JABEZ. Oh, well—Yes, all right, John. But what sort of work is it? Laboratory experiments!
JOHN. Yes, and jolly useful they are, too. You're bound to have a chemist. Give the devil his due, Jabez, Charlie's discoveries have been the making of the business.
JABEZ. They've had their uses.
JOHN. I should think they have. Why, man, you simply ran the place for a couple of years on that cheap fast red of his.
JABEZ. Hang it all, experimenting's all right, but a fellow needs a business head as well; what's the good of his finding new processes if he can't exploit 'em?
JOHN. You exploit them.
JABEZ. I know I do. But I shan't be here for ever. Charlie 'ud be a catspaw in the hands of a smart business man. He's the sort of fool a clever fellow likes to get hold of. I want him to help me in the management, in selling the stuff and handling the men, and I can't get him to stir a finger. What's the use of a man like that at the head of a business concern?
JOHN (gruffly). Then don't put him there.
JABEZ (irritated—rising and pacing about). By God, I will, though. (Turning abruptly to John.) Why? (l.c.) I'll tell you why, John. Nothing queers a man for business like the knowledge that thing's aren't right at home, and that girl of mine's fretting (u.l.). I tell you I'm not very particular who she marries so long as I know she's married happily, but she's set her heart on Charlie, so Charlie it must be, and I'm damned if I'll have him putting her off any longer. It's upsetting Rosie and it's upsetting me. That's why I want Charlie to be a man instead of a skulking chemist. (Pause—dropping down l.) The fellow wants some backbone, John. Managing a works isn't all plain sailing to-day, same as it was when the men knew their places. It wants a strong hand and a quick brain to see how to give 'em the little things that don't matter and to keep from them the big things that do. I'm getting old, John. I'd like a rest. You'll speak to him, now, won't you?
(Sits l. of table.)