Perhaps it was his companions'
conversation that did it. He could not tell; but unable to contain
himself longer his impulsive nature getting the upper hand, he bounced
to his feet, pale and excited, though trying hard to curb and control
himself, and in a low tense voice, which at first halted a little,
electrified the gathering by a speech wrung from his very soul.
"Mr. Chairman," he began, in this unexpected incident, "I have listened
very attentively to the speeches just delivered by yourself and the
other honorable gentlemen."
Here some of the other delegates intervened to tell him that he was not
expected to speak, but the Prime Minister, for some reason unknown, told
him to go on and so he proceeded.
Then Robert proceeded to pour out his soul, stating the miners'
grievances and their rights as men. How they were always put off with
promises, and defeated in dialectics and the game of wits. As he spoke
he felt the assembly gradually thaw, then become liquid, finally it
seemed to join the torrent of his eloquence, and sweep on, blotting out
all resistance.
When at last he sat down a wild burst of applause rent the air, as he
sat down pale and excited; but glad that he had got the chance at last
of speaking what he felt to the enemies of his class.
Pages:
304
305
306
307
308
309
310
311
312
313
314
315
316
317
318
319
320
321
322
323
324
325
326
327
328