Tramp. And what’s the hurry, anyway?
Chief Engineer. The interests of the whole.
2nd Engineer. It is a question of output—question of power.
Chief Engineer. Peaceful competition.
2nd Engineer. We are fighting the battle of peace.
Blind Ant. Blank, two, three, four—
[An Official approaches the Two Engineers and makes a report.
Tramp. Blank, two, three, four! Yer must go quicker. Why, If I was countin’, ’stead o’ you, I’d make them vermin fly. Quicker, quicker, quicker! We men are jest like you,— We’re all for speed. I tell yer, we’re countin’ quicker, too; And if we rush to ruin, we’ll ’ave ourselves to thank,— So wake up, ole blind feller. On with yer countin’! Blank—
Blind Ant. Two, three, four—