timate business. Guns.
And I'm looking after my interests. I'm not declaring war. But if there
is a war I don't see any reason why I should get left in the scramble.

HARRADAN

War! God, do you know what the word means? I've been in two wars. I've
seen and heard and--smelt battlefields. And I've seen women and children
waiting at home--and waiting.

POLLEN

I'll give you a thousand dollars, Senator, for a thousand-word article
on the horrors of war. You can't make it strong enough.

MAYNARD

[_Laughing._

That's one on you, Senator.

HARRADAN

Taney, you're a man of sense, and you love your country. Now--

TANEY

Good night, gentlemen, I'm going.

[_He turns toward the door._

MAYNARD

Same here.

HARRADAN

[_Turning swiftly._

No, you're not. I want a list of names. I want a list of all the people
who are paying you to shout for war. Understand?

[_Fiercely._

I want that list now.

TANEY

[_Coolly._

Hell may grow buttercups, Harradan. But you don't get any names out o'
me.

[_Quickly._

Besides, I ain't got any to give. And I'll have you up for defamation of
character for saying that there's anybody can buy me!

HARRADAN

[_After a pause, quietly._

Taney, you've always been a business-man. You look at things just one
way. You aren't bothered much by imagination. Perhaps you don't know
what you're doing. War, man! Dead men by thousands, wounded men
shrieking for some one to put them out of their misery, fire, ruin,
starvation! For what good, for what good, ever?

POLLEN

I raise my offer, Senator. Make it two thousand.

TANEY

You ought to go into vaudeville, Senator. Subject, "The Horrors of War."

[_The others laugh._

HARRADAN

God, the country stands on the verge of the greatest calamity in its
history and you can't do anything but laugh!

MAYNARD

You're an inspiration, Senator. Just like that dago or Dutchman or
whoever he was who tried to smash up the windmills. But you haven't a
sense of humor.

HARRADAN

[_With quiet dignity._

No. My sense of humor died during our last war. Will you give me those
names that are going to help me kill this satanic craving for war? Are
you?

MAYNARD

You're talking through your hat, Senator. I don't know anything about
any names.

HARRADAN

Very well.

[_Turning to go._

I have five names. They'll do until to-morrow. God willing, they'll
bring Congress back to its senses. I