full of it, too,
I guess. They're not so different from you and me, though I'll admit
that many of them are ignorant, prejudiced and bitter. But this row
isn't just the result of restlessness and discontent,--that's the smoke,
but the fire's there, too. I've heard enough this morning to be
convinced that they're struggling for something fundamental, that has to
do with human progress,--the issue behind the war. It's obscured now, in
the smoke. Now if that's so you can't ignore it, dad, you can't suppress
it, the only thing to do is to sit down with them and try to understand
it. If they've got a case, if the union has come to stay, recognize it
and deal with it.

ASHER. You--you, my son, are not advising me to recognize the union!
To give our employees a voice in our private affairs!

GEORGE (courageously). But is the war our private affair, dad? Hasn't
it changed things already?

(ASHER makes a gesture of pain, of repudiation. GEORGE approaches
him appealingly.)

Dad, you know how much we've always been to each other, I'd hate to have
any misunderstanding between us,--especially today. I've always accepted
your judgment. But I'm over twenty one, I'm going to fight this war,
I've got to make up my own mind about it.

ASHER (extending his arms and putting his hands on GEORGE'S shoulders).
Something's upset you today, my boy,--you don't know what you're saying.
When you get over there and take command of your men you'll see things in
a truer proportion.

GEORGE. No, I can't leave it this way, dad. I've come to feel this
thing, it's got hold of me now, I shan't change. And I'll be thinking
of it over there, all the time, if we don't talk it out.

ASHER. For God's sake, George, don't speak of it again,--don't think of
it! There's no sacrifice I wouldn't make for you, in reason, but you're
asking me to go against my life-long convictions. As your father, I
forbid you to entertain such ideas--(he breaks off, choking). Don't
speak of them, don't think of them!

(TIMOTHY FARRELL Steps inside the doorway, upper right, followed by
BERT, and after a few moments by DR. JONATHAN.)

TIMOTHY. Excuse me sir, but you asked me to be letting you know if I
heard anything. There's a meeting called for tonight, and they'll strike
on Monday morning. It's certain I am, from the way the men are talking,
--unless ye'd agree to meet the committee this afternoon and come to an
understanding like.

ASHER. Let them strike.