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"Wages again?" "Ay, and condeetions and the like." "But it is not six months since the last agreement was signed and that agreement is running still." "Ay, it is, but condeetions, conditions have changed since that date," said McNish, "and there must be readjustment at least, there is a feeling that way." "Readjustment? But I have had no hint of this in our meetings.
"Secretly," said Vic, scornfully. "Now, that is perfect rot. Look here, do you know Captain Maitland? I am his friend, and let me tell you that all I ever hope to own, here and hereafter, and all my relatives and friends, I would gladly trust with him." "Maybe, maybe," muttered McNish. "Ye may be richt. A apologise, sir, but if " His eyes blazed again.
Everywhere the wild and radical element was gaining in influence and in numbers, and the spirit of faction and internecine strife became rampant. It was due to the dominating forcefulness of McNish, the leader of the moderates, that the two factions in the allied unions had been consolidated, and a single policy agreed upon. His whole past had been a preparation for just a crisis as the present.
"We shall expect you to come and see us to-night at the match, remember, Captain Jack," said Patricia, as he passed out of the room. "Now be sure to go and have your sleep." But there was no sleep that afternoon for Captain Jack. On his way through the town he was halted by McNish. "The boys want to see you," he said briefly. "What boys? What do you mean, McNish?" "At the rooms.
"'E's in with that there young pup. 'E knows 'ow to work 'im and 'e'd sell us all up, 'e would." Brother Simmons' brand of profanity strongly savoured of the London pavements in its picturesque fluency. "Get in here, McNish," said Maitland, who was waiting at the door. With some hesitation McNish accepted the invitation.
"Aye, ye might," replied Malcolm in bitter irony, "and ye might begin with the ministers and the churches." "Whisht, laddie," said his mother sharply, "Mind yer manners." "He doesn't mean me specially, Mrs. McNish, but I will not say but what he is right." "No," replied McNish, "I don't mean you exactly, Mr. Matheson." "Don't take it back, McNish," said the minister. "I need it.
"You have given me a delightful hour, Mrs. McNish," he said as he shook hands. "You made me think of my own home in the old days, I mean before the war came and smashed everything." The old lady's eyes were kindly scanning his face. "Ay, the war smashed yere hame?" Maitland nodded in silence. "His brither," said Malcolm, quietly. "Puir laddie," she said, patting his hand.
Then, between his deep-drawn breaths, he slowly spoke: "Ye may be richt. A hope tae God A am baith liar and fule." The agony in his face moved Vic to pity. "I say, old chap," he said, "you are terribly mistaken somehow, I can swear to that. Where is Maitland, anyway, do you know?" "They went away together." McNish had suddenly gotten himself in hand. "They went away in his car, secretly."
But McNish, taking his lonely way home, was only conscious that the evening had grown chilly and grey. Business was suspended for the day in Blackwater. That is, men went through their accustomed movements, but their thoughts were far apart from the matters that were supposed to occupy their minds during the working hours of the day.
And in his new position he felt he might be able, to an even greater degree, to carry out the plans which he had in mind. On the other hand, he knew full well that men were apt to be suspicious of welfare schemes "promoted from above." His own hockey men he felt sure he could carry with him. If he could only win McNish to be his sergeant-major, success would be assured.
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