VANS throws up his fists, parries the blow, and returns it.
They fight. The bargemen are seen holding up the lantern and
enjoying the sight. Old THOMAS steps forward and holds out his
hands.]

THOMAS. Shame on your strife!

[The BLACKSMITH, BROWN, LEWIS, and the RED-HAIRED YOUTH pull
EVANS and BULGIN apart. The stage is almost dark.]

The curtain falls.

ACT III

It is five o'clock. In the UNDERWOODS' drawing-room, which is
artistically furnished, ENID is sitting on the sofa working at a
baby's frock. EDGAR, by a little spindle-legged table in the
centre of the room, is fingering a china-box. His eyes are
fixed on the double-doors that lead into the dining-room.

EDGAR. [Putting down the china-box, and glancing at his watch.]
Just on five, they're all in there waiting, except Frank. Where's
he?

ENID. He's had to go down to Gasgoyne's about a contract. Will you
want him?

EDGAR. He can't help us. This is a director's job. [Motioning
towards a single door half hidden by a curtain.] Father in his room?

ENID. Yes.

EDGAR. I wish he'd stay there, Enid.

[ENID looks up at him. This is a beastly business, old girl?]

[He takes up the little box again and turns it over and over.]

ENID. I went to the Roberts's this afternoon, Ted.

EDGAR. That was n't very wise.

ENID. He's simply killing his wife.

EDGAR. We are you mean.

ENID. [Suddenly.] Roberts ought to give way!

EDGAR. There's a lot to be said on the men's side.

ENID. I don't feel half so sympathetic with them as I did before I
went. They just set up class feeling against you. Poor Annie was
looking dread fully bad--fire going out, and nothing fit for her to
eat.

[EDGAR walks to and fro.]

But she would stand up for Roberts. When you see all this
wretchedness going on and feel you can do nothing, you have to shut
your eyes to the whole thing.

EDGAR. If you can.

ENID. When I went I was all on their side, but as soon as I got
there I began to feel quite different at once. People talk about
sympathy with the working classes, they don't know what it means to
try and put it into practice. It seems hopeless.

EDGAR. Ah! well.

ENID. It's dreadful going on with the men in this state. I do hope
the Dad will make concessions.

EDGAR. He won't. [Gloomily.] It's a sort of religion with him.
Curse it! I