Enid.  Go away!

Madge.  I’ve given you the message.

[She turns and goes out into the hall.  Enid, motionless till she has gone, sinks down at the table, bending her head over the frock, which she is still clutching to her.  The double-doors are opened, and Anthony comes slowly in; he passes his daughter, and lowers himself into an arm-chair.  He is very flushed.]

Enid. [Hiding her emotion-anxiously.] What is it, Dad?

     [Anthony makes a gesture, but does not speak.]

Who was it?

     [Anthony does not answer.  Enid going to the double-doors meets
     Edgar Coming in.  They speak together in low tones.]

What is it, Ted?

Edgar.  That fellow Wilder!  Taken to personalities!  He was downright insulting.

Enid.  What did he say?

Edgar.  Said, Father was too old and feeble to know what he was doing!  The Dad’s worth six of him!

Enid.  Of course he is.

     [They look at Anthony.]

     [The doors open wider, Wanklin appears With Scantlebury.]

Scantlebury. [Sotto voce.] I don’t like the look of this!

Wanklin. [Going forward.] Come, Chairman!  Wilder sends you his apologies.  A man can’t do more.

     [Wilder, followed by Tench, comes in, and goes to Anthony.]

Wilder. [Glumly.] I withdraw my words, sir.  I’m sorry.

     [Anthony nods to him.]

Enid.  You have n’t come to a decision, Mr. Wanklin?

     [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.