I calls it. They ought to 'ave 'em theirselves is wot I say. That'ud learn 'em to strike." A murmur of approval broke from the others at this enigmatical utterance. "It's all very well for them," cried Mrs. Sawney; "but it's us wot 'as to suffer, us and the pore kids, bless 'em. 'Arriet, you let me catch you swingin' on that gate again, my beauty, and I'll skin you." The last remark was directed at the little girl, who[Pg 15] had seized the moment of her mother's pre-occupation to indulge herself in an illicit joy. [Pg 15] Without a word, Bindle turned and walked down the flagged path to the gate, and along Fenton Street in the direction of The Yellow Ostrich, leaving behind him a group of interested women, who would find in his tragedy material for a week's gossip. His customary cheeriness had forsaken him. He realised that he was faced by a domestic crisis that frankly puzzled him—and he was hungry. As he pushed open the hospitable swing-door of The Yellow Ostrich, he was greeted by a new and even more bewildering phase of the situation. "'Ere, Bindle," cried an angry voice, "wot the blinkin' 'ell's your missis up to?" "You may search me," was Bindle's lugubrious reply, as he moved across to the bar and ordered a pint of beer, some bread, and "a bit o' the cheese wot works the lift." "You was agin us chaps striking," continued the speaker who had greeted Bindle on his entrance, a man with a criminal forehead, a loose mouth, and a dirty neck-cloth. "Wot's your complaint, mate?" enquired Bindle indifferently, as he lifted his pewter from the counter, and took a pull that half emptied it of its contents. "Wot's your ruddy missis been up to?" demanded the man aggressively. "Look 'ere, 'Enery, ole sport," said Bindle quietly, as he wiped his lips with the back of his hand, "you ain't pretty, an' you ain't good; but try an' keep[Pg 16] yer mouth clean when you speaks of Mrs. B. See?" [Pg 16] A murmur of approval rose from the other men, with whom Bindle was popular and Henry Gilkes was not.
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