EPHRAIM. Burn it and we build another. And while it's building you'll have time to think and clear heads to think with, for you'll draw no wages in the meantime. I'm still waiting to know why you're here.
MATTHEW. If you'd not reduced wages, maybe we'd not be here.
EPHRAIM. That's it, is it?
JOE. Yes, that's it.
EPHRAIM. Will it make you happy if I put the wages up again?
MARTIN. It won't make us happy. There's been no happy weavers since machines came in.
JOHN. Is that what you want? Wages back at the old level?
MARTIN. No. We want more. The old level isn't good enough. Eight shillings a week won't keep a man, let alone a man's family.
EPHRAIM. We give your families work. You men aren't the only wage-earners. Even your children can come to us and be paid. We not only keep them away from mischief at home, but we pay them for it. (Rising.) You can take that answer back. We want willing workers and if you'll go away and be satisfied with the old wages, we'll try to pay them, though it's little less than ruin for the manufacturers.
MARTIN (scornfully). This looks a ruined house, and you look badly fed and all with your wine, and your servants, and your money to build another factory. To hell with your eight shillings! We want ten.