The Opposite House: A Novel — page 25: what you’re looking at

Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.

20 Lhe Oppostte Flouse. under such control. We won’t be spied upon, neither my men norlI. So decide whether you ’ll take yourself off again, and leteverything go on as before, or whether we shall seek service elsewhere. You have only to choose.” “T stand on my own property, man,” replied Traugott, calmly, “and affairs have really gone very far if 1 am to make way for my superintendent. I will not yield a single inch, and if that doesn’t suit you, you are dismissed.” The superintendent’s little eyes seamed fairly to devour Gerrald’s tall figure. ‘“ And what is to become of the mills, if there is no one to turn the wheels, eh ?” “'That is my business,” replied Traugott, shrug- ging his shoulders. “ At any rate, I would rather close them than have you manage them another day.” “Well, then, you can all goto the tannery !” cried the superintendent, pale with fury. ‘There we shall find less niggardly masters and equally good wages.” “Indeed! Whotold you so?” asked Gerrald, with folded arms. ‘I suppose you are not aware, men, that the tannery doesn’t need another soul, and that there is an over-supply of workmen else- where ?” Already troubled faces appeared here and there, ComicboOoks.c© 5}