Brother Simmons' sarcasm appeared to wither Brother Wigglesworth into
silence.

"Naw then, Brother Maitland, we shall get (h)on."

Maitland glanced round on the group of half a dozen men. Some of them he
knew; others were strangers to him.

"I don't know what the business is, gentlemen," he said, curbing his
wrath, "but I want to know if it can't wait till to-morrow? You know our
boys are going on the ice in a couple of hours or so--"

"Goin' on the (h)ice! Goin' on the (h)ice! W'at's that to do with Union
business?" snarled Simmons. "This 'ere's no silly kids' gaime! It's a
man's work we ave in 'and, if you don't want to do the business to w'ich
you are (h)appointed w'y just say so and we shall know 'ow to (h)act.
There 'as been too much o' this gaime business to suit me. If we are men
let us (h)act like men."

"Better get on wi' it," said McNish curtly.

"I shall get on w'en I am good and ready, Brother McNish," answered
Simmons.

"All r-r-right, brother, but A doot ye're oot o' order. Who is the
chairman o' this Committee?" asked McNish calmly.

"Brother Phillips," answered two or three voices.

"All right. I suggest you proceed regularly and call the meeting to
order," said McNish quietly. Simmons, recognising that it was Greek
meeting Greek, agreed to this.

Clumsily and hesitatingly Brother Phillips began stating the business of
the Committee. He had not gone far before Simmons interrupted.

"Mr. Chairman, with your permission I would just like to say that the
resolution passed at the representative joint meetin' of the Maitland
Mills and Box Factory (h)employees last night will sufficiently
(h)explain the (h)object of this meetin' 'ere." Brother Simmons' tone
suggested infinite pity for the lumbering efforts of the chairman.

"Yes, I guess it will," said the chairman, blushing in his confusion.
Brother Phillips was new to his position and its duties.

"I would suggest that that resolution be read," said Brother Simmons,
the pity in his tone hardly veiling his contempt.

"Yes! Yes! Of course!" said Brother Phillips hurriedly. "Eh--would you
please read it, Mr.--that is--Brother Simmons?"

With great show of deliberation and of entire mastery of the situation
Mr. Simmons produced a Minute Book and began:

"Mr. Chairman and brothers, I may say that this 'ere resolution was
passed at a joint representative meetin' of all the (h)employees of the
Maitland Company--"

"There is no sich company, Mr