“Strike of what?”
“Carpet-Tackers' Union Number One,” replied the man, kindly gathering up a few tacks.
“Never heard of it.”
“Organised last night,” said the carpet-tacker, putting on his coat.
“Well I'll—” he paused expressively, then inquired: “What's your game?”
“Well, you see, boss, this executive council that runs the State-house has refused our demands.”
“What are your demands?”
“Double pay.”
“Double pay! Now how do you figure it out that you ought to have double pay?”
“Rush work. You see we were under oath, or pretty near that, to get every carpet in the State-house down by four o'clock this afternoon. Now you know yourself that rush work is hard on the nerves. Did you ever get rush work done at a laundry and not pay more for it? We was anxious as anybody to get the Capitol in shape for the big show this afternoon. But there's reason in all things.”