He was interrupted by cries of "Sit down!" and some ironical encouragement, and Leonard frowned. It might be dangerous to allow the meeting to get out of hand, and this troublesome fellow was giving Andrew, of whom he was half afraid, his opportunity. "May I inquire whether the gentleman is a practical miner himself?" one of the directors interposed. "I was, when I was young. Now I keep a shop and deal with pitmen. But I came here expecting to be told about a dividend. I put three hundred pounds into the Company, because lawyer Jesmond said one could rely on anything that was started by Allinson's. The money wasn't easily saved, but there was no opening in my business--what with the co-operatives cutting into a small man's trade----" "That's enough!" said somebody; and there was a shout of "Don't waste our time!" But the shopkeeper sturdily stood his ground. "I'm not here for myself alone," he resumed. "I came up, by excursion, to speak for other people in our town. Jesmond did their business, and he said----" There was loud interruption. The meeting was getting unruly, but Wannop's voice broke through the uproar: "Go on, man!" "I mean to," replied the speaker calmly. "What's more, I have signed proxies in my pocket to be filled up as I think fit." "It's doubtful how far that's in order," the secretary objected. "Let him fill them up by all means!" exclaimed a stockjobber ironically. "If all his friends gave him proxies, they wouldn't count for much! There are individual holders present whose votes----" He broke off at a touch from a neighbor, and Andrew cast a keen glance at the quieter portion of the audience. It was composed of city men who seemed inclined to support the directors. They were, perhaps, not satisfied with the report, for several had been whispering together; but Andrew thought they would prefer to avoid a disturbance and disclosures that might injure the Company. If the meeting could be got through safely, they could afterward sell out at once and cut their loss. Andrew's sympathies, however, were strongly with such investors as the determined shopkeeper. He could imagine the patient drudgery and careful frugality which had enabled them to buy their shares. "I must ask the gentleman to find a seconder for his motion," Leonard broke in. There was a pause and the shopkeeper looked eagerly round the hall, where he seemed to have no friends. Then Andrew got up and quietly faced the assembly. "I second the amendment," he said. A murmur of astonishment greeted the speech. "A director!" exclaimed somebody, and a whisper ran through the hall. "Mr. Allinson--the company's agent in Canada!" Deep silence followed, and Andrew saw that every eye was fixed on him. He was acting against all precedent--opposing his colleagues on the Board, who were, in a manner, entitled to his support.