----

EDGAR. A struggle like this finds out the weak spots in everybody.
Any child knows that. If it hadn't been for this cut-throat policy,
she need n't have died like this; and there would n't be all this
misery that any one who is n't a fool can see is going on.

[Throughout the foregoing ANTHONY has eyed his son; he now moves
as though to rise, but stops as EDGAR speaks again.]

I don't defend the men, or myself, or anybody.

WANKLIN. You may have to! A coroner's jury of disinterested
sympathisers may say some very nasty things. We mustn't lose sight
of our position.

SCANTLEBURY. [Without uncovering his ears.] Coroner's jury! No,
no, it's not a case for that!

EDGAR. I 've had enough of cowardice.

WANKLIN. Cowardice is an unpleasant word, Mr. Edgar Anthony. It
will look very like cowardice if we suddenly concede the men's
demands when a thing like this happens; we must be careful!

WILDER. Of course we must. We've no knowledge of this matter,
except a rumour. The proper course is to put the whole thing into
the hands of Harness to settle for us; that's natural, that's what we
should have come to any way.

SCANTLEBURY. [With dignity.] Exactly! [Turning to EDGAR.] And as
to you, young sir, I can't sufficiently express my--my distaste for
the way you've treated the whole matter. You ought to withdraw!
Talking of starvation, talking of cowardice! Considering what our
views are! Except your own is--is one of goodwill--it's most
irregular, it's most improper, and all I can say is it's--it's given
me pain----

[He places his hand over his heart.]

EDGAR. [Stubbornly.] I withdraw nothing.

[He is about to say mote when SCANTLEBURY once more coveys up
his ears. TENCH suddenly makes a demonstration with the
minute-book. A sense of having been engaged in the unusual comes
over all of them, and one by one they resume their seats. EDGAR
alone remains on his feet.]

WILDER. [With an air of trying to wipe something out.] I pay no
attention to what young Mr. Anthony has said. Coroner's jury! The
idea's preposterous. I--I move this amendment to the Chairman's
Motion: That the dispute be placed at once in the hands of Mr. Simon
Harness for settlement, on the lines indicated by him this morning.
Any one second that?

[TENCH writes in his book.]

WANKLIN. I do.

WILDER. Very well, then; I ask the Chairman to put it to the Board.

ANT