Page:Emile Vandervelde - Three Aspects of the Russian Revolution - tr. Jean Elmslie Henderson Findlay (1918).djvu/62

 audience. The questions were numerous and often very shrewd. In replying, the speaker insisted on the necessity for regular and sustained labour. The audience approved loudly and sincerely, but still did not go back to work. Towards five o'clock however, the speaker could not help remarking that it would be a good thing to give practical effect to the resolutions that had been passed by returning to work without further delay. Once more the audience acquiesced with enthusiasm, but asked the speaker to reply first to two or three more questions. That was done, and then followed another exhortation on the part of the speaker and another enthusiastic acquiescence by the audience, but on condition that he should reply to two or three more questions. It was getting on for six o'clock, and in the end the speaker firmly declared that he would reply to no more questions, that he would not take upon himself the responsibility for such a loss of time. "Why," said the employer in a tone of surprise, "another half-hour will not make much difference."