[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.]

The men have been treated justly, they have had fair wages, we have always been ready to listen to complaints.  It has been said that times have changed; if they have, I have not changed with them.  Neither will I. It has been said that masters and men are equal!  Cant!  There can only be one master in a house!  Where two men meet the better man will rule.  It has been said that Capital and Labour have the same interests.  Cant!  Their interests are as wide asunder as the poles.  It has been said that the Board is only part of a machine.  Cant!  We are the machine; its brains and sinews; it is for us to lead and to determine what is to be done, and to do it without fear or favour.  Fear of the men!  Fear of the shareholders!  Fear of our own shadows!  Before I am like that, I hope to die.

     [He pauses, and meeting his son’s eyes, goes on.]