[The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists by Robert Tressell]@TWC D-Link book
The Ragged Trousered Philanthropists

CHAPTER 15
12/39

Even if you ain't got no money you can say a kind word.

If a man does 'is work and looks arter 'is 'ome and 'is young 'uns, and does a good turn to a fellow creature when 'e can, I reckon 'e stands as much chance of getting into 'eaven--if there IS sich a place--as some of there 'ere Bible-busters, whether 'e ever goes to church or chapel or not.' These sentiments were echoed by everyone with the solitary exception of Slyme, who said that Philpot would find out his mistake after he was dead, when he would have to stand before the Great White Throne for judgement! 'And at the Last Day, when yer sees the moon turned inter Blood, you'll be cryin' hout for the mountings and the rocks to fall on yer and 'ide yer from the wrath of the Lamb!' The others laughed derisively.
'I'm a Bush Baptist meself,' remarked the man on the upturned pail.
This individual, Dick Wantley by name, was of what is usually termed a 'rugged' cast of countenance.

He reminded one strongly of an ancient gargoyle, or a dragon.
Most of the hands had by now lit their pipes, but there were a few who preferred chewing their tobacco.

As they smoked or chewed they expectorated upon the floor or into the fire.

Wantley was one of those who preferred chewing and he had been spitting upon the floor to such an extent that he was by this time partly surrounded by a kind of semicircular moat of dark brown spittle.
'I'm a Bush Baptist!' he shouted across the moat, 'and you all knows wot that is.' This confession of faith caused a fresh outburst of hilarity, because of course everyone knew what a Bush Baptist was.
'If 'evven's goin' to be full of sich b--r's as Hunter,' observed Eaton, 'I think I'd rather go to the other place.' 'If ever ole Misery DOES get into 'eaven,' said Philpot, ''e won't stop there very long.


<<Back  Index  Next>>

D-Link book Top

TWC mobile books