follow what you mean.

GERALD. Don't you? But I thought Alfred Breffitt and William Straw were
not very popular.

JOB ARTHUR. No, they aren't--not in themselves. But it's the principle
of the thing--so it seems.

GERALD. What principle?

JOB ARTHUR. Why, all sticking together, for one thing--all Barlow &
Walsall's men holding by one another.

GERALD. United we stand?

JOB ARTHUR. That's it. And then it's the strong defending the weak as
well. There's three thousand colliers standing up for thirty-odd office
men. I must say I think it's sporting myself.

GERALD. You do, do you? United we stand, divided we fall. What do they
stand for really? What is it?

JOB ARTHUR. Well--for their right to a living wage. That's how I see it.

GERALD. For their right to a living wage! Just that?

JOB ARTHUR. Yes, sir--that's how I see it.

GERALD. Well, that doesn't seem so preposterously difficult does it?

JOB ARTHUR. Why, that's what I think myself, Mr. Gerald. It's such a
little thing.

GERALD. Quite. I suppose the men themselves are to judge what is a
living wage?

JOB ARTHUR. Oh, I think they're quite reasonable, you know.

GERALD. Oh, yes, eminently reasonable. Reason's their strong point.--And
if they get their increase they'll be quite contented?

JOB ARTHUR. Yes, as far as I know, they will.

GERALD. As far as you know? Why, is there something you don't
know?--something you're not sure about?

JOB ARTHUR. No--I don't think so. I think they'll be quite satisfied
this time.

GERALD. Why this time? Is there going to be a next
time--every-day-has-its-to-morrow kind of thing?

JOB ARTHUR. I don't know about that. It's a funny world, Mr. Barlow.

GERALD. Yes, I quite believe it. How do you see it so funny?

JOB ARTHUR. Oh, I don't know. Everything's in a funny state.

GERALD. What do you mean by everything?

JOB ARTHUR. Well--I mean things in general--Labour, for example.

GERALD. You think Labour's in a funny state, do you? What do you think
it wants? What do you think, personally?

JOB ARTHUR. Well, in my own mind, I think it wants a bit of its own
back.

GERALD. And how does it mean to get it?

JOB ARTHUR. Ha! that's not so easy to say. But it means to have it, in
the long run.

GERALD. You mean by increasing demands for higher wages?

JOB ARTHUR. Yes, perhaps that's one road.

GERALD. Do you see any other?

JOB ARTHUR. Not just for the present.

GERALD. But later on?

JOB ARTHUR. I ca