“Is your family here?”
“No.”
“Why?”
“What’s that to you, I’d like to know?”
“It’s a good deal to all of us, because it shows that you are not sure of your situation.”
“It shows nothing of the kind. I am guaranteed my situation.”
“Guaranteed! What does a master’s guarantee amount to? We’re going to win this strike, and then where will you new-comers be? You know what happens when the men go back. Not one of you will be left in the shops. Suppose you do get good wages for a few weeks, what will be the benefit in the end? A permanent situation at even lower wages would be better.”
“Who says it wouldn’t? But I haven’t the permanent situation, you see.”
“Now you are talking sense. Are you a member of the Union?”
“I was. I had a row with the foreman, and he gave me the sack.”