Pullen. Aye. Soom one _'_ad best talk to _'_im if _'_e means to go on that gait in theer.
Clav. (_impatiently_). Yes. All right, my man. Won't you go on to the platform now?
Pullen. Aye. (_Crossing._) A'm going. (_He opens the door c. Livesey is heard speaking inside._)
Livesey (_off, c., his back visible to audience as he stands speaking_). Comrades, a strike is a terrible thing. Do not let us mak' light o' it. When we call on you to decide whether to strike or not------------- (_With a gesture of disgust and a muttered "Yah," Pullen goes out c. and closes the door behind him._)
Charlie. Thank goodness they're not all that type--pig-headed, beery lout. Now, old man, I suppose you want to talk about our speeches. It's no good both saying the same thing. .
Clav. There's no fear of my saying the same as you.
Charlie. Oh, I don't know. It's as well to have a plan. (_Breaking off in a kind of exultation._) Oh, Clavering, Clavering, isn't it great? This is my night, my night of nights. Tell me I deserve it, old chap. Haven't I worked for it? It's been no joke to wake those fellows up from their lethargy, their ignorance, their ridiculous submission. But I did it, I alone. Oh, you've done something--the book--but you left me the men. That was what I wanted. They were mine. How I argued, wrestled, fought with them till they saw the truth, till I lighted up their dull intelligence and fanned the spark till it became the flame that this night's work shall cause to blaze and demolish! (_Clavering stands in a noncommittal attitude, but Charlie does not note his detachment._) You mustn't grudge it me, Clavering. It's my night of triumph, the culminating point of all my efforts. I haven't a doubt in me. I'm so right, so utterly right. Nothing can stand before me now. They've tried to stop me--my father, Thompson--and they've failed. Truth must out. There must be justice at all costs, Clavering, at all costs. This is the dawn of a new era for Thompson's men. Congratulate me, my ally! Oh, but I don't want your help. It's kind of you to come, but tonight I need no aid. I'm strong. I could sweep them off their feet in there. But yes, you must come with me. Come, let us go. (_Clutching Clavering as if to carry him bodily in._)