第65章

It will be remembered that Newman was one of those who were already working for the reduced rate.Misery found him alone in one of the upper rooms, to which he was giving the final coat.He was at his old tricks.The woodwork of the cupboard be was doing was in a rather damaged condition, and he was facing up the dents with white-lead putty before painting it.He knew quite well that Hunter objected to any but very large holes or cracks being stopped, and yet somehow or other he could not scamp the work to the extent that he was ordered to; and so, almost by stealth, he was in the habit of doing it - not properly but as well as he dared.He even went to the length of occasionally buying a few sheets of glasspaper with his own money, as Crass had told Hunter.When the latter came into the room he stood with a sneer on his face, watching Newman for about five minutes before he spoke.The workman became very nervous and awkward under this scrutiny.

`You can make out yer time-sheet and come to the office for yer money at five o'clock,' said Nimrod at last.`We shan't require your valuable services no more after tonight.'

Newman went white.

`Why, what's wrong?' said he.`What have I done?'

`Oh, it's not wot you've DONE,' replied Misery.`It's wot you've not done.That's wot's wrong! You've not done enough, that's all!' And without further parley he turned and went out.

Newman stood in the darkening room feeling as if his heart had turned to lead.There rose before his mind the picture of his home and family.He could see them as they were at this very moment, the wife probably just beginning to prepare the evening meal, and the children setting the cups and saucers and other things on the kitchen table - a noisy work, enlivened with many a frolic and childish dispute.Even the two-year-old baby insisted on helping, although she always put everything in the wrong place and made all sorts of funny mistakes.

They had all been so happy lately because they knew that he had work that would last till nearly Christmas - if not longer.And now this had happened - to plunge them back into the abyss of wretchedness from which they had so recently escaped.They still owed several weeks' rent, and were already so much in debt to the baker and the grocer that it was hopeless to expect any further credit.

`My God!' said Newman, realizing the almost utter hopelessness of the chance of obtaining another `job' and unconsciously speaking aloud.

`My God! How can I tell them? What WILL become of us?'

Having accomplished the objects of his visit, Hunter shortly afterwards departed, possibly congratulating himself that he had not been hiding his light under a bushel, but that he had set it upon a candlestick and given light unto all that were within that house.

As soon as they knew that he was gone, the men began to gather into little groups, but in a little while they nearly all found themselves in the kitchen, discussing the reduction.Sawkins and the other `lightweights' remained at their work.Some of them got only fourpence halfpenny - Sawkins was paid fivepence - so none of these were affected by the change.The other two fresh hands - the journeymen - joined the crowd in the kitchen, being anxious to conceal the fact that they had agreed to accept the reduced rate before being `taken on'.Owen also was there, having heard the news hem Philpot.

There was a lot of furious talk.At first several of them spoke of `chucking up', at once; but others were more prudent, for they knew that if they did leave there were dozens of others who would be eager to take their places.