Enid.  It is n’t personal, it’s the Dad!

Edgar.  Your family or yourself, and over goes the show!

Enid. [Resentfully.] If you don’t take it seriously, I do.

Edgar.  I am as fond of him as you are; that’s nothing to do with it.

Enid.  We can’t tell about the men; it’s all guess-work.  But we know the Dad might have a stroke any day.  D’ you mean to say that he isn’t more to you than——­

Edgar.  Of course he is.

Enid.  I don’t understand you then.

Edgar.  H’m!

Enid.  If it were for oneself it would be different, but for our own
Father!  You don’t seem to realise.

Edgar.  I realise perfectly.

Enid.  It’s your first duty to save him.

Edgar.  I wonder.

Enid. [Imploring.] Oh, Ted?  It’s the only interest he’s got left; it’ll be like a death-blow to him!

Edgar. [Restraining his emotion.] I know.

Enid.  Promise!

Edgar.  I’ll do what I can.

     [He turns to the double-doors.]

     [The curtained door is opened, and Anthony appears.  Edgar opens
     the double-doors, and passes through.]

     [SCANTLEBURY’S voice is faintly heard:  “Past five; we shall
     never get through—­have to eat another dinner at that hotel!”
     The doors are shut.  Anthony walks forward.]

Anthony.  You’ve been seeing Roberts, I hear.

Enid.  Yes.

Anthony.  Do you know what trying to bridge such a gulf as this is like?

     [Enid puts her work on the little table, and faces him.]

Filling a sieve with sand!

Enid.  Don’t!

Anthony.  You think with your gloved hands you can cure the trouble of the century.

     [He passes on. ]

Enid.  Father!

     [Anthony Stops at the double doors.]

I’m only thinking of you!

Anthony. [More softly.] I can take care of myself, my dear.

Enid.  Have you thought what’ll happen if you’re beaten—­
[she points]—­in there?

Anthony.  I don’t mean to be.

Enid.  Oh!  Father, don’t give them a chance.  You’re not well; need you go to the meeting at all?

Anthony. [With a grim smile.] Cut and run?

Enid.  But they’ll out-vote you!

Anthony. [Putting his hand on the doors.] We shall see!

Enid.  I beg you, Dad!  Won’t you?

     [Anthony looks at her softly.]

     [Anthony shakes his head.  He opens the doors.  A buzz of voices
     comes in.]

Scantlebury.  Can one get dinner on that 6.30 train up?