[In the meanwhile the Curtain rises and displays the Ant Heap. In the Centre sits a Blind Ant who counts continuously: Ants with sacks, beans, shovels, &c., run across in time to his counting.
Blind Ant. One, two, three, four—one, two, three, four.
Tramp. What’s that? What yer counting for, old boy?
Blind Ant. One, two, three, four—
Tramp. What’s this ’ere? A warehouse or a factory, isn’t it? Hi, what’s it for?
Blind Ant. One, two, three, four—
Tramp. What’s this factory for, I’m asking—why’s this blind feller countin’? Ah, he’s giving them the time. They all move in time as he counts, one, two, three, four. Like machines—Bah, it makes my head swim.
Blind Ant. One, two, three, four—
Enter Chief Engineer.
Chief Engineer. Quicker, quicker, one, two, three, four—