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There is a very great amount of vitality in the human frame, and where the wear and tear of active labour does not exist, man can live for a long period almost without solid food, especially if there be a plentiful supply of fresh water at hand. Mark Gilbart had never thrown a moment away.
But at the head of the ship's ladder Gilbart had passed through a group of red-eyed women, one or two with babies at the breast. It was not a pretty sight: one poor creature had abandoned herself completely, and rocked to and fro holding on by the bulwarks and bellowing aloud. This and a vision of dirty wet handkerchiefs haunted him like a physical sickness.
By completely closing the mouths of the shafts, the atmospheric air was excluded, and the flames extinguished. After nearly three months' labour, the mine was explored, and the bodies of the dead, scorched and dried to mummies, were recovered. None could be recognised, and they were buried in a common grave. Mrs Gilbart knew that her husband was among them. The pit was again opened.
He and Casey had often argued about patriotism; or rather he had done the arguing while Casey sneered. Casey was a stoker, and knew how fuel should be applied. Casey made no pretence to love England. Gilbart never quite knew why he tolerated him. But so it was: they had met in the reading-room of a Sailors' Home, and had somehow struck up an acquaintance, even a sort of unacknowledged friendship.
At every stride Gilbart felt his moral footing, trusted for years without question, cracking and crumbling and swirling away in blocks. Red flames leapt into the fissures and filled them. The end of the world had surely come; but he must run to the Admiral! He kept that uppermost in his mind, and ran. The windows of the Admiralty House blazed with light.
"I love it; though 'tisn't often I gets the chance. I dunno what Dick would say, though." She said it archly, meaning to suggest that Dick might be jealous. John Gilbart misunderstood. "But that's foolish. Why not to-night as well as any other night? What difference can it make to to " He broke off, laughing a little wildly. "We'll go and give each other moral support.
There were no others. Come to think of it, she had heard a postman's knock when she was dishing up the dinner, but had supposed it to be next door. It sounded like next door. Gilbart took the letter upstairs with him. The address was in Casey's handwriting. "Queer fellow, Casey." He broke the seal in the little bay window.
At length, another party came up from the depths, but this time there were five boys borne in the arms of stronger men. Alas! two were motionless the arms and heads of the others drooped helplessly down. The poor mothers pressed forward Mark and Mrs Gilbart among them. "That's Mat that's Mat!" cried the child, as one of the first was placed on the ground.
Mark placed his ear against the side from which the sound seemed to come, and he distinctly heard several blows given. The others did the same. "You are right, Gilbart, that comes from the side working nearest to us. The men must be there," exclaimed one of his companions. "We will reply to them," said Mark, and taking a pick he struck several heavy blows against the side of the gallery.
Gilbart meant. His manner had been so queer when he said, "Must we be going?" For a moment she waited, half expecting him to say something, meaning to be angry if he said it. Such was her crude idea of coquettishness. But John Gilbart merely shook hands, waited until the door closed behind her, and bent his steps toward home. That was in the next street.
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