It'll ruin the Company.
ANTHONY.Allow me to judge of that.
ENID.[Resentfully.] I won't stand by and let poor Annie Roberts suffer like this! And think of the children, Father! I warn you.
ANTHONY.[With a grim smile.] What do you propose to do?
ENID.That's my affair.
[ANTHONY only looks at her.]
ENID.[In a changed voice, stroking his sleeve.] Father, you know you oughtn't to have this strain on you--you know what Dr.Fisher said!
ANTHONY.No old man can afford to listen to old women.
ENID.But you have done enough, even if it really is such a matter of principle with you.
ANTHONY.You think so?
ENID.Don't Dad! [Her face works.] You--you might think of us!
ANTHONY.I am.
ENID.It'll break you down.
ANTHONY.[Slowly.] My dear, I am not going to funk; on that you may rely.
[Re-enter TENCH with papers; he glances at them, then plucking up courage.]
TENCH.Beg pardon, Madam, I think I'd rather see these papers were disposed of before I get my lunch.
[ENID, after an impatient glance at him, looks at her father, turns suddenly, and goes into the drawing-room.]
TENCH.[Holding the papers and a pen to ANTHONY, very nervously.]
Would you sign these for me, please sir?
[ANTHONY takes the pen and signs.]
TENCH.[Standing with a sheet of blotting-paper behind EDGAR'Schair, begins speaking nervously.] I owe my position to you, sir.
ANTHONY.Well?
TENCH.I'm obliged to see everything that's going on, sir; I--Idepend upon the Company entirely.If anything were to happen to it, it'd be disastrous for me.[ANTHONY nods.] And, of course, my wife's just had another; and so it makes me doubly anxious just now.
And the rates are really terrible down our way.
ANTHONY.[With grim amusement.] Not more terrible than they are up mine.
TENCH.No, Sir? [Very nervously.] I know the Company means a great deal to you, sir.
ANTHONY.It does; I founded it.
TENCH.Yes, Sir.If the strike goes on it'll be very serious.Ithink the Directors are beginning to realise that, sir.
ANTHONY.[Ironically.] Indeed?
TENCH.I know you hold very strong views, sir, and it's always your habit to look things in the face; but I don't think the Directors--like it, sir, now they--they see it.
ANTHONY.[Grimly.] Nor you, it seems.
TENCH.[With the ghost of a smile.] No, sir; of course I've got my children, and my wife's delicate; in my position I have to think of these things.
[ANTHONY nods.]
It was n't that I was going to say, sir, if you'll excuse me----[hesitates]
ANTHONY.Out with it, then!
TENCH.I know--from my own father, sir, that when you get on in life you do feel things dreadfully----ANTHONY.[Almost paternally.] Come, out with it, Trench!
TENCH.I don't like to say it, sir.
ANTHONY.[Stonily.] You Must.
TENCH.[After a pause, desperately bolting it out.] I think the Directors are going to throw you over, sir.
ANTHONY.[Sits in silence.] Ring the bell!
[TENCH nervously rings the bell and stands by the fire.]
TENCH.Excuse me for saying such a thing.I was only thinking of you, sir.
[FROST enters from the hall, he comes to the foot of the table, and looks at ANTHONY; TENCH coveys his nervousness by arranging papers.]
ANTHONY.Bring me a whiskey and soda.
FROST.Anything to eat, sir?
[ANTHONY shakes his head.FROST goes to the sideboard, and prepares the drink.]
TENCH.[In a low voice, almost supplicating.] If you could see your way, sir, it would be a great relief to my mind, it would indeed.
[He looks up at ANTHONY, who has not moved.] It does make me so very anxious.I haven't slept properly for weeks, sir, and that's a fact.
[ANTHONY looks in his face, then slowly shakes his head.]
[Disheartened.] No, Sir? [He goes on arranging papers.]
FROST places the whiskey and salver and puts it down by ANTHONY'S right hand.He stands away, looking gravely at ANTHONY.]
FROST.Nothing I can get you, sir?
[ANTHONY shakes his head.]
You're aware, sir, of what the doctor said, sir?
ANTHONY.I am.
[A pause.FROST suddenly moves closer to him, and speaks in a low voice.]
FROST.This strike, sir; puttin' all this strain on you.Excuse me, sir, is it--is it worth it, sir?
[ANTHONY mutters some words that are inaudible.]
Very good, sir!
[He turns and goes out into the hall.TENCH makes two attempts to speak; but meeting his Chairman's gaze he drops his eyes, and, turning dismally, he too goes out.ANTHONY is left alone.
He grips the glass, tilts it, and drinks deeply; then sets it down with a deep and rumbling sigh, and leans back in his chair.]
The curtain falls.
