r's, pronouncing his a's like an Italian a, and his consonants short
and crisp.] How are you, Mr. Harness? Did n't expect t' have the
pleasure of seeing you till this afternoon.

HARNESS. [Steadily.] We shall meet again then, Roberts.

ROBERTS. Glad to hear that; we shall have some news for you to take
to your people.

ANTHONY. What do the men want?

ROBERTS. [Acidly.] Beg pardon, I don't quite catch the Chairman's
remark.

TENCH. [From behind the Chairman's chair.] The Chairman wishes to
know what the men have to say.

ROBERTS. It's what the Board has to say we've come to hear. It's
for the Board to speak first.

ANTHONY. The Board has nothing to say.

ROBERTS. [Looking along the line of men.] In that case we're
wasting the Directors' time. We'll be taking our feet off this
pretty carpet.

[He turns, the men move slowly, as though hypnotically
influenced.]

WANKLIN: [Suavely.] Come, Roberts, you did n't give us this long