But, sir, we have signified our submission. The surrender of the charter is quite another thing. ANDROS How so? TREAT It was granted in perpetuity, to be forfeited only through due process of law. ANDROS Have you not been informed, sir, that a writ of quo warranto issued in the proper courts of England was tried and went by default last February? TREAT Last February? Indeed, sir! We had no knowledge that any action was brought against it. Who was the complainant? ANDROS I was! TREAT You, sir? ANDROS Indeed, you seem to have forgotten an occasion when I promised you I'd get your charter. TREAT No, sir! Unfortunately I still remember it! ANDROS I have here the original court order, declaring your charter forfeit, and I shall now trouble your Charter Committee to produce the original document. TREAT One moment, sir. Has not every Englishman a right to defend his case before a court of law? ANDROS Of course--you had such a chance and failed to appear. TREAT We had no notice of the action. ANDROS That's not my fault. TREAT The court is in error, and we shall appeal. ANDROS Appeal all you like; but produce the charter. TREAT We do so under protest. ANDROS Ah, very well. I care not how much you protest. Once I get the charter, I can assure you, you'll never see it again. TREAT But, sir! ANDROS Produce the charter. TREAT Captain Wadsworth, place the charter on the table. WADSWORTH Here it is, sir. ANDROS Ah--at last! TREAT One moment, sir. ANDROS What now? TREAT Will you first sign the receipt for the charter, so that the committee may be protected? ANDROS Why, certainly, if you wish. It's no matter; but I'll do it. Give me your quill, clerk. ALLYN Here you are, sir--and paper. ANDROS Yes. Hm--"received--charter--signed"--there-- WADSWORTH Sexton, it's warm in here! SEXTON Yes, sir! [_noise of window_] ANDROS Hey, the lights! Quick, what's happened? Lights! Lights! ALL The candles have all blown out! Put down the window! What's the matter--[_etc._] [_exclamations continue through the scene_] ANDROS Put that window down! What are you trying to do? SEXTON Why, sir, it was warm. ANDROS Put it down, I say! Light those candles! What foolishness is this? Light those candles, I say! Do you hear me? SEXTON Yes, sir, at once, sir! [_noise of window going down_] Here, sir, I'll light the candles. I'm right sorry, sir. Now, where did I put my flint? Ah, here it is. There you are, sir. I'm right sorry I put you out, sir. I didn't think-- ANDROS Fool! Now, Treat, hand me the charter. TREAT The charter--why, sir--you had it. ANDROS Had it? What are you talking about? TREAT Why, sir! I saw you put your hand on it the moment the lights went out. ANDROS Indeed I did not. Give it here! TREAT But, sir-- ANDROS Hey--you--Captain-- WADSWORTH Sir! ANDROS Wadsworth, give me the charter! WADSWORTH But, sir, I gave it to you. ANDROS You did not! WADSWORTH