You knew where you were with those fellows;
it was five-and-twenty per cent, off wages and very bad stuff
for your money. But as for Shuffle and Screw, what with their
fines and their keys, a man never knows what he has to spend.
Come," he added filling his glass, "let's have a toast--
Confusion to Capital."
"That's your sort," said Mick. "Come, Caroline; drink to your
partner's toast, Miss Harriet. Money's the root of all evil,
which nobody can deny. We'll have the rights of labour yet;
the ten-hour bill, no fines, and no individuals admitted to
any work who have not completed their sixteenth year."
"No, fifteen," said Caroline eagerly.
"The people won't bear their grievances much longer," said
Devilsdust.
"I think one of the greatest grievances the people have," said
Caroline, "is the beaks serving notice on Chaffing Jack to
shut up the Temple on Sunday nights."
"It is infamous," said Mick; "aynt we to have no recreation?
One might as well live in Suffolk, where the immigrants come
from, and where they are obliged to burn ricks to pass the
time."
"As for the rights of labour," said Harriet, "the people goes
for nothing with this machinery."
"And you have opened your mouth to say a very sensible thing
Miss Harriet," said Mick; "but if I were Lord Paramount for
eight-and-forty hours, I'd soon settle that question.
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