ENID. If it were for oneself it would be different, but for our own Father! You don't seem to realise. EDGAR. I realise perfectly. ENID. It's your first duty to save him. EDGAR. I wonder. ENID. [Imploring.] Oh, Ted? It's the only interest he's got left; it'll be like a death-blow to him! EDGAR. [Restraining his emotion.] I know. ENID. Promise! EDGAR. I'll do what I can. [He turns to the double-doors.] [The curtained door is opened, and ANTHONY appears. EDGAR opens the double-doors, and passes through.] [SCANTLEBURY'S voice is faintly heard: "Past five; we shall never get through--have to eat another dinner at that hotel!" The doors are shut. ANTHONY walks forward.] ANTHONY. You've been seeing Roberts, I hear. ENID. Yes. ANTHONY. Do you know what trying to bridge such a gulf as this is like? [ENID puts her work on the little table, and faces him.] Filling a sieve with sand! ENID. Don't! ANTHONY. You think with your gloved hands you can cure the trouble of the century. [He passes on. ] ENID. Father! [ANTHONY Stops at the double doors.] I'm only thinking of you! ANTHONY. [More softly.] I can take care of myself, my dear. ENID. Have you thought what'll happen if you're beaten-- [she points]--in there? ANTHONY. I don't mean to be. ENID. Oh! Father, don't give them a chance. You're not well; need you go to the meeting at all? ANTHONY. [With a grim smile.] Cut and run? ENID. But they'll out-vote you! ANTHONY. [Putting his hand on the doors.] We shall see! ENID. I beg you, Dad! Won't you? [ANTHONY looks at her softly.] [ANTHONY shakes his head. He opens the doors. A buzz of voices comes in.] SCANTLEBURY. Can one get dinner on that 6.30 train up? TENCH. No, Sir, I believe not, sir. WILDER. Well, I shall speak out; I've had enough of this. EDGAR. [Sharply.] What? [It ceases instantly. ANTHONY passes through, closing the doors behind him. ENID springs to them with a gesture of dismay. She puts her hand on the knob, and begins turning it; then goes to the fireplace, and taps her foot on the fender. Suddenly she rings the bell. FROST comes in by the door that leads into the hall.] FROST. Yes, M'm? ENID. When the men come, Frost, please show them in here; the hall 's cold. FROST. I could put them in the pantry, M'm. ENID. No. I don't want to--to offend them; they're so touchy. FROST. Yes, M'm. [Pause.] Excuse me, Mr. Anthony's 'ad nothing to eat all day. ENID. I know Frost. FROST. Nothin' but two whiskies and sodas, M'm. ENID. Oh! you oughtn't to have let him have those. FROST. [Gravely.] Mr. Anthony is a little difficult, M'm. It's not as if he were a younger man, an' knew what was good for 'im; he will have his own way. ENID. I suppose we all want that.