WALTER. We can't possibly tell the pressure there was on him.

JAMES. You may depend on it, my boy, if a man is going to do this
sort of thing he'll do it, pressure or no pressure; if he isn't
nothing'll make him.

WALTER. He'll never do it again.

COKESON. [Fatuously] S'pose I were to have a talk with him. We
don't want to be hard on the young man.

JAMES. That'll do, Cokeson. I've made up my mind. [He passes into
the partners' room.]

COKESON. [After a doubtful moment] We must excuse your father. I
don't want to go against your father; if he thinks it right.

WALTER. Confound it, Cokeson! why don't you back me up? You know
you feel----

COKESON. [On his dignity] I really can't say what I feel.

WALTER. We shall regret it.

COKESON. He must have known what he was doing.

WALTER. [Bitterly] "The quality of mercy is not strained."

COKESON. [Looking at him askance] Come, come, Mr. Walter. We must