[Wanklin shakes his head.]

Wanklin.  We’re all here, Chairman; what do you say?  Shall we get on with the business, or shall we go back to the other room?

Scantlebury.  Yes, yes; let’s get on.  We must settle something.

     [He turns from a small chair, and settles himself suddenly in
     the largest chair with a sigh of comfort.]

     [Wilder and Wanklin also sit; and Tench, drawing up a
     straight-backed chair close to his Chairman, sits on the edge
     of it with the minute-book and a stylographic pen.]

Enid. [Whispering.] I want to speak to you a minute, Ted.

     [They go out through the double-doors.]

Wanklin.  Really, Chairman, it’s no use soothing ourselves with a sense of false security.  If this strike’s not brought to an end before the General Meeting, the shareholders will certainly haul us over the coals.

Scantlebury. [Stirring.] What—­what’s that?

Wanklin.  I know it for a fact.

Anthony.  Let them!

Wilder.  And get turned out?

Wanklin. [To Anthony.] I don’t mind martyrdom for a policy in which I believe, but I object to being burnt for some one else’s principles.

Scantlebury.  Very reasonable—­you must see that, Chairman.

Anthony.  We owe it to other employers to stand firm.

Wanklin.  There’s a limit to that.

Anthony.  You were all full of fight at the start.

Scantlebury. [With a sort of groan.] We thought the men would give in, but they-have n’t!

Anthony.  They will!

Wilder. [Rising and pacing up and down.] I can’t have my reputation as a man of business destroyed for the satisfaction of starving the men out. [Almost in tears.] I can’t have it!  How can we meet the shareholders with things in the state they are?

Scantlebury.  Hear, hear—­hear, hear!

Wilder. [Lashing himself.] If any one expects me to say to them I’ve lost you fifty thousand pounds and sooner than put my pride in my pocket I’ll lose you another. [Glancing at Anthony.] It’s—­it’s unnatural!  I don’t want to go against you, sir.

Wanklin. [Persuasively.] Come Chairman, we ’re not free agents.  We’re part of a machine.  Our only business is to see the Company earns as much profit as it safely can.  If you blame me for want of principle:  I say that we’re Trustees.  Reason tells us we shall never get back in the saving of wages what we shall lose if we continue this struggle—­really, Chairman, we must bring it to an end, on the best terms we can make.

Anthony.  No.

     [There is a pause of general dismay.]

Wilder.  It’s a deadlock then. [Letting his hands drop with a sort of despair.] Now I shall never get off to Spain!