WILDER. Who wants to surrender? [ANTHONY looks at him.] I--I want
to act reasonably. When the men sent Roberts up to the Board in
December--then was the time. We ought to have humoured him; instead
of that the Chairman--[Dropping his eyes before ANTHONY'S]--er--we
snapped his head off. We could have got them in then by a little
tact.

ANTHONY. No compromise!

WILDER. There we are! This strike's been going on now since
October, and as far as I can see it may last another six months.
Pretty mess we shall be in by then. The only comfort is, the men'll
be in a worse!

EDGAR. [To UNDERWOOD.] What sort of state are they really in,
Frank?

UNDERWOOD. [Without expression.] Damnable!

WILDER. Well, who on earth would have thought they'd have held on
like this without support!

UNDERWOOD. Those who know them.

WILDER. I defy any one to know them! And what about tin? Price
going up daily. When we do get started we shall have to work off our
contracts at the top of the market.

WANKLIN. What do you say to that, Chairman?