Dr. Jonathan.  When you pay a man wages, Asher, you own him,—­until he is turned over to somebody else.

Asher (puzzled, a little suspicious for the first time).  I own his labour, of course.

Dr. Jonathan.  Then you own his body, and his soul.  Perhaps he resents being regarded as a commodity.

Asher.  What else is labour?

Dr. Jonathan.  How would you like to be a commodity?

Asher.  I?  I don’t see what that has to do with it.  These men have no consideration, no gratitude, after the way I’ve treated them.

Dr. Jonathan.  Isn’t that what they object to?

Asher.  What?

Dr. Jonathan.  To being treated.

Asher.  Object to kindness?

Dr. Jonathan.  To benevolence.

Asher.  Well, what’s the difference?

Dr. Jonathan.  The difference between self-respect and dependence.

Asher.  Are—­are you a Socialist?

Dr. Jonathan.  No, I’m a scientist.

   (Asher is standing staring at him when the maid enters, lower
   right.)

Maid.  Your long distance call to Washington, sir.

Asher.  Very well.

   (As he starts to go out he halts and looks at Dr. Jonathan again,
   and then abruptly leaves the room, lower right, following the maid.)

George (who has been regarding Dr. Jonathan:  after a moment’s hesitation).  You seem to think there’s something to be said for the workman’s attitude, Dr. Jonathan.

Dr. Jonathan.  What is his attitude, George?

George.  Well, you heard Bert just now.  I thought he had poor old dad on the hip when he accused the employer of holding up the war, too.  But after all, what labour is after is more money, isn’t it? and they’re taking advantage of a critical situation to get it.  And when they get money, most of them blow it in on sprees.

Dr. Jonathan.  George, what are you going to France to fight for?

George.  Germany’s insulted our flag, murdered our people on the high seas and wants to boss the world.

Dr. Jonathan (smiling).  The issue, then, is human freedom.

George.  Sure thing!

Dr. Jonathan.  And you think every man and woman in this country is reasonably free?

George.  Every man can rise if he has the ability.

Dr. Jonathan.  What do you mean by rise?

George.  He can make money, set up for himself and be his own boss.

Dr. Jonathan.  In other words, he can become free.

George (grinning).  I suppose that’s one way of putting it.