“It means business.”

The paper in question contained a series of resolutions unanimously adopted at a meeting of the Marble Workers’ Association of Stillwater, held in Grimsey’s Hall the previous night.  Dropping the preamble, these resolutions, which were neatly printed with a type-writing machine on a half letter sheet, ran as follows:—­

Resolved, That on and after the First of June proximo, the pay of carvers in Slocum’s Marble Yard shall be $2.75 per day, instead of $2.50 as heretofore.

Resolved, That on and after the same date, the rubbers and polishers shall have $2.00 per day, instead of $1.75 as heretofore.

Resolved, That on and after the same date the millmen are to have $2.00 per day, instead of $1.75 as heretofore.

Resolved, That during the months of June, July, and August the shops shall knock off work on Saturdays at five P.M., instead of at six P.M.

Resolved, That a printed copy of these Resolutions be laid before the Proprietor of Slocum’s Marble Yard, and that his immediate attention to them be respectfully requested. Per order of Committee M. W. A.

“Torrini is at the bottom of that,” said Mr. Slocum.

“I hardly think so.  This arrangement, as I told you the other day before I had the trouble with him, has been in contemplation several weeks.  Undoubtedly Torrini used his influence to hasten the movement already planned.  The Association has too much shrewdness to espouse the quarrel of an individual.”

“What are we to do?”

“If you are in the same mind you were when we talked over the possibility of an unreasonable demand like this, there is only one thing to do.”

“Fight it?”

“Fight it.”

“I have been resolute, and all that sort of thing, in times past,” observed Mr. Slocum, glancing out of the tail of his eye at Richard, “and have always come off second best.  The Association has drawn up most of my rules for me, and had its own way generally.”

“Since my time you have never been in so strong a position to make a stand.  We have got all the larger contracts out of the way.  Foreseeing what was likely to come, I have lately fought shy of taking new ones.  Here are heavy orders from Rafter & Son, the Builders’ Company, and others.  We must decline them by to-night’s mail.”

“Is it really necessary?” asked Mr. Slocum, knitting his forehead into what would have been a scowl if his mild pinkish eyebrows had permitted it.

“I think so.”

“I hate to do that.”

“Then we are at the mercy of the Association.”

“If we do not come to their terms, you seriously believe they will strike?”

“I do,” replied Richard, “and we should be in a pretty fix.”

“But these demands are ridiculous.”

“The men are not aware of our situation; they imagine we have a lot of important jobs on hand, as usual at this season.  Formerly the foreman of a shop had access to the order-book, but for the last year or two I have kept it in the safe here.  The other day Dexter came to me and wanted to see what work was set down ahead in the blotter; but I had an inspiration and didn’t let him post himself.”