John. He said he'd come on here from the works if he wasn't home to dinner.
(_Enter l. Charlie Bunting greatly excited. He has the face of a visionary and his high forehead contrasts with a weak, receding chin; he has convictions and ideals, but it is doubtful if he has the courage to live up to them._)
Jabez. Oh, there you are, sir. About time, too. (_Seeing Charlie's agitation._) Hello, what's wrong with you?
Charlie. There's been an accident. (_He gasps._) Jabez. Fatal?
Jabez. Curse their carelessness. (_Irritably._) Another inquest, of course, and headlines in the papers and questions from the Coroner. What is it this time? Another, drunken fool walked into the vitriol tanks?
Charlie (_bitterly_). Oh, no, this needn't trouble you. We don't often kill men suddenly. We poison them by gradual degrees.
Jabez. What was it? Am I ever going to know?
Jabez. The lift? Oh, we're not responsible for that. It was inspected only last week. We hold a certificate of efficiency.
Charlie. Oh, yes, it was examined right enough. Only the men tell me the inspector was drunk when he came.
Charlie. Not they. You needn't worry. They'll not have the pluck to repeat it in court. (_Up stage L._)
Jabez. Certainly not; a coroner's court isn't the place for irresponsible gossip of that kind.
Charlie (_down to sofa_). No, the verdict will be accidental death right enough, with polite expressions of sympathy and a rider exonerating us from blame.
Jabez (_settling himself comfortably in his chair_). Of course. Very proper, very proper. And we've the Insurance Company to fall back on. I tell you what, Charlie, they'll be raising our premium if things go on like this. Two fatal accidents in a mouth. I suppose there's a widow. There usually is.
Charlie. Yes. There's a widow and six children. (_Going up l._)
Jabez. (_Turning to John_) I don't know how it is, but it always is the married men who get killed. (_To Charlie._) Well, I don't see what there is to make all this fuss about, Charlie. Accidents will happen. Upon my word, you quite frightened me for a moment. Ring the bell and have some dinner.
Charlie (_shuddering_). I can't eat. I've just seen a man killed. Oh, it's horrible, horrible. (_Sits on sofa l., burying head in hands._)