WALTER. We can't possibly tell the pressure there was on him.
JAMES. You may depend on it, my boy, if a man is going to do this sort of thing he'll do it, pressure or no pressure; if he isn't nothing'll make him.
WALTER. He'll never do it again.
COKESON. [Fatuously] S'pose I were to have a talk with him. We don't want to be hard on the young man.
JAMES. That'll do, Cokeson. I've made up my mind. [He passes into the partners' room.]
COKESON. [After a doubtful moment] We must excuse your father. I don't want to go against your father; if he thinks it right.
WALTER. Confound it, Cokeson! why don't you back me up? You know you feel——
COKESON. [On his dignity] I really can't say what I feel.
WALTER. We shall regret it.
COKESON. He must have known what he was doing.