When the petition to the masters to hold a public meeting was prepared, and when Clack had appointed himself and two others to carry it round the next day, the Committee terminated their present sitting. The first firm to which the deputies addressed their petition was that of Mortimer and Rowe. “Are the partners at home?” they inquired. “I don’t know whether Mr. Mortimer is here yet, but there is Mr. Rowe. Sir! Mr. Rowe!” called the clerk, as he saw the junior partner making his escape, “these men wish to speak with you, sir, if you please.” Mr. Rowe, perceiving that he had been seen, came forward to be spoken with. “A public meeting,—equalization of wages,—aye, very fair: hum! very well, my good fellows. Well: what do you want me to do?” “To give your voice in favour of this public meeting.” “Why, you know you have a good friend in me. You surely cannot anticipate any difficulty with me. I am a friend of peace, you know. No man more so.” “Aye, sir: but there is more than one sort of peace. The masters have called it peace when they had all their own way, and their men were cowed by the law and dared not openly resist. The men call it peace when the two parties have confidence in each other, and make a cordial agreement, and keep to it. This is what we want at the present time.” So said Gibson, whose turn it was to be spokesman; but Clack could not help putting in his word. “And if either party refuses peace, you know, sir, the next thing is war.” “O, no war!” said Mr. Rowe. “A cordial agreement, as you say, is the right thing. So, for this purpose you wish for a public meeting. Well; I shall be happy to attend a public meeting, if——” “We are happy to find you so agreeable, sir. Will you just sign for self and partner, if you please.” “Sign! I see no signatures.” “Because you happen to be the first person we have applied to, sir; that is all. We hope for signatures plenty before the day is over. Will you please to sign, as you approve of the meeting?” Mr. Rowe suddenly recollected that he must consult his partner who sat in a back room. The men had not to wait long. The junior partner, indeed, did not appear again, but Mr. Mortimer issued forth, looking not a whit less haughty than usual. He begged the deputies would make the best of their way off his premises, as he had nothing to say to them. What were his sentiments respecting the meeting, if they might inquire? His sentiments were, that the masters had been far too tolerant already of the complaints of the men; and that it was time the lower orders were taught their proper place. He had neither leisure nor inclination to argue with any of them, either there or elsewhere; so the sooner they took themselves off the better. “You may live to change your sentiments, sir,” observed Gibson. “Beware of threats!” said Mr. Mortimer. “There is law yet for the punishment of threats, remember.”