emselves.

'If I thought Nimrod wasn't comin', I'd put my overcoat on and work in
it,' remarked Philpot, 'but you never knows when to expect the b--r,
and if 'e saw me in it, it would mean the bloody push.'

'It wouldn't interfere with our workin' if we did wear 'em,' said
Easton; 'in fact, we'd be able to work all the quicker if we wasn't so
cold.'

'Even if Misery didn't come, I suppose Crass would 'ave something to
say if we did put 'em on,' continued Philpot.

'Well, yer couldn't blame 'im if 'e did say something, could yer?' said
Slyme, offensively. 'Crass would get into a row 'imself if 'Unter came
and saw us workin' in overcoats. It would look ridiclus.'

Slyme suffered less from the cold than any of them, not only because he
had secured the most sheltered window, but also because he was better
clothed than most of the rest.

'What's Crass supposed to be doin' inside?' asked Easton as he tramped
up and down, with his shoulders hunched up and his hands thrust deep
into the pockets of his trousers.

'Blowed if I know,' replied Philpot. 'Messin' about touchin' up or
makin' colour. He never does 'is share of a job like this; 'e knows
'ow to work things all right for 'isself.'

'What if 'e does? We'd be the same if we was in 'is place, and so
would anybody else,' said Slyme, and added sarcastically: 'Or p'haps
you'd give all the soft jobs to other people and do all the rough
yerself!'

Slyme knew that, although they were speaking of Crass, they were also
alluding to himself, and as he replied to Philpot he looked slyly at
Owen, who had so far taken no part in the conversation.

'It's not a question of what we would do,' chimed in Harlow. 'It's a
question of what's fair. If it's not fair for Crass to pick all the
soft jobs for 'imself and leave all the rough for others, the fact that
we might do the same if we 'ad the chance don't make it right.'

'No one can be blamed for doing the best he can for himself under
existing circumstances,' said Owen in reply to Slyme's questioning
look. That is the principle of the present system--every man for
himself and the devil take the rest. For my own part I don't pretend
to practise unselfishness. I don't pretend to guide my actions by the
rules laid down in the Sermon on the Mount. But it's certainly
surprising to hear you who profess to be a follower of
Christ--advocating selfishness. Or, rather, it would be surprising if
it were not that the name of "C