[Calmly.

Go to the Devil to whom you belong, Mr. Pollen.  I’ll do as I see fit.

POLLEN

I merely advise you.  It isn’t always considered patriotic when the people want war, for a Senator to want peace too hard.  I shall strive to point that out to twenty million people or so tomorrow morning.  Make your will, Senator.  The avalanche is coming.  You’ll be the loneliest voice that ever came out of the wilderness.  I prophesy your swift demise.

HARRADAN

This is wartime.  Most of us are ready to die, if necessary.  Only some of us would rather die in the service of peace than in the service of war.  You’re a very powerful man, Mr. Pollen.  I don’t doubt at all that you can kill me if you put your mind on it.  You have poisoned the whole nation.  You are at liberty to kill me outright, but I won’t let you slow-poison me.

[Turning.

Taney, I’ve got information against you, and you’ve got to listen.  You, too, Maynard.

POLLEN

[At window.

Am I out in the cold again?  I’m listening intently.

[He goes to the telephone and takes up the receiver.

News-stand, please.

HARRADAN

[Pleadingly.

Taney—­

POLLEN

[At the telephone.

That you, Burke?  Liven up your youngsters outside.  They’ve gone to sleep.

[He hangs up the receiver, and complacently lights a cigarette.

HARRADAN

We were friends in the past, Taney.  I always knew you were a jingo, but I thought there was hope.  I came here because I still thought so.  I didn’t know you had lined up with the buzzards.

TANEY

See here, Harradan.  What are you talking about anyway?

HARRADAN

We all know why Grosvenor and Conroy and their kind are here.  And a few of us have been wondering who were pulling the wires for them.

GROSVENOR

You’ve got me mixed up with somebody else.  I’m here attending to—­to my regular business.

CONROY

[Bluntly.

And why shouldn’t we be down here?  I’m in a legitimate business.  Guns.  And I’m looking after my interests.  I’m not declaring war.  But if there is a war I don’t see any reason why I should get left in the scramble.

HARRADAN

War!  God, do you know what the word means?  I’ve been in two wars.  I’ve seen and heard and—­smelt battlefields.  And I’ve seen women and children waiting at home—­and waiting.