The Americans Part 61

HARRY EGERTON.

Yes, father.

EGERTON.

I thought so.

HARRY EGERTON.

I want the mill.

GEORGE EGERTON.

And thought you'd blackmail father.

HARRY EGERTON.

Listen to me!

For probably in all my life I'll never Speak to you as I'm speaking now, my father.

MRS. EGERTON.

Donald, I beg of you----

GEORGE EGERTON.

Well, I'll be----

MRS. EGERTON.

George!

HARRY EGERTON.

In these six years for one cause or another There've been three strikes that have cost the Company thousands In money, to say nothing of those things That all the money in the world can't buy.

Now let me ask, my father, if this loss, Instead of springing from these strikes, had come Through breakdowns of the machinery, or in the camps Through failure to get the timber out in time, Wouldn't you have dismissed the man in charge?

Then why do you let Jergens run the mill?

Hasn't he failed, and miserably, with the men?

GEORGE EGERTON.

What have you to do with it?

EGERTON.

I'll attend to this.

(_George Egerton walks away and stands by the pine trees, picking off and biting the needles_)

HARRY EGERTON.

Is it because the earnings have increased?

Think what it's cost you, father. In every mill Jergens has touched he's left a cursing there That's all come back on us. Why, my father, Our name's become a by-word through the State, 'As hard as Egerton.' And when I think Of what might be, the good-will and the peace, The happiness! There's not the least excuse For this cut in wages, father, and you know it.

EGERTON.

Um!

HARRY EGERTON.

You can't help but know it. You've the books; You know what you've been making. But that aside: To come to what I would say: You've won this strike.

You have the men in your power and you can say, 'Go back,' and they'll go back. But you won't do it.

EGERTON.

Won't I?

HARRY EGERTON.

Will you, when you know you're wrong?

When you know you're losing friends who love what's right?

Think of the sentiment against you, father.

No, father, you don't know what's going on.

EGERTON.

It seems I don't.

HARRY EGERTON.

If you knew how they live And the hard time they have to get along.

It isn't fair, my father, it isn't fair.

GLADYS EGERTON.

(_In tears, to her mother_)

Yes, you don't care.

HARRY EGERTON.

Father, you love this land.

There's never been a day in all your life, If there'd been war, you wouldn't have closed the mill And gone and died upon the field of battle If the country had called to you in her need.

And I can see you how you'd scorn the man, If he were serving as a General, Who'd keep his rank and file as poorly fed And ragged as he could.

(_The telephone bell rings_)

GLADYS EGERTON.