed face prevents you from falling -asleep in your padded pew. That's your middle-class religion and your -middle-class Providence. Don't talk to me of Providence till you can -show me a Providence which provides. - -Jabez, Rank blasphemy, sir. (_Going up to Charlie, settling his collar -irritably._) Don't talk to me as if I was a nonconformist. - -Charlie. Nonconformist? No, you conform to everything. You began in a -rut and you'll stay in the rut till you die. - -Jabez. A rut! - -Charlie, Yes, the gutter where you poke in slime for sixpences, afraid -to look up at God's blue sky or about you at your fellow-men lest some -one else should pick up a sixpence while your head's turned. Oh, you -conform right enough. You do nothing else. You conform to Success and -Respectability, and they're the stronghold of the Devil. - -Jabez (_recovering his temper, sitting down at desk and rubbing his -hands genially, looking at John, laughing._) Sit down, Charlie. - -Charlie. Thanks, I can say all I have to say standing. - -Jabez. Oh, but this is delightful. As good as a pantomime, isn't it, -John? Go on, Charlie. It's amusing you and doing me no harm. - -Charlie. Yes, that's the pity of it. It's doing you no harm. You'll have -your dog's day. You'll go on accumulating the money you've no need of -because you're in the grip of the money habit. You couldn't stop mobbing -your impotent employés if you wanted to. The looting instinct's in your -blood. - -Jabez (_calmly._) I am doing what I conceive to be my duty, the duty -of every man--to make as much as I can by honourable and business-like -methods. - -My father did it and his father before him. My son would do it if I had -one. - -Charlie. Hereditary money-grubbing. That's typical. It's our idea of -progress and self-reliance and thinking things out for one's self. (_He -pauses, hand on mantel, looking into fire._) - -Jabez (_pause_). What, dried up? Well, I've let you have your fling. You -are like any other child, Charlie. You've been hurt and you're crying, -only you put your squeal into words. A child only howls, while the -natural impulse of the adult is to curse something or somebody. Have you -said all you wanted to? - -John. Charlie, for Heaven's sake---- - -Charlie (_facing Jabez_). Oh, I'd more to say. But that will do. I've -wasted my breath, but it's done me good to give it you straight from -the shoulder for once. After all, you're not a millionaire or a trust -president. You're precious small beer as employers go nowadays. - -Jabez. Oh, so that's all right, and I'm put in my proper place, eh, -Charlie? And you've let off steam now instead of to the men to-night. - -Charlie. That's as may be. I've not done yet. - -Jabez (_to John_). This fellow's solved the problem of perpetual motion, -John. What is it this time? - -Charlie (_taking a small book from his pocket_). Do you know what this -is? - -Jabez. It looks like a book. - -Charlie. It is. Just have a look at it. (_Offering it._) - -Jabez. I'm not interested in literature. - -Charlie. This will interest you. (_Holding the book out towards him._) - -Jabez. (_snatching it and reading the title_). "An Inquiry into -the Condition of the Workers in our Chemical Industries, by Walter -Clavering, M.D." What's this? Clavering? This isn't like what I know of -Clavering. I wonder what his game is? - -Charlie. He hasn't got a game, as you call it. Clavering's in earnest -about it. (_Going up to fire._) - -Jabez. I'm afraid you're a bad judge of character, Charlie. (_Turning -over the pages._) What's this? "Illustrated by Photographs by Charles -Bunting." - -Charlie. Oh, yes. I had a hand in it. - -Jabez. You damned young scamp. - -Charlie. That's an advance copy. The book's not published yet. - -Jabez. I'll take good care it never is. - -Charlie (_smiling_). It will be published to-morrow. Here's a proof of -a review of it by a chum of Clavering's. This review will appear in a -London paper to-morrow. It will tell you all about the book. Shall I -read it to you? (_Taking a proof sheet from his breast pocket._) - -Jabez. Go ahead. - -Charlie (_reading from the proof as if selecting detached sentences, -mumbling a few words between each_). "The book bears on every page the -sign-manual of sincerity. Its facts are an incontrovertible proof of the -inadequacy of our factory law administration to cope with the rapacity -and unscrupulousness of manufacturers. A book to read not only with the -eyes, but with the heart. The authors has drawn public attention to a -festering sore in our midst. The great heart of the public cannot fail -to be moved by such an exposure of man's inhumanity to man. Something -must be done to counteract such infamy. There can be no delay." -(_Mumbling, as if looking for a further selection._) - -Jabez. Stop! This is intimidation. It's blackmail. Clavering--you know -very well he came to me with some cranky respirator he'd patented. This -is his revenge on me for refusing to take up his rotten patent. It's -libel. I'll ruin him for it. - -Charlie. Hadn't you better read the book before you talk like that? - -Jabez. That for your book. (_Throwing it in the paper basket._) I'll buy -up the edition. I'll suppress it. I'll---- - -Charlie. No, you won't. The publisher happens to be an honest man. - -Jabez. What the devil do you mean by taking a hand in this game? Haven't -I trouble enough as it is with the factory acts and their confounded -regulations? The men are pampered like lords with their grandmotherly -legislation. - -Charlie. They're poisoned, and you know it. You refused to use his -safety device, and he's naturally taken the only course open to him of -arousing public opinion and forcing your hand. I was glad to help him. - -Jabez. You young idiot. Can't you see through his game? He wants to -make money out of his patent safety respirator. He doesn't care a hang -for the condition of the men. If he did, he wouldn't have put the -price up by patenting his thing. No, my friend, he wants to do his -philanthropy on twenty-five per cent, terms at some one else's expense. - -Jabez (_con._). And you fall into his trap like the blessed innocent you -are and help him to blackmail me. - -Charlie. You're wrong. Everybody's not as mercenary as you. You've -got so used to expressing every idea in terms of L.S.D. that you can't -understand a man's doing anything from higher motives than money. - -Jabez. Look here, Charlie, where do you think I'd be if I took up every -notion that every crank brings along to me? The men are insured, aren't -they? - -Charlie. Yes, and a bad bargain the insurance people have of it. - -Jabez. Then what do the fellows want with safety devices? They get their -compensation. The business won't stand more expense, Charlie. You'd know -that if you'd done as I wished and taken an interest in the management. -Goodness knows it's hard enough to get profits as it is. - -Charlie. Then don't try. Close down. - -Jabez. And throw the men out of work? Fine remedy that _'_ud be. They'd -thank me for that, wouldn't they? (_After a slight pause, rising._) That -doctor's got to be muzzled though. - -Charlie. You can't muzzle a man. You can only muzzle dogs. - -Jabez. Can't I? I'll bet you I get him to suppress that book if it's -really dangerous. I'll have a look at it in a moment. And I'll tell you -something more, my lad. If I catch you meddling with the men, I'll make -your father sit up for it. - -Charlie. I shall address the men to-night. Jabez. I don't think you -will. Look here, John, you'd better try again. See if you can't make a -better job of it than you did last night, and I'll sign the cheque in -the morning. If not---- (_John makes a gesture of appeal to Charlie._) - -Charlie. It's no good, father. - -Jabez. I leave it with you, John. Take him off to your laboratory, -Charlie, and talk it over. (_Charlie drops forward to John._) - -Charlie. Come along, Dad. - -(_Exeunt Charlie and John, r.c. Jabez loosens his collar mechanically, -puts his hands in his pockets, takes a handful of coins from one pocket, -rolls it in his hands and transfers it to the other; then sits at his -desk, takes up the speaking tube, blows and speaks through it._) - -Jabez. Just telephone to Dr. Clavering and say I'll be obliged if he -will step round here and see me at once. - -(_He replaces the tube. Jabez takes the book from the paper basket and -turns its pages over while speaking to Lomax. Enter Lomax, r.c._) - -Jabez. Oh, about that accident last night, Lomax. (_Looks up from the -book and turns round on his chair to face Lomax._) - -Lomax. Yes, sir. I was coming to you about it when you were disengaged. -Mrs. Wilcock is waiting in the office. - -Jabez. Who's Mrs. Wilcock? The widow? - -Lomax. Yes. - -Jabez. Oh, I can't be bothered with her. That's the insurance people's -job. Send her away. (_Lomax bows and is going l., he turns as Jabez -rises, crosses to fire and speaks again._) Have you--do you happen to -have heard what the men make of the accident? - -Lomax. No, sir. That is, not'exactly. - -Jabez. Speak up, man. Are they grumbling? - -Lomax (_coughing_). I understand that there have been a few remarks -passed. - -Jabez. Strong ones, eh? Um---- Got your notebook? - -Lomax. No, sir. I'll---- (_Turning towards door l._) - -Jabez. Never mind. Sit down here. (_Lomax sits in Jabez's chair._) -Write. (_Lomax bends to write._) Wait a moment. (_Lomax looks up._) -When's the inquest fixed for? - -Lomax. Wednesday, sir. - -Jabez. That's the 17th. Funeral the next day, I suppose? - -Lomax. Yes, sir. - -Jabez. Very well. (_Motioning him to write. Lomax bends over and writes. -Jabez crosses to desk and stands over Lomax, dictating._) - -"In view of the distressing accident which occurred last night, it has -been decided to grant a halfholiday to the entire staff with full pay on -the afternoon of the 18th inst., in order----" - -Lomax. One moment, sir. - -Jabez. Got that? - -Lomax. "The 18th inst." Yes, sir. - -Jabez. "In order to give all an opportunity of attending the funeral -ceremony." Finished? - -Lomax (_pause, then, rising_). Yes, sir. - -Jabez (_crossing hack to fire_). Do you chance to know, Lomax, if there -happens to be a football match that afternoon? - -Lomax (_coughing deprecatorily_). I don't follow the sport myself, but I -fancy it's the usual mid-week day. - -Jabez. Ah. Have twenty copies of that notice typed and bring them -here. I'll sign them myself. Then send them out to the departments, -and--er--you might see that one comes in the way of the reporters at the -inquest. - -Lomax. Yes, sir. (_Going._) - -Jabez (_sitting_). Oh, and,'Lomax! (_Lomax turns at door._) Just mention -casually to one or two of the foremen that attendance at the funeral is -not compulsory. No names will be taken. And let me know if you happen to -learn how the announcement is received. - -Lomax. Certainly, sir. - -Jabez. That will do. - -(_Exit Lomax, l. Jabez continues interested in his book. A whistle at -the tube. Jabez replies and puts it to his ear, then speaks down it._) - -Jabez. Show Dr. Clavering in here. (_Replaces tube. Presently Dowden -opens the door l. and Dr. Clavering enters. Dowden closes the door -after him and goes without speaking. Jabez rises and meets Clavering -genially._) - -Jabez. Ah, come in, doctor. I'm glad you were able to come so quickly. -(_They shake hands._) - -Clavering. I'd just got in when your message came, so I was able to come -at once. How are you, Mr. Thompson? - -Jabez. Eh? (_Surprised at the professional tone._) - -Oh, I'm all right. There's never anything the matter with me. - -Clav. Oh, it's not yourself, then. I understood you wished to see me -personally. Is there another accident case? - -Jabez. Oh, no, there's nothing wrong. Er--have you a few moments to -spare? I'd like a word with you. - -Clav. I'm at your service unless I'm telephoned for from the surgery. - -Jabez. Sit down, doctor. - -Clav. (_sitting r. of fire_), Thank you. - -Jabez (_sitting l. of fire_). I understand you've been writing a book, -Dr. Clavering? - -Clav. Oh, that's it, is it? You've heard from my collaborator? - -Jabez. Your collaborator? - -Clav. Mr. Bunting. - -Jabez. Oh, yes, of course. Just so. Now, speaking as a business man, -doctor, I suppose you'd some object in writing that book? - -Clav. (_grimly_). I want better conditions for chemical workers. - -Jabez. I said "speaking as a business man." - -Clav. Well, sir? - -Jabez. I've not read the book yet. But I suppose I shan't be wrong in -assuming it deals largely with the advantages of the Clavering patent -respirator. - -Clav. Naturally. - -Jabez. I thought so. Of course, you're convinced of its advantages? - -Clav. I use it myself. So does Mr. Bunting in his laboratory. Look at -us. We're well. Then look at your men. They don't use it. I'd just come -from seeing another of them when I got your message. - -That man is being slowly poisoned to earn his bread. It's a typical -case. - -Jabez. It's' very sad, very sad. Well now, doctor, can you propose -anything? - -Clav. I can propose the respirator. It's not ideal, I don't pretend it -is--but it _'_ull give the poor devils a chance. - -Jabez. We must certainly have the respirator. - -Clav. (_surprised,_). You refused it when it was offered you. - -Jabez. My dear sir, I get safety devices sent me every day. I can't -use 'em all. You never told me you used your thing yourself. It makes a -world of difference. And you hadn't written a book about it. - -Clav. I see. - -Jabez. I thought you would. Come, we're getting on famously. Now if I -adopt the respirator, do you think the book need be published? - -Clav. (_curtly_). Yes. - -Jabez. Oh, come, doctor, don't be stupid. - -Clav. (_pause_). I'll tell you what I _will_ do, if you like. I'll wire -the publisher to postpone its issue and have a note put in stating that -it's been adopted here. But I'll not cancel my book. - -Jabez. That might do. - -Clav. (_reflectively_). It'll be a good advertisement for the -respirator. - -Jabez. And a good thing for the patentee, eh, doctor? - -Clav. I hope so. - -Jabez. I've no doubt of it. So that's satisfactory to both parties. By -the way, doctor, don't think me rude if I put a rather personal question -to you. I've a reason for asking. Do you consider your practice here a -valuable one? - -Clav. That rather depends on what you mean by valuable. It's numerous -enough in all conscience. There's plenty of ill-health about. But -valuable, no, I can't say it is. Your men get paid too little and they -die too fast for a doctor to grow fat amongst them. - -Jabez. I've a notion we might come to some arrangement. I've had an idea -of adding a medical officer permanently to the staff. What do you say, -doctor? - -Clav. I'll think it over. - -Jabez (_rising_). Do. With the respirator at work you should have more -leisure on your hands for research, eh, doctor? I know what beggars you -medical men are for experiments, and you can't have over much time at -present. Suppose you telephone me later. We shan't quarrel over terms. -Or, stay, come in to dinner to-night? (_Rises and crosses R._) - -Clav. Thanks. I will. (_Rising and going l._) - -Jabez. You quite understand what this means, doctor? - -Clav. Er--in what way? - -Jabez. Well, it's the end of your literary career. I want no more books. - -Clav. Nor I. This one will put the respirator on the market; that's all -I want. - -Jabez. I thought as much. There's nothing like candour after you've -gained your point. (_Sitting at desk._) Oh, by the way, there's a -meeting of the men to-night. - -Clav. So I hear. - -Jabez. I'm going to speak there. - -Clav. You! - -Jabez. Yes, and I want you to come with me. - -Clav. It's not quite in my line, sir. - -Jabez (_persuasively_). Oh, just to tell 'em about this little -arrangement of ours. - -Clav. I see. - -Jabez. Charlie's speaking, you know. Some one's got to speak against -him. Er--I'll see it's a handsome salary, doctor. - -Clav. I'll be there, Mr. Thompson. (_Moving to r.c. by desk._) May I ask -you something? - -Jabez. Yes? - -Clav. Is Charlie _still_ engaged to Miss Thompson? Jabez. I believe so. - -Clav. Oh! - -Jabez. What was it? - -Clav. I was going to ask if I might speak to her myself. - -Jabez. You hadn't much success last time, had you? - -Clav. No. There's no harm in asking two or three times. - -Jabez. Oh, you can ask. - -Clav. But Charlie---- - -Jabez. As you say, there's no harm in asking. But understand it's -between you and her. You're not to use my name. - -Clav. That's all I want. - -Jabez. I'll see you to-night, then? - -Clav. Yes. - -Jabez. Right. Good morning, doctor. - -Clav. Good morning, sir. - -(_Exit Clavering, l. Jabez rubs his hands together with a satisfied air. -Lomax enters l. as Clavering goes out. He has a number of papers in his -hand._) - -Lomax. Will you sign the announcements now, sir? - -Jabez (_genially_). I will that. (_Commences to sign as Lomax hands them -to him one by one._) - - -CURTAIN. - - - - -ACT III. - -_The same evening. The ante-room of the Assembly Hall--a dingy place, -used on occasion as a dressing-room, and containing a small deal table -and a few battered cane-bottomed chairs. Two gas-brackets project from -the wall at the right and wire netting protects the lights. A door r. -gives access and one c. up three stairs leads on to the platform. A -rough hat-rack under the left gas-jet bears two ancient bowler hats -and a cloth cap. Their owners are three members of the mens -executive--Robert Jones, James Pullen and Joseph Livesey. Pullen, the -owner of the cap, is smoking a clay pipe. He is a stoutish man of about -forty, obviously no teetotaller, with a moustache and an obstinate jaw. -Jones and Livesey, the leaders of the strike movement, are perhaps ten -years his juniors and just a shade more educated in their accents. All -are roughly dressed, but in their evening, not their working clothes. -Livesey wearing a very much cut away black coat and a waistcoat adorned -with a silver watch chain. Pullen has a scarf and no collar, but the -other pair wear celluloid collars over cotton shirts. Pullen is sitting -at the table sideways, r. Jones has his back to the fire, l. and -Livesey is walking about above table._ - -Pullen. What 'A says is this 'ere. Maister Thompson's a jolly good -sort. Gives us 'af-day Thursday to play us in, with full brass an' all. -'And-some, A calls it, 'andsome. (_He emphasizes by striking his fist on -the table._) - -Jones. Tha's a fule, Jim Pullen. Tha's allays drawin' red 'erring? -across the trail. Tha makes me tired. _'_Ere's a mate o' ours walks into -th' _'_oist same as it might be thee or me an' th' next minute _'_e's -gone to kingdom come. Thompson gives us an _'_af-day off to attend th' -buryin' if us wants to, an' theer's thou an' a few like thee ready to -lick _'_is boots because _'_e's yeard us snarlin' an' chucked us a bone -to shut our jaws on. Can't tha see _'_is game? - -Livesey (_behind table_). Oh, A'm noan sayin' nought about that. That -were an accident like what might _'_appen anywheers. It's th' whole -system we want altered. - -Pullen. System is it? Aye, tha find me a system as'll give us more beer -an' more easy time to sup it in an' A'm with thee. - -Livesey. It's not so much for usselves as for our childer. - -Pullen (_shuffling irritably_). A'm noan wed. 'Ad more sense. If you -young 'uns will marry, you mun tak' consequences. - -Livesey (_sitting behind table r. side_). The kids! That's the point, -Jones. We're ould. - -Pullen (_contemptuously_). Thee ould! Why, lad, tha were nobbut breeched -t'other day. - -Livesey (_turning on him_). Yes, we are--we're ould as life goes here. -We're done. But th' kids have a reeght to summat better. We canna see -our way out. We're nobbut a silly crowd o' fuies. - -Pullen (_interposing_). Tha are that. - -Livesey (_continuing_). But if we could nobbut educate our childer. -They'd find a way. - -Pullen. 'Ere, mister, my lad, what's tha gettin' at? The kids gets their -schooling, don't they? - -Jones. Aye, till they're legally ould enough to coom to work an' forget -in a year all as they've 'ad shoved into their yeads in eight. (_Spits -in fire._) They've a reeght to a better chance than we _'_ad an' we -can't give it 'em. We're not paid enough. We're livin' on hope, an' -hope's like ivy. It clings to ruins. - -Livesey. That's good. Tha remember yon an' give it 'em in theer in thy -speech. (_Jerking his thumb towards the door c._) - -Jones (_going on as though speaking to a meeting_). Th' bosses 'ave got -us down and they're sitting on our yeads. It's about time we woke oop -an' showed _'_em the working man's not such a blamed fool as _'_e looks. - -Livesey. Aye. Now tha' talkin'. - -Jones. We keep body an' soul together and that's the limit. - -(_Enter R. Job Alcott, another workman, quite roughly dressed and -apparently of the most poorly paid class. He looks ill._) - -Alcott. Good evening. - -Livesey. Tha doesn't look so rosy to-neeght, lad. What's oop wi' thee? - -Alcott (_wearily, hanging his cap up, then sitting in chair R. by -table_). Oh, th' usual thing. You all know. Can't relish my food an' -yeadache an' faint feelin'. Rum taste in my mouth, an' all. - -Livesey. Aye. We all know that taste. - -Pullen. Beer's th' stuff to wash it out o' your mouth. (_Crosses to fire -and sits R. of it._) - -Alcott. A saw doctor last neeght. - -Jones. Aye. What's 'e say? - -Alcott (_bitterly_). Tould me A'd no chance if A went on 'ere. Get -soom fresh air for a month or two, 'e says. Get away out o' this into -country, 'e says. Country! Likely isn't it? A'm a labourer. Ask off for -a month, supposin' A'd got th' brass to keep me which A've not, an' A'll -get sack sharp. They've only to send to the next big town an' a thousand -poor chaps as is out o' collar 'ull coom trampin' out after my bloomin' -eighteen bob a week an' be damned glad to get it an' all. - -Livesey. Shame! - -Jones. It's a cryin' shame. Why, look at me wi' eighteen bob a week same -as him, an' the mouths A've got to fill. Ma missus as 'ad eleven of 'em -in _'_er time. A were wed at eighteen, A were. - -Pullen (_quarrelsomely_). Tha's never got eleven childer. Don't try to -kid me. - -Jones. Not livin', A haven't. Some of _'_em's dead--thank God. - -Livesey. Coom, draw it mild, lad. Yon's blasphemy. - -Jones (_sullenly_). No, _'_tisn't, neither. A do thank God for it. Poor -little beggars, they're better dead nor alive an' starvin' wi' th' -rest. A man can pull his belt oop a hole an' suck a pebble if he's -hunger-mad. Th' kids can't do that. - -Livesey. They wouldn't need if tha'd keep off the booze. - -Jones (_fiercely_). A don't drink. A don't like beer. It turns -my'stomach. (_Up stage round R._) - -Pullen (_rising disgustedly and walking away as if from a portent_). -Call thasel' a mon and don't like beer? (_He turns to light his pipe at -a gas, but fails to get it through the wire, mutters "Blast," and takes -a match out and lights up._) - -Livesey. Then what dost take It for. - -Jones. What for? To mak' me forget. (_Going down to sit l. of table._) A -must forget soomtimes. A'd go crazed if A didn't forget. (_Sitting._) - -Pullen (_at the gas_), Blast. - -Livesey. It's a weary life. - -Alcott (_rising and going up c._) It's a hell. Damn Thompson. Damn him an' -all that's hissen. - -Jones (_protestingly_). Damn _him_, aye, but not all that's hissen. That -means Miss Thompson, an' she's a blessed angel. - -Pullen (_coming forward_). Bah! Her an angel, her wi' her 'ard proud mug -goin' about as if we was dirt at 'er feet. - -Jones. Aye, an angel, lad. That's her; 'ard as nails she looks an proud -as Lucifer but tha's not wed; tha's not seed yon wench sittin' i' thy -kitchen nussin' thy kids. Maybe she's never sent thee fine grub when tha -was sick. - -Pullen. A'm never sick. - -Jones No, but she'd know if tha wert, an tha'd know she knowed it, an' -all. Not as she maks a fuss about it It's all done quiet. A dunno if -Thompson _'_isself so much as knows a word about it. Alcott (_l.c. at -back_). Aye, that's reeght. Sorry A cursed _'_er. Theer were a two three -bottles of champagne an' soom jelly an' stuff waitin to whoam for me -last neeght when A get theer from docto? Not a word about who'd sent -them, but---- - -Pullen. Eh! _'_Ere lads, A feels bad. Took sudden, some road. - -Livesey. What's to do? - -Pullen. A dunno. Thowt o' that champagne, A reckon. - -(_Enter R. Mrs. Jones--a slight careworn woman of about thirty with -pinched features and wears clogs, and a drab cloth skirt, blouse and a -shawl over her head, all well worn. She crosses quickly to Jones shakes -his should, violently, speaking in a shrill voice._) - -Mrs. Jones. Thee coom whoam, Bob Jones. Coom 'ome, A tell thee. - -Alcott. Eh! missus, what's to do? Mrs Jones (_turning on him_). Thee -shut tha ugly mug, and don't put thy spoke in atween man an wife. (_To -Jones._) Now then, art coomin. - -Jones. What's oop wi' thee, lass? - -Mrs. Jones. Tha knows. A tould thee A'd coom an' fetch thee whoam if -tha dared to shove tha nose in at meetin'. Strike indeed, tha great -leatherhead! Wait till A get thee to whoam. A'll give thee strike. - -Livesey. Leave 'im be, missus. Tha don't know what tha's talkin' about. - -Mrs. Jones. Don't A, ma lad? (_Her arms go akimbo._) Maybe A knows more -than the lot o' you put together. Ma faither were on strike onct when -A were nobbut a young wench. A knows what strikes means. Strikes means -clemmin', and ma childer shallna clem as A'd to clem then if A can 'elp -it. Now, then, ar't coomin'? - -Jones (_rising_). Leave be. This 'ere's not wimmen's business. - -Mrs. Jones. No, but it's a woman's business to see as 'er childer gets -their baggin', an' it's a woman's business to sit an' watch 'em clem if -theer's no baggin' to give 'em. It's you men as does th' silly things -an' us women an' childer as pays for 'em. Thee coom whoam an' quit -makkin' a fool o' thasel'. (_Pulling Jones towards door._) - -Jones. _'_Ere, missus, see yon door? Well, get thasel' 't'other side o' -it sharp. Tha's no reeght in 'ere at all. - -Mrs. Jones. A've the reeght o' a moother wi young bellies to fill. Tha -coom whoam or tha'll get rough side o' ma tongue till tha'll wish tha'd -never, bin born. Wait while A get hold o' yon Bunting chap, an' all. -A'll give 'im strikes. What does 'e want wi' interferin' in other folk's -business wantin' folks to strike--'im as 'as allays gone fed an' warm -clothed an' doan't know what clemmin' means? A'll strike _'_im, A will. - -Livesey. Tha don't understand, Mrs. Jones. - -Jones. Coom on now. Let's 'ave no more o' it. Outside. - -Mrs. Jones. A don't stir a foot. - -Jones. Don't thee, by gum? (_Picking her up._) It's all same to me which -way tha goes. (_Crossing to door r., carrying her struggling._) - -Mrs. Jones (_as they go out_). Wait till A get thee whoam, my lad. (_He -carries her out. For a moment the altercation continues off r._) - -Pullen. (_coming forward and sitting below table l. side_). Yon wench is -reeght, tha knows. A'm not goin' to 'ave nought to do wi' it. Man an' -boy, A've worked for Maister Thompson thirty year an' A'm noan goin' to -turn again ma ouid maister at ma time o' life. A know ma place, A do. - -Livesey. Oh, A've no patience wi' thee. - -Pullen. (_Obstinately_) It's all reeght, Mr. Livesey. None o' your -strikes fur me. A can see through a ladder as clear as most. An' A'll -tell thee summat as is mebbe news to thee. Theer's above a few as thinks -along o' me, too, only they don't gas about it so loud as you. - -Livesey. Very well, if theer are, theer'll be no strike. (_Going up c. -to door. Jones returns a little shamefacedly. The others avoid looking -at him. He goes up to c._) - -Pullen. No. A 'll bet theer'll not. - -Livesey. We'll soon see who's reeght. - -Jones. Aye, coom on. Let's be startin' th' meetin'. (_Crossing to door -c._) - -Livesey (_consulting a silver watch_). Wait a bit. Wheer's Mr. Bunting? -We canna staryt wi'out 'im. Give us another five minutes. How's room? -Open door theer and see. - -Jones (_opening door c. Confused murmur as of a crowd is heard through -it_). Pretty nigh packed. They'll noan thank us for bein' late. - -Livesey. Close th' door. - -(_Jones closes the door and shuts off the sound, dropping R.C._) - -Livesey. Tha'd best begin, Bob. A'll follow thee, an' Mr. Bunting can -say 'is bit when A've done. Then we'll put it to the vote, strike or no -strike. - -Pullen (_sourly_). Tha's no need to trouble. Theer'll be no strike. - -Livesey. That remains to be seen. We'll give _'_em every chance. No use -startin' a strike wi'out weighin' things oop proper first. What'll tha -say Bob? - -Jones (_takes notes from his pocket_). This 'ere's what Mr. Bunting give -me to say. A'm straight fur striking. Tha knows that. - -Alcott. Aye. - -Pullen. Well, A say it's noan reeght, Joe Livesey. Tha's goin' to shoot -th' mon first an' tell 'im why arterwards. Give 'im a chance. It's th' -least us can do. 'E's a real good sort, is ould Thompson. - -(_Enter r. Clavering and Charlie. They put coats and hats on the rack -R._) - -Charlie. Good evening. Meeting not begun yet, I see. - -Jones. We were nobbut waitin' on you, sir. (_He looks at Clavering._) - -Charlie. All right. I met the doctor on the doorstep and brought him -along to say a few words. - -Livesey (_to Clavering_). Glad to see you with us, sir. - -Clav. (_nervously_). Er--yes. I'd like to speak to Mr. Bunting first if -you don't mind. Suppose you fellows go on to the platform and set the -ball rolling. We'll follow. - -Jones. All reeght. (_A little awkwardly._) Tha'll noan be long wilta? -We's none on us much at speakin' on our own, tha knows. - -Charlie (_reassuringly_). Don't be afraid of me, I'll do the talking. If -the men don't strike, it won't be my fault.. - -Livesey. That's the ticket. (_Passing to door c._) - -Alcott. Give it 'em hot, sir. (_Following him._) - -Jones. It will mean a lot coomin' from thee. (_Following._) - -Charlie. We'll do our best, both of us. - -(_Exeunt c. Livesey, Alcott and Jones. A burst of cheering is heard, -then Jones closes the door._) - -Pullen. (_following the others, stopping before Charlie_) If this not -above takin' a bit o' advice from me, Maister Banting, tha'll be careful -what tha says about striking. Theer's me an' a good few others as -'ave put our yeads together, and we're gom to see as this business o' -striking gets no forrader. - -Charlie. (_surprised_). What's this? (_Clavering paces about -impatiently._) - -Pullen. We don't want no strike. If us wants brass, let's ask un for it -fair an' straight. Striking's not th' square thing. - -Charlie (_roused and speaking passionately_). Are you blind, man? -Is Thompson straight with you. Do you expect a bloated bigwig of the -British belly class to give you your rights before you force him into -it? (_Clavering makes a gesture of despair._) In the whole history of -industrial employment have employers ever given employés their rights -until they were forced to? (_Clavering tries to cheek the stream -in vain._) They tell you of humane legislation, of factory acts and -sanitary regulations. Humane legislation! What was it but the capitalist -ruling classes giving way inch by inch before the pressure of the -masses? - -(_Clavering puts his hand on Charlie s shoulder. Pullen has been -retreating step by step before the flow of eloquence and now stands -cornered and unaole to escape in the left hand corner. Charlie swings -round irritably on Clavering._) - -Charlie. What's the matter? - -Clav. (_soothingly_). Yes, yes, yes, old man. Keep all that for in -there. (_Nodding at door c._) Don t waste it on the desert air of an -ante-room. Let Pullen go. I want to talk to you. - -Pullen. Aye. Soom one _'_ad best talk to _'_im if _'_e means to go on -that gait in theer. - -Clav. (_impatiently_). Yes. All right, my man. Won't you go on to the -platform now? - -Pullen. Aye. (_Crossing._) A'm going. (_He opens the door c. Livesey is -heard speaking inside._) - -Livesey (_off, c., his back visible to audience as he stands speaking_). -Comrades, a strike is a terrible thing. Do not let us mak' light o' -it. When we call on you to decide whether to strike or not------------- -(_With a gesture of disgust and a muttered "Yah," Pullen goes out c. and -closes the door behind him._) - -Charlie. Thank goodness they're not all that type--pig-headed, beery -lout. Now, old man, I suppose you want to talk about our speeches. It's -no good both saying the same thing. . - -Clav. There's no fear of my saying the same as you. - -Charlie. Oh, I don't know. It's as well to have a plan. (_Breaking off -in a kind of exultation._) Oh, Clavering, Clavering, isn't it great? -This is my night, my night of nights. Tell me I deserve it, old chap. -Haven't I worked for it? It's been no joke to wake those fellows up from -their lethargy, their ignorance, their ridiculous submission. But I did -it, I alone. Oh, you've done something--the book--but you left me the -men. That was what I wanted. They were mine. How I argued, wrestled, -fought with them till they saw the truth, till I lighted up their dull -intelligence and fanned the spark till it became the flame that this -night's work shall cause to blaze and demolish! (_Clavering stands in a -noncommittal attitude, but Charlie does not note his detachment._) -You mustn't grudge it me, Clavering. It's my night of triumph, the -culminating point of all my efforts. I haven't a doubt in me. I'm so -right, so utterly right. Nothing can stand before me now. They've tried -to stop me--my father, Thompson--and they've failed. Truth must out. -There must be justice at all costs, Clavering, at all costs. This is the -dawn of a new era for Thompson's men. Congratulate me, my ally! Oh, but -I don't want your help. It's kind of you to come, but tonight I need no -aid. I'm strong. I could sweep them off their feet in there. But yes, -you must come with me. Come, let us go. (_Clutching Clavering as if to -carry him bodily in._) - -Clay (_eluding him_). Not yet. - -Charlie (_astonished_). Why not? - -Clav. I cannot come with you. - -Charlie. But why? We've the same ideas about these things. - -Clav. (_significantly_). We had. - -Charlie (_puzzled_). We had? What do you mean? - -Clav. Don't be angry with me. I've been thinking over the thing -and--well--things have been happening. - -Charlie. You don't--no, it can't be true--I can't believe it. You! The -book! (_Realizing it._) Good God, he's bought you off. - -Clav. (_firmly_). The book's all right and I don't allow such language, -Charlie. - -Charlie (_bitterly_). I could have staked my life on your sincerity. -I--I hope you got a good price for your silence, Dr. Clavering. - -Clav. Don't be a fool. I tell you I'm not going to be silent. The book -will appear right enough, and there'll be a note in it to say that the -respirator's in use at Thompson's works. - -Charlie (_staggered_). What! - -Clav. Yes. Come, now, haven't we got what we wanted? Isn't it worth -while to be bribed? - -Charlie (_recovering himself_). Not by that man. - -Clav. Oh, you're an extremist. (_Crossing over to fire._) - -Charlie. Yes, where Thompson's concerned I am. (_By door c._) - -Clav. Well, I'm not. His way's only relatively bad and if he adopts the -respirator-- - -Charlie (_interrupting_). His way is the way of the slave-driver. He -trades in the lives of men. - -Clav. Oh, rot, man. You're drunk with words. - -Charlie (_laughing bitterly_). You're defending your last ditch now. You -can't refute me; you can only revile, and the average coalheaver could -give you points at that. - -Clav. That doesn't get us much further. - -Charlie. Well, it doesn't matter much. After all, you're only one more -against me, and I'm not afraid. Nothing can stand in my path to-night. -I didn't feel the need for you. I can do without your speaking, Dr. -Clavering. - -Clav. Oh, I'm going to speak. Mr. Thompson asked me to speak. - -Charlie. (_Controlling himself visibly_). What are you going to say? - -Clav. I've to tell them I'm appointed medical officer at the works. That -means free doctoring for the men. (_Cynically._) They didn't often -pay me anyhow, but it's officially free now instead of being a private -benevolence of mine. - -Charlie. Yes, he's bought you by the respirator and made you his -creature by offering you a salary; (_Bitterly._) And I thought you were -an honest man! - -Clav. (_quietly_). I've got to look after myself like everybody else. - -(_Enter John r., palpably agitated and panting._) - -John (_seeing Charlie_). Thank God I'm in time. - -Charlie (_coldly_). In time for what? - -John. To stop you. You've not spoken yet, have you? - -Charlie. No, but you'll not stop me. - -John. Dr. Clavering, tell him he mustn't. You're his friend, he'll -listen to you. Won't you help me to stop this folly? - -Clav. I can't, Mr. Bunting. You can't cork up Niagara. - -John (_distractedly_). Charlie, remember what this means to me. Jabez -will have no mercy if you incite his men to rebel against him. Think of -your father, my boy. - -(_Clavering with a shrug strolls to the hack and stands aloof._) - -Charlie. I can't betray my principles even to save you, whatever other -people can do when it suits their interests. (_With a backward glance at -Clavering, who smiles cynically._) - -John (_pitiably_). You're throwing away my life. I can't face the -disgrace, Charlie. - -Charlie (_firmly_). Nevertheless, I must speak. (_Going up l.c. by c. -doors._) - -John. For mercy's sake, be reasonable. - -Charlie (_Hotly_) Reasonable! What do you mean by "reasonable"? That I -should put your petty pride before the health and wellbeing of scores -of men and women. No, father, I can't be "reasonable." I've nailed my -colours to the mast and I shall speak--speak as I've never spoken yet, -speak with all my heart and soul. I've to fight Thompson in there, -Thompson and his renegade, this turncoat, Clavering, and I shall fight -to win. Right is with me and I'm not afraid to fight without the gloves. -(_He goes off c. in a kind of frenzied exultation. A burst of cheering -greets him cut off by his closing the door._) - -Clav. (_sneeringly_). Melodramatic ass! - -John (_sinking into a chair r. of table, and burying his face in his -hands on the table_). What shall I do? What shall I do? - -Clav. Umph! It's a pity he's too big an infant to have some sense -whipped into him, Mr. Bunting. - -John. Don't mock an old man's ruin. - -(_Enter r. Rose and then Jabez._) - -Jabez (_briskly_). Oh, here you are, Clavering. Sit down, Rosie. Dirty -hole it is. I can't think why on earth you insisted on coming here. -(_Clavering dusts a chair R. with his hand and places it for her._) - -Rosie. Thanks. (_To Jabez._) Of course I came. I couldn't stay away. -I had to know what happened, and I knew you'd never tell me. (_Jabez -snorts and looks round, seeing John, who had again sunk his face wrapt -up in his misery. Clavering shuts the door which Jabez had left open. -John rises and approaches Jabez appealingly. Jabez sees him with -surprise._) - -Jabez. Hullo, John. - -John (_rising_). Jabez, for pity's sake. - -Jabez (_impatiently_). Oh, I've no time to waste now, John, (_John -goes l. and leans head on mantelpiece._) I'll see you later. (_To -Clavering_). I suppose Charlie's on his hind legs by now? (_Up to c. -doors._) - -Clav. Yes. That's the platform entrance. (_He crosses to it._) - -Jabez. Wait a bit. Don't go yet. (_Clavering stops._) Open the door and -let's listen to him. (_Clavering opens doors, disclosing Charlie's hack -as he stands speaking on platform._) - -Charlie (_off, c._). Your trade's dangerous. You don't make old bones. -If you're not poisoned by fumes at forty, you're chucked on the scrap -heap because you're no longer strong enough to work. Don't you deserve -some compensation when you risk your lives every day you work, when -you're only fit to work while you're young? Life is a handicap where the -weakest starts at scratch and the devil takes the hindmost. (_Cheers. -Clavering makes a questioning gesture._) - -Jabez. No. Hear him out. (_Clavering nods, still holding the door -open._) - -Charlie (_off, c._). You're not dogs. You're men. (_Cheers._) You want -decent homes and a bit of pleasure in life and something to put by for -the time when you can't work! How are you going to do it? - -Livesey (_off, c._). Demand higher wages. Strike! (_Cries off of -"Strike," "More wages," "Vote."_) - -Jabez (_motioning Clavering_). That'll do, Clavering. (_Clavering shuts -the door and comes down stairs._) - -John (_putting out his hand in timid appeal_). Jabez! - -Jabez (_impatiently_). Well, what is it? - -John. Don't be hard on me, Jabez. I've tried to stop him. I've done my -best, indeed I have. - -Jabez (_impatiently_). Oh, I've no time to waste now, John. Anyhow you'd -better come in yonder with me. It'll show 'em you're not of the same -mind as Charlie. - -John (_eagerly_). Anything, Jabez. I'll do anything if you won't throw -me over. - -Jabez. Well, we'll see about that later. Come along. - -(_Exit Jabez c., John following. Slight murmurs and hoots. Clavering -goes up the stairs, hesitates, then closes the door and turns, looking -at Rosie._) - -Clav. Miss Thompson! - -Rosie (_coldly, looking up_). Did you speak to me, Dr. Clavering? - -Clav. (_smilingly_). Yes. Mayn't I? (_Coming forward._) - -Rosie (_huffily_). You can speak if you like. I don't undertake to -reply. - -Clav. I'm sorry if I've offended you. Won't you tell me why? - -Rosie. You've treated Mr. Bunting very shabbily, and I really don't wish -to hear another word from you. - -Clav. Oh, don't say that. I've tried so often to get a chance of -speaking to you alone. I've hungered for it, but it never came. Your -radiant health stood in the way of even a professional visit. I found an -excuse to come last night. - -Rosie. So Alcott's illness was only an excuse. Isn't he ill? - -Clav. Of course he's ill. What does Alcott matter? He's only one more -ground up in the mill--and your father sent you from the room because I -broke his absurd rule of mentioning a works affair in your presence. I -knew the rule, and I risked his displeasure on the chance of seeing you -alone to plead my cause. - -Rosie. Your cause was Alcott, wasn't it? - -Clav. My cause was myself. You've not forgotten, have you, what I asked -you once before, how I came to you two years ago----? - -Rosie. What do you mean? I think it is you who forget. Must I remind you -that I am engaged to be married to Mr. Bunting? (_Clavering gets chair -r. of table and sits facing Rosie._) - -Clav. Of course I know that nominally you are engaged to him. (_Rosie -tries to interrupt in vain._) _I_ know how it all happened--an old -standing idea between your father and his. But really, really, these -family arrangements are out of date. I tell you, Miss Thompson, if I -could think for one moment that you were satisfied to marry Charlie, I'd -pluck my tongue out rather than speak to you like this. I won't believe -it. It's an "arrangement" which suits neither of you. Charlie kicks -openly against the pricks. Your splendid loyalty makes you submit in -silence. Loyalty and submission have their uses, but you must never let -this relic of bygone days survive to wreck our happiness. - -Rosie. _Our_ happiness! - -Clav. Oh, if you want proof of my devotion, haven't I given it to you? -I kept my bond. I've let you know of all illness amongst your father's -hands, and I've seen that no word of your ministrations reached his ear. -You mustn't think of Charlie. He's an inconsequential wobbler. Oh! he -sees what he wants all right, but his only idea of getting it is to bash -at everything in his way with a battering ram. He can't finesse. - -Rosie. No. I think that's rather fine of him myself. - -Clav. Fine! What good's he done? See what I've done already without your -help. The respirator's going to be used and the men get free doctoring. -I've done that. I alone. Charlie's only talked about it. Think how much -more I could do for the men if I had the help of your influence with -your father, if I were--your husband. - -Rosie (_rising. Clavering rises_). Dr. Clavering, before I was engaged -to Charlie you asked me to marry you. You remember my answer? - -Clav. Yes, but circumstances have changed. Rosie. Yes, they've changed. -Your proposal then was an honourable one, for I was free to choose, and -I refused you gently, hoping to spare you pain. To-day my answer is the -same, with this addition, that were I free to choose as I was then, I -should choose an honest man, a man who couldn't "finesse". - -(_Enter John, c. Shouts and clapping heard. Jabez' back seen as he -stands speaking._) - -Clav. (_recovering himself with an effort_). Well, Mr. Bunting, how are -things going in there? - -John. Listen. Jabez is speaking now. - -Jabez (_off c. speaking in a genial way_). It is like this, lads. I -always like to think of myself as the father of my men. I'm proud of you -fellows. The way you back me up when the spying factory inspectors come -round is a thing any man would be proud of.... - -Pullen (_off_). We're glad to do it for you, sir. (_Clavering whistles -softly and looks at Rosie, who avoids his eye._) - -Jabez (_off_). We're just a big family, and I'd like to think we're -a happy-one. But in a big family there's bound to be some selfish lad -who's discontented and tries to make others discontented. I'll name no -names. - -Clav. (_Softly_) That's one for Master Charlie. - -Jabez (_Off_) I tell you I'm a sight poorer in yon hall than you -fellows in your cosy cottages. You think you'd like to change -places with me. I wish some of you could, and see how you'd like the -responsibility of finding work to keep the shop going for a week or two. -Damn it, lads, I'm a raven. I know that as well as you do, but I've got -to dress up in peacock's feathers and pretend. I'm no end of a swell -for your sakes. It's all bluff--it's the way business is done nowadays. -Appearances count. - -(_Cries off of "That's right, that's right." "Good old Thompson!" "Go -on." He proceeds with a threat in his voice._) - -Many a time I've been that worried over getting in the orders I've had -half a mind to shut up shop. Don't drive me too far or I'll do it. Where -_'_ud you be then? There's enough working men walking the streets. -How _'_ud you fellows like to join 'em? I know it's not an easy life. -(_Plaintively._) I'm doing my level best to make it easier. Only to-day -I've arranged with Dr. Clavering---- - -Clav. That's my cue. I'd better show up. - -Jabez (_continuing_). To give him an appointment as medical officer to -my works. You'll get free doctoring. (_Clavering goes out c. quickly, -closing the door._) - -John (_looking at Rosie appealingly_). Rosie! - -Rosie. Yes, Mr. Bunting? (_Rises._) - -John (_pitifully_). Don't let him be hard on me, my dear. I've done my -best. If only you will speak to him. You can always have your way with -your father. (_He puts out his hands appealingly._) - -Rosie (_taking his hand in hers and patting it as if soothing a -frightened child_). Don't be afraid. Do you think I'd let you two old -gentlemen quarrel about nothing? Charlie's father and mine must always -be good friends. - -John (_relieved and almost tearful_). Oh, my dear! (_Distressed again_). -But Charlie------(_He breaks off._) - -Rosie (_encouragingly_). Yes? - -John. You're not going to marry him after what's happened. - -Rosie. Why, of course I am. - -John (_bewildered_). But--I don't know anything--I thought he'd---- - -Rosie (_soothingly_). Never mind, Mr. Bunting. I promise you father -shan't be nasty to you. - -John (_pressing her hand._) Bless you, my dear, bless you. You don't -know what that means to me. (_He goes out r., blunderingly. The murmur -of great applause comes from c. Rosie looks off c. expectantly. The door -opens and the sound increases. Enter Jabez visibly glowing with heat and -triumph, Clavering all smiles, and a little behind Charlie, very much -dejected. The door remains open and the sound dies down gradually._) - -Jabez. Thanks, Clavering. You did that very neatly. - -Clav. (_obsequiously_). You'd done the trick before I opened my mouth, -sir. (_Charlie goes to the back with the evident intention of effacing -himself._) - -Jabez (_briskly_). Well, nothing to stay here for. We'd better be going, -Rosie. - -Clav. It's all over but the shouting. (_A cry heard off--"Douse 'un in -th' 'orse-trough."_) - -Jabez (_skarply_). What's that? - -(_Enter Pullen c._) - -Clav. Some of the shouting. - -Pullen. There's going to be no strike, sir. - -Jabez. Of course not. There never was the least chance of it. (_Charlie -stands near door r._) - -Pullen (_scratching his head_). A dunno about that. A thowt it a pretty -near thing at one time afore tha coom in. - -Jabez (_confidently_). Rubbish, man. Mere talk. Never deceived me for a -moment. - -(_Enter c. Livesey, Jones and Alcott. They look sidelong at Jabez and -slink behind to their hats. Livesey goes to Charlie._) - -Livesey. They're talking yonder o' dousing thee in _'_th -_'_orse-trough, Mr. Bunting. Tha'd best be off whoam sharp. (_Gets his -cap, r._) - -Alcott. Aye, theer's none on us lot finished oop what tha might call -_'_ot favourites. - -Jabez (_turning_). Oh, Livesey, that you? Shake hands. No malice, I -hope? (_Livesey puts out his hand shyly, Jabez shakes it cordially, -shaking after with Jones and Alcott, the latter of whom rubs his -hand first on his trouser leg._) Good night, lads. (_Charlie sits r. -dejectedly._) - -Jones. Good night, sir. (_They go out r._) - -Alcott. (_Then comes to Jabez with hand extended. Jabez off-handedly, -dismissing him_). - -Jabez. Good night, Pullen. - -Pullen (_drawing back disappointedly on seeing he is not to shake -hands_). Good night, sir. - -(_Exit Pullen r._) - -Jabez (_to Clavering_). There'll be no more trouble with those fellows. -They know they're marked men now. - -Clav. (_flatteringly_). You do know how to manage them, sir. - -Jabez. It's cheap at a handshake. You might cut along after them and -talk to the men as they come out. See what I mean? (_Walking with -Clavering to the door r._). We can't make too sure of a thing. -(_Clavering nods and goes out r., lifting coat and hat from rack r. as -he goes. Jabez turns and sees Charlie._) Well, Charlie, not sulking, are -you? (_Claps Charlie on the shoulder._) - -Charlie (_rises_). You'd no right to speak, Mr. Thompson. It was my -meeting, not yours. - -Jabez. Oh come, Charlie. All's fair in love and war. You can't tell me -I didn't give you your chance. You'd done before I went in. Come, shake -hands and be friends. You're fairly beaten. Take your gruel like a man. - -Charlie (_Jerking his head up_). Yes, I'm beaten this time. But -it won't be so always, and you needn't think it will. Ingrained -conservatism and a silly tradition of loyalty have won for you this -time. You've bamboozled the majority to-night; but to-night's majority -is the minority of to-morrow. - -Jabez. Look here, Charlie. Take an old man's advice and give it up. -You've had your fling with the men and a pretty hash you've made of it. - -Charlie. Oh, I'm giving it up all right. You needn't worry about that. -I'm going away. - -Rosie (_involuntarily_). Going away! (_She makes a slight move -forward._) - -Jabez. Where? - -Charlie (_ignoring Rosie--to Jabez_). Oh, I don't know. I'm clearing out -of this. I haven't thought where. What does that matter? - -Rosie. But why, Charlie? - -Jabez. Oh, that's as plain as the nose on his face. (_To Charlie._) -You're frightened of the men. You've been taught to-night that your -second-hand, second-rate ideas may look very pretty in a book, but they -won't wash in real life, and instead of facing it like a man and staying -here to live this down, you can think of nothing better than running -away. - -Charlie. If you're going to insult me by telling me I'm afraid of a few -fools whose only idea of argument is physical force, I'd better say good -night. (_Turning as if to go r._) - -Jabez. You think you've done something fine, don't you? (_r.c._) I -shouldn't wondor if you consider yourself quite a hero, eh, Charlie? - -Charlie. No. (_Crossing to Jabez._) I'm a man looking for a job. - -Jabez. You won't keep it long if you can't learn to mind your own -business. - -Charlie. My business is Chemical Research. It was you who wanted me to -leave it and mix myself up with other matters. - -Jabez. I wanted you to be a rational member of society, sir, not a -damned labour agitator and a failure at that. You boasted you could sway -a mob. Sway a mob! Why, man, you couldn't sway a child. You don't know -the A.B.C. of public speaking. - -Charlie. Oh, you've a right to boast. Vae Victis. - -Jabez. Yes, vanquished on your own ground, Charlie. You said you'd -speak, and you've spoken. A fat lot better off you are too. Now look -here, Charlie, you're a young fool, but I've alwrays been fond of you, -and I'm ready to take a lenient view of this. - -Charlie (_r.c._). Lenient view! - -Jabez. Yes... I've tumbled to what your silly twaddle really is. You've -simply been sowing your wild oats like any other young fellow, only it -wouldn't be you if you did things like other people. Most fellows do it -over cards or a woman or a lot of women. You've done it over my workmen. -And the point is, the point is that you _have_ sown them, that it's done -with, ended for good and all--------(_Charlie turns to speak._) Confound -you, don't interrupt. You've had your innings, now it's my turn. You're -going to drop your cursed--what's it called?--altruism--and you'll -settle down cosily and comfortably with Rosie. That's your programme, my -boy. - -Charlie. To be not only a fool myself, but a breeder of fools! (_Rosie -turns to fire._) It's no good, Mr. Thompson. I tell you I am going -away. I must slip the cable if I'm to have any respect for myself after -to-night's work. (_Going p. to coat rack._) - -Rosie (_turning, quietly_). Father, how long is it since you had a -cigar? - -Jabez. I don't know. - -Rosie. I am sure it's time you had another. (_Jabez takes case out._) - -Jabez. Thank you, my dear. - -Rosie (_apparently shocked_). Oh, but you mustn't smoke here. Go to the -air and smoke your cigar on the step till I come. (_Gently manoeuvring -him towards the dao? r._) - -Jabez (_going reluclantly_) But what are you going to do? - -Rosie. It will be all right. You see, this isn't a works' affair any -longer, is it? - -Jabez. No. I suppose it isn't. - -Rosie. So it's quite right for mc to speak to Charlie now. I shan't be -long. (_Jabez goes out r., his bearing indicating that he does so under -proest. Rosie closes the door behind him and faces Charlie._) - -Rosie. Now, Charlie! - -Charlie (_trying to escape_). I must be going. Good night, Miss -Thompson, and good-by. (_Holding his hand out._) - -Rosie (_ignoring the hand standing with her back to the door she has -just closed._) Don't be silly, Charlie. - -Charlie. There's another door, you know. (_Looking c._) - -Rosie. The main entrance will be locked long since. - -Charlie (_accepting the situation._) What do you want with me? - -Rosie (_coming forward from the door and speaking softly._) I want to -help you. - -Charlie. I don't want your help. I want to be alone. Can't you -understand my wanting to crawl away and hide? Won't you let me go? - -Rosie (_sympathetically_). I want to help you. - -Charlie. Your father's right, Rosie. I've made a hash of things. There's -nothing left for me to do here now. I've shot my bolt. - -Rosie. What do you propose to do? - -Chaelie (_irritably_). Oh, I don't know yet. Go on living, I suppose. I -shan't starve. I'm a qualified chemist. That's worth something anywhere. -(_Sitting l.c. on corner oj table._) - -Rosie. You're worth more here. - -Charlie. Here! I can never hold my head up again after to-night. You -don't understand what it is I've tried to do. - -Rosie. I understand very well, and I don't quarrel with what you wished -to do, but you've gone about it in the wrong way. You were wrong, -utterly wrong, in talking to my father as you did. What made you do it? - -Charlie. I only told him the truth. - -Rosie. The truth! Don't you know that there are times when it's criminal -to tell the truth? - -Charlie. Never! - -Rosie. You won't persuade a man like my father to see the error of his -ways by blurting out a bundle of unpleasant truths. You're a reformer -in a hurry. You won't realize that his convictions are just as strong as -yours and that he is too old to alter. - -Charlie (_With some slight return of spirit_) And I'm too young -to alter. We've got beyond the point when wisdom was regarded as the -monopoly of senile decay. I won't turn back. (_Rising from table and -going l._) - -Rosie. My dear boy, I don't ask you to. I only ask you to advance -intelligently, (_over to Charlie, l._) to understand that the odds -against you are too great for you to fight single-handed. - -Charlie (_gloomily_). You're quite right. I'm a broken gambler. I'm -bankrupt for this fight now--bankrupt with no assets. Your father's got -them all. - -Rosie. No, Charlie, not all. You've one asset that he'd give half his -wealth to have. - -Charlie. I have? What's that? - -Rosie. You've youth. You can afford to wait. You mustn't throw up the -sponge and fly at a first reverse. - -Charlie. It seems so hopeless to try to do anything here. I thought I'd -got hold of the men. Tonight's work has settled all that. I shall never -recover my influence. I don't know--of course one never does--but there -might be some place in the world where I could be of use. There's just -a chance, and I want to try again--to redeem all this. These things -mean so much to me--more than anything else in the world. -Suffering--poverty--I see them so clearly. Whenever I think of other -things, things I desire, my own personal wishes--they get in the way. - -Rosie. And are you alone blessed with eyesight? Do you think me blind? -Do you combine your modern socialism with a mediaeval conception of -women? Charlie, if the men's condition has been an obsession with you, -with me it's been the passion of a lifetime. It's gone near to wrecking -my life. - -Charlie (_involuntarily_). How? - -Rosie. Because I needed help and I sought an instrument. A woman's -handicapped. I can do a lot with my father, but I never dared to -interfere openly at the works. That was his territory, and I knew he'd -stand no petticoat government there. I wanted a man's help. I wanted -you. - -Charlie. Why didn't you tell me this before? We could have done so much? - -Rosie. Charlie, do you realize that I'd to live with my father? You -had your differences with him, but at any rate they were confined to -business hours. For me, there was no escape. I lived under the same roof -with him, so I'd to do my good by stealth unknown to him. - -Charlie. But why keep it from me? - -Rosie (_pityingly_). My dear boy! - -Charlie. Well? - -Rosie. You, with your passion for the truth! - -Charlie (_a little hotly_). Do you object to that? - -Rosie. I like it. But it made it impossible for me to tell you this -before. - -Charlie. Why? (_Pause._) - -Rosie. Charlie, if I had told you, would you have kept it to yourself? - -Charlie. Why should I do that? - -Rosie. Exactly. Sooner or later you'd have blurted it all out to my -father, and I could have done no more good, no more little charities, -no more small alleviations. What sort of a life do you suppose I should -have had if he'd learnt that I had broken through his rule, that I was -doing all I could to soften his harsh management and to make things -easier for his pecple when they fell ill? - -Charlie. You've been doing that? How little I knew you! - -Rosie. It wasn't much, but I did what I could. - -Charlie. What a sweep I've been! - -Rosie. You're going to stay? - -Charlie. Yes, I'm going to stay. I've been a fool. I thought I hadn't -time for marriage. I thought a wife would be a drag. I--I thought myself -a tower of strength. - -Rosie (_smiling_). It had to be, Charlie. A poet always marries a cook. - -Charlie. You mustn't talk like that. I'm not fit for you. I've played -with you. I thought of you as Thompson's daughter, content with him and -all he stands for. And all the time I wanted you, wanted you horribly. -Only that stood in the way. I loved you while I tried to hate you for -what I thought you were. I know you better now. You're going to help me. -That's kind, that's generous of you. I need you so much, Rosie. - -Rosie. I'm ready now, father. - -Jabez. About time, too. - -Rosie. Charlie's coming home with us father. - -Jabez. But the men are all outside, they'll all see, - -Rosie. Why shouldn't they? Have you forgotten that we're going to be -married on April 25? Come along, Charlie. (_She takes his arm and urges him -to door. Jabez stares aghast, then follows Charlie's hat and coat._) - - -CURTAIN. - - - - - -End of the Project Gutenberg EBook of Dealing in Futures, by Harold Brighouse - -*** END OF THIS PROJECT GUTENBERG EBOOK DEALING IN FUTURES *** - -***** This file should be named 55289-0.txt or 55289-0.zip ***** -This and all associated files of various formats will be found in: - http://www.gutenberg.org/5/5/2/8/55289/ - -Produced by David Widger from page images generously -provided by the Internet Archive - - -Updated editions will replace the previous one--the old editions will -be renamed. - -Creating the works from print editions not protected by U.S. copyright -law means that no one owns a United States copyright in these works, -so the Foundation (and you!) can copy and distribute it in the United -States without permission and without paying copyright -royalties. 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