the last fight
ye'll ever fight!

[TENCH touches ROBERTS'S sleeve.]

UNDERWOOD. Roberts! Roberts!

ROBERTS. Roberts! Roberts! I must n't speak my mind to the
Chairman, but the Chairman may speak his mind to me!

WILDER. What are things coming to?

ANTHONY, [With a grim smile at WILDER.] Go on, Roberts; say what you
like!

ROBERTS. [After a pause.] I have no more to say.

ANTHONY. The meeting stands adjourned to five o'clock.

WANKLIN. [In a low voice to UNDERWOOD.] We shall never settle
anything like this.

ROBERTS. [Bitingly.] We thank the Chairman and Board of Directors
for their gracious hearing.

[He moves towards the door; the men cluster together stupefied;
then ROUS, throwing up his head, passes ROBERTS and goes out.
The others follow.]

ROBERTS. [With his hand on the door--maliciously.] Good day,
gentlemen! [He goes out.]

HARNESS. [Ironically.] I congratulate you on the conciliatory
spirit that's been displayed. With your permission, gentlemen, I'll
be with you again at half-past five. Good morning!

[He bows slightly, rests his eyes on ANTHONY, who returns his
stare unmoved, and, followed by UNDERWOOD, goes out. There is a
moment of uneasy silence. UNDERWOOD reappears in the doorway.]

WILDER. [With emphatic disgust.] Well!

[The double-doors are opened.]

ENID. [Standing in the doorway.] Lunch is ready.

[EDGAR, getting up abruptly, walks out past his sister.]

WILDER. Coming to lunch, Scantlebury?

SCANTLEBURY. [Rising heavily.] I suppose so, I suppose so. It's
the only thing we can do.

[They go out through the double-doors.]

WANKLIN. [In a low voice.] Do you really mean
to fight to a finish, Chairman?

[ANTHONY nods.]

WANKLIN. Take care! The essence of things is to know when to stop.

[ANTHONY does not answer.]

WANKLIN. [Very gravely.] This way disaster lies. The ancient
Trojans were fools to your father, Mrs. Underwood. [He goes out
through the double-doors.]

ENID. I want to speak to father, Frank.

[UNDERWOOD follows WANKLIN Out. TENCH, passing round the table,
is restoring order to the scattered pens and papers.]

ENID. Are n't you coming, Dad?

[ANTHONY Shakes his head. ENID looks meaningly at TENCH.]

ENID. Won't you go and have some lunch, Mr. Tench?

TENCH. [With papers in his hand.] Thank you, ma'am, thank you! [He
goes slowly, look