CHARLIE (firmly). Nevertheless, I must speak. (Going up l.c. by c. doors.)
JOHN. For mercy's sake, be reasonable.
CHARLIE (Hotly) Reasonable! What do you mean by "reasonable"? That I should put your petty pride before the health and wellbeing of scores of men and women. No, father, I can't be "reasonable." I've nailed my colours to the mast and I shall speak—speak as I've never spoken yet, speak with all my heart and soul. I've to fight Thompson in there, Thompson and his renegade, this turncoat, Clavering, and I shall fight to win. Right is with me and I'm not afraid to fight without the gloves. (He goes off c. in a kind of frenzied exultation. A burst of cheering greets him cut off by his closing the door.)
CLAV. (sneeringly). Melodramatic ass!
JOHN (sinking into a chair r. of table, and burying his face in his hands on the table). What shall I do? What shall I do?
CLAV. Umph! It's a pity he's too big an infant to have some sense whipped into him, Mr. Bunting.
JOHN. Don't mock an old man's ruin.
(Enter r. Rose and then Jabez.)
JABEZ (briskly). Oh, here you are, Clavering. Sit down, Rosie. Dirty hole it is. I can't think why on earth you insisted on coming here. (Clavering dusts a chair R. with his hand and places it for her.)
ROSIE. Thanks. (To Jabez.) Of course I came. I couldn't stay away. I had to know what happened, and I knew you'd never tell me. (Jabez snorts and looks round, seeing John, who had again sunk his face wrapt up in his misery. Clavering shuts the door which Jabez had left open. John rises and approaches Jabez appealingly. Jabez sees him with surprise.)