"If you believe Michael's story, there's nothing more to be said," George continued. "Does any man want to ask Michael a question?"
No one replied for a moment. Then M'Ginnis exclaimed incoherently.
"Shut up!"
"Sit down!"
Men cried out all over the hall.
"That's all, I think, Michael," George said, looking down to where Michael sat before the platform; and Michael, pulling his hat further over his eyes, went out of the hall.
It was the custom for men of the Ridge to talk over the subject of their inquiry together after the man or men with whom the meeting was concerned had left the hall, before giving their verdict.
When Michael had gone, George Woods said:
"The boys would like to hear what you've got to say, I think, Archie."
He looked at Archie Cross. "You and Michael haven't been seein' eye to eye lately, and if there's any other side in this business, it's the side that lost confidence in Michael when we were fed-up with all that whispering. You know Michael, and you're a good Ridge man, though you were ready to take on Armitage's scheme. The boys'd like to hear what you've got to say, I'm sure."