[Enid puts her work on the little table, and faces him.]

Filling a sieve with sand!

Enid.  Don’t!

Anthony.  You think with your gloved hands you can cure the trouble of the century.

     [He passes on. ]

Enid.  Father!

     [Anthony Stops at the double doors.]

I’m only thinking of you!

Anthony. [More softly.] I can take care of myself, my dear.

Enid.  Have you thought what’ll happen if you’re beaten—­ [she points]—­in there?

Anthony.  I don’t mean to be.

Enid.  Oh!  Father, don’t give them a chance.  You’re not well; need you go to the meeting at all?

Anthony. [With a grim smile.] Cut and run?

Enid.  But they’ll out-vote you!

Anthony. [Putting his hand on the doors.] We shall see!

Enid.  I beg you, Dad!  Won’t you?

     [Anthony looks at her softly.]

     [Anthony shakes his head.  He opens the doors.  A buzz of voices
     comes in.]

Scantlebury.  Can one get dinner on that 6.30 train up?

Tench.  No, Sir, I believe not, sir.

Wilder.  Well, I shall speak out; I’ve had enough of this.

Edgar. [Sharply.] What?

[It ceases instantly.  Anthony passes through, closing the doors behind him.  Enid springs to them with a gesture of dismay.  She puts her hand on the knob, and begins turning it; then goes to the fireplace, and taps her foot on the fender.  Suddenly she rings the bell.  Frost comes in by the door that leads into the hall.]

Frost. Yes, M’m?

Enid.  When the men come, Frost, please show them in here; the hall ’s cold.

Frost. I could put them in the pantry, M’m.

Enid.  No.  I don’t want to—­to offend them; they’re so touchy.

Frost. Yes, M’m. [Pause.] Excuse me, Mr. Anthony’s ’ad nothing to eat all day.

Enid.  I know Frost.

Frost. Nothin’ but two whiskies and sodas, M’m.

Enid.  Oh! you oughtn’t to have let him have those.

Frost. [Gravely.] Mr. Anthony is a little difficult, M’m.  It’s not as if he were a younger man, an’ knew what was good for ’im; he will have his own way.

Enid.  I suppose we all want that.

Frost. Yes, M’m. [Quietly.] Excuse me speakin’ about the strike.  I’m sure if the other gentlemen were to give up to Mr. Anthony, and quietly let the men ’ave what they want, afterwards, that’d be the best way.  I find that very useful with him at times, M’m.

     [Enid shakes hey head.]

If he’s crossed, it makes him violent. [with an air of discovery], and I’ve noticed in my own case, when I’m violent I’m always sorry for it afterwards.