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The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists altered: it had always been more or less the same, and it always would be.

'It seems to me that you all hope it is impossible to alter it,' said Owen. 'Without trying to find out whether it could be done, you persuade yourselves that it is impossible, and then, instead of being sorry, you're glad!'

Some of them laughed in a silly, half ashamed way.

'How do you reckon it could be altered?' said Harlow.

'The way to alter it is, first, to enlighten thep eoplethe people [sic] as to the real cause of their sufferings, and then'

'Well,' interrupted Crass, with a self-satisfied chuckle, 'it'll take a bloody better man than you to henlighten me!'

'I don't want to be henlightened into Darkness!' said Slyme, piously.

'But what sort of a system do you propose, then,' repeated Harlow, 'after you've got 'em all enlightened? If you don't believe in sharing out all the money equal, how are you goin' to alter it?'

'I don't know 'ow 'e's goin' to alter it,' sneered Crass, looking at his watch and standing up, 'but I do know what the time is—two minits past one!'

'The next lecture,' said Philpot, addressing the meeting as they all prepared to return to work, 'the next lecture will be postponded till to-morrower at the usual time, when it will be my painful dooty to call upon Mr Owen to give 'is well known and most hobnoxious address entitled "Work, and how to avoid it." Hall them as wants to be henlightened kindly attend.'

'Or hall them as don't get the sack to-night,' remarked Easton, grimly. 234