JOHN. Well, no, not at you, Barlow. It's this young gentleman who's the mischief-maker.
GUY. The mischief-maker, Mr. Heppenstall?
JOHN (defending himself). You reduced wages. You put down fresh machinery, and got rid of men and——
GUY. And you've done the same.
JOHN. I had to follow suit or see you take my trade away. I didn't want to do it. I believe in treating men as men.
GUY. I believe in treating men as servants of the machines. It's all they are.
JOHN. No. By your leave, young gentleman, it is not all they are. They're flesh and blood. (To Ephraim.) And I'm surprised, Barlow, at your allowing your men to be reduced.
GUY. The men can live on what they're paid.
JOHN. They can't.
GUY. They do. I'm getting applications every day from men who want to be taken on.