(_He unfolds a paper and a group gathers about him_) CRIES. (_Near the door_) That's right! that's right! THIRD WORKMAN. (_From the edge of the crowd_) What are they sayin', Mike? FOURTH WORKMAN. (_On the edge of the crowd, looking toward the group about Dicey_) We can't hear nothin' with that racket there. FIRST MILITIAMAN. It's his lost sheep he's after. SECOND MILITIAMAN. Let him bark. FOURTH WORKMAN. You've stood by us, boys, and we'll stand by you. VOICE. (_From back in the mill_) Tell him we won't, no matter what he says! (_The Sixth Militiaman comes up the stairs, with four or five bugles, and shows surprise to see the crowd gathered_) THIRD MILITIAMAN. (_In the group about the paper_) And Smith and Balding Brothers! FOURTH WORKMAN. Lemme see it. FIFTH MILITIAMAN. Give him a rouse. What say you. One, two, three. SEVERAL. Hurrah for Harry Egerton! Hurrah! VOICE. (_Rear_) Hurrah for the Living Mill! A GENERAL SHOUT. (_Back in the mill_) The Living Mill! FIFTH MILITIAMAN. I guess, by God, he knows where we stand now. (_They join the crowd about the door. Jim King comes through the gate in the railing, followed by Rome Masters, who is considerably intoxicated_) JIM KING. And hug 'em round the neck, if I was you. That's what I'd do. ROME MASTERS. Now you just stop that, Jim. JIM KING. Why did you tell Aug. Jergens that you would? ROME MASTERS. I ain't said nothin' about backin' down. But I ain't nothin' agin him. JIM KING. There you go! It does beat hell. You just keep saying that, That you ain't nothin' agin him, and you'll see. VOICE. (_Near the door_) Who's to be judge what's for the Public Good? ROME MASTERS. I ain't said that I wouldn't do the job. JIM KING. (_Stands on tip-toe and looks over the crowd, then turns back to Masters_) Didn't you think and didn't I think and Wes That when they cut the pie we'd get our share, One big long table with no head and tail But all the boys the same, and everything Piled on it and divided? (_The group about Dicey become more noisy_) VOICE. (_From the crowd_) Put him out! (_Dicey comes from the centre of the group and catches sight of King, who beckons to him_) FIRST WORKMAN. (_From the group_) If you don't like it, Wes, why don't you leave? SECOND WORKMAN. (_Following Dicey_) Why in the hell don't you leave? We're free men. (_Dicey, King and Masters walk over to the pile of sash, left_) THIRD WORKMAN. (_Of the Dicey faction_) Offer 'em coppers for their Union cards. FOURTH WORKMAN. And where's the mine that you was goin' to share? FIFTH WORKMAN. You want old Egerton to have it, eh? VOICE. (_Back in the mill_) Bring on the Constitution and let's vote! CHRIS KNUDSON. (_Comes out of the crowd_)