Dr. Jonathan (Smiling).  Wait until you are sure.  Nothing matters if we can save that boy.  By the way, he asked for Timothy, and I’ve sent for him.

Asher.  He asked for Timothy, and not for me!

Dr. Jonathan.  It seems he saw an officer of Bert’s regiment, after the boy was killed.  Here’s the committee, I think.

   (The maid enters, lower right.  She does not speak, but ushers in
   Hillman, Rench and Fersen, and retires.)

Hillman.  |
Rench.   |-Good evening, Mr. Pindar.  Good evening, doctor. 
Fersen.  |

Asher.  Good evening.

   (An awkward silence.  From habit, Asher stares at them defiantly, as
   Dr. Jonathan goes out, lower right.)

Hillman (going up to Asher).  How’s your son, Mr. Pindar?

Rench.  We’re real anxious about the Captain.

Fersen (nodding).  The boys think a whole lot of him, Mr. Pindar.

Asher.  He’s better, thank you.  The medicine Dr. Pindar has given him

Rench.  Didn’t I say so?  When I heard how he was when he got back, I said to Fred Hillman here,—­if anybody can cure him, it’s Dr. Jonathan, right here in Foxon Falls!

   (A pause.)

I’m sorry this here difference came up just now, Mr. Pindar, when the Captain come home.  We was a little mite harsh—­but we was strung up, I guess, from the long shifts.  If we’d known your son was comin’—­

Asher.  You wouldn’t have struck?

Rench.  We’d have agreed to put it off.  When a young man like that is near dying for his country why—­anything can wait.  But what we’re asking is only right.

Asher.  Well, right or not right, I sent for you to say, so far as I’m concerned, the strike’s over.

Rench.  You’ll—­you’ll recognize the union?

Asher.  I grant—­( he catches himself)—­I consent to your demands.

   (After a moment of stupefaction, their faces light up, and they
   approach him.)

Rench.  We appreciate it, Mr. Pindar.  This’ll make a lot of families happy tonight.

Fersen.  It will that.

Hillman.  Maybe you won’t believe me, Mr. Pindar, but it was hard to see the shops closed down—­as hard on us as it was on you.  We take pride in them, too.  I guess you won’t regret it.

Asher (waving them away).  I hope not.  I ought to tell you that you may thank my son for this—­my son and Dr. Pindar.

Rench.  We appreciate it,—­just the same.

(Asher makes a gesture as thought to dismiss the subject, as well as the committee.  They hesitate, and are about to leave when George, followed by Dr. Jonathan, comes in, lower right.  His entrance is quite dramatic.  He walks with the help of a stick, slowly, but his bearing is soldierly, authoritative, impressive.  He halts when he perceives the committee.)

Hillman (going up to George).  How are you, Captain?