"
"Got the sack again, I suppose," said Sanny. "Weel, he maun learn,
Peter, that gaffers are no' gaun to put up wi' his nonsense. If a man
will no' do what he's telt, he maun just take the consequences."
"Ay," said Peter, very dryly, and as Peter knew his man, no more was
said.
Later the same night Matthew Maitland observed to Peter, as they sat on
their "hunkers" at the corner:
"Andra's back again, I suppose."
"Ay," was the answer, "he was telt his place was stopped."
"Imphm," said Matthew, "it's a damn fine excuse. It's a pity but
somethin' could be done."
"It's the Block," said Peter. "I'm telt that a' the managers roun' aboot
ha'e an understandin' with one another no' to gi'e work to onybody they
take a dislike to."
"Ay," agreed Matthew, "I ha'e heard aboot it, but I would soon put a
stop to it."
"Ay, Matthew, it's a union we need up here badly. I'm telt that that
chap Smillie has managed to start one down in the West Country, an' it's
daein' weel. He's got some o' their wages up a hale shillin' a day since
he took it in hand."
"Is that a fact, Peter? The sooner we ha'e him up here the better then.
Black Jock needs a chap back onyway," and Matthew looked like a man who
had suddenly discovered a great truth.
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