JABEZ. There's not much trade about, these days. (Sitting at his desk.)
LOMAX. No, sir. Cranbury's haven't sent their cheque again.
JABEZ. Haven't they? Well, I'm waiting no longer. You'd better ring up Charlton and get him to take it in hand. You might attend to this lot. (Handing him some letters.)
LOMAX. Yes, sir.
JABEZ. That's all. (Lomax coughs.) Well, what is it?
LOMAX. That matter of young Dowden sir. You said you would speak to him to-day.
JABEZ. Oh, yes, of course. (Takes down speaking tube and blows: then puts it to his mouth.) Send Dowden to me. (Replaces tube.) Let me see invoice desk, isn't he?
LOMAX. Yes, sir.
JABEZ. You're quite sure he's getting restive? Lomax. Absolutely. I thought he'd ask for a rise last week. It's been on his tongue three or four times or I shouldn't have mentioned it to you. A look from me generally keeps them quiet if they only half mean it.
JABEZ. What does he get?