human
May I inquire whether the gentleman is a practical miner himself?
gpt
I was, when I was young. Now I keep a shop and deal with pitmen. But I came here expecting to be told about a dividend. I put three hundred pounds into the Company, because lawyer Jesmond said one could rely on anything that was started by Allinson's. The money wasn't easily saved, but there was no opening in my business--what with the co-operatives cutting into a small man's trade----
human
That's enough! said somebody; and there was a shout of
gpt
Don't waste our time!
human
I'm not here for myself alone, he resumed.
gpt
I came up, by excursion, to speak for other people in our town. Jesmond did their business, and he said----
human
Go on, man!
gpt
I mean to, replied the speaker calmly.
human
What's more, I have signed proxies in my pocket to be filled up as I think fit.
gpt
It's doubtful how far that's in order,
human
Let him fill them up by all means! exclaimed a stockjobber ironically.
gpt
If all his friends gave him proxies, they wouldn't count for much! There are individual holders present whose votes----