Dr. Jonathan.  Wrong is a question of code, Asher.  We’ve all had pasts —­What interests me is Minnie’s future.

Asher.  Of course you wouldn’t decline my offer on Minnie’s account.

Dr. Jonathan.  On my own account, Asher.  We’ll say no more about Minnie.

Asher.  You refuse to help me, when I’m starting out on a liberal scheme which I thought you would be the first to endorse?

Dr. Jonathan.  I have not refused to help you,—­but you have not told me the scheme?

Asher.  Well. (He’ taps the paper in his hand.) For those employees who serve me faithfully I have arranged pensions.

Dr. Jonathan.  For those, in other words, who refrain from taking their destinies in their own hands, and who do as you wish.

Asher.  For those who are industrious and make no trouble.  And I have met the objection that they have no share in the enterprise by allowing them, on favourable terms, to acquire stock in the company.

Dr. Jonathan.  I see.  You will let them acquire half of the stock, in order that they may have an equal voice.

Asher.  Equal?  It’s my company, isn’t it?

Dr. Jonathan.  At present.

Asher.  I supply the capital.  Furthermore, I have arranged for a system of workmen’s committees, which I recognize, and with which I will continually consult.  That’s democratic enough—­isn’t it?  If the men have any grievances, these will be presented in an orderly manner through the committees.

Dr. Jonathan.  And if you find the demands—­reasonable, you grant them.

Asher.  Certainly.  But one thing I set my face against as a matter of principle, I won’t recognize the unions.

Dr. Jonathan.  But—­who is to enforce the men’s side of this contract?

Asher.  What do you mean?

Dr. Jonathan.  What guarantee have they, other than a union organization, that you will keep faith?

Asher.  My word.

Dr. Jonathan.  Oh!

Asher.  Never in my life have I regarded my possessions as my own.  I am a trustee.

Dr. Jonathan.  The sole trustee.

Asher.  Under God.

Dr. Jonathan.  And you have God’s proxy.  Well, it seems to me that that is a very delightful arrangement, Asher—­William appears to approve of it, too.

Asher.  William?  William who?

Dr. Jonathan.  William Hohenzollern.

Asher.  You compare me to the Kaiser!

Dr. Jonathan.  Only in so far as you have in common a certain benevolence, Asher.  Wouldn’t your little plan, if your workmen accepted it, keep you in as a benevolent autocrat?

Asher.  Me? an autocrat?