Fersen (rising and shaking hands with Dr. Jonathan).  It’s fine weather, doctor.

Rench (bursting into a laugh).  He’s like the man who said, when Congress declared war, “It’s a fine day for it!” It’s a fine day for a strike!

Hillman (who has risen, shaking hands with Dr. Jonathan).  But you’ll talk to Mr. Pindar, anyway?

Dr. Jonathan (smiling).  Yes, I’ll talk with him.

   (Enter Timothy Farrell, right, in working clothes.)

Timothy.  Good morning, doctor. (Surveying the committee.) So it’s here ye are, after voting to walk out of the shops just when we’re beginning to turn out the machines for the soldiers!

Rench.  If we’d done right we’d have called the strike a year ago.

Timothy.  Fine patriots ye are—­as I’m sure the doctor is after telling you—­to let the boys that’s gone over there be murdered because ye must have your union!

Hillman.  If Mr. Pindar recognizes the union, Timothy, we’ll go to work tomorrow.

Timothy.  He recognize the union!  He’ll recognize the devil first!  Even Dr. Jonathan, with all the persuasion he has, couldn’t get Mr. Pindar to recognize the union.  He’ll close down the shops, and it’s hunting a job I’ll be, and I here going on thirty years.

Rench.  If he closes the shops—­what then?  The blood of the soldiers’ll be on his head, not ours.  If there were fewer scabs in the country—­

Hillman.  Hold on, Sam.

Timothy.  A scab, is it?  If I was the government do you know what I’d do with the likes of you—­striking in war time?  I’d send ye over there to fight the Huns with your bare fists.  I’m a workman meself, but I don’t hold with traitors.

Rench.  Who’s a traitor?  It’s you who are a traitor to your class.  If a union card makes a man a traitor, your own son had one in his pocket the day he enlisted.

Timothy.  A traitor, and he fighting for his country, while you’d be skulking here to make trouble for it!

(Minnie appears on the threshold of the door, right.  Dr. Jonathan, who is the first to perceive from her expression that there is something wrong, takes a step toward her.  After a moment’s silence she comes up to Timothy and lays a hand on his arm.)

Timothy (bewildered).  What is it, Minnie?

Minnie.  Come home, father.

Timothy.  What is it?  It’s not a message ye have—­it’s not a message about Bert?

   (Minnie continues to gaze at him.)

The one I’d be looking for these many days! (He seizes her.) Can’t ye speak, girl?  Is the boy dead?

Minnie.  Yes, father.

Timothy (puts his hand to his forehead and lets fall his hat. 
Dr. Jonathan picks it up).  Me boy!  The dirty devils have killed him!