ould
condescend to come and see for themselves the conditions prevailing
amongst their work-people during this strike----"

WILDER. Well, we have come.

EDGAR. [Continuing.] "We cannot believe that even their leg-of-mutton
hearts would remain untouched."

[WANKLIN takes the paper from him.]

WILDER. Ruffian! I remember that fellow when he had n't a penny to
his name; little snivel of a chap that's made his way by black-guarding
everybody who takes a different view to himself.

[ANTHONY says something that is not heard.]

WILDER. What does your father say?

EDGAR. He says "The kettle and the pot."

WILDER. H'm!

[He sits down next to SCANTLEBURY.]

SCANTLEBURY. [Blowing out his cheeks.] I shall boil if I don't get
that screen.

[UNDERWOOD and ENID enter with a screen, which they place before
the fire. ENID is tall; she has a small, decided face, and is
twenty-eight years old.]

ENID. Put it closer, Frank. Will that do, Mr. Wilder? It's the
highest we've got.

WILDER. Thanks, capitally.

SCANTLEBURY. [Turning, with a sigh of pleasure.] Ah! Merci,
Madame!

ENID. Is there anything else you want, Father? [ANTHONY shakes his
head.] Edgar--anything?

EDGAR. You might give me a "J" nib, old girl.

ENID. There are some down there by Mr. Scantlebury.

SCANTLEBURY. [Handing a little box of nibs.] Ah! your brother uses
"J's." What does the manager use? [With expansive politeness.]
What does your husband use, Mrs. Underwood?

UNDERWOOD. A quill!

SCANTLEBURY. The homely product of the goose. [He holds out
quills.]

UNDERWOOD. [Drily.] Thanks, if you can spare me one. [He takes a
quill.] What about lunch, Enid?

ENID. [Stopping at the double-doors and looking back.] We're going
to have lunch here, in the drawing-room, so you need n't hurry with
your meeting.

[WANKLIN and WILDER bow, and she goes out.]

SCANTLEBURY. [Rousing himself, suddenly.] Ah! Lunch! That hotel--
Dreadful! Did you try the whitebait last night? Fried fat!

WILDER. Past twelve! Are n't you going to read the minutes, Tench?

TENCH. [Looking for the CHAIRMAN'S assent, reads in a rapid and
monotonous voice.] "At a Board Meeting held the 31st of January at
the Company's Offices, 512, Cannon Street, E.C. Present--Mr. Anthony
in the chair, Messrs. F. H. Wilder, William Scantlebury, Oliver
Wanklin, and Edgar Anthony. Read letters from the Manager date