THERESE [_urgently_] But you _wouldn't_ be ruined. Defend yourself,
take measures. Ask for assistance from the Government.

FELIAT. The Government can't prevent the strike.

THERESE. But the women will do the work.

FELIAT. You think of nothing but your women. And the men? They'll be
starving, won't they? And their women and their children will starve
with them.

THERESE [_almost in tears_] And me, you have no pity for me. What's to
become of me? If you abandon me, I'm done for. I'd made a career for
myself. I had realized my dreams. I was doing a little good. And I was
so deeply grateful to you for giving me my chance. I'm all alone in the
world, you know that very well. Before I came here I tried every
possible way to earn my living. Oh, please don't send me away. Don't
drive me back into that. Try once again, do something. Let me speak to
the men. It's all my life that's at stake. If you drive me out, I don't
know where to go to.

_Monsieur Gueret comes in._

GUERET [_greatly excited_] Feliat, we mustn't wait a moment; we must
give in at once. They're exciting themselves; they're mad; they're
getting worse; they may do anything. They've gone to the women's
workroom and they're driving them out.

_From the adjoining workshop there comes a crash of glass
and the sound of women screaming._

THERESE [_desperately_] Go, Monsieur! Go quickly! Don't let anything
dreadful happen. You're right. I'll leave at once. Go!

_Monsieur Gueret and Monsieur Feliat rush into the women's
workshop. The noise increases; there is a sound of furniture
overthrown and the loud screams of women._

THERESE [_alone, clasping her hands_] Oh, God! Oh, God!

_Therese stands as if hypnotized by terror, her eyes wide
open and fixed upon the door of the workshop. The noise
still increases; there is a revolver shot, then a silence.
Finally the voice of Monsieur Feliat is heard speaking,
though the words are not intelligible, and a shout of men's
voices. Then Monsieur Gueret comes in very pale._

GUERET. Don't be frightened, it's all over. The shot was fired in the
air. The men have gone out; there are only the women now--crying in the
workshop.

THERESE. Are you sure nobody is killed? Is it true, oh, tell me, is it
really true?

_Monsieur Feliat comes in._

FELIAT. Poor Therese! Don't be frightened.

THERESE. Oh, those screams! Those dreadful screams! Is it true, r