behalf of the men, of course, not of the masters--that you think of
others, besides yourself. Do you mind explaining WHAT others?

JOB ARTHUR. Everybody's used to your talk, Mr. Houghton, and for that
reason it doesn't make much impression. What I meant to say, in plain
words, was that we have to think of what's best for everybody, not
only of ourselves.

WILLIE. Oh, I see. What's best for everybody! I see! Well, for
myself, I'm much obliged--there's nothing for us to do, gentlemen,
but for all of us to bow acknowledgments to Mr. Job Arthur Freer, who
so kindly has ALL our interests at heart.

JOB ARTHUR. I don't profess to be a red-rag Socialist. I don't
pretend to think that if the Government had the pits it would be any
better for us. No. What I mean is, that the pits are there and every
man on this place depends on them, one way or another. They're the
cow that gives the milk. And what I mean is, how every man shall have
a proper share of the milk, which is food and living. It's like
killing the goose that laid the golden egg. I want to keep the cow
healthy and strong. And the cow is the pits, and we're the men that
depend on the pits.

WILLIE. Who's the cat that's going to lick the cream?

JOB ARTHUR. My position is this--and I state it before masters and
men--that it's our business to strike such a balance between the
interests of the men and the interests of the masters that the pits
remain healthy, and everybody profits.