THeReSE. Oh, they say that now. But if you give in, they'll see that they can get anything they like from your weakness, and they'll make you turn out all these wretched women.

FeLIAT. But I can't help myself! You didn't hear the brutal threats of these men. If I don't give in, I shall be blacklisted, and they'll set the place on fire; they said so. Where will your women's work be then?

And I shall be ruined.

THeReSE. Then you mean to give in without a struggle?

FeLIAT. Would _you_ like to take the responsibility for what will happen if I resist? There'll be violence. Just think what it'll mean. In the state the men are in anything may happen. There's a wounded man already.

How many would there be to-morrow?

THeReSE. You think only of being beaten. But suppose you win? Suppose you act energetically and get the best of it.

FeLIAT. My energy would be my ruin.

THeReSE [_with a change of tone_] Then you wish me to go?

FeLIAT. I have only made up my mind to it to prevent something worse.

THeReSE [_very much moved_] It's impossible you can sacrifice me in this way at the first threat. Look here, Monsieur Feliat; perhaps it doesn't come very well from me, but I can't help reminding you that you've said repeatedly yourself that I've been extremely useful to you. Don't throw me overboard without making one try to save me.

FeLIAT. It would be no use.

THeReSE. How can you tell? It's your own interest to keep me. The delegate said that if I go they'll break up the Women's Union and make the women take the same wages as the men.

FeLIAT. They won't do that because they know I wouldn't keep them.

THeReSE. You see! If you give in, it means the break-up of the whole thing and the loss to you of the saving I've made for you. And you have obligations to these women who have been working for you for years.

FeLIAT. If I have to part with them, I will see they are provided for.

THeReSE. Yes, for a day--a week, perhaps. But afterwards? What then?

Little children will be holding out their hands for food to mothers who have none to give them.

FeLIAT. But, good G.o.d, what have _I_ to do with that? Is it my fault?

Don't you see that I'm quite powerless in the matter?

THeReSE. No, you're not quite powerless. You can choose which you will sacrifice, the women who have been perfectly loyal to you, or the men who want to wring from your weakness freedom from compet.i.tion which frightens them.

FeLIAT. They're fighting for their daily bread.

THeReSE. Yes, fighting the woman because she works for lower wages. She can do that because she is sober and self-controlled. Is it because of her virtues that you condemn her?

FeLIAT. I know all that as well as you do, and I tell you again the women can go on working just as they were working before you came.

THeReSE. You'll be made to part with them.

FeLIAT. We shall see. But at present that's not the question. The present thing is about you. One of us has to be sacrificed, you or me. I can see only one thing. If I stick to you, my machinery will be smashed and my works will be burned. I'm deeply sorry this has happened, and I don't deny for a moment the great value of your services; but, after all, I can't ruin myself for your sake.

THeReSE [_urgently_] But you _wouldn't_ be ruined. Defend yourself, take measures. Ask for a.s.sistance from the Government.

FeLIAT. The Government can't prevent the strike.

THeReSE. But the women will do the work.

FeLIAT. You think of nothing but your women. And the men? They'll be starving, won't they? And their women and their children will starve with them.

THeReSE [_almost in tears_] And me, you have no pity for me. What's to become of me? If you abandon me, I'm done for. I'd made a career for myself. I had realized my dreams. I was doing a little good. And I was so deeply grateful to you for giving me my chance. I'm all alone in the world, you know that very well. Before I came here I tried every possible way to earn my living. Oh, please don't send me away. Don't drive me back into that. Try once again, do something. Let me speak to the men. It's all my life that's at stake. If you drive me out, I don't know where to go to.

_Monsieur Gueret comes in._

GUeRET [_greatly excited_] Feliat, we mustn't wait a moment; we must give in at once. They're exciting themselves; they're mad; they're getting worse; they may do anything. They've gone to the women's workroom and they're driving them out.

_From the adjoining workshop there comes a crash of gla.s.s and the sound of women screaming._

THeReSE [_desperately_] Go, Monsieur! Go quickly! Don't let anything dreadful happen. You're right. I'll leave at once. Go!

_Monsieur Gueret and Monsieur Feliat rush into the women's workshop. The noise increases; there is a sound of furniture overthrown and the loud screams of women._

THeReSE [_alone, clasping her hands_] Oh, G.o.d! Oh, G.o.d!

_Therese stands as if hypnotized by terror, her eyes wide open and fixed upon the door of the workshop. The noise still increases; there is a revolver shot, then a silence.

Finally the voice of Monsieur Feliat is heard speaking, though the words are not intelligible, and a shout of men's voices. Then Monsieur Gueret comes in very pale._

GUeRET. Don't be frightened, it's all over. The shot was fired in the air. The men have gone out; there are only the women now--crying in the workshop.

THeReSE. Are you sure n.o.body is killed? Is it true, oh, tell me, is it really true?

_Monsieur Feliat comes in._

FeLIAT. Poor Therese! Don't be frightened.

THeReSE. Oh, those screams! Those dreadful screams! Is it true, really, n.o.body was hurt?

FeLIAT. n.o.body, I a.s.sure you.

THeReSE. The shot?

FeLIAT. Fired in the air, to frighten the women. The men broke in the door, and upset a bench, and made a great row. I got there just in time.

As soon as they were promised what they want they were quiet.

THeReSE [_after a pause, slowly_] They were promised what they want. So it's done. [_A silence_] Then there's nothing left for me but to go.

GUeRET. Where are you going to?

FeLIAT. You needn't go at once.

THeReSE. Yes, I'm going at once. [_A silence_] I'm going where I'm forced to go.

FeLIAT. You can leave to-morrow or the day after.