FELIAT. Tell me, Mademoiselle, if there was a strike here, could you
count upon your workwomen?

THERESE. I'm sure I could.

FELIAT. Are you certain none of them would go back on you?

THERESE. Two or three married women might if their husbands threatened
them.

FELIAT. Will you try, in a quiet way, to find out about that?

THERESE. Yes, certainly. [_She makes a movement to go out_]

FELIAT. Look here, it seems that Duriot has just had a visit from two
delegates from the Central Committee in Paris, who were sent down to
protest against the engagement of women. I'm afraid we're going to have
trouble here.

THERESE. The conditions here are very different from those at Duriot's.

FELIAT. All the same, find out what you can.

THERESE. I will, at once. [_She goes towards the door_]

FELIAT. Whatever happens we must send off that Brazilian order. How is
it getting on?

THERESE. We shall have everything ready in three days. I'll go and
inquire about the other thing.

[_She goes out_]

FELIAT. Good.

GUERET. Three days isn't the end of the world. I think I can promise you
to keep my men as long as that.

FELIAT. If it's absolutely necessary, one might make them some little
concessions.

GUERET. I'll do all I can.

FELIAT. Yes. And if they're too exacting, we'll let them go, and the
women shall get the stuff finished up for us. [_There is a knock at the
door_] Come in.

_Rene comes in._

GUERET. Hullo!

FELIAT. Rene!

GUERET. You or your ghost?

FELIAT. Where do you come from? Nobody's heard of you for a hundred
years.

RENE. Come now, only six months, and you've had some news.

FELIAT. Where are you from last?

RENE. From Tunis.

GUERET. And what are you doing here?

RENE. I'll tell you all about it. I want to have a bit of a talk with
you.

FELIAT. Well, we're listening.

GUERET. You're mighty solemn about it.

RENE. It's extremely serious business.

FELIAT. Don't be tragic. You're here safe and sound; and you've not lost
money, because you'd none to lose.

RENE. I've come to marry Therese.

GUERET. Well, I must say you don't beat about the bush.

FELIAT. But it's to your own people you've got to say that. What the
devil--! Therese has no more money than she had a year ago. So--

RENE. I'll marry her in spite of them.

GUERET. Well, we've nothing to do with it.

RENE. Yes, but I don't want to marry her in spite of you.

FELIAT. Nor in spite of herself.

RENE