(Enter Dowden, l. he is obviously extremely nervous over his "carpeting" before his employer. Lomax stands above desk.)
JABEZ (beaming paternally on him, with his elbows on the arms of his chair and his finger-tips together.) Come in, Dowden. Don't be nervous, man. No one's going to hurt you. (Dowden shuts door and moves towards Jabez.) This is one of those pleasant interludes in the life of an employer which make it worth the living. You have pleased me, Dowden.
DOWDEN. Very good of you to say so, I'm sure, sir.
JABEZ. Mr. Lomax has spoken most favourably of you. Good lad, good lad. We've been putting our heads together and we're going to raise your salary to—twenty-five shillings a week.
DOWDEN. Thank you, sir. Thank you very much indeed. (Nervously.) Only, sir, I was going to ask——
JABEZ (interrupting). Don't thank me, Dowden. You owe it to your own good work. Go on in the same way and you may come to me again in a year's time, I'll see you right. Mr. Lomax just make a note of that, will you? That will do, Dowden.
DOWDEN. Yes, sir, and thank you, sir.
(Exit Dowden, l.)
JABEZ. Settled his hash for a year anyhow, Lomax. Just let me know of any similar symptoms in good men. It always pays to take time by the forelock in these little matters.
LOMAX. It does that, sir. You prove it. You've the cheapest office staff in the country for its size.