Part 23 (2/2)

In vain Norman argued and pleaded. They stood their ground with sullen determination.

A final clincher which the young leader could not evade always ended the argument. The spokesman came back to it with dogged persistence:

”What did you mean, then, when you've been drumming into our ears that labour creates all value? We do all the work, don't we?”

The upshot of it was the eighteen a.s.sistant cooks marched back into the hall, stood before the judges, and all were granted equal wages with the chef.

Whereupon the chef sprang to his feet and faced the court with blazing eyes.

”You grant these chumps--these idiots--wages equal to mine? Not one of them has brains enough to cook an egg if I didn't tell him how. Their wages equal to mine. I resign!”

Tom spoke vigorously:

”Now will ye leave him to me?”

Norman and Barbara looked at each other in angry and helpless amazement.

The old miner leaped to his feet, made his way down from the platform, and with two swift strides reached the chef. He leaned close and whispered something in the rebel's ear. There was a moment's hesitation and the chef turned, signalled to his a.s.sistants, and amid cheers marched to the kitchen.

Tom resumed his seat beside Barbara with a smile, quietly saying:

”That's the way to do business, ladies and gentlemen!”

”What did you say to him?” Barbara asked.

”Oh, nothin' much,” was the careless answer.

”I hope you didn't threaten him, Tom?” Norman asked with some misgiving.

”Na--I didn't threaten him. I spoke quiet and peaceable.”

”But what did you tell him?” the young leader persisted.

”I jest told him I'd give him two minutes ter git back ter the kitchen or I'd blow his head off!”

”I'm afraid our table will feel the effects of that remark, Tom,”

Barbara said, doubtfully.

Next to the question of cooks the most urgent issue to be settled was the case of the scrubbers, cleaners, and drainmen. The women who had been a.s.signed to the tasks of scrubbing the floors, was.h.i.+ng the windows and dishes, had watched the triumphs of the cooks with keen appreciation of their own power. It was easy to see that the more disagreeable and disgusting the character of the work, the more extravagant the demands which could be made and enforced. The scrubbers and dishwashers boldly demanded one hundred dollars a month and six hours for a working day, and refused with sullen determination to argue the question.

To Barbara's mild and gentle protest their answer was complete and stunning:

”You have a.s.signed us this dirty job. Do you want it at any price?”

asked their orator. ”I'll take yours without wages and jump at the chance.”

Tom lost all interest in the proceedings and drew himself up in a knot in his chair. Now and then a growl came from the depths of his throat.

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