(ASHER makes a gesture as thought to dismiss the subject, as well as
the committee. They hesitate, and are about to leave when GEORGE,
followed by DR. JONATHAN, comes in, lower right. His entrance is
quite dramatic. He walks with the help of a stick, slowly, but his
bearing is soldierly, authoritative, impressive. He halts when he
perceives the committee.)
HILLMAN (going up to GEORGE). How are you, Captain?
FERSEN. Good to have you home once more.
RENCH (going up to GEORGE). Good to see you, Captain, on a day like this. As Larz Fersen said when we were going to strike, “It's a fine day for it.” Well, this is a better day—you home and well, and the strike off.
GEORGE (glancing from one to the other, and then at ASHER). What do you mean?
RENCH. Why, Mr. Pindar—your father here's just made everybody happy. He's recognized the union, and we're going back to work. We'll turn out machines to make shrapnel enough to kill every Hun in France,—get square with 'em for what they done to you.
(They all watch GEORGE, absorbed in the effect this announcement has
on him. An expression of happiness grows in his eyes. After a
moment he goes up to ASHER.)
GEORGE. Dad, why did you do this?
ASHER. I'll tell you, George. When you came home this afternoon I realized something I hadn't realized before. I saw that the tide was against me, that I was like that old English king who set his throne on the sands and thought he could stay the waters. If—if anything had happened to you, I couldn't have fought on, but now that you're here with me again, now that you've risked your life and almost lost it for this—this new order in which you believe, why, it's enough for me—I can surrender with honour. I'm tired, I need a rest. I'd have gone down fighting, but I guess you've saved me. I've been true to my convictions,—you, who belong to the new generation, must be true to yours. And as I told you once, all I care about this business is to hand it over to you.
GEORGE. You'll help me!