evilsdust.

"But that's what you always say, Dusty," said Mick.

"I watch events," said Devilsdust. "If you want to be a leader of the
people you must learn to watch events."

"But what do you mean by watching events?"

"Do you see Mother Carey's stall?" said Dusty, pointing in the direction
of the counter of the good-natured widow.

"I should think I did; and what's more, Julia owes her a tick for
herrings."

"Right," said Devilsdust: "and nothing but herrings are to be seen on
her board. Two years ago it was meat."

"I twig," said Mick.

"Wait till it's wegetables; when the people can't buy even fish. Then we
will talk about strikes. That's what I call watching events."

Julia, Caroline, and Harriet came up to them.

"Mick," said Julia, "we want to go to the Temple."

"I wish you may get it," said Mick shaking his head. "When you have
learnt to watch events, Julia, you will understand that under present
circumstances the Temple is no go."

"And why so, Dandy?" said Julia.

"Do you see Mother Carey's stall?" said Mick, pointing in that
direction. "When there's a tick at Madam Carey's there is no tin for
Chaffing Jack. That's what I call watching events."

"Oh! as for the tin," said Caroline, "in these half-time days that's
quite out of fashion. But they do say it's the last night at the Temple,
for Chaffing Jack means to shut up, it does not pay any longer; and we
want a lark. I'll stand treat; I'll put my earrings up the spout--they
must go at last, and I would sooner at any time go to my uncle's for
frolic than woe."

"I am sure I should like very much to go to the Temple if any one would
pay for me," said Harriet, "but I won't pawn nothing."

"If we only pay and hear them sing," said Julia in a coaxing tone.

"Very like," said Mick; "there's nothing that makes one so thirsty as
listening to a song, particularly if it touches the feelings. Don't you
remember, Dusty, when we used to encore that German fellow in 'Scots wha
ha.' We always had it five times. Hang me if I wasn't blind drunk at the
end of it."

"I tell you what, young ladies," said Devilsdust, looking very solemn,
"you're dancing on a volcano."

"Oh! my," said Caroline. "I am sure I wish we were; though what you mean
exactly I don't quite know."

"I mean that we shall all soon be slaves," said Devilsdust.

"Not if we get the Ten-Hour Bill," said Harriet.

"And no cleaning of machinery in meal time," said Julia; "that is a
shame