but to-night you're here to meet about that half-crown. It's for you to
say whether or no you'll have it. We've saved the money for the fight,
saved it from your wages, got it with your sweat. You've given up your
beer for it--aye, and maybe your baccy. We've saved the money and the
time's come to fight. All that he says"--jerking his elbow towards
Maraton--"sounds good enough. That'll come in later. Are you for the
strike?"

There was no doubt about the reply--a roar of approving voices. Maraton
smiled at them and stepped down from the platform. For the moment he
was forgotten. Only Julia whispered passionately in his ear as they
moved out of the place.

"You should have gone on. They didn't understand. They have waited so
long, they could have waited a little longer."

Maraton did not answer until they reached the street. Then he stood a
few steps in the background, watching the people as they came out.

"I couldn't," he said simply. "I felt as though I were offering stones
for bread. The stones were better, perhaps, but the cruelty was the
same."



CHAPTER X

Maraton walked alone with Elisabeth on the following afternoon in the
flower garden at Lyndwood. She was apologising for some unexpected
additions to the number of their guests.