(The silence is intense)
General Chadbourne.
(Rehearsing his speech)
... And it gives me pleasure to announce to you
Upon the occasion of the opening
Of your new mansion, Colonel Egerton,
This bit of news, sir, from the military;
And I offer it with our congratulations:
The strike is over;
The men have yielded and have gone to work.
And all's been done without one——
(Enter the Butler hurriedly)
General Chadbourne.
Here I am.
Butler.
(Passing him)