No, I don't follow what you mean.
GERALD. Don't you? But I thought Alfred Breffitt and William Straw
were not very popular.
JOB ARTHUR. No, they aren't--not in themselves. But it's the
principle of the thing--so it seems.
GERALD. What principle?
JOB ARTHUR. Why, all sticking together, for one thing--all Barlow &
Walsall's men holding by one another.
GERALD. United we stand?
JOB ARTHUR. That's it. And then it's the strong defending the weak
as well. There's three thousand colliers standing up for thirty-odd
office men. I must say I think it's sporting myself.
GERALD. You do, do you? United we stand, divided we fall. What do
they stand for really? What is it?
JOB ARTHUR. Well--for their right to a living wage. That's how I see
it.
GERALD. For their right to a living wage! Just that?
JOB ARTHUR. Yes, sir--that's how I see it.
GERALD. Well, that doesn't seem so preposterously difficult does it?
JOB ARTHUR. Why, that's what I think myself, Mr. Gerald. It's such
a little thing.
GERALD. Quite. I suppose the men themselves are to judge what is a
living wage?
JOB ARTHUR. Oh, I think they're quite reasonable, you know.
GERALD. Oh, yes, eminently reasonable. Reason's their strong point.
--And if they get their increase they'll be quite contented?
JOB ARTHUR. Yes, as far as I know, they will.
GERALD. As far as you know? Why, is there something you don't know?
--something you're not sure about?
JOB ARTHUR.
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