When we do get started we shall have to work off our contracts at the top of the market.

 

WANKLIN. What do you say to that, Chairman?

 

ANTHONY. Can't be helped!

 

WILDER. Shan't pay a dividend till goodness knows when!

 

SCANTLEBURY. [With emphasis.] We ought to think of the shareholders. [Turning heavily.] Chairman, I say we ought to think of the shareholders. [ANTHONY mutters.]

 

SCANTLEBURY. What's that?

 

TENCH. The Chairman says he is thinking of you, sir.

 

SCANTLEBURY. [Sinking back into torpor.] Cynic!

 

WILDER. It's past a joke. I don't want to go without a dividend for years if the Chairman does. We can't go on playing ducks and drakes with the Company's prosperity.

 

EDGAR. [Rather ashamedly.] I think we ought to consider the men.

 

[All but ANTHONY fidget in their seats.]

 

SCANTLEBURY. [With a sigh.] We mustn't think of our private feelings, young man. That'll never do.

 

EDGAR. [Ironically.] I'm not thinking of our feelings. I'm thinking of the men's.

 

WILDER. As to that—we're men of business.

 

WANKLIN. That is the little trouble.

 

EDGAR. There's no necessity for pushing things so far in the face of all this suffering—it's—it's cruel.

 

[No one speaks, as though EDGAR had uncovered something whose existence no man prizing his self-respect could afford to recognise.]

 

WANKLIN. [With an ironical smile.] I'm afraid we mustn't base our policy on luxuries like sentiment.

 

EDGAR. I detest this state of things.

 

ANTHONY. We didn't seek the quarrel.

 

EDGAR. I know that sir, but surely we've gone far enough.

 

ANTHONY. No. [All look at one another.]

 

WANKLIN. Luxuries apart, Chairman, we must look out what we're doing.

 

ANTHONY. Give way to the men once and there'll be no end to it.

 

WANKLIN. I quite agree, but—

 

[ANTHONY Shakes his head]

 

You make it a question of bedrock principle?

 

[ANTHONY nods.]

 

Luxuries again, Chairman! The shares are below par.

 

WILDER.