THE DEVIL (_looks at it meditatively_) I don’t know but what you’re right, Magnus. After I start training you—she might be able to complete the training— SCHWARTZENHOPFEL (_viewing Mrs. Felix with approval_) Suits me! [_The light darts as viciously at Schwartzenhopfel as the latter once did when he was in Magnus’s condition._ THE DEVIL (_to the light_) I meant you—Magnus— [_The light hovers, sullenly suspicious._ THE DEVIL (_to all_) And—now—good day to all of you. Schwartzenhopfel and I are about to do some important work together. (_Puts his arm on Agnus’s shoulder_) So we must ask you to excuse us. DOLL BLONDIN And what about me? THE DEVIL Aren’t the rooms good? [_Doll Blondin nods._ THE DEVIL And the food? [_Doll Blondin nods again._ THE DEVIL And the service? DOLL BLONDIN Yes—but— THE DEVIL Then what about you? And as for amusement: why, there’s Magnus. (_He points to Schwartzenhopfel. Then he goes, almost dragging Agnus with him_) [_Agnus’s head is turned, with lack-lustre eyes, toward Fanny. They pass out through the folding-doors, closing these behind them._ TROMPER (_whose indignation has been mounting, now vents himself explosively_) Well, damn his nerve! I beg your pardon, ladies. Mr. Magnus, you let a whippersnapper doctor talk that way to you? You! Why, sir, I wouldn’t—I actually wouldn’t permit you to talk that way to me! SCHWARTZENHOPFEL (_viciously_) You wouldn’t? TROMPER (_nervously_) With all respect: no, sir. SCHWARTZENHOPFEL Then you’re discharged. TROMPER (_thunderstruck_) Have you gone crazy, Mr. Magnus? Discharged? After twenty-five years’service? After saving you hundreds of thousands of dollars? MRS. FELIX (_putting her hand on his shoulder_) John, that’s petty! That’s small, John. I never knew you to be petty or small before. SCHWARTZENHOPFEL (_to Mrs. Felix_) Wait! (_To Tromper_) Saving? How? TROMPER (_stuttering_) Why, the Churchstead strike alone— SCHWARTZENHOPFEL (_militantly_) Strike! Ha! Go on! What did you do? TROMPER (_miserably_) You know well enough what I did, sir— SCHWARTZENHOPFEL Tell me anyhow— TROMPER I locked ’em out, the bums! SCHWARTZENHOPFEL What did they want? Just union rates, union hours; white men’s pay, white men’s hours; not nigger slaves—? MRS. FELIX (_admiringly_) Bravo, John! You ’re shaping up! [_The light moves closer, as if listening intently._ SCHWARTZENHOPFEL (_nodding_) I told you to wait! (_To Tromper_) You beat them, didn’t you? TROMPER And a tough job! Strike-breakers weren’t enough— SCHWARTZENHOPFEL (_to Mrs. Felix_) New York thugs, gunmen—with brass knuckles, hand spikes, and automatics—licensed to bruise, maim and kill— TROMPER Weren’t the strikers breaking windows and burning fences? Didn’t they threaten to burn the works? SCHWARTZENHOPFEL