The Slaughter
boots broken and down at heel, they slouched past. Some of them stared about with a dazed or half wild expression, but most of them walked with downcast eyes or staring blankly straight in front of them. They appeared utterly broken-spirited, hopeless and ashamed.
'Anyone can see what they are,' sneered Crass; 'there isn't fifty genuine tradesmen in the whole crowd, and most of 'em wouldn't work if they 'ad the offer of it.'
'That's just what I was thinkin',' agreed Sawkins with a laugh.
'There will be plenty of time to say that when they have been offered work and have refused to do it,' said Owen.
'This sort of thing does the town a lot of 'arm,' remarked Slyme; 'it oughtn't to be allowed; the police ought to stop it. It's enough to drive all the gentry out of the place!'
'Bloody disgraceful, I call it,' said Crass, 'marchin along the Grand Parade on a beautiful day like this, just at the very time when most of the gentry is out enjoyin' the fresh hair.'
'I suppose you think they ought to stay at home and starve quietly,' said Owen. 'I don't see why these men should care what harm they do to the town. The town doesn't seem to care much what becomes of them.'
'Do you believe in this sort of thing, then?' asked Slyme.
'No; certainly not. I don't believe in begging as a favour for what they are entitled to demand as a right from the thieves who have robbed them and who are now enjoying the fruits of their labour. From the look of shame on their faces you might think that they were the criminals instead of being the victims.'
'Well you must admit that most of them is very inferior men,' said Crass, with a self satisfied air. 'There's very few good mechanics among them.'
'What about it if they are? What difference does that make?' replied Owen. 'They're human beings, and they have as much right to live as anyone else. What is called unskilled labour is just as necessary and useful as yours or mine. I am no more capable of doing the "unskilled" labour that most of these men do, than they would be capable of doing my work.'
'Well, if they was skilled tradesmen they might find it easier to get a job,' said Crass.
Owen laughed offensively.
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