Féliat [to Thérèse] The low brute! Things are not going well. What happened at Duriot's has made a very unfortunate impression here. The news that you were going to open a new workshop for the women has been twisted and distorted by gossip and chatter, and my men have been worked up by the other brute to come and threaten me.
Thérèse. What d'you mean?
Féliat. They threaten me with a strike and with blacklisting me if I don't give up the idea.
Thérèse. You can't give up absolutely certain profits.
Féliat. If I am too obstinate, it may result in much larger losses which will be equally certain.
Thérèse. But what then?
Féliat. I've had to promise that for the present at any rate there's no question of taking on any more women.
Thérèse. Oh!
Féliat. What could I do?
Monsieur Guéret comes in.