第190章

Everyone present drank Rushton's health, or at any rate went through the motions of doing so, but during the roar of cheering and singing that preceded it several of the men stood with expressions of contempt or uneasiness upon their faces, silently watching the enthusiasts or looking at the ceiling or on the floor.

`I will say this much,' remarked the Semidrunk as they all resumed their seats - he had had several drinks during dinner, besides those he had taken on the journey - I will say this much, although I did have a little misunderstanding with Mr Hunter 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!

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!