You're paid because you're a capitalist!
GIBSON: Is that all?
NORA: Why, look at the state the factory's in! The discontent you saw in
those men--that's the fault of the capitalistic system! There aren't
twenty workmen in the place that are contented.
GIBSON: You're right about that; and they never will be.
NORA: Not until the system's changed. What are you going to do about it?
GIBSON [_with quiet desperation_]: They've driven me as far as they
can. If they walk out I'll walk out. I can stand it if they can.
NORA: You'd close down? Your only solution is to take the bread out of
these men's mouths?
GIBSON: If they walk out I'll walk out!
NORA [_trembling_]: You coward!
GIBSON: That's fair?
NORA: You'll let us starve because you haven't the courage to come to
the right solution! Don't you mind starving us?
GIBSON: You mean you'd starve if I quit.
NORA [_vehemently_]: No; but because you'd close the factory.
GIBSON: Oh, the factory could run if I quit, could it?
NORA: That's the capitalist! They think it's capital that runs the
factories!
GIBSON: And I'm the capital, am I?
NORA: What in the world else? [_Touches the piano._] You think you
produce this wealth because you've got your money in it? You pass out a
pittance to those who do produce it, and when they ask for more than a
pittance you take their tools away from them! If they rebel you set the
police on them. That's capital--and that's you, Mr. Gibson!
GIBSON: Nora, you told me not to speak to you as a woman.
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