JAMES. This is degenerating into talk.     

CONTENTS

         He moves towards the partners' room.       

       WALTER. Put yourself in his place, father.     

       JAMES. You ask too much of me.     

       WALTER. We can't possibly tell the pressure there was on him.     

       JAMES. You may depend on it, my boy, if a man is going to do this sort of thing he'll do it, pressure or no pressure; if he isn't nothing'll make him.     

       WALTER. He'll never do it again.     

       COKESON. [Fatuously] S'pose I were to have a talk with him. We don't want to be hard on the young man.     

       JAMES. That'll do, Cokeson. I've made up my mind. [He passes into the partners' room.]     

       COKESON. [After a doubtful moment] We must excuse your father. I don't want to go against your father; if he thinks it right.     

       WALTER. Confound it, Cokeson! why don't you back me up? You know you feel——     

       COKESON. [On his dignity] I really can't say what I feel.     

       WALTER. We shall regret it.     

       COKESON. He must have known what he was doing.     

       WALTER. [Bitterly] "The quality of mercy is not strained."     

       COKESON. [Looking at him askance] Come, come, Mr. Walter. We must try and see it sensible.     

       SWEEDLE. [Entering with a tray] Your lunch, sir.     

       COKESON. Put it down!     

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