In a rather spacious chamber over which was a
loft, five men, one of whom was Gerard, were busily engaged.
There was no furniture in the room except a few chairs and a
deal table, on which was a solitary light and a variety of
papers.
"Depend upon it," said Gerard, "we must stick to the National
Holiday: we can do nothing effectively, unless the movement is
simultaneous. They have not troops to cope with a
simultaneous movement, and the Holiday is the only machinery
to secure unity of action. No work for six weeks, and the
rights of Labour will be acknowledged!"
"We shall never be able to make the people unanimous in a
cessation of labour," said a pale young man, very thin but
with a countenance of remarkable energy. "The selfish
instincts will come into play and will baulk our political
object, while a great increase of physical suffering must be
inevitable."
"It might be done," said a middle-aged, thickset man, in a
thoughtful tone. "If the Unions were really to put their
shoulder to the wheel, it might be done."
"And if it is not done," said Gerard, "what do you propose?
The people ask you to guide them. Shrink at such a
conjuncture, and our influence over them is forfeited and
justly forfeited.
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