her lips.]

ROBERTS. I would not, and that's flat!

ENID. [Coldly.] You don't mean what you say, and you know it!

ROBERTS. I mean every word of it.

ENID. But why?

ROBERTS. [With a flash.] Mr. Anthony stands for tyranny! That's
why!

ENID. Nonsense!

[MRS. ROBERTS makes a movement as if to rise, but sinks back in
her chair.]

ENID. [With an impetuous movement.] Annie!

ROBERTS. Please not to touch my wife!

ENID. [Recoiling with a sort of horror.] I believe--you are mad.

ROBERTS. The house of a madman then is not the fit place for a lady.

ENID. I 'm not afraid of you.

ROBERTS. [Bowing.] I would not expect the daughter of Mr. Anthony
to be afraid. Mr. Anthony is not a coward like the rest of them.

ENID. [Suddenly.] I suppose you think it brave, then, to go on with
the struggle.

ROBERTS. Does Mr. Anthony think it brave to fight against women and
children? Mr. Anthony is a rich man, I believe; does he think it
brave to fight against those who have n't a penny? Does he think it
brave to set children crying with hunger, an' women shivering with
cold?

ENID. [Putting up her hand, as though warding off a blow.] My
father is acting on his principles, and you know it!

ROBERTS. And so am I!

ENID. You hate us; and you can't bear to be beaten!

ROBERTS. Neither can Mr. Anthony, for all that he may say.

ENID. At any rate you might have pity on your wife.

[MRS. ROBERTS who has her hand pressed to her heart, takes it
away, and tries to calm her breathing.]

ROBERTS. Madam, I have no more to say.

[He takes up the loaf. There is a knock at the door, and
UNDERWOOD comes in. He stands looking at them, ENID turns to
him, then seems undecided.]

UNDERWOOD. Enid!

ROBERTS. [Ironically.] Ye were not needing to come for your wife,
Mr. Underwood. We are not rowdies.

UNDERWOOD. I know that, Roberts. I hope Mrs. Roberts is better.

[ROBERTS turns away without answering. Come, Enid!]

ENID. I make one more appeal to you, Mr. Roberts, for the sake of
your wife.

ROBERTS. [With polite malice.] If I might advise ye, Ma'am--make it
for the sake of your husband and your father.

[ENID, suppressing a retort, goes out. UNDERWOOD opens the door
for her and follows. ROBERTS, going to the fire, holds out his
hands to the dying glow.]

ROBERTS. How goes it, my girl? Feeling better, are you?

[MRS.