  Scene: Inside the mill, showing in front a sort of half storeroom, half office shut in from the main body of the mill by a railing in the centre of which is a gate that swings in and out. Far back in this main body of the mill one sees a number of great gang saws from which off-carriers, with freshly sawed slabs and lumber upon their rollers, branch right from the main line that runs the full length of the mill. Through an opening in the far end, whence the logs are drawn up an incline to the saws, one sees as through a telescope a portion of the river and of the mountains on the opposite bank. Up toward the front, left, in this main body of the mill is a wide door that opens outside. In the foreground, within the space partitioned off by the railing, a pair of stairs, evidently connecting with the outdoors on the ground floor, comes up rear left. Centre, against this left wall, a pole six or eight inches in diameter, and to all appearances only recently set, goes up through a hole in the roof. Upon the floor at the foot of the pole, from which two long ropes hang down, lies a large American flag partially strung upon the rope. Forward from the pole is a door which apparently is no longer in use, a strip being nailed across As the Scene opens, something very important seems to be going on in this main office. A crowd of men, workmen and militiamen together, are packed about the door, intent upon whatever it is that is transpiring inside. Forward, away from the crowd, a small group, mostly of militiamen, is gathered about two guards with rifles in their hands, who have evidently just come in. Back, beyond the railing and close to the crowd, a group of workmen about Wes Dicey is engaged in a heated argument. And farther back in the mill, especially about the large door, left, are bodies of men talking together. As the Scene opens, and for a few minutes afterwards, some one up the pole is heard singing. Time: Saturday afternoon the week following the preceding Act. A Workman. (Comes from the crowd to the militiamen) Servin' the papers on the mine, you think? Militiaman. He's too damn proud to play the constable. Second Militiaman. Maybe it's terms from Egerton. Third Militiaman. (To Fourth Militiaman, who has just come up the stairs with his shoulders hung with knapsacks) Chadbourne's here. Second Workman. Egerton makes no terms till he's on top. Fifth Militiaman. He'll have his hands full. Seen the evening papers? (He unfolds a paper and a group gathers about him) Cries. (Near the door) That's right! that's right! Third Workman. (From the edge of the crowd) What are they sayin', Mike? Fourth Workman. (On the edge of the crowd, looking toward the group about Dicey) We can't hear nothin' with that racket there. First Militiaman. It's his lost sheep he's after. Second Militiaman. Let him bark. Fourth Workman. You've stood by us, boys, and we'll stand by you. Voice. (From back in the mill) Tell him we won't, no matter what he says! (The Sixth Militiaman comes up the stairs, with four or five bugles, and shows surprise to see the crowd gathered) Third Militiaman. (In the group about the paper) And Smith and Balding Brothers! Fourth Workman. Lemme see it. Fifth Militiaman. Give him a rouse. What say you. One, two, three. Several. Hurrah for Harry Egerton! Hurrah! Voice. (Rear) Hurrah for the Living Mill! A General Shout. (Back in the mill) The Living Mill! Fifth Militiaman. I guess, by God, he knows where we stand now. (They join the crowd about the door. Jim King comes through the gate in the railing, followed by Rome Masters, who is considerably intoxicated) Jim King. And hug 'em round the neck, if I was you. That's what I'd do. Rome Masters. Now you just stop that, Jim. Jim King. Why did you tell Aug. Jergens that you would? Rome Masters. I ain't said nothin' about backin' down. But I ain't nothin' agin him. Jim King. There you go! It does beat hell. You just keep saying that, That you ain't nothin' agin him, and you'll see. Voice. (Near the door) Who's to be judge what's for the Public Good? Rome Masters. I ain't said that I wouldn't do the job. Jim King. (Stands on tip-toe and looks over the crowd, then turns back to Masters) Didn't you think and didn't I think and Wes That when they cut the pie we'd get our share, One big long table with no head and tail But all the boys the same, and everything Piled on it and divided? (The group about Dicey become more noisy) Voice. (From the crowd) Put him out! (Dicey comes from the centre of the group and catches sight of King, who beckons to him) First Workman. (From the group) If you don't like it, Wes, why don't you leave? Second Workman. (Following Dicey) Why in the hell don't you leave? We're free men. (Dicey, King and Masters walk over to the pile of sash, left) Third Workman. (Of the Dicey faction) Offer 'em coppers for their Union cards. Fourth Workman. And where's the mine that you was goin' to share? Fifth Workman. You want old Egerton to have it, eh? Voice. (Back in the mill) Bring on the Constitution and let's vote! Chris Knudson. (Comes out of the crowd) Don't use that name. (To the Dicey faction) Let's have no trouble, men. This ain't no time to quarrel among ourselves. (To the other party) Try to remember, boys, it's his name, too. (Suddenly there is a tremendous cheering by those about the door. A militiaman hurries from the crowd, grabs a bugle from the Sixth Militiaman and, darting out centre, starts to blow it) Sixth Militiaman. (Excitedly) Don't do that! Here! Militiaman. (With the knapsacks) Don't do that! (The crowd begins to break up, many of the men climbing back over the railing into the mill proper) Militiaman. (Comes sliding down the pole) What's the trouble? Jim King. (Returning with Dicey and Masters) They're out for their selves, damn 'em; we'll be too. Seventh Militiaman. (Coming away with two or three others) Young Egerton's pure gold if ever was. Wes Dicey. Don't make no move, though, Jim, till we see first. (He separates himself from the other two, and they mingle with the men) Eighth Militiaman. That's just the way they did the old man's farm. We had a place and didn't want to sell. That made no difference. Eminent Domain. 'Out of the way there, home!' Voice. (From back in the mill) What did he say? Voice. (Near the door) Then if the Company can take men's lands To build their railroads through—— Second Voice. That's a good point! First Voice. And if you say the Law's the same for all, Then why can't we take theirs when we need bread? Fifth Militiaman. (Getting a group together) Be smoking when he comes out. First Militiaman. Stamper! Kids! Third Voice. (Rear) What Egerton wants, that's for the Public Good! Chris Knudson. There, there you're not remembering it again! (General Chadbourne comes from the office, followed by Captain Haskell, and after these Harry Egerton, Sam Williams, Harvey Anderson, Buck Bentley, and others. The militiamen make a big smoke) General Chadbourne. You'll not lay hands on property in this State. Harry Egerton. The right of men to work is just as sacred As is the right of property, General Chadbourne, And more important to the general welfare. General Chadbourne. These gates have stood wide open here for weeks. Sam Williams. And on whose terms? Workmen. That's the point; on whose terms? General Chadbourne. Of course you'd like to make the terms yourselves. Harvey Anderson. Why shouldn't they? Harry Egerton. What would you have men do? Harvey Anderson. You say the State's been fair with them. All right. But it ain't the State that feeds them, it's the Mill; And it ain't the State that clothes them, it's the Mill; And it ain't the State they think of when they think Of better homes hereafter, it's the Mill. And there ain't no fairness that ain't fair in here, And there ain't no freedom that ain't free in here, Though there ain't no use of saying that to you. Sam Williams. We have to live. General Chadbourne. (Ignoring Anderson, as he does throughout) Employers have the right To buy their labor in the open market, And if you fellows here can't meet the price—— Voice. (From the crowd) You'd have us starve? General Chadbourne. You'll have to step aside And give way to some stronger men that can Sam Williams. And you expect men to obey a law That gives no hope of anything but this? General Chadbourne. You'd been to work and you'd been satisfied If some outsiders hadn't come along And fired your ignorant minds. (Murmurs in the crowd) Chris Knudson. Hold your tongues, men. Harry Egerton. Pardon me, General Chadbourne— Harvey Anderson. (To Buck Bentley) Land o' the free! Harry Egerton. General Chadbourne. I'm here on duty; quite a different thing. Harry Egerton. What I have done I have done not without cause Nor hastily. General Chadbourne. You know yourself these men Would have been to work. Sam Williams. We'd had to—— General Chadbourne. There you are! Sam Williams. If it hadn't been for Mr. Egerton. Harry Egerton. Yes, probably they would. Harvey Anderson. That's just the point. General Chadbourne. Then who is responsible? Harvey Anderson. They'd gone to work. Harry Egerton. For this, I am. But for conditions here—— General Chadbourne. (To Captain Haskell) Remember that. Workmen. No! We! We seized the mill! Harry Egerton. I led them. Buck Bentley. It was we unlocked the gates. Workmen. But we marched in, so we're responsible. Harvey Anderson. We won't dispute about who did it, partners. There's glory enough for all. (Cheers) I'm in it too. (He laughs) Harry Egerton. But for conditions that produced this strike God knows and I know it was not these men. I only wish that that was farther off. General Chadbourne. If wrong's been done there's legal remedies. Harry Egerton. Conditions, General, that outreach the law. Sam Williams. For it's that 'open market'—— Voice. (From the crowd) Who makes the law? Sam Williams. Their legal right to buy the cheapest men And drive them just as hard and just as long As they can stand it. Buck Bentley. And no troops are sent. Cries. (Some militiamen joining in) That's right! Workmen. No troops for us! No troops for us! (This cry is caught up by the crowd and is carried on back through the mill. Chadbourne looks at the militiamen and unbuttons his overcoat and feels about in his pockets) Harry Egerton. Pardon me, General, if I speak right out, But I've seen wages lowered to buy lands, And I've seen bread taken from these men here To gamble with. There are some things, General Chadbourne, That can't go on. We've but one life to live And we just can't stand by and see some things And live. It's not worth while, it's not worth while. Buck Bentley. And while you're here I want to say a word, For possibly we won't see you any more, And they'll be asking of us up the State. I never thought of it—— General Chadbourne. (Handing Haskell a notebook) Take down their names. Buck Bentley. Till Mr. Egerton made his talk that day; But it's a fact and it stares you in the face: When Companies are wronged, or think they are, They touch the wires and the troops are sent, But when the men are wronged, or think they are, It's 'legal remedies.' Sam Williams. That's well put, Comrade. Harvey Anderson. That don't mean anything. First Militiaman. (To Haskell) John Stamper. First Guard. I Guess you know me. Second Militiaman. And you can take mine, too. Harvey Anderson. Who ever saw the like of this before! Third Militiaman. Kelley. Second Guard. And mine. Harry Egerton. A hundred years from now They'll write them in the larger book of Fame. Fourth Militiaman. This is the third time we've been out this year. Harvey Anderson. You look like Israel Putnam and Paul Jones. Buck Bentley. We came down here to see the square thing done; But it's got to work both ways. Sixth Militiaman. And mine. Seventh Militiaman. And mine. Harvey Anderson. (To Chadbourne) You're all right, partner, only you don't see The inside of this thing that's happened here. The day's gone by when two or three big men And lay her up and starve the crew. That's past. We're going to take the flags down of the Kings, Kings of Lumber, Kings of Cotton, Kings of Coal, From one end to the other of this land, And we'll all be Americans, North and South And East and West until you touch the seas. And there's the thing that's going to fly the mast. (Points to the flag on the floor) And when she climbs you'll hear the guns go off Announcing a new Independence here. (Tremendous cheering) (Two militiamen are seen coming up the stairs, the one loaded with blankets, the other with ten or twelve rifles) General Chadbourne. (To Harry Egerton) And this is final, eh? Voice. (From the crowd) We'll hold the mill! Workmen. (Catching sight of the two militiamen) And the mine too! That's right! And the mine too! (Tremendous cheering) Harry Egerton. If you have any way to guarantee That these men who have worked here many years And faithfully, as I know, will have their right To work respected and at an honest wage, And that while there are profits to be shared There'll be no starving time among these men—— General Chadbourne. Don't think because you're Mr. Egerton That you're immune. You'll find the laws the same Whether you're Mr. Egerton or not. (Starts for the stairs) If need be I'll call out ten thousand men. Voice. (Back in the mill) Bring on the Constitution and let's vote! Fifth Militiaman. (With the paper) You'll have your hands full if reports are true. Harry Egerton. We none of us can tell what men will do. The times are changing and the days bring light. General Chadbourne. You mean you'll stir up mutiny again? Harry Egerton. I'll see they get the truth, then let them choose. That is a right we all have, General Chadbourne. General Chadbourne. You'll have no chance to see them. (Goes down the stairs, the two guards leading the way) Harry Egerton. Very well. Just say to Governor Braddock it's with him. We'll keep right on at work. The gates shall be Open and the men shall come and go. Captain Haskell. (To two militiamen who are busy stringing the flag on the rope) Damn pretty men you are to raise a flag. You ought to have a red one. First Militiaman. Go on, Haskell. Second Militiaman. We'll see what kind of men dare take it down. Captain Haskell. Wait till Court Martial sits. (Disappears down the stairs. There is a movement of the workmen back into the mill) Harvey Anderson. (Shouting) Now let's to work! (The militiamen gather left, and to some of them the rifles, knapsacks, etc., are distributed. Buck Bentley, who has taken the bugles in his hands, walks to and fro) Harvey Anderson. You'd better be off, Bentley, don't you think? They'll turn Hell upside down to get that mine. Buck Bentley. He wanted to say something to me. Harvey Anderson. (Calls rear left to Harry Egerton, who is engaged with Dicey, a number of workmen being gathered about them) Partner! (They stand silent, watching the group) Buck Bentley. Harry's too easy with him. A Workman. (Leaving the group and passing rear, calls to Anderson) The same old sore. Harvey Anderson. You've noticed any change these past few days? Buck Bentley. In Egerton, you mean? Ain't it the strain Of breaking with his family? (Harry Egerton starts toward them, but Dicey keeps after him, the men following) Buck Bentley. (To Anderson, who has turned aside and half pulled from his inside pocket a legal looking document) What—— Harvey Anderson. His will. Harry Egerton. (To Dicey) It's a new day, my friend, a glorious day. Voice. (Back in the mill) 'Twill soon be night! Harry Egerton. Try to forget the past And everything except that we are men Working together for the good of all. Wes Dicey. That ain't the point though, Mr. Egerton. Sam Williams. You've got your vote, Wes, same as we have ours, You and your friends have. Why ain't that enough? Or is it that you think the few should rule? Wes Dicey. There's got to be good feelin' all around If it's to hold together as you say; It's got to be plumbed well. And I don't see, If it's to be a workers' commonwealth, How you can keep the mine out. Course it's yours And in a way you can do as you please, That is, if you was like most men you could; But bein' different, standin' for the right, We don't just see how you can say 'We'll keep The mine out and devote it to the Cause.' If the boys ain't the Cause, tell us what is. Maybe it's as we're ignorant and don't know. Harry Egerton. Please do not put things in this bitter way. The Cause is what you've fought for all these years, A chance to live a freer, larger life. But in this struggle are you men alone? And shall we as we climb to better things Reach down no help to others, but hold fast To all we get? Several. No! No! Harry Egerton. Would that be right? Wes Dicey. Another point. For years and years we've had A Union here, and when the fight came on, 'Twas as a Union that we made the fight. And Sam knows this is true, 'twas not so much The cut in wages, though, that took our strength, As 'twas their breakin' of the Union up As made us say 'By God, we'll fight or die.' Ain't that true, boys? Two Or Three. That's true. Wes Dicey. And then you come To make slaves of us, closin' of the gates To make us knuckle down. And you said 'Come,' And the boys followed you, and here they are. And many of 'em, if I sound 'em right, Are wonderin' what we're here for. I'll ask Sam If he's in favor of the Open Shop. Sam Williams. We formed our Union, Wes, when we were slaves, Same as in war times armies are called out. But when the war is over they go back. Wes Dicey. 'Go back.' Sam Williams. We're free men now. Chris Knudson. We've no foe now Except ourselves. Wes Dicey. All of which means you'll vote In favor of admittin' every man To full rights here. Harvey Anderson. Look here, pard—— Wes Dicey. Are you Sam? Harvey Anderson. If it's the soldier boys you're knocking at, They don't intend to stay, most of them don't. But as I think they'll be invited to. (Cheers) Didn't they leave their Union? A Militiaman. The damned dog. Sam Williams. I mean to vote, Wes, for that Living Mill That Mr. Egerton has told us of. For that's the thing, or something like that thing, We've worked for all these years. And now it's come, A place where we can work and be free men, Having a say in things, as Harvey says, God help us if we can't get on as friends. (Jim King takes Dicey aside, where Masters joins them) Harry Egerton. (Coming to Bentley and the militiamen) I want to thank you, Bentley, and you men, I want to thank you for the help you've been. You've played the noblest part I ever knew. Buck Bentley. We followed you. Harry Egerton. No. We have interests here, The rest of us have interests here; we've homes And families, and the fight was ours. But you, You'd never seen a one of us before. And you came here honorable men, and now You're traitors through the State, and mutineers. Buck Bentley. It's all right. Harry Egerton. Yes, indeed, it is all right. Fifth Militiaman. They'll be more, too. Sixth Militiaman. He'll never call them out. Harry Egerton. You've helped to make the history of this land, And there's not one of you will not be known And honored for it. A Militiaman. Half as much as you. Harry Egerton. And now a little toast before you go. (Shakes hands with them) Bentley, Kelley, Stamper, and you all, Sam, and you, Harvey, Chris, and Mike, and Wes, You'll join us, you and Jim and Rome? (The three remain aside talking together) Harry Egerton. And you, And you back there, you of the Living Mill— For all time, shall we say it? Subdued Voices. For all time. Harry Egerton. (With a swift glance toward Dicey, King and Masters) And give our lives, if need be, for this thing? Subdued Voices. And give our lives, if need be, for this thing. Harry Egerton. This is a glorious day. Militiamen. (Leaving) So long! So long! Harry Egerton. Wherever men get free they'll think of us. Workmen. So long! So long! Buck Bentley. And there was something else. The General came while you were speaking. Harry Egerton. Ah! Buck Bentley. Something about some bugles you said get. Harry Egerton. Yes, I forgot. I meant to show you these That a Committee brought this afternoon. (Takes a paper from his pocket) Read them in the meeting, Harvey. Cries. Read them now! Harry Egerton. Some resolutions of the citizens, Who are glad we've gone on peaceably to work. And if at any time we need their help—— Sam Williams. (Taking a bugle and holding it up to the crowd) The citizens say blow these if we need help! Because we've gone on peaceably to work. (Cheers) It's work, you see, that wins, comrades. Chris Knudson. That's right. Harry Egerton. I trust, though, that they'll never need to blow. Buck Bentley. 'Twill set the land on fire if they do. A Workman. The workingmen throughout the State will hear. Harvey Anderson. They'll blow in relay, pards, from sea to sea. (Harry Egerton stands and watches the militiamen depart. As Bentley goes down the stairs he turns and looks at Harry Egerton, who lifts his hand to his head in a sort of military salute) Chris Knudson. That's what they say about us, Wes, you know That when the thing we've fought is taken away We'll fight among ourselves. Wes Dicey. (To Harry Egerton) I ain't a man, And never have been one, to set my views Against the boys' views. If they're satisfied And think the new way's better than the old, And if they'll vote for it, Wes and his friends Will have no grouch. Several. That's all right. A Voice. Then come on. Harry Egerton. To get along together, as Sam says, That's what we seek, my friend. The rest will come. Wes Dicey. It's for the boys I took the stand I did. (The workmen go back into the mill. Harry Egerton watches Dicey until he is lost among the men that pass out rear) Harvey Anderson. (Who has been watching him) Partner. Harry Egerton. (Who has started to follow the men) What is it, Harvey? Harvey Anderson. What's this mean? Harry Egerton. We cannot be too patient with these men. It's a free mill we're trying to build, Harvey. Harvey Anderson. 'Tain't that I mean. (Takes the will from his pocket) Why did you give me this? Harry Egerton. As a precaution, Harvey. Harvey Anderson. (To Jim King, who lingers about beyond the railing) We'll be there. Harry Egerton. If anything should happen to me, you know, My father would inherit everything. Harvey Anderson. Yes. Harry Egerton. And God meant the mine for other things. And as administrators you and Sam And Buck I knew would carry on the work. Harvey Anderson. But why just now? Come on and tell me, partner. There's something up. You ain't been like yourself. There's something on your heart. What is it, partner? It ain't the faction? Harry Egerton. Harvey Anderson. About the mine— That lie they told is eating in your heart. Harry Egerton. Have I done anything that you know, Harvey, That could have wronged the men or any of them? Harvey Anderson. You wronged them? What you mean? Harry Egerton. In any way? Harvey Anderson. Why they'd die for you, partner. What you mean? Harry Egerton. Come here to-night when we can be alone. There are some things I want to tell you, Harvey, That you and Sam and Buck must carry out. Harvey Anderson. (Looks at him a long while, then lays his hands upon his shoulders) We're on the eve of seeing things come true And there ain't nothing that can stop it, partner. Harry Egerton. I don't know what I'd do without you, Harvey. (They go back through the gate in the railing and out through the great door, left, whence the crowd has passed. Rome Masters comes furtively up the stairs and looks about. He then comes past the sash to the door, forward left, and begins to pull off the strip that is nailed across it. He has just loosened it when Jim King appears upon the stairs and gives a low whistle. Rome Masters quickly joins him and together they hurry back through the mill First Guard. I'll find him. Bishop Hardbrooke. If you please. (The Guard goes back through the mill) Bishop Hardbrooke. I don't like this. The atmosphere's too charged with victory. Ralph Ardsley. I don't believe they even know it's cold. (Looks about) It's wonderful the way he's handled things. It's that, I think, as much as anything That's won the confidence of the citizens. I was just sure they'd have a riot here. (He gets up on one of the stools before the desk and takes from his overcoat pocket a newspaper which he spreads out before him) I've thought about it, Bishop; don't you think That that injunction Egerton got out Against the mine, considering everything, For claiming that his own men found the mine— Aside from the reflection on his son— A tactical mistake, don't you think so? Bishop Hardbrooke. Best not allude to that. Ralph Ardsley. I think so too. (He reads the paper. The Bishop stands listening to the indistinct noises that come from the crowd outside) Ralph Ardsley. And yet you can't blame Jergens very much. Something has got to happen pretty soon. Amalgamated's off again, I see. Bishop Hardbrooke. Who is this Harvey Anderson? Ralph Ardsley. He's the rough That kept the men from going back that day. Drew his revolver. Big man here now. You see He'd been out on the mountains with a cast, One of the men the Company had out. So it's quite possible, as Jergens claims, To get possession of a mine like that— Men have been killed for less. Bishop Hardbrooke. But Harry—— Ralph Ardsley. That, That's what I can't get down me, his collusion—— (Cheers outside) It's probably Anderson haranguing them. I don't myself believe that Harry'd do it. (Tremendous cheering) There's certainly enthusiasm there. Bishop Hardbrooke. What is it, Editor Ardsley? Ralph Ardsley. I don't know. Bishop Hardbrooke. What's it all mean? What's underneath it all? Ralph Ardsley. We're neither of us, Bishop, what we were. We've lost our power. Something's happening That we don't understand. (A pause) And done by men That live right here and walk the streets and talk, Buy vegetables and pass the time of day. I tell you, Bishop Hardbrooke, you can't tell. Bishop Hardbrooke. (Half to himself) As though they had the Ark of the Covenant. Ralph Ardsley. If any one had said to me last week That that despondent crowd of shabby men, After six weeks of battle against odds, And beaten into silence, starved and cold, Had in them the capacity for this— Who was it said we're always in a flux, That nothing's fixed? We don't know anything. It's like a case of type; to-day it spells Egerton and to-morrow M-o-b. To think of Donald Egerton at bay! Egad! Bishop Hardbrooke. These shouts once rose about the Church, But somehow we don't hear them any more. Ralph Ardsley. Don't think for a moment, Bishop, that you're alone. We never had the tumult and the shout That you had in old days, but it's all the same. The 'Power of the Press'! It makes me laugh. If I could find a little farm somewhere, I'd sell my stock to Egerton and get out And let the world go hang. I'm tired of it. (Cheers outside) Yes, there's a ring about it you don't hear Even in Conventions. (The Guard enters the mill, back left, and comes through the gate in the railing) Guard. In a moment. Bishop Hardbrooke. Thank you. (The Guard goes out down the stairs) Ralph Ardsley. What's your opinion of the trouble, Bishop? (To himself) To think of Donald Egerton at bay! Bishop Hardbrooke. We've had the matter up in Conference Several times. Ralph Ardsley. Yes. Bishop Hardbrooke. But I somehow feel We don't get hold of it. The lower classes— They're going off. I don't believe it's Christ. You say they're leaving you; and General Chadbourne— Two thirds, I think you said, of his command. Ralph Ardsley. Facing State's prison, too (Cheers outside. The two men remain silent) Ralph Ardsley. And Egerton— They certainly have left him. I thought last night As I sat looking up toward that new home— (Cheers outside) They'll never light it up again that way, The way it was that day. Did you ever see Anything to equal that reception hall? Bishop Hardbrooke. What's in the boy that these men follow him, And all his life so quiet, almost timid? Ralph Ardsley. 'What go ye out into the wilderness for to see?' Bishop Hardbrooke. Yes, if his cause were better. Ralph Ardsley. There you are. Bishop Hardbrooke. But this audacious, this deliberate Stealing—though I hate to use the word— This seizing of the mill—— Ralph Ardsley. Here he comes now. (He gets down from the stool) You do the talking, Bishop, the heavy part. (Harry Egerton enters) Bishop Hardbrooke. Harry. Harry Egerton. Bishop Hardbrooke. Ralph Ardsley. You don't seem To mind the cold or anything down here. Harry Egerton. We have been busy. Ralph Ardsley. I should think so. Yes It's wonderful the way you've plunged right in To business. Harry Egerton. Yes. Ralph Ardsley. Things going pretty well? Harry Egerton. Yes. Ralph Ardsley. I'm glad. Harry Egerton. You sent for me. Ralph Ardsley. Yes. Bishop Hardbrooke. Harry, We've come to see if something can't be done To end this controversy and bring peace, An honorable peace to all concerned. A permanent state of strife is far from pleasant. There's nothing sadder in the life of man Against each other, to say nothing, Harry, Of this far dearer tie that's straining here, That pains us all far more than we can tell. We've often had these troubles in the Church, Mostly in the past, of course, men differing Upon some point of doctrine or government. And my experience is that at the bottom There's something that at first was overlooked, Then, in the strife that followed, overwhelmed. There's common ground, there must be in these things. Look at the world; we pass along the street. We don't confront each other and block the way. Each yields a bit and so we all pass on. And in relationships it must be the same. We're one, my brother. Ralph Ardsley. Like our fingers here. Bishop Hardbrooke. And when we're not, when interests seem to clash, It's just as sure as Death or anything Some law of God is being tampered with. And so we thought we'd come—— Ralph Ardsley. And now's the time. Bishop Hardbrooke. For, as you know, in town the feeling's growing That there's a sword impending over us Which the least breath will bring down on our heads. Ralph Ardsley. And not in the town alone, but the whole State— They seem to have their eyes upon us here. You've seen the papers how the strikes are spreading. The mills at Upton and the plant at Sawyer, And down the State there's Smith and Balding Brothers, Heacox and Knight, twelve hundred men gone out, Demanding unconditionally the mills. Bishop Hardbrooke. Think of it, Harry, think of what this means! Ralph Ardsley. Not satisfied with wages any more. Harry Egerton. Pardon me. (Walks rear and listens) Bishop Hardbrooke. He doesn't listen to what I say. Ralph Ardsley. Not that you are to blame for it, we don't say that. But probably without your knowing it A fire or something's going out of you That's kindling this industrial upheaval; For it's your name they've made the war-cry, Harry. Bishop Hardbrooke. He even smiled when you spoke of the mills Closing. Ralph Ardsley. I don't think he meant it so. His heart's out there, though, that's as plain as day. Bishop Hardbrooke. Harry, if these shouts mean a final step, A closing up of things which if once closed Will render of no use any labor of ours, I beg of you to call this meeting off, At least until we see what we can do. Ralph Ardsley. Postpone it, Harry, say till Monday morning. You know yourself how dangerous it is To wake men's hopes to a wild dream of power. They're never afterwards content with less Than that wild something that could never be. Bishop Hardbrooke. Yes, brother, let the Lord's day with its peace Breathe on this quarrel. Why do you say too late? Harry Egerton. (Who has come forward) Because it's up there, Bishop, it's up there Above mere bread. Ralph Ardsley. What does he mean by that? Bishop Hardbrooke. I trust, my brother, that it is up there. Ralph Ardsley. We don't just see what it is you are trying to do. Harry Egerton. The statement I gave out last Saturday—— Ralph Ardsley. That was a week ago. Harry Egerton. Yes. Ralph Ardsley. And since then Reports have come out that there's a move on foot To organize—I know not what to call it—— Harry Egerton. A Commonwealth of Workers. Bishop Hardbrooke. Then it's true! Ralph Ardsley. Your purpose then is to retain the mill? Bishop Hardbrooke. Purchase it? Harry Egerton. I don't know. We'll do what's fair. We've had to think first of supplying bread. That's left but little time for other things. Bishop Hardbrooke. But if the Company shouldn't choose to sell? Harry Egerton. That is with them. Ralph Ardsley. You mean you'll still hold on? Harry Egerton. That will be my advice, yes. Ralph Ardsley. But the Law. Bishop Hardbrooke. 'Thou shalt not steal.' (Harry Egerton walks rear and listens) Ralph Ardsley. Doesn't that beat the world! Bishop Hardbrooke. It's his association with these roughs. Ralph Ardsley. And they'll never dare lay hands upon them, Bishop. I tell you the Commonwealth's afraid to move. Bishop Hardbrooke. Has God no place in business, my young brother? Harry Egerton. (Returning) Yes, Bishop Hardbrooke, and it's very strange You've never thought of that until to-day. Bishop Hardbrooke. A hidden meaning couched in that, I think. Harry Egerton. This is the first time you've been in this mill Or near these workingmen in all these years. And now you come to plead my father's cause. Bishop Hardbrooke. I come for peace. Harry Egerton. Then why not weeks ago When there was strife? You heard the cry of the poor For six weeks, Bishop, and you never came. Why wait until the starving time is past? Bishop Hardbrooke. I've rather arduous duties, my young brother. Besides my Church work there are Boards and Boards And meetings of this Charity and that That you in business know but little of. My interest in the poor is not unknown. Harry Egerton. You've been in father's confidence for years. Bishop Hardbrooke. I'm proud to say I have. Harry Egerton. There's seldom passed A Sunday that he's not been in his pew. Bishop Hardbrooke. A creditable record. Ralph Ardsley. I should say. Bishop Hardbrooke. And one that any son might emulate With profit, I should think. Harry Egerton. It's very strange My father doesn't know some things are wrong. Bishop Hardbrooke. You mean he doesn't see things as you do. Harry Egerton. Yes, all my life I've wondered when I've seen Check after check go out with father's name To help along some Mission over sea Or roof some rising Charity at home, I've often wondered that he's never seen Those little shacks upon the hill out there Nor heard the cry of widows from these saws. Bishop Hardbrooke. I would suggest, my brother, that we leave The deeper things of God for quiet times And turn our minds to something nearer home. Harry Egerton. I know of nothing nearer home than this, The cry of men for justice at our doors. Bishop Hardbrooke. Suppose we get the Company to agree To let bygones be bygones with the men, And to restore conditions as they were—— Ralph Ardsley. In other words to meet the men's demands. Bishop Hardbrooke. And put the guards they ask about the saws. That would remove the causes, would it not, Of the misunderstanding? Ralph Ardsley. Every one. Bishop Hardbrooke. Would there be any valid reason then Why Peace should not return and all be friends As formerly? Harry Egerton. For weeks they waited for it. (Listens back) Bishop Hardbrooke. What's time to do with right and wrong, my brother? Harry Egerton. But men in misery often have a vision Beyond the eye of prosperous days to see. Bishop Hardbrooke. If it was fair last week, then why not now? Harry Egerton. They're building something fairer. (Walks back) Ralph Ardsley. It's no use. Bishop Hardbrooke. On what foundations, Harry? All about I see the wreck and ruin of our land; Her altars down, her sacred institutions—— (Cheering outside) Harry, I beg of you to stop and think And cast before the swine of riotous feet. (Continuous cheering) I appeal to you, my brother—— Harry Egerton. Bishop Hardbrooke—— Bishop Hardbrooke. In the name of everything that you hold dear—— Harry Egerton. There's nothing you could say that could persuade me—— Bishop Hardbrooke. Think of your country plunged in civil war! Harry Egerton. To stay even with a word what's rising there. Bishop Hardbrooke. Think of your mother, think of how she feels Sitting—— Ralph Ardsley. Here's Anderson! Harry Egerton. What is it, Harvey? Harvey Anderson. (Hurrying in) Well, President of Free Mill Number One And many more hereafter! (Goes quickly left and, seizing the rope, pulls the flag up on the pole) Up the mast, My beauty! Now you'll hear 'em raise the roof. Harry Egerton. And Dicey——? Harvey Anderson. Moved to make it unanimous. No opposition. (Tremendous cheering outside) Harvey Anderson. (Comes right and takes Harry Egerton's two hands in his) Well, boy? Ralph Ardsley. It's no use, Bishop. Harvey Anderson. You've dreamed it and it's a fact now, partner. Harry Egerton. Yes. Harvey Anderson. The years will multiply 'em. Harry Egerton. Hear! Just hear! (Prolonged cheering) Ralph Ardsley. Harry Egerton. The Living Mill! (A volley of shots) Harvey Anderson. There goes the boys' salute! (Seizes Harry Egerton by the shoulders and lifts him off his feet) Up with you, up into the skies with you! We've lived to see a day will live forever. And you come right on out and make your speech. (Hurries back through the mill) Harry Egerton. I'll be there shortly, Harvey. Bishop Hardbrooke. I suppose There's no use in our talking any more. Harry Egerton. I'm sorry, Bishop. Bishop Hardbrooke. Then—Good-bye. Harry Egerton. Good-bye. (The Bishop and Ardsley go out down the stairs. Harry Egerton starts back toward the gate) Jim King. (Suddenly appears just beyond the railing) There was a call just now 'fore you came in. I think it was your mother. (Harry Egerton turns back to the desk and takes up the telephone. Jim King vanishes through the great door, left) Harry Egerton. Forty-nine Grand View, please. Yes. (A pause) Mother? I knew your voice. You called me up, one of the men said. No? (A pause) Or some one else. (A pause) Yes, mother, very well. You're going to the city? (A pause) That was it. I thought perhaps you had called me up to ask. (A pause) Four or five hundred pounds. (A pause) Mixed, I should say. And such toys as you think children would like. (A pause) O you know more about such things than I. (A pause) Yes. (A pause) Mother, while I think of it, has father Had any trouble with Jergens? (A pause) Ah, I'm glad. I overheard him talking with some men The other night, and thought from what he said It might be father they were talking of. (A pause. The door, forward left, opens slowly and Rome Masters comes stealthily in with a bar of iron in his hand, and moves toward Harry Egerton, whose back is to him) Harry Egerton. I'm very glad. You might ask father though. (Cheering outside) I'll have some news for you when you return. (A pause) Here in the mill. And I'll be Santa Claus. (A pause) That will be beautiful. (A pause) And, mother—— (Masters strikes him) Harry Egerton. Ah! (He sinks to the floor. Masters, iron in hand, flees down the stairs. The cheering outside continues. Then, as the noise subsides, there is heard a steady buzzing of the telephone as though some one were trying to get connection) |
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