It was Saturday
evening: the mills were closed; the news had arrived of the
arrest of the Delegate.
"Here's a go!" said Dandy Mick to Devilsdust. "What do you
think of this?"
"It's the beginning of the end," said Devilsdust.
"The deuce!" said the Dandy, who did not clearly comprehend
the bent of the observation of his much pondering and
philosophic friend, but was touched by its oracular terseness.
"We must see Warner." said Devilsdust, "and call a meeting of
the people on the Moor for to-morrow evening. I will draw up
some resolutions. We must speak out; we must terrify the
Capitalists."
"I am all for a strike," said Mick.
"'Tisn't ripe," said Devilsdust.
"But that's what you always say, Dusty," said Mick.
"I watch events," said Devilsdust. "If you want to be a
leader of the people you must learn to watch events."
"But what do you mean by watching events?"
"Do you see Mother Carey's stall?" said Dusty, pointing in the
direction of the counter of the good-natured widow.
"I should think I did; and what's more, Julia owes her a tick
for herrings."
"Right," said Devilsdust: "and nothing but herrings are to be
seen on her board. Two years ago it was meat.
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