(_She backs toward George, who has come down the stairs_) HARRY EGERTON. I'll pay you twice its value, father. GEORGE EGERTON. (_At a word from Gladys_) What! (_Egerton drops his eyes for a moment and stands as though in deep thought_) MRS. EGERTON. Be careful, Donald! GLADYS EGERTON. (_To Harry_) I hate you! GEORGE EGERTON. (_With a sneer_) Big man! EGERTON. George, Get Jergens. GEORGE EGERTON. (_To Harry_) Mill-hand! (_Goes out left_) EGERTON. Tell him to lock the mill And have this notice tacked up on the gate, 'Closed for a year.' VOICE OF GEORGE. Good! GLADYS EGERTON. Good! EGERTON. I'll let her rot. HARRY EGERTON. And winter coming on! GLADYS EGERTON. I'm glad! I'm glad! EGERTON. War or submission, eh? HARRY EGERTON. (_Goes to his mother_) Mother. (_Kisses her_) EGERTON. I'll show you---- HARRY EGERTON. (_Starting for the door_) Father, you'll remember in the years to be How I came to you one November day And asked your help to give this country peace. EGERTON. Go to your rabble! GLADYS EGERTON. (_Breaks out crying_) Think of it! EGERTON. I'll show you How you can buy me and my property! HARRY EGERTON. (_From back in the hall_) Property was made for men. EGERTON. And don't you ever Darken that door! HARRY EGERTON. And you can't keep it idle While men depend upon it for their bread. (_He goes out_) EGERTON. (_Roaring after him_) You dare to lay your hands upon that mill! (_He stands staring at the door_) MRS. EGERTON. (_Wonderingly_) It wasn't our son! It wasn't our son! (_The cannon are heard in volley upon volley as of a town giving itself up to celebration_) EGERTON. (_Calls into the room, left_) Tell him to go right down, that probably There'll be an attack upon it. GLADYS EGERTON. (_Shaken with sobs_) Think of it! MRS. EGERTON. (_As before_) That gleam about his brow! And now he's gone! (_She wanders back in the hall as in a dream_) EGERTON. And to see Chadbourne----Are you listening? VOICE OF GEORGE. Yes. EGERTON. To Chadbourne that he has authority from me-- From Egerton, to treat them all alike. MRS. EGERTON. (_Vacantly, to her husband_) What have you done, Donald! EGERTON. That I expect The mill defended, let it cost what may. GLADYS EGERTON. I hate him, O I hate him! MRS. EGERTON. (_Who has come forward and stands facing him_) What have you done! ACT IV THE LIVING MILL