[MIFFLIN, beaming and bubbling, more radiant than in Act 1, but dressed as then except for a change of tie, comes from the house. He carries his umbrella and hat and the same old magazines and a newspaper.]
MIFFLIN: Ah, Mr. Gibson, you couldn't stay away any longer!
GIBSON: How de do! Sit down!
MIFFLIN [effervescing, as they sit]: It's glorious! I heard from your household you were expected back this Sunday. Now confess! You couldn't stay away! You had to come and watch it!
GIBSON: Well, I've not had to come and watch it for four months. I don't expect to watch it much, now.
MIFFLIN: You don't mean to sit there and tell me you don't know anything about it!
GIBSON: No; I don't know anything about it.
MIFFLIN: Mr. Gibson, you're an extraordinary man!
GIBSON: No, I'm not. What I did was extraordinary, but I was only an ordinary man pushed into a hole.
MIFFLIN: Oh, no; surrendering the factory was merely normal. What's remarkable is your staying away from watching the glorious work these former hireling workmen of your factory are doing, now they've won their industrial freedom. Myself, I've taken rooms near by: I started to do one article; now I have a series. And oh, the glory of watching these comrades with their economic shackles off! Haven't you heard anything of our success?