Page 150 of The Armor of Light

‘The strikers and a few of their supporters met last night to discuss the issues facing them. I happened to be at the Bell and can confirm that they were in the room all evening. They were informed of the riot, and agreed to take no action. They remained at the inn until well after the trouble was over. The landlord of the inn, his staff and about a hundred customers can bear witness to that. So we may be quite confident that the strikers and their supporters had nothing to do with it.’

‘They could still have organized it,’ said Hornbeam.

‘Perhaps,’ said Amos. ‘But there’s no evidence for that. And we can’t act on mere supposition.’

‘In that case,’ said Fishwick, taking charge of the discussion again, ‘perhaps we can talk about what we might do to bring the strike to an end and prevent further conflict of this kind in our town. Obviously we can’t ask our friend Hornbeam not to use his new steam looms – we can’t hold back progress.’

Hornbeam said: ‘Thank you for that, at least.’

Fishwick went on: ‘But perhaps there might be some lesser concession that would persuade the hands. Mr Shoveller, you may be more in touch with the workers than I am. What do you think might persuade them back to work?’

‘I can’t speak for them,’ Spade said, and he sensed the disappointment in the group. ‘However, perhaps I can suggest a way forward.’

‘Go ahead, please,’ said Fishwick.

‘A small group of clothiers, say three or four people, might be appointed to meet with representatives of the hands. Perhaps we could explain to them which demands are impossible and which may be possible. Armed with that kind of understanding, our group could report back to Mr Hornbeam, and theirs to the hands, and we might be able to reach agreement.’

All the clothiers were accustomed to negotiation in business, and they understood the language of haggling and compromise. Around the table there were murmurs and nods of agreement.

Encouraged, Spade added: ‘Obviously the group would not have the power to make decisions on Mr Hornbeam’s behalf, nor indeed on behalf of the hands. All the same it needs some authority, and to that end I suggest that you, Mr Mayor, should be its leading member.’

That, too, met with approval. Fishwick said: ‘I’m at your service, of course. And Mr Shoveller, you would clearly be a great help to the group.’

‘Thank you. I’m happy to do what I can.’

Someone said: ‘And Mrs Bagshaw.’

Spade approved. Cissy Bagshaw was the only female clothier, running the business she had inherited when her husband died. She was intelligent and open-minded.

Fishwick said: ‘And Mr Barrowfield, perhaps?’

Once again there was agreement.

‘Very good,’ said Fishwick. ‘And with your agreement, gentlemen and lady, I would like us to start work today.’

And so, Spade thought with satisfaction, the union achieves official recognition.

I wonder what Hornbeam will do next?

*

‘Do other men do this?’ Arabella asked Spade.

‘I don’t know,’ he said.

He was combing her pubic hair.

She said: ‘No man has ever looked at me there.’

‘Oh? But you managed to conceive Elsie...’

‘In the dark.’

‘Do bishops have to do it in the dark?’

She giggled. ‘It’s probably a rule.’

‘So I’m the first man to see this glorious golden red.’