Woman on Her Own, False Gods and The Red Robe Part 30

FeLIAT. If I am too obstinate, it may result in much larger losses which will be equally certain.

THeReSE. But what then?

FeLIAT. I've had to promise that for the present at any rate there's no question of taking on any more women.

THeReSE. Oh!

FeLIAT. What could I do?

_Monsieur Gueret comes in._

FeLIAT [_to Gueret_] Well?

GUeRET. They wouldn't listen.

FeLIAT. I was afraid they wouldn't. [_To Therese_] That's not all. Your G.o.dfather has been trying something else, and I understand he's not succeeded. I shall have to take the mending away from your workshop.

THeReSE. The women won't agree to that.

GUeRET. Perhaps that would be the best solution of the difficulty.

THeReSE [_startled_] Don't say that. You can't mean it. Think!

GUeRET. What's more, the men refuse to finish the work the women have begun.

THeReSE. We'll finish it.

GUeRET. Then they'll strike.

THeReSE. Let them strike. Monsieur Feliat, you can fight now and get terms for yourself. Just at this moment we have only one very urgent order. If the men strike, I can find you women to replace them. Every day I am refusing people who want to be taken on.

GUeRET [_suddenly_] I have an idea.

THeReSE. What's that?

GUeRET. I know my men; they're not bad fellows.

THeReSE. My workers are splendid women.

GUeRET. Of course they are. As a matter of fact we're face to face now, not with a fight between men and masters, but with a fight between men-workers and women-workers. The men have their trade union, and the women have theirs. Both unions have a President and two Vice-Presidents.

Both have their office. We must have a meeting between the two here at once, in a friendly, sensible way, before they've all had time to excite themselves; and let them find some way out that'll please 'em all.

FeLIAT. But, my dear fellow, if you bring them together, they'll tear one another's eyes out.

GUeRET. Oh, we know you don't believe the working cla.s.ses have any sense.

FeLIAT [_between his teeth_] I don't. I've been an employer too long.

THeReSE [_to Monsieur Feliat_] Why not try what my G.o.dfather suggests?

What do you risk?

FeLIAT. I don't mind. But I will have nothing to do with it personally.

GUeRET. Neither will I.

THeReSE. I'll go and see if Berthe and Constance are here. [_To Gueret_]

You go and fetch your men. [_She goes out to the left_]

GUeRET. I give you my word that, if there's any possible way out, this is the only chance of getting at it.

FeLIAT. Very well, go and fetch them.

_Gueret goes out. Therese comes in with Berthe and Constance. They are wearing large ap.r.o.ns and have scissors attached to their waistbelts. Berthe is a fat, ordinary woman. Constance is tall, dry, and ugly._

BERTHE [_respectfully_] Good-morning, Monsieur Feliat.

CONSTANCE [_the same_] Good-morning, Monsieur Feliat.

THeReSE. I want Berthe and Constance to tell you themselves whether you can count upon them in case of the men striking.

CONSTANCE. Oh yes, Monsieur Feliat. We'll do anything you want us to.

BERTHE. Oh, Monsieur Feliat, don't send us away!

CONSTANCE [_imploringly_] Oh, Monsieur Feliat, you won't send us away, will you?

BERTHE. We do want the work so, Monsieur.

CONSTANCE. It's G.o.d's truth we do.

FeLIAT. I'll do everything possible on my side, but it all depends on yourselves and the men. Try to come to some understanding.

CONSTANCE. Yes, Monsieur.

BERTHE [_lowering her voice_] If you can't pay us quite as much for the mending, we don't mind taking a little less. You'd keep it dark, wouldn't you?

FeLIAT. We'll see about it.

_Girard, Charpin, Deschaume, and Vincent come in._

WORKMEN [_very civil and speaking together_] Good-morning, ladies and gents.

FeLIAT. Has my brother explained to you why he asked you to meet the representatives of the Women's Union and to try to come to an understanding with them?

GIRARD. Yes, Monsieur Feliat.

CHARPIN. That's all we want. All friends together, like.

DESCHAUME. That's the hammer, mate!