met, and are going to drop wages again."

"I think Dusty is going to be married," said Caroline.

"Not at this rate of wages I should hope," said Mrs Carey, getting in a
word.

"I should think not," said Devilsdust. "You are a sensible woman, Mrs
Carey. And I don't know exactly what you mean, Miss Caroline," he added,
a little confused. For Devilsdust was a silent admirer of Caroline, and
had been known to say to Mick, who told Julia, who told her friend, that
if he ever found time to think of such things, that was the sort of girl
he should like to make the partner of his life.

"But Dusty," said Julia, "now what is it?"

"Why, I thought you all knew," said Mick.

"Now, now," said Julia, "I hate suspense. I like news to go round like a
fly-wheel."

"Well," said Devilsdust, dryly, "this is Saturday, young women, and Mrs
Carey too, you will not deny that."

"I should think not," said Mrs Carey, "by the token I kept a stall for
thirty year in our market, and never gave it up till this summer, which
makes me always think that, though I have seen many ups and downs,
this--"

"Well, what has Saturday to do with us?" said Caroline; "for neither
Dandy Mick nor you can take us to the Temple, or any other genteel
place, since they are all shut from the Corn Laws, or some other cause
or other."

"I believe it's the machines more than the Corn Laws that have shut up
the Temple," said Harriet. "Machines, indeed! Fancy preferring a
piece of iron or wood to your own flesh and blood. And they call that
Christianlike!"

"It is Saturday," said Julia, "sure enough; and if I don't lie in bed
to-morrow till sunset, may I get a bate ticket for every day for a week
to come."

"Well, go it my hearty," said Mick to Devilsdust. "It is Saturday, that
they have all agreed."

"And to-morrow is Sunday," said Devilsdust solemnly. "And the next
day is the blackest day in all the week," said Julia. "When I hear the
factory bell on Monday morning, I feel just the same as I did when I
crossed with my uncle from Liverpool to Seaton to eat shrimps. Wasn't I
sick coming home, that's all!"

"You won't hear that bell sound next Monday," said Devilsdust solemnly.

"You don't mean that?" said Julia.

"Why, what's the matter?" said Caroline. "Is the Queen dead?"

"No bell on Monday morning," said Mrs Carey, incredulously.

"Not a single ring if all the Capitalists in Mowbray were to pull
together at the same rope," said Devilsdust.

"W