Scantlebury. [Without uncovering his ears.] Coroner’s jury!  No, no, it’s not a case for that!

Edgar.  I ’ve had enough of cowardice.

Wanklin.  Cowardice is an unpleasant word, Mr. Edgar Anthony.  It will look very like cowardice if we suddenly concede the men’s demands when a thing like this happens; we must be careful!

Wilder.  Of course we must.  We’ve no knowledge of this matter, except a rumour.  The proper course is to put the whole thing into the hands of Harness to settle for us; that’s natural, that’s what we should have come to any way.

Scantlebury. [With dignity.] Exactly! [Turning to Edgar.] And as to you, young sir, I can’t sufficiently express my—­my distaste for the way you’ve treated the whole matter.  You ought to withdraw!  Talking of starvation, talking of cowardice!  Considering what our views are!  Except your own is—­is one of goodwill—­it’s most irregular, it’s most improper, and all I can say is it’s—­it’s given me pain——­

     [He places his hand over his heart.]

Edgar. [Stubbornly.] I withdraw nothing.

[He is about to say mote when Scantlebury once more coveys up his ears.  Tench suddenly makes a demonstration with the minute-book.  A sense of having been engaged in the unusual comes over all of them, and one by one they resume their seats.  Edgar alone remains on his feet.]

Wilder. [With an air of trying to wipe something out.] I pay no attention to what young Mr. Anthony has said.  Coroner’s jury!  The idea’s preposterous.  I—­I move this amendment to the Chairman’s Motion:  That the dispute be placed at once in the hands of Mr. Simon Harness for settlement, on the lines indicated by him this morning.  Any one second that?

     [Tench writes in his book.]

Wanklin.  I do.

Wilder.  Very well, then; I ask the Chairman to put it to the Board.

Anthony. [With a great sigh-slowly.] We have been made the subject of an attack. [Looking round at Wilder and Scantlebury with ironical contempt.] I take it on my shoulders.  I am seventy-six years old.  I have been Chairman of this Company since its inception two-and-thirty years ago.  I have seen it pass through good and evil report.  My connection with it began in the year that this young man was born.

     [Edgar bows his head.  Anthony, gripping his chair, goes on.]

I have had do to with “men” for fifty years; I’ve always stood up to them; I have never been beaten yet.  I have fought the men of this Company four times, and four times I have beaten them.  It has been said that I am not the man I was. [He looks at Wilder.] However that may be, I am man enough to stand to my guns.

     [His voice grows stronger.  The double-doors are opened.  Enid
     slips in, followed by Underwood, who restrains her.]