THERESE. No, you're not quite powerless. You can choose which you will sacrifice, the women who have been perfectly loyal to you, or the men who want to wring from your weakness freedom from competition which frightens them. FELIAT. They're fighting for their daily bread. THERESE. Yes, fighting the woman because she works for lower wages. She can do that because she is sober and self-controlled. Is it because of her virtues that you condemn her? FELIAT. I know all that as well as you do, and I tell you again the women can go on working just as they were working before you came. THERESE. You'll be made to part with them. FELIAT. We shall see. But at present that's not the question. The present thing is about you. One of us has to be sacrificed, you or me. I can see only one thing. If I stick to you, my machinery will be smashed and my works will be burned. I'm deeply sorry this has happened, and I don't deny for a moment the great value of your services; but, after all, I can't ruin myself for your sake. THERESE [_urgently_] But you _wouldn't_ be ruined. Defend yourself, take measures. Ask for assistance from the Government. FELIAT. The Government can't prevent the strike. THERESE. But the women will do the work. FELIAT. You think of nothing but your women. And the men? They'll be starving, won't they? And their women and their children will starve with them. THERESE [_almost in tears_] And me, you have no pity for me. What's to become of me? If you abandon me, I'm done for. I'd made a career for myself. I had realized my dreams. I was doing a little good. And I was so deeply grateful to you for giving me my chance. I'm all alone in the world, you know that very well. Before I came here I tried every possible way to earn my living. Oh, please don't send me away. Don't drive me back into that. Try once again, do something. Let me speak to the men. It's all my life that's at stake. If you drive me out, I don't know where to go to. _Monsieur Gueret comes in._ GUERET [_greatly excited_] Feliat, we mustn't wait a moment; we must give in at once. They're exciting themselves; they're mad; they're getting worse; they may do anything. They've gone to the women's workroom and they're driving them out. _From the adjoining workshop there comes a crash of glass and the sound of women screaming._ THERESE [_desperately_] Go, Monsieur! Go quickly! Don't let anything dreadful happen. You're right. I'll leave at once. Go! _Monsieur Gueret and Monsieur Feliat rush into the women's workshop. The noise increases; there is a sound of furniture overthrown and the loud screams of women._ THERESE [_alone, clasping her hands_] Oh, God! Oh, God!