Scantlebury. [Flurried.] I never said so.

Edgar. [Paying no attention.]—­had put our feet down, the thing would have been ended long ago, and this poor woman’s life wouldn’t have been crushed out of her like this.  For all we can tell there may be a dozen other starving women.

Scantlebury.  For God’s sake, sir, don’t use that word at a—­at a
Board meeting; it’s—­it’s monstrous.

Edgar.  I will use it, Mr. Scantlebury.

Scantlebury.  Then I shall not listen to you.  I shall not listen! 
It’s painful to me.

     [He covers his ears.]

Wanklin.  None of us are opposed to a settlement, except your Father.

Edgar.  I’m certain that if the shareholders knew——­

Wanklin.  I don’t think you’ll find their imaginations are any better than ours.  Because a woman happens to have a weak heart——­

Edgar.  A struggle like this finds out the weak spots in everybody.  Any child knows that.  If it hadn’t been for this cut-throat policy, she need n’t have died like this; and there would n’t be all this misery that any one who is n’t a fool can see is going on.

     [Throughout the foregoing Anthony has eyed his son; he now moves
     as though to rise, but stops as Edgar speaks again.]

I don’t defend the men, or myself, or anybody.

Wanklin.  You may have to!  A coroner’s jury of disinterested sympathisers may say some very nasty things.  We mustn’t lose sight of our position.

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.