DR. JONATHAN. Practical proof, Asher. Fortunately Dr. Senn has enough to live on. ASHER. In offering you this position I have only one stipulation to make--(he clears his throat)--it's about Minnie Farrell. I think the world of Timothy, I wouldn't willingly hurt his feelings, but I can't have Minnie with you in the hospital, Jonathan. You deserve a great deal of credit for what you've done for the girl, you've kept her out of mischief, but considering her past, her life at Newcastle--well, even if I approved of having her in the hospital Augusta would never hear of it. And then she had some sort of an affair with George--I daresay there was nothing wrong-- DR. JONATHAN. Wrong is a question of code, Asher. We've all had pasts--What interests me is Minnie's future. ASHER. Of course you wouldn't decline my offer on Minnie's account. DR. JONATHAN. On my own account, Asher. We'll say no more about Minnie. ASHER. You refuse to help me, when I'm starting out on a liberal scheme which I thought you would be the first to endorse? DR. JONATHAN. I have not refused to help you,--but you have not told me the scheme? ASHER. Well. (He' taps the paper in his hand.) For those employees who serve me faithfully I have arranged pensions. DR. JONATHAN. For those, in other words, who refrain from taking their destinies in their own hands, and who do as you wish. ASHER. For those who are industrious and make no trouble. And I have met the objection that they have no share in the enterprise by allowing them, on favourable terms, to acquire stock in the company. DR. JONATHAN. I see. You will let them acquire half of the stock, in order that they may have an equal voice. ASHER. Equal? It's my company, isn't it? DR. JONATHAN. At present. ASHER. I supply the capital. Furthermore, I have arranged for a system of workmen's committees, which I recognize, and with which I will continually consult. That's democratic enough--isn't it? If the men have any grievances, these will be presented in an orderly manner through the committees. DR. JONATHAN. And if you find the demands--reasonable, you grant them. ASHER. Certainly. But one thing I set my face against as a matter of principle, I won't recognize the unions. DR. JONATHAN. But--who is to enforce the men's side of this contract? ASHER. What do you mean? DR. JONATHAN. What guarantee have they, other than a union organization, that you will keep faith? ASHER. My word. DR. JONATHAN. Oh! ASHER. Never in my life have I regarded my possessions as my own. I am a trustee. DR. JONATHAN. The sole trustee. ASHER. Under God. DR. JONATHAN. And you have God's proxy. Well, it seems to me that that is a very delightful arrangement, Asher--William appears to approve of it, too. ASHER. William? William who? DR. JONATHAN. William Hohenzollern. ASHER. You compare me to the Kaiser!