ANTHONY. Can't be helped!

WILDER. Shan't pay a dividend till goodness knows when!

SCANTLEBURY. [With emphasis.] We ought to think of the
shareholders. [Turning heavily.] Chairman, I say we ought to think
of the shareholders. [ANTHONY mutters.]

SCANTLEBURY. What's that?

TENCH. The Chairman says he is thinking of you, sir.

SCANTLEBURY. [Sinking back into torpor.] Cynic!

WILDER. It's past a joke. I don't want to go without a dividend for
years if the Chairman does. We can't go on playing ducks and drakes
with the Company's prosperity.

EDGAR. [Rather ashamedly.] I think we ought to consider the men.

[All but ANTHONY fidget in their seats.]

SCANTLEBURY. [With a sigh.] We must n't think of our private
feelings, young man. That'll never do.

EDGAR. [Ironically.] I'm not thinking of our feelings. I'm
thinking of the men's.

WILDER. As to that--we're men of business.