No gambling, drinking, or dishonesty; but plenty of pleasure of the best sort; plenty of music, entertainment, lovely scenery, good wages, and as much real happiness as one can provide for another—these are to be the accompaniments of your new life. But happiness and well-being are not for others to secure for us; we have to decide each for himself in regard to these things. I appeal especially to the young, whose lives are before them, if they will not resolve to make the most of this opportunity. I now leave you all to make your choice. A month from to-day you must hand in your decision in writing to the foreman of your department, each writing the word ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ and signing his or her name; and the head of each household must also write the names and ages of the family wishing to go. And some time in the spring we will have our new emigration.” More than a few went away to dream of the future, and prepare for it. But Mr. Knight was mistaken if he thought that his action would be universally appreciated and approved by his employés; and if he could have overheard the remarks which some made as they filed out into the streets, he would have been considerably enlightened. “What do you think of that, then?” “I call it the crackling of thorns under a pot.” “What I want to know is, where’s a fellow’s liberty to come in?” “That’s what I says; I ain’t agoing to be made a teetotaler willy-nilly, and give up my beer for no young jackanapes like him. Not I! I be a bit too old for that sort of thing. No, no, says I, you don’t catch old birds with chaff, not a bit on it.” “And I says ditto. None of your buttercups and daisies, and no publics for me. I am a man, I am, and I ain’t agoing to be a child, nor yet a slave. I shan’t go.” “No, Jim, I guessed you wouldn’t as soon as I heard what he said. You couldn’t be happy if you mightn’t get drunk twice a week, could you?” “You mind your own business, and let me mind mine. I shall do as I like, and you may do the same.” “Thank you; as for me, I shall try the new life. There isn’t much to be got out of the old one, I’m thinking.” “What nonsense it is for him to talk about sharing the profits! As if he would! A fine lot will come to your share!” “I’m not sure about that. A good many masters are trying that on; and it answers, too! The men put better work in, and more of it, if they think all the reward doesn’t go to somebody else.” “I’d sell my chance for a pot of ale.” “Yes, I dare say. A friend of mine down at Hull was in just such a thing as this, and a fellow sold him his chance for a shilling. But when the end of the year came he wished he hadn’t, for his chance told up to seven pounds ten.” “Ah! a likely tale that.” “It is a true one, any way.” “I shall make my man go, because of Polly’s eyes,” said a woman. “Polly’s eyes are dreadful bad.” “What is the matter with them? Is it inflammation?”