FELIAT. But stop, listen-- CHARPIN [_to Feliat_] That's our last word. [_To the others_] Hurry on. _The workmen go out. Therese has come in a moment before and is standing on the threshold._ FELIAT [_to Therese_] How much did you hear? THERESE. Oh, please, please, don't give in. Don't abandon these women. It's dreadful in the workroom. They're in despair. I've just been with them, talking to them. They get desperate when they think of their children. FELIAT. The men are not asking me now to get rid of them. What they're asking for is the break-up of your Union, and that you yourself should go. THERESE. Oh, they say that now. But if you give in, they'll see that they can get anything they like from your weakness, and they'll make you turn out all these wretched women. FELIAT. But I can't help myself! You didn't hear the brutal threats of these men. If I don't give in, I shall be blacklisted, and they'll set the place on fire; they said so. Where will your women's work be then? And I shall be ruined. THERESE. Then you mean to give in without a struggle? FELIAT. Would _you_ like to take the responsibility for what will happen if I resist? There'll be violence. Just think what it'll mean. In the state the men are in anything may happen. There's a wounded man already. How many would there be to-morrow? THERESE. You think only of being beaten. But suppose you win? Suppose you act energetically and get the best of it. FELIAT. My energy would be my ruin. THERESE [_with a change of tone_] Then you wish me to go? FELIAT. I have only made up my mind to it to prevent something worse. THERESE [_very much moved_] It's impossible you can sacrifice me in this way at the first threat. Look here, Monsieur Feliat; perhaps it doesn't come very well from me, but I can't help reminding you that you've said repeatedly yourself that I've been extremely useful to you. Don't throw me overboard without making one try to save me. FELIAT. It would be no use. THERESE. How can you tell? It's your own interest to keep me. The delegate said that if I go they'll break up the Women's Union and make the women take the same wages as the men. FELIAT. They won't do that because they know I wouldn't keep them. THERESE. You see! If you give in, it means the break-up of the whole thing and the loss to you of the saving I've made for you. And you have obligations to these women who have been working for you for years. FELIAT. If I have to part with them, I will see they are provided for. THERESE. Yes, for a day--a week, perhaps. But afterwards? What then? Little children will be holding out their hands for food to mothers who have none to give them. FELIAT. But, good God, what have _I_ to do with that? Is it my fault? Don't you see that I'm quite powerless in the matter?