"The Queen is with us," said Mick. "It's well known she sets
her face against gals working in mills like blazes."
"Well this is news," said Mrs Carey. "I always thought some
good would come of having a woman on the throne;" and
repeating her thanks and pinning on her shawl, the widow
retired, eager to circulate the intelligence.
"And now that we are alone," said Devilsdust, "the question is
what are we to do here; and we came to consult you, Jack, as
you know Mowbray better than any living man. This thing will
spread. It won't stop short. I have had a bird too singing
something in my ear these two days past. If they do not stop
it in Lancashire, and I defy them, there will be a general
rising."
"I have seen a many things in my time," said Mr Trotman; "some
risings and some strikes, and as stiff turn-outs as may be.
But to my fancy there is nothing like a strike in prosperous
times; there's more money sent under those circumstances than
you can well suppose, young gentlemen. It's as good as
Mowbray Staty any day."
"But now to the point," said Devilsdust. "The people are
regularly sold; they want a leader."
"Why there's Gerard," said Chaffing Jack; "never been a better
man in my time.
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