you win? Suppose
you act energetically and get the best of it.

FELIAT. My energy would be my ruin.

THERESE [_with a change of tone_] Then you wish me to go?

FELIAT. I have only made up my mind to it to prevent something worse.

THERESE [_very much moved_] It's impossible you can sacrifice me in this
way at the first threat. Look here, Monsieur Feliat; perhaps it doesn't
come very well from me, but I can't help reminding you that you've said
repeatedly yourself that I've been extremely useful to you. Don't throw
me overboard without making one try to save me.

FELIAT. It would be no use.

THERESE. How can you tell? It's your own interest to keep me. The
delegate said that if I go they'll break up the Women's Union and make
the women take the same wages as the men.

FELIAT. They won't do that because they know I wouldn't keep them.

THERESE. You see! If you give in, it means the break-up of the whole
thing and the loss to you of the saving I've made for you. And you have
obligations to these women who have been working for you for years.

FELIAT. If I have to part with them, I will see they are provided for.

THERESE. Yes, for a day--a week, perhaps. But afterwards? What then?
Little children will be holding out their hands for food to mothers who
have none to give them.

FELIAT. But, good God, what have _I_ to do with that? Is it my fault?
Don't you see that I'm quite powerless in the matter?

THERESE. No, you're not quite powerless. You can choose which you will
sacrifice, the women who have been perfectly loyal to you, or the men
who want to wring from your weakness freedom from competition which
frightens them.

FELIAT. They're fighting for their daily bread.

THERESE. Yes, fighting the woman because she works for lower wages. She
can do that because she is sober and self-controlled. Is it because of
her virtues that you condemn her?

FELIAT. I know all that as well as you do, and I tell you again the
women can go on working just as they were working before you came.

THERESE. You'll be made to part with them.

FELIAT. We shall see. But at present that's not the question. The
present thing is about you. One of us has to be sacrificed, you or me. I
can see only one thing. If I stick to you, my machinery will be smashed
and my works will be burned. I'm deeply sorry this has happened, and I
don't deny for a moment the great value of your services; but, after
all, I can't ruin myself for your sake.