Part 38 (2/2)
The girl gathered up her notes and pa.s.sed into the main office.
Again came the knock, more aggressive this time.
”Come in.”
The committee, headed by Morrissy, entered with shuffling feet.
Morrissy saw the Englishman and scowled.
”Well, gentlemen?” said Bennington, sitting on his desk and resting a foot on his chair.
”We have come to learn what you intend to do about this Britisher,”
began Morrissy.
”I don't recollect your face,” replied Bennington thoughtfully. ”How long have you been in the shops?”
”I'm not in your shops,” returned Morrissy bl.u.s.teringly.
”In that case,” said Bennington mildly, ”there's the door. I do not see how this matter concerns you.”
”Well, it does concern me, as you'll find soon,” cried Morrissy, choking with sudden rage.
”I'll give you one minute to make the foot of the stairs. If you're not there at the end of that time, I'll take you by the collar and help you.” Bennington drew out his watch.
”He's the head of our union, Mr. Bennington,” interposed one of the men, s.h.i.+fting his feet uneasily.
”Oh! Then he's the man who is really making all this trouble?”
Bennington nodded as if he had just arrived at a solution.
”I'm here to see that my men have their rights.” Morrissy failed to understand this mild young man. ”And it'll take a bigger man than you to throw me out of here. This Britisher either joins the union or he goes.”
”If he joins the union he'll be permitted to continue the perfecting of his invention?”
”His invention is not necessary at present. The output as it is meets the demand.”
”Look here, Mr. Morrissy, I'll make you a proposition.”
”What?”
”You and I will go down to the molding-room and have it out with our fists. If you win, Chittenden goes; if I win, he stays and the men return to work.”
”This isn't no kid's play, Mr. Bennington. You've got a big strike looking you in the face.”
Bennington laughed. ”I'm afraid you're a coward. So Mr. Chittenden must join the union or go. It isn't a question of wage scale or hours; it simply revolves around Mr. Chittenden. Supposing he joins the union, what will you give him to do?” Bennington's voice was that of a man who wishes to know all sides of the question.
”Well, he'll have to learn where they all started from.”
”Mr. Chittenden is an expert machinist.”
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