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d said she hoped he would be good and try to learn。 And then he cried as well； and promised her that he would do his best。 He reflected with pride that he was keeping his promise about being a good boy and trying to learn： in fact； he knew a great deal about the trade already … he could paint back doors as well as anybody！ and railings as well。 Owen had taught him lots of things and had promised to do some patterns of graining for him so that he might practise copying them at home in the evenings。 Owen was a fine chap。 Bert resolved that he would tell him what Crass had been saying to Easton。 Just fancy； the cheek of a rotter like Crass； trying to get Owen the sack！ It would be more like it if Crass was to be sacked himself； so that Owen could be the foreman。
One minute to ten。
With a heavy heart Bert watched the clock。 His legs were still aching very badly。 He could not see the hands of the clock moving； but they were creeping on all the same。 Now； the minute hand was over the edge of the number； and he began to deliberate whether he might not rest for another five minutes？ But he had been such a long time already on his errand that he dismissed the thought。 The minute hand was now upright and it was time to go on。
Just as he was about to get up a harsh voice behind him said：
‘How much longer are you going to sit there？'
Bert started up guiltily； and found himself confronted by Mr Rushton； who was regarding him with an angry frown； whilst close by towered the colossal figure of the obese Sweater； the expression on his greasy countenance betokening the pain he experienced on beholding such as appalling example of juvenile depravity。
‘What do you mean by sich conduct？' demanded Rushton； indignantly。 ‘The idear of sitting there like that when most likely the men are waiting for them things？'
Crimson with shame and confusion； the boy made no reply。
‘You've been there a long time；' continued Rushton； ‘I've been watchin' you all the time I've been comin' down the road。'
Bert tried to speak to explain why he had been resting； but his mouth and his tongue had become quite parched from terror and he was unable to articulate a single word。
‘You know； that's not the way to get on in life； my boy；' observed Sweater lifting his forefinger and shaking his fat head reproachfully。
‘Get along with you at once！' Rushton said； roughly。 ‘I'm surprised at yer！ The idear！ Sitting down in my time！'
This was quite true。 Rushton was not merely angry； but astonished at the audacity of the boy。 That anyone in his employment should dare to have the impertinence to sit down in his time was incredible。
The boy lifted the handle of the cart and once more began to push it up the hill。 It seemed heavier now that ever； but he managed to get on somehow。 He kept glancing back after Rushton and Sweater； who presently turned a corner and were lost to view： then he ran the cart to the kerb again to have a breathe。 He couldn't have kept up much further without a spell even if they had still been watching him； but he didn't rest for more than about half a minute this time； because he was afraid they might be peeping round the corner at him。
After this he gave up the lamp…post system and halted for a minute or so at regular short intervals。 In this way； he at length reached the top of the hill； and with a sigh of relief congratulated himself that the journey was practically over。
Just before he arrived at the gate of the house； he saw Hunter sneak out and mount his bicycle and ride away。 Bert wheeled his cart up to the front door and began carrying in the things。 Whilst thus engaged he noticed Philpot peeping cautiously over the banisters of the staircase； and called out to him：
‘Give us a hand with this bucket of whitewash； will yer； Joe？'
‘Certainly； me son； with the greatest of hagony；' replied Philpot as he hurried down the stairs。
As they were carrying it in Philpot winked at Bert and whispered：
‘Did yer see Pontius Pilate anywheres outside？'
‘'E went away on 'is bike just as I come in at the gate。'
‘Did 'e？ Thank Gord for that！ I don't wish 'im no 'arm；' said Philpot； fervently； ‘but I 'opes 'e gets runned over with a motor。'
In this wish Bert entirely concurred； and similar charitable sentiments were expressed by all the others as soon as they heard that Misery was gone。
Just before four o'clock that afternoon Bert began to load up the truck with the venetian blinds； which had been taken down some days previously。
‘I wonder who'll have the job of paintin' 'em？' remarked Philpot to Newman。
‘P'raps's they'll take a couple of us away from ere。'
‘I shouldn't think so。 We're short…'anded 'ere already。 Most likely they'll put on a couple of fresh 'ands。 There's a 'ell of a lot of work in all them blinds； you know： I reckon they'll 'ave to 'ave there or four coats； the state they're in。'
‘Yes。 No doubt that's what will be done；' replied Newman； and added with a mirthless laugh：
‘I don't suppose they'll have much difficulty in getting a couple of chaps。'
‘No； you're right； mate。 There's plenty of 'em walkin' about as a week's work would be a Gordsend to。'
‘Come to think of it；' continued Newman after a pause； ‘I believe the firm used to give all their blind work to old Latham； the venetian blind maker。 Prap's they'll give 'im this lot to do。'
‘Very likely；' replied Philpot； ‘I should think 'e can do 'em cheaper even than us chaps； and that's all the firm cares about；'
How far their conjectures were fulfilled will appear later。
Shortly after Bert was gone it became so dark that it was necessary to light the candles； and Philpot remarked that although he hated working under such conditions； yet he was always glad when lighting up time came； because then knocking off time was not very far behind。
About five minutes to five； just as they were all putting their things away for the night； Nimrod suddenly appeared in the house。 He had come hoping to find some of them ready dressed to go home before the proper time。 Having failed in this laudable enterprise； he stood silently by himself for some seconds in the drawing…room。 This was a spacious and lofty apartment with a large semicircular bay window。 Round the ceiling was a deep cornice。 In the semi…darkness the room appeared to be of even greater proportions than it really was。 After standing thinking in this room for a little while； Hunter turned and strode out to the kitchen； where the men were preparing to go home。 Owen was taking off his blouse and apron as the other entered。 Hunter addressed him with a malevolent snarl：
‘You can call at the office tonight as you go home。'
Owen's heart seemed to stop beating。 All the petty annoyances he had endured from Hunter rushed into his memory； together with what Easton had told him that morning。 He stood； still and speechless； holding his apron in his hand and staring at the manager。
‘What for？' he ejaculated at length。 ‘What's the matter？'
‘You'll find out what you're wanted for when you get there；' returned Hunter as he went out of the room and away from the house。
When he was gone a dead silence prevailed。 The hands ceased their preparations for departure and looked at each other and at Owen in astonishment。 To stand a man off like that … when the job was not half finished … and for no apparent reason： and of a Monday； too。 It was unheard of。 There was a general chorus of indignation。 Harlow and Philpot especially were very wroth。
‘If it comes to that；' Harlow shouted； ‘they've got no bloody right to do it！ We're entitled to an hour's notice。'
‘Of course we are！' cried Philpot； his goggle eyes rolling wildly with wrath。 ‘And I should 'ave it too； if it was me。 You take my tip； Frank： CHARGE UP TO SIX O'CLOCK on yer time sheet and get some of your own back。'
Everyone joined in the outburst of indignant protest。 Everyone； that is； except Crass and Slyme。 But then they were not exactly in the kitchen： they were out in the scullery putting their things away； and so it happened that they said nothing； although they exchanged significant looks。
Owen had by this time recovered his self…possession。 He collected all his tools and put them with his apron and blouse into his tool…bag with the purpose of taking them with him that night； but on reflection he resolved not to do so。 After all； it was not absolutely certain that he was going to be ‘stood off'： possibly they were going to send him on some other job。
They kept all together … some walking on the pavement and some in the road … until they got down town； and then separated。 Crass； Sawkins； Bundy and Philpot adjourned to the ‘Cricketers' for a drink； Newman went on by himself； Slyme accompanied Easton who had arranged with him to come that night to see the bedroom； and Owen went in the direction of the office。
Chapter 11
Hands and Brains
Rushton & Co。's premises were situated in one of the principal streets of Mugsborough and consisted of a double…fronted shop with plate glass windows。 The shop extended right through to the narrow back street which ran behind it。 The front part of the shop was stocked with wall…hangings； mouldings； stands showing