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in overcrowded hovels。
These human beings had such a strange system of arranging their affairs that if anyone were to go and burn down a lot of the houses he would be conferring a great boon upon those who had built them； because such an act would ‘Make a lot more work！'
Another very comical thing was that thousands of people wore broken boots and ragged clothes； while millions of pairs of boots and abundance of clothing； which they had helped to make； were locked up in warehouses； and the System had the keys。
Thousands of people lacked the necessaries of life。 The necessaries of life are all produced by work。 The people who lacked begged to be allowed to work and create those things of which they stood in need。 But the System prevented them from so doing。
If anyone asked the System why it prevented these people from producing the things of which they were in want； the System replied：
‘Because they have already produced too much。 The markets are glutted。 The warehouses are filled and overflowing； and there is nothing more for them to do。'
There was in existence a huge accumulation of everything necessary。 A great number of the people whose labour had produced that vast store were now living in want； but the System said that they could not be permitted to partake of the things they had created。 Then； after a time； when these people； being reduced to the last extreme of misery； cried out that they and their children were dying of hunger； the System grudgingly unlocked the doors of the great warehouses； and taking out a small part of the things that were stored within； distributed it amongst the famished workers； at the same time reminding them that it was Charity； because all the things in the warehouses； although they had been made by the workers； were now the property of the people who do nothing。
And then the starving； bootless； ragged； stupid wretches fell down and worshipped the System； and offered up their children as living sacrifices upon its altars； saying：
‘This beautiful System is the only one possible； and the best that human wisdom can devise。 May the System live for ever！ Cursed be those who seek to destroy the System！'
As the absurdity of the thing forced itself upon him； Owen； in spite of the unhappiness he felt at the sight of all the misery by which he was surrounded； laughed aloud and said to himself that if he was sane； then all these people must be mad。
In the face of such colossal imbecility it was absurd to hope for any immediate improvement。 The little already accomplished was the work of a few self…sacrificing enthusiasts； battling against the opposition of those they sought to benefit； and the results of their labours were； in many instances； as pearls cast before the swine who stood watching for opportunities to fall upon and rend their benefactors。
There was only one hope。 It was possible that the monopolists； encouraged by the extraordinary stupidity and apathy of the people would proceed to lay upon them even greater burdens； until at last； goaded by suffering； and not having sufficient intelligence to understand any other remedy； these miserable wretches would turn upon their oppressors and drown both them and their System in a sea of blood。
Besides the work at the Kiosk； towards the end of March things gradually began to improve in other directions。 Several firms began to take on a few hands。 Several large empty houses that were relet had to be renovated for their new tenants； and there was a fair amount of inside work arising out of the annual spring…cleaning in other houses。 There was not enough work to keep everyone employed； and most of those who were taken on as a rule only managed to make a few hours a week； but still it was better than absolute idleness； and there also began to be talk of several large outside jobs that were to be done as soon as the weather was settled。
This bad weather； by the way； was a sort of boon to the defenders of the present system； who were hard…up for sensible arguments to explain the cause of poverty。 One of the principal causes was； of course； the weather； which was keeping everything back。 There was not the slightest doubt that if only the weather would allow there would always be plenty of work； and poverty would be abolished。
Rushton & Co。 had a fair share of what work there was； and Crass； Sawkins； Slyme and Owen were kept employed pretty regularly； although they did not start until half past eight and left off at four。 At different houses in various parts of the town they had ceilings to wash off and distemper； to strip the old paper from the walls； and to repaint and paper the rooms； and sometimes there were the venetian blinds to repair and repaint。 Occasionally a few extra hands were taken on for a few days； and discharged again as soon as the job they were taken on to do was finished。
The defenders of the existing system may possibly believe that the knowledge that they would be discharged directly the job was done was a very good incentive to industry； that they would naturally under these circumstances do their best to get the work done as quickly as possible。 But then it must be remembered that most of the defenders of the existing system are so constituted； that they can believe anything provided it is not true and sufficiently silly。
All the same； it was a fact that the workmen did do their very best to get over this work in the shortest possible time； because although they knew that to do so was contrary to their own interests； they also knew that it would be very much more contrary to their interests not to do so。 Their only chance of being kept on if other work came in was to tear into it for all they were worth。 Consequently； most of the work was rushed and botched and slobbered over in about half the time that it would have taken to do it properly。 Rooms for which the customers paid to have three coats of paint were scamped with one or two。 What Misery did not know about scamping and faking the work； the men suggested to and showed him in the hope of currying favour with him in order that they might get the preference over others and be sent for when the next job came in。 This is the principal incentive provided by the present system； the incentive to cheat。 These fellows cheated the customers of their money。 They cheated themselves and their fellow workmen of work； and their children of bread； but it was all for a good cause … to make profit for their master。
Harlow and Slyme did one job … a room that Rushton & Co。 had contracted to paint three coats。 It was finished with two and the men cleared away their paints。 The next day； when Slyme wept there to paper the room； the lady of the house said that the painting was not yet finished … it was to have another coat。 Slyme assured her that it had already had three； but； as the lady insisted； Slyme went to the shop and sought out Misery。 Harlow had been stood off； as there was not another job in just then； but fortunately he happened to be standing in the street outside the shop； so they called him and then the three of them went round to the job and swore that the room had had three coats。 The lady protested that it wa