UNDERWOOD. A quill!

SCANTLEBURY. The homely product of the goose. [He holds out
quills.]

UNDERWOOD. [Drily.] Thanks, if you can spare me one. [He takes a
quill.] What about lunch, Enid?

ENID. [Stopping at the double-doors and looking back.] We're going
to have lunch here, in the drawing-room, so you need n't hurry with
your meeting.

[WANKLIN and WILDER bow, and she goes out.]

SCANTLEBURY. [Rousing himself, suddenly.] Ah! Lunch! That hotel--
Dreadful! Did you try the whitebait last night? Fried fat!

WILDER. Past twelve! Are n't you going to read the minutes, Tench?

TENCH. [Looking for the CHAIRMAN'S assent, reads in a rapid and
monotonous voice.] "At a Board Meeting held the 31st of January at
the Company's Offices, 512, Cannon Street, E.C. Present--Mr. Anthony
in the chair, Messrs. F. H. Wilder, William Scantlebury, Oliver
Wanklin, and Edgar Anthony. Read letters from the Manager dated
January 20th, 23d, 25th, 28th, relative to the strike at the
Company's Works. Read letters to the Manager of January 21st, 24th,
26th, 29th. Read letter from Mr. Simon Harness, of the Central
Union, asking for an interview with the Board. Read letter from the
Men's Committee, signed David Roberts, James Green, John Bulgin,