e best know whether the
condition of the Company is any better than the condition of the men.
[Scanning the Directors' faces.] Ye best know whether ye can afford
your tyranny--but this I tell ye: If ye think the men will give way
the least part of an inch, ye're making the worst mistake ye ever
made. [He fixes his eyes on SCANTLEBURY.] Ye think because the
Union is not supporting us--more shame to it!--that we'll be coming
on our knees to you one fine morning. Ye think because the men have
got their wives an' families to think of--that it's just a question
of a week or two----

ANTHONY. It would be better if you did not speculate so much on what
we think.

ROBERTS. Aye! It's not much profit to us! I will say this for you,
Mr. Anthony--ye know your own mind! [Staying at ANTHONY.] I can
reckon on ye!

ANTHONY. [Ironically.] I am obliged to you!

ROBERTS. And I know mine. I tell ye this: The men will send their
wives and families where the country will have to keep them; an' they
will starve sooner than give way. I advise ye, Mr. Anthony, to
prepare yourself for the worst that can happen to your Company. We
are not so ignorant as you might suppose. We know the way the cat is
jumping. Your position is not all that it might be--not exactly!

ANTHONY. Be good enough to allow us to judge of our position for
ourselves. Go back, and reconsider your own.

ROBERTS. [Stepping forward.] Mr. Anthony, you are not a young man
now; from the time I remember anything ye have been an enemy to every
man that has come into your works. I don't say that ye're a mean
man, or a cruel man, but ye've grudged them the say of any word in
their own fate. Ye've fought them down four times. I've heard ye
say ye love a fight--mark my words--ye're fighting the last fight
ye'll ever fight!

[TENCH touches ROBERTS'S sleeve.]

UNDERWOOD. Roberts! Roberts!

ROBERTS. Roberts! Roberts! I must n't speak my mind to the
Chairman, but the Chairman may speak his mind to me!

WILDER. What are things coming to?

ANTHONY, [With a grim smile at WILDER.] Go on, Roberts; say what you
like!

ROBERTS. [After a pause.] I have no more to say.

ANTHONY. The meeting stands adjourned to five o'clock.

WANKLIN. [In a low voice to UNDERWOOD.] We shall never settle
anything like this.

ROBERTS. [Bitingly.] We thank the Chairman and Board of Directors
for their gracious hearing.

[He moves towards the door; the