You—don't—believe—in—barriers—between the classes?

 

ENID. [Coldly.] And I don't know what that has to do with this question.

 

ANTHONY. It will take a generation or two for you to understand.

 

ENID. It's only you and Roberts, Father, and you know it!

 

[ANTHONY thrusts out his lower lip.]

 

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'S chair, 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—I depend 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.