human
I'll tell you what, said one manufacturer to another as they stood on the steps of the Mechanics' Institute,
gpt
Nay, replied the other,
human
--and he laughed meaningly--
gpt
How can it be for our benefit?
human
Why, can't you see? If the Germans join Austria against Russia and France, we shall be able to steal the German trade;--and we can do with it,
gpt
Ay, we can.
human
Just see how Manchester is riddled with Germans. They have been robbing our trade right and left, and even here in Brunford Germans are poking their noses. I am about sick of them. Thirty years ago we hardly ever saw a German, and now they have nobbled our best-paying lines. If I had my way, all Germans should be driven out of the country; they are a bad lot to deal with; they have no business honour, and they don't play the game.
gpt
Come now, it's not so bad as that.
human
Ay, but it is. For years they have been sending their lads over here on the pretence of learning the language. They take jobs in our offices for hardly any wage, and then when they have learned our secrets, and the names of our customers, they just play against us.
gpt
Well, more fools we for letting 'em.