按键盘上方向键 ← 或 → 可快速上下翻页，按键盘上的 Enter 键可回到本书目录页，按键盘上方向键 ↑ 可回到本页顶部！
————未阅读完？加入书签已便下次继续阅读！
unter when I was workin' at the Royal Caff； I must admit that this is the best firm that's ever worked under me。'
This statement caused a shout of laughter； which； however； died away as Mr Rushton rose to acknowledge the toast to his health。 He said that he had now been in business for nearly sixteen years and this was … he believed … the eleventh outing he had had the pleasure of attending。 During all that time the business had steadily progressed and had increased in volume from year to year； and he hoped and believed that the progress made in the past would be continued in the future。 （Hear； hear。） Of course； he realized that the success of the business depended very largely upon the men as well as upon himself； he did his best in trying to get work for them； and it was necessary … if the business was to go on and prosper … that they should also do their best to get the work done when he had secured it for them。 （Hear； hear。） The masters could not do without the men； and the men could not live without the masters。 （Hear； hear。） It was a matter of division of labour： the men worked with their hands and the masters worked with their brains； and one was no use without the other。 He hoped the good feeling which had hitherto existed between himself and his workmen would always continue； and he thanked them for the way in which they had responded to the toast of his health。
Loud cheers greeted the conclusion of this speech； and then Crass stood up and said that he begged to propose the health of Mr 'Unter。 （Hear； hear。） He wasn't going to make a long speech as he wasn't much of a speaker。 （Cries of ‘You're all right；' ‘Go on；' etc。） But he felt sure as they would all hagree with him when be said that … next to Mr Rushton … there wasn't no one the men had more respect and liking for than Mr 'Unter。 （Cheers。） A few weeks ago when Mr 'Unter was laid up； many of them began to be afraid as they was going to lose 'im。 He was sure that all the 'ands was glad to 'ave this hoppertunity of congratulating him on his recovery （Hear； hear） and of wishing him the best of 'ealth in the future and hoping as he would be spared to come to a good many more Beanos。
Loud applause greeted the conclusion of Crass's remarks； and once more the meeting burst into song：
For he's a jolly good fellow For he's a jolly good fellow。 For he's a jolly good fellow； And so say all of us。 So 'ip； 'ip； 'ip； 'ooray！ So 'ip； 'ip； 'ip； 'ooray！
When they had done cheering； Nimrod rose。 His voice trembled a little as he thanked them for their kindness； and said that he hoped he deserved their goodwill。 He could only say that as he was sure as he always tried to be fair and considerate to everyone。 （Cheers。） He would now request the landlord to replenish their glasses。 （Hear； hear。）
As soon as the drinks were served； Nimrod again rose and said he wished to propose the healths of their visitors who had so kindly contributed to their expenses … Mr Lettum； Mr Didlum； Mr Toonarf and Mr Grinder。 （Cheers。） They were very pleased and proud to see them there （Hear； hear）； and he was sure the men would agree with him when he said that Messrs Lettum； Didlum； Toonarf and Grinder were jolly good fellows。
To judge from the manner in which they sang the chorus and cheered； it was quite evident that most of the hands did agree。 When they left off； Grinder rose to reply on behalf of those included in the toast。 He said that it gave them much pleasure to be there and take part in such pleasant proceedings and they were glad to think that they had been able to help to bring it about。 It was very gratifying to see the good feeling that existed between Mr Rushton and his workmen； which was as it should be； because masters and men was really fellow workers … the masters did the brain work； the men the 'and work。 They was both workers； and their interests was the same。 He liked to see men doing their best for their master and knowing that their master was doing his best for them； that he was not only a master； but a friend。 That was what he （Grinder） liked to see … master and men pulling together … doing their best； and realizing that their interests was identical。 （Cheers。） If only all masters and men would do this they would find that everything would go on all right； there would be more work and less poverty。 Let the men do their best for their masters； and the masters do their best for their men； and they would find that that was the true solution of the social problem； and not the silly nonsense that was talked by people what went about with red flags。 （Cheers and laughter。） Most of those fellows were chaps who was too lazy to work for their livin'。 （Hear； hear。） They could take it from him that； if ever the Socialists got the upper hand there would just be a few of the hartful dodgers who would get all the cream； and there would be nothing left but 'ard work for the rest。 （Hear。 hear。） That's wot hall those hagitators was after： they wanted them （his hearers） to work and keep 'em in idleness。 （Hear； hear。） On behalf of Mr Didlum； Mr Toonarf； Mr Lettum and himself； he thanked them for their good wishes； and hoped to be with them on a sim'ler occasion in the future。
Loud cheers greeted the termination of his speech； but it was obvious from some of the men's faces that they resented Grinder's remarks。 These men ridiculed Socialism and regularly voted for the continuance of capitalism； and yet they were disgusted and angry with Grinder！ There was also a small number of Socialists … not more than half a dozen altogether … who did not join in the applause。 These men were all sitting at the end of the long table presided over by Payne。 None of them had joined in the applause that greeted the speeches； and so far neither had they made any protest。 Some of them turned very red as they listened to the concluding sentences of Grinder's oration； and others laughed； but none of them said anything。 They knew before they came that there was sure to be a lot of 'Jolly good fellow' business and speechmaking； and they had agreed together beforehand to take no part one way or the other； and to refrain from openly dissenting from anything that might be said； but they had not anticipated anything quite so strong as this。
When Grinder sat down some of those who had applauded him began to jeer at the Socialists。
‘What have you got to say to that？' they shouted。 ‘That's up against yer！'
‘They ain't got nothing to say now。'
‘Why don't some of you get up and make a speech？'
This last appeared to be a very good idea to those Liberals and Tories who had not liked Grinder's observations； so they all began to shout ‘Owen！' ‘Owen！' ‘Come on 'ere。 Get up and make a speech！' ‘Be a man！' and so on。 Several of those who had been loudest in applauding Grinder also joined in the demand that Owen should make a speech； because they were certain that Grinder and the other gentlemen would be able to dispose of all his arguments； but Owen and the other Socialists made no response except to laugh； so presently Crass tied a white handkerchief on a cane walking…stick that belonged to Mr Didlum； and stuck it in the vase of flowers that stood on the end of the table where the Socialist group were sitting。
When the noise had in some measure ceased； Grinder again rose。 ‘When I made the few remarks that I did； I didn't know as there was any Socialists 'ere： I could tell from the look of you that most of you had more sense。 At the same time I'm rather glad I said what I did； because it just shows you what sort of chaps these Socialists are。 They're pretty artful … they know when to talk and when to keep their mouths shut。 What they like is to get hold of a few ignorant workin' men in a workshop or a public house； and then they can talk by the mile … reg'ler shop lawyers； you know wot I mean … I'm right and everybody else is wrong。 （Laughter。） You know the sort of thing I mean。 When they finds theirselves in the company of edicated people wot knows a little more than they does theirselves； and who isn't likely to be misled by a lot of claptrap； why then； mum's the word。 So next time you hears any of these shop lawyers' arguments； you'll know how much it's worth。'
Most of the men were delighted with this speech； which was received with much laughing and knocking on the tables。 They remarked to each other that Grinder was a smart man： he'd got the Socialists weighed up just about right … to an ounce。
Then； it was seen that Barrington was on his feet facing Grinder and a sudden； awe…filled silence fell。
‘It may or may not be true；' began Barrington； ‘that Socialists always know when to speak and when to keep silent； but the present occasion hardly seemed a suitable one to discuss such subjects。
‘We are here today as friends and want to forget our differences and enjoy ourselves for a few hours。 But after what Mr Grinder has said I am quite ready to reply to him to the best of my ability。
‘The fact that I am a Socialist and that I am here today as one of Mr Rushton's employees should be an answer to the charge that Socialists are too lazy to work for their living。 And as to taking advantage of the igno