uld 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 amusement.] 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
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