HARVEY ANDERSON.

Mill-hands?

(_Patten nods_)

How's the strike?

BILL PATTEN.

I ain't a man To show the white while there's a chance to win.

SILAS MAURY.

They've got till sun-down to report for work.

BILL PATTEN.

They'll feel like dogs, too, goin' in that gate, After the bluff they've made, lickin' his hand.

Me for some other town. I'd rather starve.

SILAS MAURY.

They're 'ranging to bring in a lot of scabs To-morrow, when the Governor will be there.

BILL PATTEN.

Much as to say, 'Now knock 'em!' Son of a b.i.t.c.h!

HARVEY ANDERSON.

The Governor?

CAP SAUNDERS.

What's the trouble?

BILL PATTEN.

Cakes and pies.

SILAS MAURY.

It's Egerton's big reception.

HARVEY ANDERSON.

(_To Cap Saunders_)

Explains the lights.

They're getting things in shape.

SILAS MAURY.

Yes.

(_He and Anderson walk a little way left and look back toward the mansion_)

BILL PATTEN.

When the boys First talked of strikin' when they made the cut I said, 'Don't do it. Egerton's a man-- You'd better fight the Devil than fight him.

He'll show no mercy on you if you cross him.'

I guess they know by now that Bill was right.

Sam Williams though he thinks he knows. 'Hang on.'

All right, hang on; but you will see what comes.

It's h.e.l.l. I'd rather die out on some rock.

SILAS MAURY.

There ain't no room for poor men in this world.

I don't know what G.o.d ever made us for.

(_He and Anderson return to the fire_)

BILL PATTEN.

The man that's got no home's a lucky man.

SILAS MAURY.

I said to Willie, 'I'm glad mother's dead.'

(_A pause_)

WILLIE MAURY.

Think she can see us, pa?

SILAS MAURY.

I don't think so.

BILL PATTEN.

She's better off.

SILAS MAURY.

That's true. I hope she can't.