Apparently they have, for later on we get—
"Prime Minister. Then why should you want to strike
When the Government saves your faces?
You can get more pay when you like
On the larger output basis."
And the Chorus of course chimes in:—
"They can get more pay when they like
On the larger output basis."
And there is a note at the side: "Chorus to wave arms upwards and outwards, indicating increased production of coal."
It seems to have been at some time after this, and probably in Act III., that Titterby went, if I may put it so vulgarly, off the hooks. I think he must have got on to the conference between the mineowners and the representatives of the miners, and struggled until the gas became too thick for him. At any rate, after several unreadable pages, the following unhappy fragment stands out clear:—