Plays By John Galsworthy - LightNovelsOnl.com
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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 amus.e.m.e.nt.] 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. I think the Directors are beginning to realise that, sir.
ANTHONY. [Ironically.] Indeed?
TENCH. I know you hold very strong views, sir, and it's always your habit to look things in the face; but I don't think the Directors-- like it, sir, now they--they see it.
ANTHONY. [Grimly.] Nor you, it seems.
TENCH. [With the ghost of a smile.] No, sir; of course I've got my children, and my wife's delicate; in my position I have to think of these things.
[ANTHONY nods.]
It was n't that I was going to say, sir, if you'll excuse me---- [hesitates]
ANTHONY. Out with it, then!
TENCH. I know--from my own father, sir, that when you get on in life you do feel things dreadfully----
ANTHONY. [Almost paternally.] Come, out with it, Trench!
TENCH. I don't like to say it, sir.
ANTHONY. [Stonily.] You Must.
TENCH. [After a pause, desperately bolting it out.] I think the Directors are going to throw you over, sir.
ANTHONY. [Sits in silence.] Ring the bell!
[TENCH nervously rings the bell and stands by the fire.]
TENCH. Excuse me for saying such a thing. I was only thinking of you, sir.
[FROST enters from the hall, he comes to the foot of the table, and looks at ANTHONY; TENCH coveys his nervousness by arranging papers.]
ANTHONY. Bring me a whiskey and soda.
FROST. Anything to eat, sir?
[ANTHONY shakes his head. FROST goes to the sideboard, and prepares the drink.]
TENCH. [In a low voice, almost supplicating.] If you could see your way, sir, it would be a great relief to my mind, it would indeed.
[He looks up at ANTHONY, who has not moved.] It does make me so very anxious. I haven't slept properly for weeks, sir, and that's a fact.
