“Fifteen per cent.”
“Good Lord!” said Abby.
“We ain't going to stand it,” said Lee.
“I don't see how we can stand it,” said Willy Jones, with a slightly interrogative tone directed towards Abby. Granville looked at Ellen.
“Are you sure?” she asked.
“Perfectly sure,” replied Granville. “What do you think about it, Ellen?”
“What are you going to do?” asked Ellen, thoughtfully.
“Strike for fifteen per cent. more before he has a chance to dock us,” cried Lee, with a hushed vehemence, looking about warily to make sure that no one overheard.
“The worst of it is, I know it all comes from Nahum Beals, and he's half cracked,” said Abby, bluntly.
“He's got the right of it, anyhow,” said Lee.