go away and
reconsider our position. We have reconsidered it; we are here to
bring you the men's answer. [To ANTHONY.] Go ye back to London. We
have nothing for you. By no jot or tittle do we abate our demands,
nor will we until the whole of those demands are yielded.

[ANTHONY looks at him but does not speak. There is a movement
amongst the men as though they were bewildered.]

HARNESS. Roberts!

ROBERTS. [Glancing fiercely at him, and back to ANTHONY.] Is that
clear enough for ye? Is it short enough and to the point? Ye made a
mistake to think that we would come to heel. Ye may break the body,
but ye cannot break the spirit. Get back to London, the men have
nothing for ye?

[Pausing uneasily he takes a step towards the unmoving ANTHONY.]

EDGAR. We're all sorry for you, Roberts, but----

ROBERTS. Keep your sorrow, young man. Let your father speak!

HARNESS. [With the sheet of paper in his hand, speaking from behind
the little table.] Roberts!

ROBERT. [TO ANTHONY, with passionate intensity.] Why don't ye
answer?

HARNESS. Roberts!

ROBERTS. [Turning sharply.] What is it?

HARNESS. [Gravely.] You're talking without the book; things have
travelled past you.

[He makes a sign to TENCH, who beckons the Directors. They
quickly sign his copy of the terms.]

Look at this, man! [Holding up his sheet of paper.] "Demands
conceded, with the exception of those relating to the engineers and
furnace-men. Double wages for Saturday's overtime. Night-shifts as
they are." These terms have been agreed. The men go back to work
again to-morrow. The strike is at an end.

ROBERTS. [Reading the paper, and turning on the men. They shrink
back from him, all but ROUS, who stands his ground. With deadly
stillness.] Ye have gone back on me? I stood by ye to the death; ye
waited for that to throw me over!

[The men answer, all speaking together.]

ROUS. It's a lie!

THOMAS. Ye were past endurance, man.

GREEN. If ye'd listen to me!

BULGIN. (Under his breath.) Hold your jaw!

ROBERTS. Ye waited for that!

HARNESS. [Taking the Director's copy of the terms, and handing his
own to TENCH.] That's enough, men. You had better go.

[The men shuffle slowly, awkwardly away.]

WILDER. [In a low, nervous voice.] There's nothing to stay for now,
I suppose. [He follows to the door.] I shall have a try for that
train! Coming, Scantlebury?

SC