Part 66 (1/2)

”I believe it's the machines more than the Corn Laws that have shut up the Temple,” said Harriet. ”Machines, indeed! Fancy preferring a piece of iron or wood to your own flesh and blood. And they call that Christianlike!”

”It is Sat.u.r.day,” said Julia, ”sure enough; and if I don't lie in bed to-morrow till sunset, may I get a bate ticket for every day for a week to come.”

”Well, go it my hearty,” said Mick to Devilsdust. ”It is Sat.u.r.day, that they have all agreed.”

”And to-morrow is Sunday,” said Devilsdust solemnly. ”And the next day is the blackest day in all the week,” said Julia. ”When I hear the factory bell on Monday morning, I feel just the same as I did when I crossed with my uncle from Liverpool to Seaton to eat shrimps. Wasn't I sick coming home, that's all!”

”You won't hear that bell sound next Monday,” said Devilsdust solemnly.

”You don't mean that?” said Julia.

”Why, what's the matter?” said Caroline. ”Is the Queen dead?”

”No bell on Monday morning,” said Mrs Carey, incredulously.

”Not a single ring if all the Capitalists in Mowbray were to pull together at the same rope,” said Devilsdust.

”What can it be?” said Julia. ”Come, Mick; Dusty is always so long telling us anything.”

”Why we are going to have the devil's own strike,” said Mick unable any longer to contain himself and dancing with glee.

”A strike!” said Julia.

”I hope they will destroy the machines,” said Harriet.

”And open the Temple,” said Caroline, ”or else it will be very dull.”

”I have seen a many strikes,” said the widow, ”but as Chaffing Jack was saying to me the other day--”

”Chaffing Jack be hanged,” said Mick. ”Such a slow coach won't do in these high-pressure times. We are going to do the trick and no mistake.

There shan't be a capitalist in England who can get a day's work out of us, even if he makes the operatives his junior partners.”

”I never heard of such things,” said Mrs Carey in amazement.

”It's all booked, though,” said Devilsdust. ”We'll clean out the Savings' Banks; the Benefits and Burials will sh.e.l.l out. I am treasurer of the Ancient Shepherds, and we pa.s.sed a resolution yesterday unanimously, that we would devote all our funds to the sustenance of Labour in this its last and triumphant struggle against Capital.”

”Lor!” said Caroline, ”I think it will be very jolly.”

”As long as you can give us money, I don't care, for my part, how long we stick out,” said Julia.

”Well,” said Mrs Carey, ”I didn't think there was so much spirit in the place. As Chaffing Jack was saying the other day--”

”There is no spirit in the place,” said Devilsdust, ”but we mean to infuse some. Some of our friends are going to pay you a visit to-morrow.”

”And who may they be?” said Caroline.

”To-morrow is Sunday,” said Devilsdust, ”and the miners mean to say their prayers in Mowbray Church.”