Anthony. I am.
Enid. It’ll break you down.
Anthony. [Slowly.] My dear, I am not going to funk; on that you may rely.
[Re-enter Tench
with papers; he glances at them, then plucking
up courage.]
Tench. Beg pardon, Madam, I think I’d rather see these papers were disposed of before I get my lunch.
[Enid, after an
impatient glance at him, looks at her father,
turns suddenly, and
goes into the drawing-room.]
Tench. [Holding the papers and a pen to Anthony, very nervously.] Would you sign these for me, please sir?
[Anthony takes the pen and signs.]
Tench. [Standing with a sheet of blotting-paper behind EDGAR’S chair, begins speaking nervously.] I owe my position to you, sir.
Anthony. Well?
Tench. I’m obliged to see everything that’s going on, sir; I—I depend upon the Company entirely. If anything were to happen to it, it’d be disastrous for me. [Anthony nods.] And, of course, my wife’s just had another; and so it makes me doubly anxious just now. And the rates are really terrible down our way.
Anthony. [With grim amusement.] Not more terrible than they are up mine.
Tench. No, Sir? [Very nervously.] I know the Company means a great deal to you, sir.
Anthony. It does; I founded it.
Tench. Yes, Sir. If the strike goes on it’ll be very serious. I think the Directors are beginning to realise that, sir.
Anthony. [Ironically.] Indeed?
Tench. I know you hold very strong views, sir, and it’s always your habit to look things in the face; but I don’t think the Directors— like it, sir, now they—they see it.
Anthony. [Grimly.] Nor you, it seems.
Tench. [With the ghost of a smile.] No, sir; of course I’ve got my children, and my wife’s delicate; in my position I have to think of these things.
[Anthony nods.]
It was n’t that I was going to say, sir, if you’ll excuse me—— [hesitates]
Anthony. Out with it, then!
Tench. I know—from my own father, sir, that when you get on in life you do feel things dreadfully——
Anthony. [Almost paternally.] Come, out with it, Trench!
Tench. I don’t like to say it, sir.
Anthony. [Stonily.] You Must.
Tench. [After a pause, desperately bolting it
out.] I think the
Directors are going to throw you over, sir.
Anthony. [Sits in silence.] Ring the bell!
[Tench nervously rings the bell and stands by the fire.]
Tench. Excuse me for saying such a thing. I was only thinking of you, sir.