(_Enter Ephraim and Matthew._) Ephraim. Well, that's settled now, Matt. Matthew (_like a beaten man_). Yes, it's settled. I'll be at factory come five to-morrow morning. Guy. That's good. Matthew. Is it? I'll tell you this much, Mr. Barlow, it's a bad night's work you've done. Guy. If you're talking to me, it's the best night's work I've ever done. Matthew (_morosely_). I was talking to your father. Ephraim. Well, well, we must agree to differ. Matthew. And it won't be the last of our differences, neither. It's my punishment, this is. I've been a proud man and I'm humbled. Some weaver lads come here this very night asking me to join in with them. Ephraim. Join? In what? Matthew. Ah, well, I'll leave you to guess in what. I sent them off with a good big flea in their ear: told them a hand-loom weaver had nowt to do with their sort. I've everything to do with their sort now. I'm one of them, and if they have owt to say, or do against you and your ways, I'll say and do it with them. You've made a Radical to-night. Ephraim. Now, Matt, don't try to threaten me. We've met as friends too often in the days gone by for that. Matthew. Yes, before you started getting up in the world by climbing on other men's shoulders. Ephraim. And if you'll let me, we'll go on being friends. Ruth. Of course you will. Now more than ever. Matthew (_roughly_). You don't know what you're talking about, lass. Ruth. Tell them, Guy. Ephraim. Guy? Guy. Mr. Butterworth, you and my father must be friends, because I'm going to marry Ruth. Matthew. What's that? Ruth. Yes, father, it's true. Matthew (_excitedly calling and opening door_). Here, Mary! Mary, where are you? (_Enter Mary._) Here's our Ruth going to wed the young master. What do you say to that? Mary (_judicially_). I say the young master's doing well for himself. Ephraim (_sourly_). Nobody asks what I think. Guy. That'll be all right, father. Ephraim. Will it? Guy. Oh, I'll tell you about it walking home. You've Mr. Butterworth's hand to shake. Ephraim (_dryly_). It just depends if he's still a Radical. Matthew. Me? I'm a maze. I don't know what I am. Ephraim (_genially smiling_). I'll chance it then. (_They shake._) Good night, Matt. (_Genially._) Good night. Guy. To-morrow, Ruth. Ruth. Yes, Guy, to-morrow. (_Exeunt Ephraim and Guy._) Mary (_going to Ruth as if to kiss her_). Well, lass, you said you'd surprise us. You have and all. Biggest surprise I ever had. Wedding the young master. Something like a match now this is. Ruth. Don't, mother. I'm so ashamed. Mary. Ashamed? Where's the shame in getting wed? We all come to it. Matthew. And you've come to it rare and well. And me thinking in yonder while Mr. Barlow talked to me I'd have small cause now to send young Kelsall off, for I'm a factory hand myself the same as he. Ruth. Poor Martin Kelsall. Matthew. Aye, poor he is and rich you're going to be. You've little need to think of Kelsall now.