Page:Robert Barr - Lord Stranleigh Philanthropist.djvu/166

 "We do insist," declared Harrison, but in a much less truculent voice. There were no answering cheers behind him; the word "police" seemed to have paralysed Bert's followers.

"Thank you, Mr. Harrison. That will save me a bit of money, as you would remark. Blake, how much did I say these men were to get?"

"A pound a day, my lord."

"Then just mark it down to eight shillings, Blake, and I hope Mr. Harrison's mob will not expostulate with him because of the reduction. Gentlemen, we have been merely trying an experiment, which comes to its conclusion with this meeting. It has cost me several thousands of pounds, but I don't in the least grudge the outlay. I think I understand better than when I began your objections to the plan. You hate work, and so, I must confess, do I."

He looked somewhat ruefully at his calloused hands, then smiled at his silent audience.

"My friend Mr. Stillson Crane thought he could make real men of you. I didn't know whether that was possible or not, being a very ignorant person, in the position of the girl about whom Sir W. S. Gilbert wrote. She didn't know whether she could waltz or not, but would rather like to try. I imagine