Glasses and teacups were filled.
"Gentlemen," said Mr. Todd, lighting his pipe, "afore we get on to the
business of this meeting I want to remind you that there is another
meeting, of ladies, at four o'clock; so we've got to hurry up. O'
course, if it should happen that we ain't finished----"
"Go on, Bennie!" said a delighted admirer. "I see a female 'ead peeping
in at the winder already," said a voice.
"Let 'em peep," said Mr. Todd, benignly. "Then p'r'aps they'll be able
to see how to run a meeting."
"There's two more 'eads," said the other. "Oh, Lord, I know I sha'n't be
able to keep a straight face!"
"H'sh!" commanded Mr. Todd, sternly, as the street-door was heard to
open. "Be'ave yourself. As I was saying, the thing we've got to
consider about this strike----"
The door opened, and six ladies, headed by Mrs. Porter, entered the room
in single file and ranged themselves silently along the wall.
"Strike," proceeded Mr. Todd, who found himself gazing uneasily into the
eyes of Mrs. Gorman----"strike--er--strike----"
"He said that before," said a stout lady, in a loud whisper; "I'm sure he
did.
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