The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists [271]
unexpected outburst at the Beano dinner, the men had been trying their best to `kid him on' to make another speech, but so far without success. If anything, he had been even more silent and reserved than before, as if he felt some regret that he had spoken as he had on that occasion. Crass and his disciples attributed Barrington's manner to fear that he was going to get the sack for his trouble and they agreed amongst themselves that it would serve him bloody well right if 'e did get the push.
When they had fixed the poster on the wall, Philpot stood the steps in the corner of the room, with the back part facing outwards, and then, everything being ready for the lecturer, the two sat down in their accustomed places and began to eat their dinners, Harlow remarking that they would have to buck up or they would be too late for the meeting; and the rest of the crowd began to discuss the poster.
`Wot the 'ell does PLO mean?' demanded Bundy, with a puzzled expression.
`Plain Layer On,' answered Philpot modestly.
`'Ave you ever 'eard the Professor preach before?' inquired the man on the pail, addressing Bundy.
`Only once, at the Beano,' replied that individual; `an' that was once too often!'
`Finest speaker I ever 'eard,' said the man on the pail with enthusiasm. `I wouldn't miss this lecture for anything: this is one of 'is best subjects. I got 'ere about two hours before the doors was opened, so as to be sure to get a seat.'
`Yes, it's a very good subject,' said Crass, with a sneer. `I believe most of the Labour Members in Parliament is well up in it.'
`And wot about the other members?' demanded Philpot. `Seems to me as if most of them knows something about it too.'
`The difference is,' said Owen, `the working classes voluntarily pay to keep the Labour Members, but whether they like it or not, they have to keep the others.'
`The Labour members is sent to the 'Ouse of Commons,' said Harlow, `and paid their wages to do certain work for the benefit of the working classes, just the same as we're sent 'ere and paid our wages by the Bloke to paint this 'ouse.'
`Yes,' said Crass; `but if we didn't do the work we're paid to do, we should bloody soon get the sack.'
Imperial Bankquet Hall `The Refuge' on Thursday at 12.30 prompt
Professor Barrington WILL DELIVER A
ORATION
ENTITLED
THE GREAT SECRET, OR HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT WORK
The Rev. Joe Philpot PLO (Late absconding secretary of the light refreshment fund) Will take the chair and anything else he can lay his hands on.
At The End Of The Lecture A MEETING WILL BE ARRANGED And carried out according to the Marquis of Queensbury's Rules.
A Collection will be took up in aid of the cost of printing
`I can't see how we've got to keep the other members,' said Slyme; `they're mostly rich men, and they live on their own money.'
`Of course,' said Crass. `And I should like to know where we should be without 'em! Talk about us keepin' them! It seems to me more like it that they keeps us! The likes of us lives on rich people. Where should we be if it wasn't for all the money they spend and the work they 'as done? If the owner of this 'ouse 'adn't 'ad the money to spend to 'ave it done up, most of us would 'ave bin out of work this last six weeks, and starvin', the same as lots of others 'as been.'
`Oh yes, that's right enough,' agreed Bundy. `Labour is no good without Capital. Before any work can be done there's one thing necessary, and that's money. It would be easy to find work for all the unemployed
When they had fixed the poster on the wall, Philpot stood the steps in the corner of the room, with the back part facing outwards, and then, everything being ready for the lecturer, the two sat down in their accustomed places and began to eat their dinners, Harlow remarking that they would have to buck up or they would be too late for the meeting; and the rest of the crowd began to discuss the poster.
`Wot the 'ell does PLO mean?' demanded Bundy, with a puzzled expression.
`Plain Layer On,' answered Philpot modestly.
`'Ave you ever 'eard the Professor preach before?' inquired the man on the pail, addressing Bundy.
`Only once, at the Beano,' replied that individual; `an' that was once too often!'
`Finest speaker I ever 'eard,' said the man on the pail with enthusiasm. `I wouldn't miss this lecture for anything: this is one of 'is best subjects. I got 'ere about two hours before the doors was opened, so as to be sure to get a seat.'
`Yes, it's a very good subject,' said Crass, with a sneer. `I believe most of the Labour Members in Parliament is well up in it.'
`And wot about the other members?' demanded Philpot. `Seems to me as if most of them knows something about it too.'
`The difference is,' said Owen, `the working classes voluntarily pay to keep the Labour Members, but whether they like it or not, they have to keep the others.'
`The Labour members is sent to the 'Ouse of Commons,' said Harlow, `and paid their wages to do certain work for the benefit of the working classes, just the same as we're sent 'ere and paid our wages by the Bloke to paint this 'ouse.'
`Yes,' said Crass; `but if we didn't do the work we're paid to do, we should bloody soon get the sack.'
Imperial Bankquet Hall `The Refuge' on Thursday at 12.30 prompt
Professor Barrington WILL DELIVER A
ORATION
ENTITLED
THE GREAT SECRET, OR HOW TO LIVE WITHOUT WORK
The Rev. Joe Philpot PLO (Late absconding secretary of the light refreshment fund) Will take the chair and anything else he can lay his hands on.
At The End Of The Lecture A MEETING WILL BE ARRANGED And carried out according to the Marquis of Queensbury's Rules.
A Collection will be took up in aid of the cost of printing
`I can't see how we've got to keep the other members,' said Slyme; `they're mostly rich men, and they live on their own money.'
`Of course,' said Crass. `And I should like to know where we should be without 'em! Talk about us keepin' them! It seems to me more like it that they keeps us! The likes of us lives on rich people. Where should we be if it wasn't for all the money they spend and the work they 'as done? If the owner of this 'ouse 'adn't 'ad the money to spend to 'ave it done up, most of us would 'ave bin out of work this last six weeks, and starvin', the same as lots of others 'as been.'
`Oh yes, that's right enough,' agreed Bundy. `Labour is no good without Capital. Before any work can be done there's one thing necessary, and that's money. It would be easy to find work for all the unemployed