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of public ignorance could ever be otherwise than threatening and
full of evil。 Many ears and eyes were busy with a vision of the
matter of these placards； among turning spindles； rattling looms；
and whirring wheels； for hours afterwards； and when the Hands
cleared out again into the streets； there were still as many readers
as before。
Slackbridge； the delegate； had to address his audience too that
night； and Slackbridge had obtained a clean bill from the printer；
and had brought it in his pocket。 O my friends and fellow
countrymen； the down…trodden operatives of Coketown； oh； my
fellow brothers and fellow workmen and fellow citizens and fellow
men； what a to…do was there； when Slackbridge unfolded what he
called “that damning document；” and held it up to the gaze； and
for the execration； of the workingman community！ “Oh my fellow
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men； behold what a traitor in the camp of those great spirits who
are enrolled upon the holy scroll of Justice and of Union； is
appropriately capable！ Oh my prostrate friends； with the galling
yoke of tyrants on your necks and the iron foot of despotism
treading down your fallen forms into the dust of the earth； upon
which right glad would your oppressors be to see you creeping on
your bellies all the days of your lives； like the serpent in the
garden—oh my brothers； and shall I as a man not add； my sisters
too； what do you say； now； of Stephen Blackpool； with a slight
stoop in his shoulders； and about five foot seven in height； as set
forth in this degrading and disgusting document； this blighting
bill； this pernicious placard； this abominable advertisement； and
with what majesty of denouncement will you crush the viper； who
would bring this stain and shame upon the God…like race that
happily has cast him out for ever！ Yes； my compatriots； happily
cast him out and send him forth！ For you remember how he stood
here before you on this platform； you remember how； face to face
and foot to foot； I pursued him through all his intricate windings；
you remember how he sneaked and slunk； and sidled； and splitted
of straws； until； with not an inch of ground to which to cling； I
hurled him out from amongst us： an object for the undying finger
of scorn to point at； and for the avenging fire of every free and
thinking mind to scorch and sear！ And now my friends—my
labouring friends； for I rejoice and triumph in that stigma—my
friends whose hard but honest beds are made in toil； and whose
scanty but independent pots are boiled in hardship； and； now I
say； my friends； what appellation has that dastard craven taken to
himself； when； with the mask torn from his features he stands
before us in all his native deformity； a What？ A thief！ A plunderer！
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Hard Times 314
A proscribed fugitive； with a price upon his head； a fester and a
wound upon the noble character of the Coketown operative！
Therefore； my band of brothers in a sacred bond； to which your
children and your children’s children yet unborn have set their
infant hands and seals； I propose to you on the part of the United
Aggregate Tribunal； ever watchful for your welfare； ever zealous
for your benefit； that this meeting does Resolve； That Stephen
Blackpool； weaver； referred to in this placard； having been already
solemnly disowned by the community of Coketown Hands； the
same are free from the shame of his misdeeds； and cannot as a
class be reproached with his dishonest actions！”
Thus Slackbridge； gnashing and perspiring after a prodigious
sort。 A few stern voices called out “No！” and a score or two hailed；
with assenting cries of “Hear； hear！” the caution from one man；
“Slackbridge； y’or over hetter int； y’or a goen too fast！” But these
were pigmies against an army； the general assemblage subscribed
to the gospel according to Slackbridge； and gave three cheers for
him； as he sat demonstratively panting at them。
These men and women were yet in the streets； passing quietly
to their homes； when Sissy； who had been called away from
Louisa some minutes before； returned。
“Who is it？” asked Louisa。
“It is Mr Bounderby；” said Sissy； timid of the name； “and your
brother Mr Tom； and a young woman who says her name is
Rachael； and that you know her。”
“What do they want； Sissy dear？”
“They want to see you。 Rachael has been crying； and seems
angry。”
“Father；” said Louisa； for he was present； “I cannot refuse to
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see them； for a reason that will explain itself。 Shall they come in
here？”
As he answered in the affirmative； Sissy went away to bring
them。 She reappeared with them directly。 Tom was last； and
remained standing in the obscurest part of the room； near the
door。
“Mrs Bounderby；” said her husband； entering with a cool nod；
“I don’t disturb you； I hope。 This is an unseasonable hour； but
here is a young woman who has been making statements which
render my visit necessary。 Tom Gradgrind； as your son； young
Tom； refuses for some obstinate reason or other to say anything at
all about those statements； good or bad； I am obliged to confront
her with your daughter。”
“You have seen me once before； young lady；” said Rachael；
standing in front of Louisa。
Tom coughed。
“You have seen me； young lady；” repeated Rachael； as she did
not answer； “once before。”
Tom coughed again。
“I have。”
Rachael cast her eyes proudly towards Mr Bounderby； and said；
“Will you