Hillman (with an attempt at conciliation).  I know if we could sit down and talk this thing out with you, Mr. Pindar, you’d see it reasonable.

Asher.  Reasonable?  Treasonable, you mean,—­to strike when the lives of hundreds of thousands of your fellow countrymen depend on your labour.

Rench.  We ain’t striking—­you’re striking!

Fersen (nodding).  That’s right!

Rench.  We’re ready to go back to work this afternoon if you treat us like Americans. (Fersen nods.) You say we’re obstructing the war by not giving in,—­what’s the matter with you giving in?  Ain’t the employers just as much traitors as we?

Hillman.  Hold on, Sam,—­we won’t get nowhere by calling names.  Let’s discuss it cool!

Asher.  I refuse to discuss it.

   (He takes the paper out of his docket and holds it up.)

Do you see this paper?  It’s a plan I had made, of my own free will, for the betterment and advancement of the working class.  It was inspired by the suggestion of my son, who is now fighting in France.  I came back to Foxon Falls this morning happy in the hope that I was to do something to encourage what was good in labour—­and how have I been met?  With a demand, with a threat.  I was a fool to think you could stand decent treatment!

   (He seizes the paper, and tears it in two.)

Hillman.  Wait a minute, Mr. Pindar.  If you won’t listen to us, maybe Dr. Jonathan would say a word for us.  He understands how we feel.

Asher (savagely tearing the paper in two, and then again in four).  That’s my answer!  I won’t have Dr. Pindar or anyone else interfering in my private affairs.

Rench.  All right—­I guess we’re wasting time here, boys.  We walk out and stay out. (Threateningly.) Not a shaft’ll turn over in them shops until you recognize the union.  And if that’s treason, go back to Washington and tell ’em so.  Come on boys!

(He walks out, followed by Fersen, nodding, and lastly by Hillman, who glances at Dr. Jonathan.  Asher stares hard at them as they leave.  Then an expression of something like agony crosses his face.)

Asher.  My God, it’s come!  My shops shut down, for the first time in my life, and when the government relies on me!

   (Dr. Jonathan stoops down and picks up the fragments of the document
   from the floor.)

What are you doing?

Dr. Jonathan.  Trying to save the pieces, Asher.

Asher.  I’ve got no use for them now.

Dr. Jonathan.  But history may have.

Asher.  History.  History will brand these men with shame for all time.  I’ll fix ’em!  I’ll go back to Washington, and if the government has any backbone, if it’s still American, they’ll go to work or fight!  (Pointedly.) This is what comes of your Utopian dreams, of your socialism!