Page:Ragged Trousered Philanthropists.djvu/310

The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists Crass said that in that case a man could either have his money back or he could leave it and continue his payments even if he were working for some other firm; the fact that he was off from Rushton's would not prevent him from going to the beano.

Harlow proposed that they decide to go to the 'Queen Elizabeth' the same as last year, and that they have half a day.

Philpot said that in order to get on with the business he would second the resolution.

Bundy suggested as an amendment that it should be a whole day, starting from the 'Cricketers' at nine in the morning, and Sawkins said that in order to get on with the business he would second the amendment.

One of the new hands said he wished to move another amendment. He proposed to strike out the 'Queen Elizabeth' and substitute the 'Three Loggerheads.'

The chairman after a pause enquired if there were any seconder to this, and the Semi-Drunk said that although he did not care much where they went, still, to get on with the business he would second the amendment, although for his own part he would prefer to go to the 'First In and Last Out' at Bashford.

The new hand offered to withdraw his suggestion re the 'Three Loggerheads' in favour of the Semi-Drunk's proposition, but the latter said it didn't matter, it could go as it was.

As it was getting rather late several men went home, and cries of 'Put the question' began to be heard on all sides. The chairman accordingly was proceeding to put Harlow's proposition when the new hand interrupted him by pointing out that it was his duty as chairman to put the amendments first. This produced another long discussion, in the course of which a very tall thin man with a harsh metallic voice gave a long rambling lecture about the rules of order and the conduct of public meetings. He spoke very slowly and deliberately, using very long words and dealing with the subject in an exhaustive manner. A resolution was a resolution, and an amendment was an amendment; then there was what was called an amendment to an amendment; and so on.

This man kept on talking for about ten minutes, and might have continued for ten hours if he had not been rudely interrupted by Harlow, who said he wanted his tea, and he would also like to get a few hours' sleep before going to work 298