Part 72 (1/2)

”Experience teaches that they always come back when the men pay their arrears.”

”Well, it is agreed to stop the sum due, out of wages.”

”A very proper course.”

”What is it we have got to pay?”

”How can I tell you without book? Pray, Mr. Little, don't imagine that I set these matters agate. All I do is to mediate afterward. I'll go and look at the contribution-book.”

He went out, and soon returned, and told them it was one sovereign contribution from each man, and five s.h.i.+llings each for Mary Anne.

”What, for her services in rattening us?” said Little, dryly.

”And her risk,” suggested Grotait, in dulcet tones.

Little paid the five pounds, and then asked Grotait for the bands.

”Good heavens, Mr. Little, do you think I have got your bands?”

”You must excuse Mr. Little, sir,” said Bayne. ”He is a stranger, and doesn't know the comedy. Perhaps you will oblige us with a note where we can find them.”

”Hum!” said Grotait, with the air of one suddenly illuminated. ”What did I hear somebody say about these bands? Hum! Give me an hour or two to make inquiries.”

”Don't say an hour or two, sir, when the men have got to make up lost time. We will give you a little grace; we will take a walk down street, and perhaps it will come to your recollection.”

”Hum!” said Grotait; and as that was clearly all they were to get out of him just then they left and took a turn.

In half an hour they came back again, and sat down in the parlor.

Grotait soon joined them. ”I've been thinking,” said he, ”what a pity it is we can't come to some friendly arrangement with intelligent masters, like Mr. Little, to deduct the natty money every week from the men's wages.”

”Excuse me,” said Bayne, ”we are not here for discussion. We want our bands.”

”Do you doubt that you will get them, sir? Did ever I break faith with master or man?”

”No, no,” said the pacific Bayne, alarmed at the sudden sternness of his tone. ”You are as square as a die--when you get it all your own way.

Why, Mr. Little, Cheetham's bands were taken one day, and, when he had made the men pay their arrears, he was directed where to find the bands; but, meantime, somebody out of trade had found them, and stolen them.

Down came bran-new bands to the wheel directly, and better than we had lost. And my cousin G.o.dby, that has a water-wheel, was rattened, by his scythe-blades being flung in the dam. He squared with Mary Anne, and then he got a letter to say where the blades were. But one was missing.

He complained to Mr. Grotait here, and Mr. Grotait put his hand in his pocket directly, and paid the trade-price of the blade--three s.h.i.+llings, I think it was.”

”Yes,” said Grotait; ”'but,' I remember I said at the time, 'you must not construe this that I was any way connected with the rattening.' But some are deaf to reason. Hallo!”

”What is the matter, sir?”

”Why, what is that in the fender? Your eyes are younger than mine.”