登陆注册
5383800000066

第66章

`After all, you know,' said Slyme, who had - stowed away somewhere at the back of his head - an idea of presently starting business on his own account: he was only waiting until he had saved enough money, `after all, there's something in what 'Unter says.It's very 'ard to get a fair price for work nowadays.Things IS cut very fine.'

`Yes! We know all about that!' shouted Harlow.`And who the bloody 'ell is it cuts 'em? Why, sich b--rs as 'Unter and Rushton! If this firm 'adn't cut this job so fine, some other firm would 'ave 'ad it for more money.Rushton's cuttin' it fine didn't MAKE this job, did it? It would 'ave been done just the same if they 'adn't tendered for it at all! The only difference is that we should 'ave been workin'

for some other master.'

`I don't believe the bloody job's cut fine at all!' said Philpot.

`Rushton is a pal of Sweater's and they're both members of the Town Council.'

`That may be,' replied Slyme; 'but all the same I believe Sweater got several other prices besides Rushton's - friend or no friend; and you can't blame 'im: it's only business.But pr'aps Rushton got the preference - Sweater may 'ave told 'im the others' prices.'

`Yes, and a bloody fine lot of prices they was, too, if the truth was known!' said Bundy."There was six other firms after this job to my knowledge - Pushem and Sloggem, Bluffum and Doemdown, Dodger and Scampit, Snatcham and Graball, Smeeriton and Leavit, Makehaste and Sloggitt, and Gord only knows 'ow many more.'

At this moment Newman came into the room.He looked so white and upset that the others involuntarily paused in their conversation.

`Well, what do YOU think of it?' asked Harlow.

`Think of what?' said Newman.

`Why, didn't 'Unter tell you?' cried several voices, whose owners looked suspiciously at him.They thought - if Hunter had not spoken to Newman, it must be because he was already working under price.

There had been a rumour going about the last few days to that effect.

`Didn't Misery tell you? They're not goin' to pay more than six and a half after this week.'

`That's not what 'e said to me.'E just told me to knock off.Said Ididn't do enough for 'em.'

`Jesus Christ!' exclaimed Crass, pretending to be overcome with surprise.

Newman's account of what had transpired was listened to in gloomy silence.`Those who - a few minutes previously - had been talking loudly of chucking up the job became filled with apprehension that they might be served in the same manner as he had been.Crass was one of the loudest in his expression of astonishment and indignation, but he rather overdid it and only succeeded in confirming the secret suspicion of the others that he had had something to do with Hunter's action.

The result of the discussion was that they decided to submit to Misery's terms for the time being, until they could see a chance of getting work elsewhere.

As Owen had to go to the office to see the wallpaper spoken of by Hunter, he accompanied Newman when the latter went to get his wages.

Nimrod was waiting for them, and had the money ready in an envelope, which he handed to Newman, who took it without speaking and went away.

Misery had been rummaging amongst the old wallpapers, and had got out a great heap of odd rolls, which he now submitted to Owen, but after examining them the latter said that they were unsuitable for the purpose, so after some argument Misery was compelled to sign an order for some proper cartridge paper, which Owen obtained at a stationer's on his way home.

The next morning, when Misery went to the `Cave', he was in a fearful rage, and he kicked up a terrible row with Crass.He said that Mr Rushton had been complaining of the lack of discipline on the job, and he told Crass to tell all the hands that for the future singing in working hours was strictly forbidden, and anyone caught breaking this rule would be instantly dismissed.

Several times during the following days Nimrod called at Owen's flat to see how the work was progressing and to impress upon him the necessity of not taking too much trouble over it.

同类推荐
热门推荐
  • 亲爱的,你是我学不会的别离

    亲爱的,你是我学不会的别离

    安然喜欢吴漾喜欢了七年,也追了七年,她爱过他,以“死”结束。绝望,痛恨,不甘远远胜于死。当她从医院醒过来时,她发誓,这辈子不会再喜欢他,不会再为他付出,甚至一滴泪。多年后,当已经失忆了的吴漾撕心裂肺地对她吼道:“安然,你的心真的是冰做的吗,你爱我一下会死吗?!”安然庄重而又认真地回答:“是啊,吴漾。爱你一下会死的。”一部虐心又温暖的治愈文告诉你,人生最幸运的事无非就是你爱着的人刚好也爱着你。
  • 女人善待心灵的100个阳光禅

    女人善待心灵的100个阳光禅

    女人,很多时候都会感到累、感到无助、感到孤单、感到迷茫……"其实在没有月光也没有星光的时候,你也不要绝望和哭泣,禅的智慧会带你走出黑暗和迷雾,走向幸福和光明,让你学会自已送自己一枝鲜花,自己给自己撑一柄避雨的伞,自己给自己一个明媚的笑容……
  • 雁归

    雁归

    她从来都不是个太有野心的女孩,没想过要太多的钱太好的房子,最好20岁就能嫁给大伟,生个孩子,白天上班,晚上回来照顾一家大小已经是她最美丽的梦想。
  • Double Barrelled Detective

    Double Barrelled Detective

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 强婚密爱:宠妻上瘾

    强婚密爱:宠妻上瘾

    家里一朝被人阴谋陷害以致破产,却让她遇上那个如冰块的男人一夜的抵死缠绵,她送了他三个字,男人却给她一纸合约,“我的一切我会夺回来的!”为了报复敌人,她甘愿签下,只为给敌人致命的一击。明里,他是跨国集团的总裁,冰冷容颜不喜言语;暗里,他却拥有多重骇人身份,杀戮决绝使人惧怕。“我不会爱你。”男人眼底的坚决,却在对上她的眼睛时瞬间崩塌。遇到男人上前搭讪,他会不悦道,“这是我的女人,谁让你碰了?”遇到花痴女挑衅,他会直接说,“我就只要她一个,你们谁也别肖想她的位置。”遇到蛮横人刁难,他也会说,“这是我宠的,她喜欢就好,你管不着。”是谁说不可能爱了,可是为什么一次次做出爱人之间的举动,让她一再沦陷。看着他身后那个女人,她才知道,原来她只是个替身,一夜之间,她最后选择了逃离,多年后,再回来,却再次被他缠上……【闷骚男口头禅】某女:谢谢你。某男:嗯。某女:对不起啊!某男:嗯。某女:那个,我不是故意的,我也没想到会惹来这些事情,我……某男:嗯。某女:你的话不会只有一个嗯吧?别人问你什么你都只会嗯的回答?某男:嗯?某女无奈,某男茫然。【女孩VS男人】一个小人从她身后钻了出来,看着面前的高人。“妈咪,这个人是谁啊?”粉嫩的小女孩嗲声问道,“他是不是也来征婚的?诶,你要来征婚是吗?”男人没有说话。“我告诉你,想要征婚,有三个条件,有车有房,父母双亡,不然婆媳关系很难搞的。”男人额上黑线布满。【用尽偷蒙拐骗】“宝贝,能不能帮爹地办一件事情。”某男狡黠道。女孩双手撑下巴,道,“说吧。”“爹地忘记你妈咪的名字怎么写了,可不可以去外公那里把妈咪的户口本拿出来给爹地看一下。”“我会写妈咪的名字,很简单,我教你吧!”说着就要去拿纸笔,却被某男制止了。“你们写的不一定对,只有户口本的才是最对的,万一你们写错了怎么办?”“哦,那好吧,我去问问外公。”在一旁的男孩鄙视的看着两人。注:一对一,不是回头草,男主身心健康,宠文无边。简介无能,请点进去看几章再决定咔嚓吧!本人古文:《吾家有妃初拽成》【已完结】《凰腾——绝杀鬼妃》【推荐姐妹文】姒锦《军婚撩人》鎏年《限制级霸宠》沐云清《狂霸老公极品妻》艺瑾天使《霸道老公,轻点爱》花卷儿《名门小妻——宠你上瘾》妆璧《少将,放过我》多浅《亿万老公誘宠妻》
  • 秋月诗集

    秋月诗集

    本作品为诗集,以感叹情感生活、青春等为主题。
  • 呲骨豺狼(第二次世界大战史丛书)

    呲骨豺狼(第二次世界大战史丛书)

    世界人民反法西斯战争的胜利是20世纪人类历史的一个重大转折点,它结束了一个战争和动荡的旧时期,迎来了一个和平与发展的新阶段。我们回首历史,不应忘记战争给人类社会带来的破坏和灾难,以及世界各个国家和人民为胜利所付出的沉重代价。作为后人,我们应当认真吸取这次大战的历史经验教训,为防止新的世界大战发生,维护世界持久和平,不断推动人类社会进步而英勇奋斗。
  • 血型与星座B

    血型与星座B

    血型影响性格,性格决定命运。本书将引领你踏上认清自己、了解他人的探索之旅。你将意外发现B型人独特的性格解码,同为B型人,为什么性情迥异,处世态度截然不同?12星座人为你解开其中的奥秘……
  • The Home Book of Verse

    The Home Book of Verse

    本书为公版书,为不受著作权法限制的作家、艺术家及其它人士发布的作品,供广大读者阅读交流。汇聚授权电子版权。
  • 提高青少年思考能力的35种方法

    提高青少年思考能力的35种方法

    思维决定着一个人的行为,决定着一个人的学习、工作和处世的态度,决定着一个人的前途和命运,决定着你我的成败!本书结合现实生活,向青少年朋友介绍了35种实用的思维方法,通过科学的分析和生动的故事案例,帮你解读思维的本质,让正确的思维方法为你的学习、工作和生活导航。