Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 6,432 pages of information about Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works.

Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works eBook

This eBook from the Gutenberg Project consists of approximately 6,432 pages of information about Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works.

Robert. [To Anthony, with passionate intensity.] Why don’t ye answer?

Harness.  Roberts!

Roberts. [Turning sharply.] What is it?

Harness. [Gravely.] You’re talking without the book; things have travelled past you.

     [He makes a sign to Tench, who beckons the Directors.  They
     quickly sign his copy of the terms.]

Look at this, man! [Holding up his sheet of paper.] “Demands conceded, with the exception of those relating to the engineers and furnace-men.  Double wages for Saturday’s overtime.  Night-shifts as they are.”  These terms have been agreed.  The men go back to work again to-morrow.  The strike is at an end.

Roberts. [Reading the paper, and turning on the men.  They shrink back from him, all but rous, who stands his ground.  With deadly stillness.] Ye have gone back on me?  I stood by ye to the death; ye waited for that to throw me over!

     [The men answer, all speaking together.]

Rous.  It’s a lie!

Thomas.  Ye were past endurance, man.

Green.  If ye’d listen to me!

Bulgin. (Under his breath.) Hold your jaw!

Roberts.  Ye waited for that!

Harness. [Taking the Director’s copy of the terms, and handing his own to Tench.] That’s enough, men.  You had better go.

     [The men shuffle slowly, awkwardly away.]

Wilder. [In a low, nervous voice.] There’s nothing to stay for now, I suppose. [He follows to the door.] I shall have a try for that train!  Coming, Scantlebury?

Scantlebury. [Following with Wanklin.] Yes, yes; wait for me. [He stops as Roberts speaks.]

Roberts. [To Anthony.] But ye have not signed them terms!  They can’t make terms without their Chairman!  Ye would never sign them terms! [Anthony looks at him without speaking.] Don’t tell me ye have! for the love o’ God! [With passionate appeal.] I reckoned on ye!

Harness. [Holding out the Director’s copy of the teems.] The Board has signed!

     [Roberts looks dully at the signatures—­dashes the paper from
     him, and covers up his eyes.]

Scantlebury. [Behind his hand to Tench.] Look after the Chairman!  He’s not well; he’s not well—­he had no lunch.  If there’s any fund started for the women and children, put me down for—­for twenty pounds.

[He goes out into the hall, in cumbrous haste; and Wanklin, who has been staring at Roberts and Anthony With twitchings of his face, follows.  Edgar remains seated on the sofa, looking at the ground; Tench, returning to the bureau, writes in his minute—­ book.  Harness stands by the little table, gravely watching Roberts.]

Roberts.  Then you’re no longer Chairman of this Company! [Breaking into half-mad laughter.] Ah! ha-ah, ha, ha!  They’ve thrown ye over thrown over their Chairman:  Ah-ha-ha! [With a sudden dreadful calm.] So—­they’ve done us both down, Mr. Anthony?

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Complete Project Gutenberg John Galsworthy Works from Project Gutenberg. Public domain.