[CHAPTER IV.]
WHAT STUCKEY THOUGHT.
"SO there's a lot more of you to-day, a-setting to work to run your heads agin a stone wall," said Stuckey.
He had a basket of ferns in his hand, which he was carrying home, taking Pleasant Lane on his way.
"Nothing of the sort," responded Stevens. "There's no stone wall at all. You just wait, and you'll see."
"Sure to do that! For why? 'Cause I can't help it," said Stuckey. "Nor wouldn't if I could. It's a werry interesting contemplation."
"What's interesting?"
"Why, this here strike," said Stuckey. "I've come along here for the werry purpose of examining into your state of mind, and learnin' how you're all a-looking on the state of affairs. Once on a time I'd ha' gone along with you all, afore I got to be more enlightened."
"Oh, you're enlightened, are you?" said Stevens, with contempt.
"Hope so," Stuckey answered. "Not as I means for to say that enlightenment o' the understanding goes alongside of a garden spade more than of a pick. But since I've laid by the pick and took up the spade, I've learnt to look upon things in a more reasonable sort of a light, there ain't no denying."